Publisher's Synopsis
The Rival Heirs is a historical novel by Augustine David Crake, first published in 1885. It is the third and final installment in the Aescendune Chronicles series and follows the lives of the descendants of the Anglo-Saxon nobleman, Hereward. The story takes place in the 11th century and is set against the backdrop of the Norman Conquest of England.The novel begins with the death of King Edward the Confessor and the power struggle that ensues between his rival heirs, Harold Godwinson and William the Conqueror. The main character, Oswald, is a young man who is torn between his loyalty to his Saxon heritage and his duty to serve the Norman conquerors.As the story progresses, Oswald becomes embroiled in a web of political intrigue and personal rivalries. He falls in love with a Norman noblewoman, but their relationship is threatened by the animosity between their two cultures. Meanwhile, Oswald's cousin, Ethelbert, becomes a leader of the Saxon resistance and engages in a series of battles against the Norman invaders.The Rival Heirs is a vivid portrayal of the tumultuous period in English history known as the Norman Conquest. It is a tale of love, loyalty, and betrayal, set against a backdrop of war and political upheaval.This scarce antiquarian book is a facsimile reprint of the old original and may contain some imperfections such as library marks and notations. Because we believe this work is culturally important, we have made it available as part of our commitment for protecting, preserving, and promoting the world's literature in affordable, high quality, modern editions, that are true to their original work.
