The Siege Winter

A Novel

Ariana Franklin, Samantha Norman

• Publisher: William Morrow
• Year: 2015
• eBook ISBN:
  9780062282583
• Print ISBN:
  9780062282576
• Subtopic: Historical Fiction

A thrilling tale of intrigue and civil war in twelfth–century England, by the New York Times–bestselling author of the Mistress of the Art of Death series.

England, 1141. The countryside is devastated by a long civil war as the English king, Stephen, and his cousin, the Empress Matilda, battle for the crown. . . .

Emma is the eleven-year-old redheaded daughter of a peasant family. When mercenaries pass through their town, they bring with them a monk with a deadly interest in young redheaded girls. Emma is left for dead in a burned-out church until Gwil, an archer, finds her by chance. Gwil takes Emma with him, dressing her as a boy to avoid attention. Emma becomes Penda—and Penda turns out to have a killer instinct with a bow and arrow.

Maud is the fifteen-year-old chatelaine of Kenniford, a small but strategically important castle she's determined to protect. But when Maud provides refuge for the empress, Stephen's armies lay siege to Kenniford Castle. Aided by a garrison of mercenaries—including Gwil and his odd, redheaded apprentice—they must survive a long winter under siege. It's a brutal season that brings everyone to Kenniford—including the sinister monk who has never stopped hunting the redheaded girl. . . .

"Seizes you from the first page . . . and doesn't let go!"—Nancy Bilyeau, author of The Chalice

"Enthralling. . . . A grand yet intimate historical adventure." — Library Journal

"Highlighted by solid characterization of historical and fictional figures alike, the authors' research on day-to-day medieval life shines. . . . This thoroughly captivating tale was begun by celebrated historical novelist Franklin, who died before its completion, and completed seamlessly by her journalist daughter, Norman." — Kirkus Reviews

Table of contents

• Dedication
• Contents
• Prologue
• Chapter 1
• Chapter 2
• Chapter 3
• Chapter 4
• Chapter 5
• Chapter 6
• Chapter 7
• Chapter 8
• Chapter 9
• Chapter 10
• Chapter 11
• Chapter 12
• Chapter 13
• Chapter 14
• Chapter 15
• Chapter 16
• Chapter 17
• Chapter 18
• Chapter 19
• Chapter 20
• Chapter 21
• Chapter 22
• Chapter 23
• Chapter 24
• Chapter 25
• Chapter 26
• Chapter 27
• Chapter 28
• Chapter 29
• Chapter 30
• Chapter 31
• Chapter 32
• Chapter 33
• Chapter 34
• Chapter 35
• Chapter 36
• Chapter 37
• Chapter 38
• Chapter 39
• Chapter 40
• Chapter 41
• Chapter 42
• Acknowledgments
• P.S. Insights, Interviews & More . . .*
• Praise for The Siege Winter
• Praise for Ariana Franklin’s Mistress of the Art of Death Series
• Also by Ariana Franklin
• Credits
• Copyright
• About the Publisher