The First Queen of England
by M J Porter
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Pub Date Feb 01 2017 | Archive Date May 26 2019
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Description
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 his presence.
When the King seeks her out once more, she willingly follows him back to his court and 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.
Bringing alive the characters of tenth century England; its young King, Edgar; its Ealdormen, Byrhtnoth, Æthelwine, and Ælfhere; the great reforming religious figures of Archbishop Dunstan, Bishop Æthelwold and Oswald and the great women of the period, Lady Elfrida, Lady Æthelflæd and Lady Wulfthryn, 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 form 955-957.
The First Queen of England Part 2 and Part 3 now available - telling the continuing story of Lady Elfrida in late tenth century England.
Advance Praise
"I rarely write a review but this book had me captured. I have read many historical novels but few are of this time in history and it was both interesting and refreshing. My rating tells how much I enjoyed the story along with the history.
"I read quite a lot and very rarely a real gem comes along and you are totally engrossed. I loved the way the story was brought to life by this author, I found it sad at times, funny at other but this woman really lived and it brought history alive...........BRAVO!! Loved all three books"
Thank you for an enjoyable read!"
Available Editions
| EDITION | Ebook |
| ISBN | 9781520474205 |
| PRICE | £2.49 (GBP) |
Featured Reviews
Ginger P, Reviewer
A wonderful and very interesting story about King Edgar of England and his third wife, Elfrida. Highly enjoyable! I read it in one night. A must for Historical Fiction Fans! Will definitely be reading book two in this series.
I received a copy of this book from Netgalley. Thank you, Netgalley!
All opinions are my own.
Librarian 561697
Extremely interesting and factual. Great insight to the culture that spawned the Tudor dynasty.. Will look forward to reading more by this author and will recommend.
Librarian 226140
Lady Elfrida has laid her husband to rest. He has died at a very young age. She also is widowed at a young age. Though they had been married for several years there are no living children. She is sent back to her fathers home. Just before her husband passed he had mentioned the King. She discovers that she was supposed to have married the king, but her husband was besotted with her and kept her for himself. It was a happy union. Now she discovers that the kings wife and small daughter are to go live in a nunnery. He will be without a wife. When she meets the king she is instantly beside herself with the strong attraction they feel for each other. She knows that to be Queen she will have to become his wife and not a concubine. With the help of strong ladies from the court, who will advise her on what needs to be done, she will do everything in her power to become the first Queen of England.
Well written. Has actual persons in the storyline.
Interesting!
Lauralee J, Reviewer
This is the first time I have heard about Elfrida’s story so this as a pleasant surprise. This novel had romance, drama, and political intrigue! I’m definitely looking forward to purchasing the sequel!
Cynthia G, Reviewer
I received an ARC from NetGalley. I loved this book. Loved everything about it. Cant wait for part 2. I did get confused here and there because the character names are so similar but once I got that down, it was easy to follow. I love to read about history and a story where a woman is still valuable even after being married once before is even better. I will say I knew nothing about this King or Queen of England but i am glad to know them now.
mer h, Reviewer
This is more historically based than a Philippa Gregory novel, but it stills leans heavy on being more of a historical reimagining. That being said, I quite enjoyed it.
Cozy Book R, Reviewer
Wonderful historical read. King Edgar has sent his wife and children away. Soon he is pursued by the women , Lady Elfrida who believed she was meant to be married to the King and was deceived by her late husband who knew of her ambitions. She is now a young widow and beautiful . She believes she is meant to rule the country. and sets out to use sex to convince the King she is meant to be Queen.
Now she discovers that the kings wife and small daughter are to go live in a nunnery her same attraction to the King has never waned and she is determined to win him over with passion . Soon the King is completely entranced with her but her ambition is still to be Queen and rule not to be his amusement. She enlists the help of some manipulative women from the court on how to become his wife and sets on a course to change history.
This is a powerful novel of political ambitions and subterfuge of a court. I enjoyed reading this story. Thank you for the ARC that does not influence my review.
Trick W, Reviewer
I so love English history and this book so well written of history! You don't know who to trust who not to trust! This woman goes through so many changes,emotions and still knows what has to be done! Living the life that they all do who is to say how long you will live. Funny,sad,you go through all this on her travels to become Queen and you do what the King says! Wonderfully written where you feel you are right there with them. It's a sure reader especially if your into English history you learn so much!! Read this you will be so glad you did and now I'm off to read the second and third books.
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