The Drowned Court

Conquest #2

by Tracey Warr

1107. Henry I finally reigns over England, Normandy and Wales, but his rule is far from secure. He faces a series of treacherous assassination attempts, and rebellion in Normandy is scuppering his plans to secure a marriage for his son and heir. With the King torn between his kingdoms and Nest settled with her Norman husband, can she evade Henry's notice or will she fall under his control once more? As her brother Gruffudd garners support in an effort to reclaim his kingdom, Nest finds she cannot escape the pull of her Welsh heritage. While the dissent grows and a secret passion is revealed, the future of Nest and her Norman sons is placed in dire peril. In this riveting sequel to 'Daughter of the Last King', Nest must decide to whom her heart and loyalty belong.

Genres: Historical Fiction

300 pages, Paperback

First published October 1, 2017

About the author

Tracey Warr was born in London, lived in southwest Wales and now lives in southern France. The castles and landscapes of Wales and France inspire her historical fiction. She is the author of six historical novels set in medieval Europe. She draws on old maps, chronicles, poems and objects to create fictional worlds for readers to step into. Sign up for her quarterly newsletter for book offers, events, and articles on writing and publishing. https://justmeandering.substack.com

Her writing awards include an Author’s Foundation Award, a Literature Wales Writer’s Bursary, the Rome Film Festival Book Initiative, and a Santander Research Award.

She has also published books on contemporary art including The Artist's Body and Remote Performances in Nature and Architecture. She is the author of future fiction: Meanda (French edition) and The Water Age and Other Fictions. She has also published the workbooks: The Water Age Art and Writing Workshops and The Water Age Children's Art and Writing Workshops.

Before becoming a full-time writer she worked as a contemporary art curator and art history academic. She teaches on MA Poetics of Imagination at Dartington Arts School, UK.

She is a member of the Society of Authors, the Historical Novel Society, Historical Writers Association.

Reviews

[Sara Jesus · Rating 4 out of 5]

The second book of the Conquest triology is so great as the first. The historical details about the reign of King Henry (political plots, his multilple mistresses and wars) are really realistic, just like the tension beteween the diferent kindgooms of England. This book have some scenes with great abuses and kidnaps of woman, so disturbing to know that for many centuries women were seen as exchange coin. That even the most powerful women were victims of men's abuse.
Nest lives peceful with her norman husband, when her late welsh groom kidnap her and forces her to impregnate her children. Once again Nest is without power and at the disposal of powerful men.
The second book allowed to know better Sister Benedicta, we get to watch her desbelive some things and spie some court ladys to help the king win the war with France. Also like Haith chapters, one of the sweetest characters and real hope that we gets his happy ending with woman he loves ( Henry was a bit cruel to him in end, he stand the side of the king after the wrong things he do and the king can do one favor for Haith).

[Deity World · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful and emotional at the same time really enjoying this trilogy I feel for lady Nest. Really glad cardigan castle was mentioned can’t wait for the next book

[Rob La Frenais]

Tracey Warr's conquest trilogy is readable, historically accurate (except when she says it isn't) and spins an most excellent yarn. Although the main character is the hostaged Welsh queen Nest, this is definitely not mediaeval chick lit. As the UK coronation approaches, this novel is a timely reminder the the British royal family are descendants of land-grabbing gangsters who plot, kill, maim and poison their way to the thrones. The love scenes between Nest and the notorious womaniser Henry 1 are suitably bodice-ripping and there is some amusing innuendo from the saucy maid Amelina. Nuns doff their habits and get shagged too, albeit in the cause of stealing sensitive documents for the king. Another thing Tracey Warr is good at is rendering the repartee in contemporary slang (they were all speaking French and Welsh anyway). And, although her writing has been supported by the the Welsh Arts Council, it's not all noble Welsh kings being terrorised by the dastardly Normans, and the Welsh don't come off lightly in the plotting, raping and m aiming stakes - although there are some pretty evil Norman bastards in Conquest, starting with William The Bastard as Tracey Warr correctly names the Conqueror. The Drowned Court references both the drownd village in Cardigan Bay, but also in the historical tragedy, the sinking of the White Ship, which decimated Henry 1's court. Read and enjoy, but don't forget Tracey Warr's other hopefully to be completed series about Countess Almodis, whose castle in SW France I overlook as I write. I particularly recommend the Viking Hostage, one of her best.

[Alison · Rating 3 out of 5]

Kindle edition. I took a while to get into this second instalment of Nest’s story. Her life quietened down and she was just having children in Pembroke for the first half of the story. The author moved the central action to Sister Benedicta in France, acting as a spy for Henry 1 and his sister Adela of Blois. This was an essential tool to tell the story but I didn’t ever really believe in her or her role. Nevertheless, the complex plots and struggles for dominance in Wales, England and Normandy were well depicted and, although historically I know what happens, it was exciting.
Nest resumed a more active role towards the end of the book but as she has just been married off again, once more against her will, I don’t think the end of her story will be a happy one.

