Book description
“Some say Almodis was a serpent, a scandal, a whore. They say wrong.”
After generations of fighting amongst the ruling families of
eleventh-century Occitania, the marriage of Almodis de la Marche to
Hugh of Lusignan is intended to bring peace and harmony. But at a time
when a noblewoman's purpose is to produce heirs, Almodis resolves to
found her own dynasty.
Almodis' path to power and happiness is fraught with drama. Having
escaped her mariage blanc to God-fearing Hugh, she weds the lascivious
Pons of Toulouse and takes over the administration of the great city.
However, his distrust leaves him plotting to imprison her at a
nunnery. Fearing for her life, Almodis flees in the dead of night -
the young, gallant Count of Barcelona might be her only chance, if
only he wasn't betrothed to another…
Intrigue, forbidden love and murder underpin this extraordinary
story based upon the life of a real medieval countess, whose children
went on to rule southern France and northern Spain.
Tracey Warr is a writer, art historian and teacher. She lives part of
every year in the Occitan region of France, near Albi, and the history,
landscape and people of the area have inspired the writing of this book.
