Princesses of the Early Middle Ages: Royal Daughters of the Conquest

Daughters of kings were often used to seal treaty alliances and forge peace with England's enemies. Princesses of the Early Middle Ages: Royal Daughters from the Conquest will explore the lives of these young women, how they followed the stereotype, and how they sometimes managed to escape it. It will look at the world they lived in, and how their lives and marriages were affected by political necessity and the events of the time. Almost as interesting as the marriages these girls made are the ones that were never realised. Many English princesses were betrothed, or proposed as brides, three or more times before they were married. Their failed marriage proposals demonstrated their influence and worth on the international royal marriage market, as well as the changing allegiances between countries and the making and breaking of international friendships. Princesses of the Early Middle Ages will also examine how these girls, who were often political pawns, were able to control their own lives and fates. Whilst they were expected to obey their parents in their marriage choices, several princesses were able to exert their own influence on these choices, with some outright refusing the husbands offered to them. Their stories are touching, inspiring and, at times, heartbreaking. AUTHOR: Sharon Bennett Connolly is the best-selling author of several non-fiction history books. A Fellow of the Royal Historical Society, Sharon has studied history academically and just for fun ? and has even worked as a tour guide at a castle. She also writes the popular history blog, www.historytheinterestingbits.com and co-hosts the podcast A Slice of Medieval, alongside historical novelist Derek Birks. Sharon regularly gives talks on women's history, for historical groups, festivals and in schools; her book Silk and the Sword: The Women of the Norman Conquest is a recommended text for teaching the Norman Conquest in the National Curriculum. She is a feature writer for All About History and Living Medieval magazines and her TV work includes Australian Television's Who Do You Think You Are? Her previous books include: Heroines of the Medieval World Silk and the Sword: The Women of the Norman Conquest Ladies of Magna Carta: Women of Influence in Thirteenth-Century England Defenders of the Norman Crown: Rise and Fall of the Warenne Earls of Surrey King John's Right-Hand Lady: The Story of Nicholaa de la Haye Women of the Anarchy Heroines of the Tudor World Scotland's Medieval Queens: From St Margaret to Margaret of Denmark. 25 colour illustrations