Her Castilian Heart (The Castilian Saga)
This third novel in the Castilian Saga follows King Edward I’s loyal man-at-arms, Robert FitzStephan, the illegitimate, unacknowledged son of a baron; and Noor d’Outremer, a Castilian heiress and great-niece to Queen Eleanor. When Robert is sent to Wales to quell further uprisings, he crosses paths with his estranged half-brother, Eustace, who disgraces himself as a soldier, and is sent home. In Robert’s absence, Eustace threatens violence, accusing Noor of harbouring Rhys, a Welsh rebel, but with strong Welsh blood ties herself, Noor isn’t about to give Rhys up.
The Gwynedd princes are dead, with Dafydd’s two sons held captive in Bristol, but when news of the older boy’s untimely death reaches Rhys, Robert and Noor are obligated to prevent him committing a hot-headed, treasonable crime. Unbeknownst to most, they are sheltering another Welsh lad, Lionel, under the pretext he is an adopted Castilian orphan. Queen Eleanor knows Lionel’s true heritage and seems determined to rid her son and heir of a future threat. Dreading the inevitable audience with her queen, Noor balks at the royal demand that Lionel accompany Robert and her to Gascony.
This novel could stand alone, but has many nuanced connections and relationships woven in from the previous books. Reading them in series would make the characters, their motives, and their place in unfolding events clearer. Momentum is driven by Eustace’s several near-fatal attempts on their lives, while Robert remains unsure what he’s done to deserve such vindictive hatred. Anna Belfrage entices us into her 13th-century world, as comfortable with horses, sheep farms, and men-at-arms as she is with court politics and intrigue. Once there I was reluctant to leave and could have happily remained longer, but Lionel’s destiny is for another day. A marvellous read.
