The Kingmaking

by Helen Hollick

Published June 1994
Book One of the Pendragon's Banner Trilogy 450 AD. Britain is in chaos. Morgause wants power for herself, and resents the indifference of her lover, Uthr. Uthr lost his kingdom to his enemy but now he is back with a boy, Arthur, at his side. His intention? To defeat the usurper, Vortigern. Vortigern rules with tyranny and oppression, bending those he defeats to his own will - among them, the Lion Lord of Gwynedd, Cunedda. Cunedda, oldest friend and ally to Uthr, must face tragedy and despair for his sons and his only daughter - Gwenhwyfar. Gwenhwyfar, spirited and independent, a pawn in the political struggle for power, loves only one man - Arthur. Arthur, the next Pendragon, is to serve a hard apprenticeship before he can achieve his ambitions - to take his rightful place as King, and make Gwenhwyfar his wife. But the struggle for love and leadership runs a difficult path, one that is strewn with setbacks and obstacles that must be overcome - one way or another.