The First Queen of England: 1 - Softcover

Porter, M J; Porter, MJ

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1520474202 ISBN 13: 9781520474205

Publisher: Independently published, 2017

Synopsis

Before Anne Boleyn stole the heart of a king and demanded marriage, another woman strove to wed an already married king of England. This is the story of Elfrida, who would become the first crowned Queen of England.

England is united under Edgar, but twenty years of uncertainty and a dwindling royal nursery have left the royal family vulnerable to extinction.

Edgar, a king at only 15 years old, has an acknowledged daughter and wife, but the dying ealdorman, Æthelwald, has commanded his wife to seek out the king, now in his early twenties. True to her husband’s wishes, Elfrida pursues the king, nervous of her husband’s intentions but trusting them all the same. When the king tries to make her his concubine, Elfrida refuses and withdraws from the court, only to find herself dreaming of the king, desiring his touch and presence.

When the king seeks her out again, she willingly follows him back to his court. She finds herself plunged into a world of politics and self-interest where her future happiness rests not only on the king loving her but also on the goodwill of others, with much to play for at the king’s court.

The First Queen of England evokes tenth-century England at its most enigmatic, shining a welcome light on England’s first crowned queen, a woman who would go on to accomplish much, but who must first steal the heart of an amorous king and earn her place at court, and overcome the obstacle of the outcome of not only the king’s second marriage but also his first.

The Mercian Brexit can be read as an introduction to The First Queen of England, offering an account of the very early days of King Edgar's reign from AD955 to AD957.

Suggested Reading Order
The Mercian Brexit (short story)
The First Queen
The First Queen of England Part 2
The First Queen of England Part 3
The King's Mother
The Queen Dowager
Once A Queen

Praise for The First Queen

"The First Queen is the first instalment of Elfrida’s story. This is a really well-written book, based on sound research and good knowledge of the historical context of the story." Amazon Reviewer

"M. J. Porter definitely did her research homework, which is challenging when it comes to writing about an age before printing presses and widespread book distribution. Her genealogy and succession charts in the back are especially informative. Elfrida is a sympathetic character and the reader looks to see her have a good outcome as the story unfolds. Interesting journey into pre-Norman Conquest England." Amazon Reviewer

Edition details

• Publisher: Independently published
• Publication date: 2017
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 1520474202
• ISBN 13: 9781520474205
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 236