title: Conquest
author: Brazear, Margaret
description: 1066, the year that changes the social structure of England for centuries to come. When Edward the Confessor dies in January of that year, there are three claimants to his throne, but the successful one is Harold Godwinson, brother to Edward’s wife and his claim is supported by the King’s Council, known as the Witan.  Edward is guardian to his cousins, two sisters, Rosalind and Jocelyn. On his death their guardianship is also claimed by Harold and he promptly dissolves Rosalind’s betrothal to Stephen, a relative of William, Duke of Normandy, and betroths her to one of his own cousins, Lord Arthur.   Harold’s reign does not last long. Later that year, England is invaded by William, Duke of Normandy and in September, William defeats and kills Harold at the Battle of Hastings, and claims the throne as King William I.  Rosalind is not sorry for the victory, as it means her betrothal to Lord Arthur Godwinson, a man thrice her age, will be broken. She might even be once more betrothed to Stephen, a match she had accepted years ago, but when she flees from Lord Arthur’s advances she is captured by the invading Normans, one of whom is Stephen himself, and held as a valuable hostage.  Meanwhile, Peter Godwinson, Jocelyn’s betrothed, comes to claim his bride before the battle begins, but he is wounded in the attempt. Knowing his estate, Loxborough, has been stolen by the invaders, and in no fit state to fight, he escapes into the forest with his new wife to recover.  Loxborough Hall, the home of Peter Godwinson, is now under the control of Robert, the Norman commander, and that is where he takes his hostage until the new King can decide what to do with her. As expected, the King wants her for Stephen, to strengthen his own claim to the throne of England.  But marriage to Stephen loses its appeal for Rosalind when she falls in love with Robert and he with her, but she is a noblewoman of royal birth; he is but a soldier with a stolen title bestowed on him by the King. She is far above him and they both know their love will never be sanctioned.  Is there a way out for them, a way they can be together? The King will have what he wants and he wants Rosalind for his kinsman.  .