[Karen Olson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I liked the first book in this series better. The story line for ‘The Drowned Court’ didn’t keep me as interested, although it is still well written. I’m not a scholar in medieval history but there seems to be a lot of historical research done in order to write these books. I love the historical notes that come after the book and that actually made me consider the book more highly. Sometimes the details bogged me down and there are so many historical characters mentioned that I just wasn’t going to remember some of the relationships. The book is a bit long but I like how the beginning and end are tied together . I can still give this book 5 stars for the magnitude of history that this covers and putting it into a well written historical fiction novel is quite a feat. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love this book. Being of Welsh heritage it was exciting to read about places I actually know and I could picture the Welsh towns and castles. The book finishes with you wanting the next book in your hand, but I will just have to wait. Fact and fiction brought together in perfect harmony

[Alison Starnes · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story is the second in a series of three, based on real historical events around the Anglo-Norman kingdom of the late 11th and early 12th century.

Nest ferch Rhys is still married to Gerald and now has several children with him, but her beauty is prized by others. She is kidnapped by Owain ap Cadwgan, the man she originally intended to marry, and is forced to give herself to him in order to protect her children. Eventually released, Nest returns to Gerald, but relations between them are strained.

Benedicta, the nun we met in book one, also has a prominent role as she becomes a spy in an abbey in northern France, covertly sending information back to King Henry in order to root out traitors. She feels especially guilty about her method of acquiring a letter that was used to convict a man of treason and faces difficult choices regarding her religious vocation.

Haith, Benedicta's brother, is in service to King Henry and also has feelings for Nest. When Gerald dies, Haith is hoping to marry Nest but dramatic events intervene to prevent this.

This is a very well-written and researched story. Tracey Warr realistically conveys the simmering tension between Welsh rebels and their Norman overlords, as well as the continued fighting between King Henry and his French counterpart Louis over lands in Normandy.

I also like the way that lesser characters such as Amelina, Nest's maid, are conveyed and given their own storylines.

The events described in the book include the tragic loss of the White Ship, carrying Henry's son and heir. This event sets us up for the final book in this series, which I look forward to reading.

I received a review copy of this book for free via Booksirens, and am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Louise Coughlan · Rating 5 out of 5]

The second book of the Norman Conquest in Wales. Lady Nest is married to Gerard but is taken back by the Welsh Prince Owen. She already has had children with the Norman Gerard and births more to Owen. She is a strong lady but has no choice in whom she marries or beds with.
Very interesting times in the 11th century, how William the Conqueror and sons became Kings after killing the Welsh King Rhys.

[Gina · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found this a fascinating sequel to the first in the trilogy. Enough excellent historical research coupled with medieval sieges, abductions, murders, as brothers and lords of the king jostled for power and prestige.

[Rob La Frenais]

Tracey Warr's conquest trilogy, of which The Drowned Court is second, is readable, historically accurate (except when she says it isn't) and spins an most excellent yarn. Although the main character is the hostaged Welsh queen Nest, this is definitely not mediaeval chick lit. As the UK coronation approaches, this novel is a timely reminder the the British royal family are descendants of land-grabbing gangsters who plot, kill, maim and poison their way to the thrones. The love scenes between Nest and the notorious womaniser Henry 1 are suitably bodice-ripping and there is some amusing innuendo from the saucy maid Amelina. Nuns doff their habits and get shagged too, albeit in the cause of stealing sensitive documents for the king. Another thing Tracey War is good at is rendering the repartee in contemporary slang (they were all speaking French and Welsh anyway). And, although here writing has been supported by the the Welsh Arts Council, it's not all noble Welsh kings being terrorised by the dastardly Normans, and the Welsh don't come off lightly in the plotting, raping and m aiming stakes - although there are some pretty evil Norman bastards in Conquest, starting with William The Bastard as Tracey Warr correctly names the Conqueror. The Drowned Court references both the drownd village in Cardigan Bay, but also in the historical tragedy, the sinking of the White Ship, which decimated Henry 1's court. Read and enjoy, but don't forget Tracey Warr's other hopefully to be completed series about Countess Almodis, whose castle in SW France I overlook as I write. I particularly recommend the Viking Hostage, one of her best.

[Deborah Slater · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the 2nd book in the series that I have just read.

It's been a while since I have had a book that I couldn't wait to finish and start the next one.

Definitely enjoyed this series.

I learnt alot about the history between Wales and the Normans and the impact it had on them in that time period.

Will definitely read more books by this author.