High Medieval

Late December, 1389. Ordered to undertake a grueling three-day journey to bleak Whitby Abbey in the Far North of England in a bid to purchase the Abbey's priceless holy relic - a lock of St. Hild's hair, said to be 700 years old - Hildegard of Meaux and her three companion monks arrive to find the abbey a decidedly unwelcoming place, a place of strange customs and practices very different from their modest lifestyle at Meaux. Nor, as Hildegard discovers, is she the only visitor intent on acquiring the relic.

The Viking Great Army landed in East Anglia in late 865 and over the following fifteen years it fought numerous battles in all four Anglo-Saxon kingdoms, made and broke peace treaties, and deposed or killed at least three Anglo-Saxon kings, replacing them with its own appointees. It had a major impact on English society, initiating extensive transformations in Anglo-Saxon society, culture, economy, and political organization. Previous Viking armies had raided only in the summer months, but the Great Army was a constant presence over this period.

Join Ulagret, a shy craftsman who has been forced by circumstances to fight against one of the great arch demons that threatens to tear the world of Evorath apart. With only a small army on his side, he must break through his own insecurity to become the hero that his people need. In this prequel to the first novel in his Evorath series, author Joseph Macolino introduces readers to the early foundation of the world and one of the most turbulent trials the people of Evorath had to face. In this brief novella, readers witness an exciting battle that will steer the course of elvish history. As...

This is the first book in The Devil's Gambit, an epic fantasy series. Demons are humans. They are the forgotten. The war has raged for centuries, and the story has remained unchanged. The Devil sends his army to eradicate humanity and claim the kingdom he once swore to protect. However, Candelux—the priest guild—stands in his way, forcing him to cower in hiding. That cycle is about to be broken. The humans bask in serenity as evidence of the demon threat seems to wane, but terror looms on the horizon. A demon lord rises to lead the Devil’s cursed soldiers to victory, and in his wake, ...

The idea of the sword-wielding samurai, beholden to a strict ethical code and trained in deadly martial arts, dominates popular conceptions of the samurai. As early as the late 17th century, they were heavily featured in literature, art, theater, and even comedy. This book gives listeners access to the real samurai as they lived, fought, and served. Much as they capture the modern imagination, the samurai commanded influence over the politics, arts, philosophy, and religion of their own time, and controlled Japan from the 14th century until their demise in the mid-19th century.

Two villains become heroes as their decaying empires clash. Two hundred years before the events of the Apócryfa trilogy, the fledgling Kingdom of Nevermore faces wild monsters and rebellious mountain colonies. As plague takes the realm, a rare knight defends an outpost and makes tough decisions to save her people while a young summoner shaman seeks power for her village from dark spirits at a steep cost. Both women, innocent yet guilty of causing devastation, will be transformed by their hard choices. Sacrifice changes all.

Paris, 1393. A masquerade ball at the palace ends in tragedy, with four revelers burned to death. Was it an accident...or did someone deliberately hurl a flaming torch at the dancers? Convinced it was an act of murder and that the king himself was the real target, Queen Isabeau has asked Christine de Pizan to spend time at court in an attempt to uncover the identity of the would-be assassin.

This is a full-cast, unabridged performance with comprehensive commentary and analysis, enabling any student to fully understand and appreciate the play. Judge for yourself whether Lear is "a man more sinned against than sinning" in this moral tale that pits wisdom and age against ambition and youth. Experience and examine the power of Shakespeare's most cruel and violent tragedy.

When an assassin infiltrates a secret meeting and people are killed, brothers Robbie and Dougray are plunged into a fast-paced journey of discovery. Their quest leads them to the other side of the Black Mountain, forbidden territory, where an Elf girl named Belle Song rescues them from Trolls and accompanies them. The future of their quest becomes doubtful when an enormous spider called Queen Shara captures Robbie. After a frightening battle, they manage to defeat the spider and rescue him from her lair. Through their mutual hardships, Dougray and Belle discover they have a common destiny, ...

Kileean O’Tamman has long believed a long and brutal war, one which will involve and engulf all the Twelve Nations, is inevitable. As a high-ranking leader within the mercenary guild the Brotherhood of Freeswords, he should be eagerly anticipating the commencement of hostilities. Such a conflict would be highly profitable for the organization to which he has sworn his loyalty on binding soul-oath. He would be expected to lead armies into combat, the Brotherhood as a whole and those under his command standing to enrich themselves mightily from lucrative contracts and the spoils conquering ...

