Unveiling Penda’s Pagan Heart – A Journey Through 7th Century Britain
Expected to launch in early 2025, Penda’s Pagan Heart is the first instalment of The Weald’s Legacy, an epic four-book series that immerses readers in the complex world of 7th-century Britain. Spanning two interconnected timelines separated by 80 years, this 100,000-word historical fiction novel explores the shifting religious and political landscape of early medieval England, filled with intrigue, conflict, and the clash of cultures and faiths.
The story unfolds in two parts:
In the earlier timeline, spanning 25 years, we witness the rise of Penda of Mercia—a warrior king navigating the power struggles of his era—through the eyes of two opposing figures. Beornwald, Penda’s lifelong friend and a fierce pagan defender, contrasts sharply with Caedmon, a devoted Celtic monk, in their perspectives on Mercia’s changing world. Caedmon’s narrative shows the influence of the Celtic church, whose power is eventually overshadowed by the rising dominance of the Roman church, bringing tension and competition to the forefront of Mercian society.
Fast forward 80 years, and we follow Leofric, a reluctant monk struggling to find his place in a world where the Celtic church has almost vanished beneath the weight of Roman authority. Over just three years, Leofric’s narrative paints a stark picture of a church once welcoming, now increasingly controlled by rigid orthodoxy. His journey is one of observation and growing disillusionment as he feels trapped in a monastic life that stifles the spirit of inquiry he once cherished.
Penda’s Pagan Heart also takes a critical look at how history is told. The novel subtly hints at the appropriation of Leofric’s work by none other than Bede, whose writings have shaped much of what we understand about this period. But was Bede’s history truly objective, or did it serve a greater agenda of consolidating the Roman church’s power? This provocative question runs through the narrative, setting the stage for more revelations in the upcoming books of the series.
This is a tale of friendship, ambition, shifting beliefs, and the unrelenting march of power. Penda’s Pagan Heart captures the fragile balance between the old Celtic ways and the advancing tide of Roman orthodoxy, with personal stories unfolding against the backdrop of a nation in transition.
Join us in early 2025 for the expected launch of an unforgettable journey into the heart of Britain’s past. Follow along as The Weald’s Legacy series brings to life the rich tapestry of our shared history—where myth, culture, and power collide.