Bride of the Spear, by Kathleen Herbert - coming in June 2013

Bride of the Spear (first published under the title Lady of the Fountain) is the first in Kathleen Herbert's North Kingdoms trilogy.  Set in Cumbria and Lothian (now north-west England and south-east Scotland) in the late sixth century, it tells the story of Taniu, daughter of the King of Lothian, and Owain, son of Urien Rheged.  (For historical background on Owain, see earlier post 'Owain son of Urien').

I am very fond of this trilogy, and am delighted to see that the three books are to be re-published by Trifolium Books UK*.  Bride of the Spear will appear first, with the new edition scheduled for June 2013.  

Here's the blurb: 

Arthur, the last High King of the once civilised Roman province of Britannia, has been dead for fifty years. The last British kings of the North are fighting for survival in a welter of feuding and treachery.

Taniu, neglected and unloved daughter of King Loth of Lothian, is out gathering herbs when she meets a handsome young huntsman, unaware that he is Prince Owain of Cumbria. The two promise to meet in the spring, but when the awaited time comes and the King of Cumbria applies to Loth for the hand of his daughter, Taniu refuses, never connecting huntsman and prince.  Tragedy, bloodshed and separation follow, but there is a satisfyingly upbeat ending.

At last, Kathleen Herbert's Heroic Age books, long out of print, are to be published in their correct order. They have been variously known as The Northumbrian Trilogy and The Cumbrian Trilogy. They have a much wider geographical setting than either suggests, ranging from Lothian and Strathclyde, through modern Yorkshire and North Wales to the Midlands, hence the new title: The Northern Kingdoms.

Bride of the Spear is due out in June, Queen of the Lightning and Ghost in the Sunlight will follow later in 2013.

More details will appear on the Trifolium Books blog and website as available.



*Disclaimer: Trifolium Books UK also publish my own novel, Paths of Exile.