A captivating historical fiction novel about Edith of Wessex, queen, diplomat, and peacemaker who helped shape medieval England’s future.
Edith of Wessex was queen, political advisor, and diplomat to her husband King Edward the Confessor. Yet history remembers King Edward more than her.
The Confessor’s Wife tells the story of Edith, an early medieval woman who had to navigate the dangerous political corridors of Eleventh-Century England where loyalties continually changed and no one was safe.
Balancing duty to her husband and support of her powerful family, Edith’s intelligence and influence made her one of the most formidable women of of the Anglo-Saxon period.
Excerpt
Morning arrived quickly, or so it seemed to Edith, and she struggled to dress, wash, and tidy for her journey. Aethel was there before light; she brought food and helped Edith to pack her last few possessions. Together they headed outside, holding hands and walking in silence.
The abbess was waiting in the purple light of early morning. “Good morning, Lady Edith.”
So formal. Barely a sign of their decade-long friendship. “Abbess.” Edith sighed. “I apologise for my behaviour yesterday. It was inappropriate.” She looked over at the wagon where the last of her belongings were being packed. “I love and respect my father, I’m sure he’s chosen well.”
The abbess nodded, a satisfied smile on her face. “You’re a good daughter.”
Edith looked at the abbess, examining her face closely. “Do you know who I’m to marry?”
“I cannot say, child.”
“You know! Tell me.”
“Someone appropriate to your station.” The look on the abbess’ face told Edith the matter was closed.
This information wasn’t much help. Little news filtered through to her at the abbey and depending on her family’s current political standing, it could be anyone. She’d been told since arriving at Wilton she’d leave someday, that a life of devotion was not for her. At first, she lived cautiously, aware of every messenger who arrived at the abbey. Could this message be about her? After a few years she relaxed. Even after she had gotten her first blood, and was certain her mother would be told, no news of a marriage arrived. She’d started to hope maybe, just maybe, she could live here forever. That dream, unrealistic as it was, was now shattered.
Her bridegroom might be anyone, from an earl to someone her father needed as an ally, even a raised-up housecarl if it was necessary. She just hoped she would remain in England and not be shipped off like chattel to some foreign lord.
She took a last look at the abbey; ivy-covered wooden buildings surrounded by a protective fence with a central gate which locked at night. The gate was now open for her and her brother.
As if sensing her thoughts, Sweyn was suddenly by her side.
“What in God’s name are you wearing?” He sniffed his sister and wrinkled his nose.
“My clothes, brother.”
“This is how you’ve dressed in this place?” He waved a hand over her.
“If it’s good enough for the abbey it’s good enough for you.” Edith turned her back on her brother, cheeks warming despite the cold morning air. She felt him standing behind her, his anger palpable. Sweyn took after their mother’s Danish ancestors, both physically and in temperament. She felt suffocated as he stood over her and was certain this is what he wanted. She wouldn’t allow herself to be intimidated.
Brushing past him she went and kneeled before the abbess.
“Mother, please grant your blessing for a safe and uneventful journey.”
Glancing at the glowering Sweyn, the abbess raised her hand and blessed Edith, adding in a whisper, “and a peaceful one.”
Edith stifled a laugh and stood. Protocol said they were done, that she was free to leave. Instead she rushed forward and embraced the older woman. “I’ll miss you.”
The older nun hesitated then wrapped her arms around Edith. “We’ll see each other again, I’m sure.” She released the girl and stepped back. “Now go, your family are waiting.”
Edith took one last long look at the woman who had very nearly raised her, memorising each line in the abbess’ face.
Blinking back tears, she turned and started toward the wagon. As she approached there was a knocking from inside one of the boxes. She peered into the cart.
“Hello sister!!” Without warning the lid of the box flew open and out jumped another family member.
“Tostig!” They rushed toward each other and embraced. “What are you doing here?”
“I couldn’t let my big sister travel alone with him.” He untangled himself and nodded towards Sweyn, who was berating a young farm hand who had been woken early to help them.
“Thank you!” Edith launched herself at her brother again, holding him tight before releasing him and looking him up and down. The last time she’d seen him he was a boy of eight, scruffy and sun-kissed from their time outside, despite the cold. Tostig, like her, took after their father: light brown hair, more slightly built than the Danes, and with deep chestnut eyes.
Edith was soft-spoken, a habit she had learned in the abbey. Her shrieks, so unexpected, gained her a disapproving frown from Sweyn. One glance at Tostig and the two of them were giggling like they had as children. The day could only get better, for they shared the same wicked sense of humour; the only two in the family.
A movement from the corner of her eye stayed Edith’s laughter. Aethel had just appeared in the gateway of the abbey.
“Aethel.” Edith hugged her friend. “I’ll miss you. You have no idea how much I’ll miss you.” She squeezed harder before letting go.
“My friend, I’ll miss you too. Wilton won’t be the same without you.”
“I’ll write to you. I don’t know where I’m going, but I’ll find a way to send word.” She hugged Aethel again, quickly this time. With a sad smile, she turned back to the cart and her brothers. By now the birds had started their morning song, and the early rays, announcing a hidden sun, lit the courtyard.
“Are you ready? Everyone at home is excited to see you.”
Before she could reply, Sweyn signalled to them. Tostig rolled his eyes and helped Edith onto a readied horse. Her brothers mounted their own horses and they all turned toward the road.
“We’re off. Home to Kent. You have a whole new life waiting for you.” Tostig smiled and winked at her.
“What do you know of it?”
“Oh, plenty.” Tostig’s face revealed his amusement.
“Tell me!”
With his unfaltering grin her younger brother replied. “What do you want to know?”
Edith frowned. Would it be this easy? “Well, do you know who I’m to marry?”
“Maybe.”
Her frustration grew into annoyance. “Tell me what you know or else I’ll ignore you the entire time we travel. I won’t speak to you. At all.”
Tostig tilted his head, thinking. He shrugged, the decision made. “Fine.”
“Fine what?”
“I’ll tell you what you want to know. I can’t bear the thought of speaking only to him,” he nodded toward Sweyn, “the entire way.”
Edith asked the only question she wanted to know. “Who am I to marry?”
Her brother smiled secretively once more. “Tostig!”
“Our father will have me beaten for telling you but how can I deny my sister anything.” He hesitated, then took a breath.
“Sister, you’re to marry Edward, King of England.”
Facts About Edith and The Confessor’s Wife
The crown Edith of Wessex wears on the cover of The Confessor’s Wife is a copy of the actual one worn by the real Edith, shown on an 11th century manuscript!
Edith of Wessex is considered by many historians to be the ‘author’ of the Bayeux Tapestry.
Edith of Wessex was educated at Wilton Abbey. She spoke several languages & studied grammar, mathematics, rhetoric, weaving, and embroidery, among other things.
When the Domesday Book was compiled, Edith of Wessex was one of the richest people in England.
In The Confessor’s Wife, King Edward’s death scene was based directly on the scene from the Bayeux Tapestry. Edith of Wessex is one of only 3 women depicted in the tapestry.
In The Confessor’s Wife I describe a pendant Edith of Wessex receives from her brother. I used my own pendant as a basis for the description, one I got in my travels in Eastern Europe.
In 1066 Haley’s comet was seen in the skies above London. It’s even depicted in the Bayeux Tapestry. And I included it in The Confessor’s Wife!
Read Edith’s Incredible Story: https://books2read.com/u/bQ0gk6
Copyright Kelly Evans
Kelly Evans - Author 