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A unique tale of love and politics, betrayal and survival, male and female power, relics and prophecies, against the backdrop of the Investiture Controversy.
A.D. 1062. The Holy Roman Emperor is dead, and his underage son, snatched from his mother, is a puppet in the hands of regents. The fate of the empire lies in the hands of three women. Surprisingly, the Church takes their side, but Rome’s support has a price. Matilde refuses to be a pawn in the marriage game. Is she the child of Charlemagne’s prophecy?
HFC 2021 BOOK OF THE YEAR AWARD WINNER (WORLD HISTORICAL FICTION CATEGORY); SHORTLISTED FOR THE PAGE TURNER AWARDS; HISTORICAL NOVEL SOCIETY EDITOR’S CHOICE; AMAZON HISTORICAL FICTION UK, CANADA, AND AUSTRALIA NO. 1 BESTSELLER.
From the royal halls of Germany to the papal Curia, to the walled cities, mighty fortresses, and rolling hills of Central Italy, Lotharingia is a rare journey through the characters and events that convulsed the Holy Roman Empire at the dawn of the second millennium.
1062
Countess Matilde prepares to succeed her late father as margrave of Tuscany. A descendant of Charlemagne, heiress to the most prestigious relics in Christendom, and a trained warrior, she could comfortably rule on her own. To her dismay, the Church will support her extraordinary claim to power only if she accepts a traditional role and marries the Duke of Lotharingia – a man who fills her with dread.
Despite her formidable mother’s diplomatic nous and mysterious relics of the Holy Blood, Matilde’s efforts to extricate herself from her betrothal are crushed by the intrigues of the all-seeing papal archdeacon Ildebrando.
1069
Across the Alps, the late emperor’s son, King Heinrich, has come of age, in a court rife with passions and treasonous ambitions. Resenting the bride chosen for him, he stuns his subjects and Rome with a defiant request to divorce. Ildebrando shatters his hopes. When, after a chance meeting, Heinrich rescues Matilde from her abusive husband, friendship blossoms into forbidden love. If their sin is discovered, the Church may strike them down with excommunication – political and personal ruin. And unbeknown to Matilde and Heinrich, the stakes are even higher: Charlemagne’s prophecy may be about to come true.
In the 11th century, Countess Matilde of Tuscany was the most famous woman in Christendom, a trailblazer who defied the gender expectations of her age to become the most powerful prince of the Holy Roman Empire for two generations. Exploiting the gaps and contradictions in medieval chronicles, Lotharingia weaves history and fiction into an alternative account of the world and challenges that shaped her youth, as she grappled with the constraints of femininity in her quest for self-definition, power, and love.
PRAISE FOR LOTHARINGIA
‘Byrne writes beautifully and brings the politically unstable world of 11th-century Europe to life.’ Historical Novel Society
‘First-rate historical fiction.’ Rose Auburn
‘If a book could get ten stars, then this is one of them!’Historical Fiction Press
‘A superbly constructed probable tale, spell-binding, sensual, and bittersweet, loaded with exquisite detail, and entirely engaging.’GoodReads Review
‘Don’t pass this one up…. it’s a must if you enjoy medieval history!’ NetGalley Review
‘Something between the Medici and the Tudor, with a tad bit of Shakespeare thrown in.’ Ink & Insights
‘Historical fiction at its very best and a highly recommended read.’ GoodReads Review
‘In a period in which many noblewomen were no more than political pawns, the author has brought to light several strong female characters.’Rosie Amber Book Blog
From the Publisher
Matilde’s birth place?
Matilde was a thirdborn and the exact day of her birth, in 1046, is not recorded, although the month of March has been put forward as a suggestion.
Her birthplace is also unknown. Some historians suggest the city of Mantova, others one of her father’s magnificent castles guarding the roads to Rome on the Emilian-Tuscan Apennines. Rossena castle, shown here, is a short walk and an even shorter ride from her father’s stronghold of Canossa. This countryside of rolling hills, rivers, and rock cliff fortresses was the setting of Matilde’s childhood.
XI Century Rome
After the death of her father, Matilde and her mother Margravine Beatrice would have frequently travelled to Rome. Beatrice was a staunch supporter of the Reformist papacy and offered political and military backing to a string of Popes, who in turn supported the unnatural succession as Margrave of her daughter Matilde.
Matilde would not recognise today’s St Peter basilica – rebuilt during the Renaissance. The Lateran basilica and papal Palace have also undergone drastic redevelopment over the centuries. The mighty Castel Sant’Angelo, Emperor Hadrian’s former mausoleum turned Papal fortress, would look familiar to her.
Mantova – Piazza with medieval buildings
The ancient Roman city of Mantova was the de facto capital of the Canossa lands during Matilde’s father’s rule. Strategically placed on the route followed by the Holy Roman Emperors to cross the river Po on their way to their coronation in Rome, the city was protected not just by walls but by water.
The synod that decided the fate of Pope Alexander’s papacy was held here.
Squares like this one witnessed his attempted assassination and the battle to save him.
The city’s church of Sant’Andrea, redeveloped during the Renaissance, still houses the relics of the Holy Blood.
Medieval Lucca – San Michele in Foro
One of Lucca’s most amazing churches, built, as the name suggests, on the site of the former Roman forum, and first mentioned in the Carolingian era.
The original church was extensively rebuilt by Pope Alexander II. As was customary, Pope Alexander continued to hold the bishopric of Lucca during his papacy, thus effectively remaining a vassal to Matilde and her mother.
ASIN : B094G4XPB3
Publisher : (May 28, 2021)
Publication date : May 28, 2021
Language : English
File size : 3065 KB
Simultaneous device usage : Unlimited
Text-to-Speech : Enabled
Screen Reader : Supported
Enhanced typesetting : Enabled
X-Ray : Not Enabled
Word Wise : Enabled
Print length : 432 pages
