Murder and Redemption from Hereford to Crowland: The Tragic Story of Ethelbert and His Bride-to-Be, Alfrida, Liz Russell's compelling historical novel inspired by one of Anglo-Saxon England's most enduring mysteries, is now available.

LONDON, UK - History remembers King Ethelbert of East Anglia as a young ruler murdered while travelling to marry the daughter of King Offa of Mercia. It remembers the political consequences of his death, his later veneration as a saint, and the shadow his murder cast across Anglo-Saxon England. Yet the woman at the centre of the tragedy, Offa's daughter Alfrida, has remained largely silent in the historical record. Murder and Redemption from Hereford to Crowland: The Tragic Story of Ethelbert and His Bride-to-Be, Alfrida gives that forgotten princess a voice.

Drawing upon one of early medieval Britain's most intriguing historical episodes, Liz Russell imagines the life of Alfrida before, during, and after the events that forever altered her destiny. Promised in marriage to Ethelbert in what was intended to unite two powerful kingdoms, Alfrida instead finds herself caught in a web of royal ambition, betrayal, and violence when her bridegroom is murdered shortly after arriving at Hereford. The crime would become one of the defining moments of Anglo-Saxon history, but Russell shifts the focus away from kings and politics to explore its deeply personal consequences.

Written with careful historical research and vivid storytelling, the novel transports readers into the world of eighth-century Mercia and East Anglia, where dynastic alliances, Christian faith, and the pursuit of power shaped every aspect of life. Russell recreates the customs, landscapes, and political tensions of the period while weaving an emotionally rich narrative around the historical figures whose lives have survived only in fragments.

Rather than simply retelling a well-known historical event, the novel explores the emotional cost of political decisions made by rulers and their courts. Through Alfrida's perspective, readers experience the uncertainty, grief, resilience, and faith of a young woman whose future is shattered by forces beyond her control. The result is both an engaging work of historical fiction and a thoughtful reimagining of a story that has fascinated historians for centuries.

The novel also brings to life the wider historical world surrounding King Offa's reign, the kingdom of Mercia at the height of its influence, the growing importance of Christianity, and the enduring legacy of Crowland Abbey, where redemption and remembrance become central themes. By combining historical authenticity with compelling character development, Russell offers readers an immersive portrait of a pivotal period in English history.

Murder and Redemption from Hereford to Crowland will appeal to readers of historical fiction who enjoy richly researched novels grounded in real events, particularly those interested in Anglo-Saxon England, medieval history, royal intrigue, and stories that illuminate overlooked voices from the past.

Publisher: Cambridge Book Publishing
Website: https://www.cambridgebookpublishing.co.uk/
Phone: 0121 815 8355
Email: info@cambridgebookpublishing.co.uk
Address: Unit #43, 20 Queensway, Birmingham B4 6AT, United Kingdom

Book Details
Title: Murder and Redemption from Hereford to Crowland: The Tragic Story of Ethelbert and His Bride-to-Be, Alfrida
Author: Liz Russell
Publisher: Cambridge Book Publishing
Publication date: ‎ 11 May 2026
ISBN: 978-1807250591
Available from: Amazon (https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/1807250598)

Liz Russell is a historical fiction author whose work explores the lives behind the historical record, bringing overlooked figures and forgotten stories to modern readers. Through meticulous research and imaginative storytelling, she recreates pivotal moments from Britain's past while focusing on the personal experiences of those whose voices history has often left unheard.

This release was published on openPR.