The Stolen Crown - The brilliant historical novel of an Empress fighting for her destiny

''A superb book, illuminating a fascinating and turbulent era. It is the figure of Matilda who rightly commanded the stage in all her power and complexity'' Nicola Cornick

When Princess Matilda is eighteen years old, tragedy strikes the royal family, and she becomes the only child of the king of England - the de facto heir to the throne. As her dying father persuades the barons to pledge allegiance to her, Matilda returns to England - but the lords and clergy do not like an independent woman. And Matilda is nothing if not headstrong . . .

When the old king dies, the country is plunged into instant chaos. So begins a fierce battle between cousins that will go down in history as a time called ''The Anarchy''. And Matilda must race across England, evading capture until she can demand the crown . . .

''The story of Matilda is strikingly brought to life with this beautiful written novel. A must for any fan of medieval hist