When Christ and His Saints Slept

by Sharon Kay Penman

First published 2010

King Henry I lies dying, his only legitimate heir a daughter named Maude. In medieval England, a woman's claim to the throne invites chaos. When Henry dies, his nephew Stephen seizes the crown, plunging the realm into civil war. Maude refuses to surrender her birthright and fights back with fierce determination. Nobles choose sides as England tears itself apart. Castles burn, armies clash, and common people suffer while two claimants battle for supremacy. This struggle will reshape the kingdom and determine whether Maude can claim what her father promised her. The fate of a dynasty hangs in the balance as England bleeds.

Genres: medieval

Vibes: atmospheric, suspenseful, thought-provoking

Tropes: enemies-to-lovers, political-intrigue

Setting: England, Medieval England

Period: Medieval

784 pages · Kindle Edition · Henry Holt and Co.

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