The Rival Heirs; being the Third and Last Chronicle of Aescendune

"The Rival Heirs; being the Third and Last Chronicle of Aescendune" by A. D. Crake is a historical fiction, unfolding in England soon after the Norman Conquest, zeroing in on Wilfred, a young Anglo-Saxon man. The story paints a full picture of a society coping with cultural change, where ideas around respect, family ties, and seeking revenge are greatly tested. The book starts with the Anglo-Saxons celebrating a victory over Norse invaders, introducing Wilfred and his family, especially his mother, Lady Winifred, whose love for her family and worries about her husband signal trouble ahead. When Wilfred’s father heads to battle the Normans, disaster strikes, leading to power struggles and heartbreak, especially after Lady Winifred dies from poisoning. Driven by his pledge to get even and see justice served for his mother, Wilfred starts a journey that puts his courage and values to the test in a divided England. The initial parts of the story aim to make readers care about the characters and feel the weight of the brewing conflict, establishing a strong base for the grand story that follows.