The Handfasted Wife is the story of the Norman Conquest from the perspective of Edith (Elditha) Swanneck, Harold s common-law wife. She is set aside for a political marriage when Harold becomes king in 1066. Determined to protect her children s destinies and control her economic future, she is taken to William s camp when her estate is sacked on the eve of the Battle of Hastings. She later identifies Harold s body on the battlefield and her youngest son becomes a Norman hostage.

This is an adventure story of love, loss, survival and reconciliation. Based on the historical story of Edith Swan-Neck, The Handfasted Wife tells the story of 1066 from the perspective of the royal women.