BELLEME The Norman Warrior - Paperback

by Roy Stedall-Humphryes (Author)

From Roy Stedall-Humphryes, comes a new epic, BELL ME The Norman Warrior. This powerful story of the life and times of Robert de Bell me, begins on the eve of the Norman Conquest of England in the year, 1066. William Talvas, Lord of Bell me, had given his daughter Mabile de Bell me in marriage to Duke William's close adviser Roger de Montgomery, and from their union was born Robert de Bell me. "The rain had eased. Squinting to the right, Robert could just make out through the fine drizzle, the salt marshes, west of the inlet which formed a natural harbour. There, Duke William's invasion fleet was at anchor. He caught sight of his friend's flapping cloak as Prince Robert bore down on him. They had raced to the headland every morning for the past few days, Robert beating the Prince to the finish every time. The two boys, having recently met in the company of their parents, had struck up an immediate rapport and were becoming firm friends. Their fathers, together with the nobility of northern France, were planning the Great Campaign." Years later when Robert had inherited the titles and lands of his parents, he risked all as the one true supporter of Robert Curthose, the Duke of Normandy, in the game of power politics, battling for the Duke's claim to the English Throne and the defence of the Duchy of Normandy. The stakes were high. Passion for the woman he loved, friendship, pitted against a background of conflicting loyalties, tyranny, violence, treachery and his implacable enemy, King Henry I of England. To many, Robert de Bell me was the shining star of 12th century Normandy, to others a cruel and Godless man. This novel weaves historical fact with fiction, putting flesh on the dry bones of history to reveal the real Robert de Bell me, and is the first to be published in a striking series which will hold you spellbound to the last page.

Author Biography

After leaving college Roy joined a London advertising studio as graphic designer and typographer before moving towards magazine and newspaper journalism. In his spare time, he indulged his photographic passion for medieval castle architecture, supplying photographs to the north London picture agency, http: //www.collectionspicturelibrary.co.uk/ and for his own web site, http: //www.castles-galore.com/Home.html Whilst researching at the British Library, into the engineers and craftsmen who constructed the great medieval fortresses of the British Isles, he came across the name, Robert de Bellême and was so fascinated by this nobleman, that he felt the story of Bellême had to be told. The result is his first historical novel, 'BELLÊME The Norman Warrior' A sequel is in preparation, with a further two novels to complete the series.