Hild's life was dictated by the gods. Chosen as handmaid to Eostre she was to serve a period of service and then be married. Her father's death changed all that. She found her sister married to the boy she was in love with, the King changed the religion of his kingdom from the fertility gods to Christianity and she found herself in a totally different world, having to adapt to new conditions and a new way of life.
How Hild adapted to this new Christian life so wholeheartedly, founding missions in bleak, difficult areas, converting people to a religion that was new to them, advocating Christianity as a totally different way of life to what people were used to is the story in this book.
Descriptive of the places where Hild lived and worked, equally descriptive of the people and the politics and the feuds of the region, this piece of historical fiction was a fascinating insight into a period of history which was bloody, feudal and also shows the beginning of Christianity in Britain - against outstanding odds how people like the monks and Hild founded institutions, churches, and missions which looked after and nurtured the people.
A close look at seventh century Britain this would be a good book for lovers of historical fiction of this era.
Sent to me by Netgalley, for an unbiased review courtesy of Lion Hudson PLC.
This sounds fascinating, Mystica.
ReplyDeleteNot the era for me but I know a lot of people who would probably love it.
ReplyDeleteI read another book about the same woman. She is certainly interesting!
ReplyDelete