Combined for great value! The multi award-winning SmartPass study guide with and without commentary options. This is a full-cast, unabridged performance with comprehensive commentary and analysis for any student to fully understand and appreciate the play. Peel away the layers of Priestley's complex drama to appreciate this powerful warning, wrapped up in the genre of a gripping detective story, and truly understand that "We don't live alone. We are members of one body."

Enter the world of Stonecrest through the eyes of Lady Chantalle of Winsham—magistrate by day, mystic by night. This collection of short stories follows her journey from courtroom intrigue to clandestine dealings as Madame Celeste at the Mystic Parlor. When the realm’s most feared assassin leaves a baby in her care, Chantalle’s life takes an unexpected turn. As she balances motherhood and duty, danger follows close behind. From royal matchmaking and demon encounters to tense trials and fragile alliances, each tale reveals the heart of a woman forging her own family in a world of ...

Seonag Ruane never believed her father died in an ambush. She knows he was betrayed by men he trusted. Driven by her mother’s grief and her own need for vengeance, Seonag will do whatever it takes to discover the truth. Even risk her own life. Her plan for revenge never included falling in love with the sweet-tongued pirate who shared his secrets late at night.

Is the Voice Lisa’s Protector or a Predator? When her father Alexander is murdered, Lisa’s safe, carefree world unravels. At 16, her only escape is to flee from the mayhem and chaos that promises to come crashing down on her very being. From her wicked mother. From her drunken stepbrother. And from the greedy church. The year was 1,000 AD. Bright and clever, she becomes the eyes and ears of her papa’s many enterprises. Lisa is his confidant and the son he desires as an heir. Afraid for his own daughter’s future, Alexander shares a plan to her to follow upon his death. Within days of...

In The Role of the Scroll, Thomas Forrest Kelly brings to life the most interesting scrolls in medieval history, placing them in the context of those who made, commissioned, and used them, and reveals their remarkably varied uses. Scrolls were the best way to keep ever-expanding lists, for example, those of debtors. Kelly explores the scroll's incredible diversity. A recipe for turning everyday metal into gold offers a glimpse into medieval alchemy, and a log of gifts for Queen Elizabeth I showcases royal flattery and patronage.

The most eligible bachelor wants to win her back. The wealthiest woman in the ton just wants to forget him. When Anna returns to the London Season, she does so hoping to avoid Ambrose, the man who broke her heart. But he’s become one of London’s most sought after bachelors, and he’s everywhere. As she slowly learns to trust, and Ambrose proves himself worthy, the two navigate the London Season and the machinations of one Lord Featherstone, the famed matchmaker of all men. Enjoy this first novella in a new series, A Gentleman’s Match.

Paris, 1399. Scribe Christine de Pizan is sent to the Priory of Poissy by the palace to copy a manuscript for the prioress. But the prioress already has many copyists at the priory, and Christine senses that something is amiss. Her suspicions are confirmed when the prioress reveals that one of the sisters has been found murdered in the cloister.

Fourteenth-century Europe. The Black Death has killed half the known world, and in an isolated convent, a small group of nuns spends their days in work, austerity, and devotion, chanting the Liturgy of the Hours. But their community is threatened. Rumors of heresy and a scandalous Book of Ursula, based on the teachings of the charismatic former abbess and founder of the order, have prompted the male church hierarchy to launch an investigation. Disrespect and rebellion infect some novices, and the youngest among them pines for the bishop's chief inquisitor.

WINNER! American Fiction Awards ... Fantasy Historial Fiction Can the Hamlet of Harmonie Remain Hidden? It’s the 11th century and Nichol with an infant daughter must escape Paris with her extended family. In Book 2 of the Harmonie series, The Secret Hamlet, the power of Nichol is turned loose. At her side is Shadow, her wolf-dog. In the bitter winter, she has become the target of the ruthless priest Loupe and her evil brother Fredric, both in pursuit of her and her daughter, Lucette. With her expanding vision and skills coupled with the guidance of the Lady, Nichol leads her family, and ...

The time has come. King Jameson arrives on the Continent to seal his union with his betrothed, Queen Taresa. The marriage will unite the two most powerful kingdoms of Afari: Marland and Ibia. What’s more, Jameson will be able to start his family, to carry on the legacy of Kin Saliswater. The gravity of such a regal union is not lost on the four Saliswater quadruplets – Symon, Dawkin, Ely, and Gerry – who continue their clandestine ruse as King Jameson. Their lifelong secret continues to serve them well, right up to the exchange of wedding vows . . . Then chaos ensues. The end of a ...