Dauntless by Tamara Leigh
AUTHOR’S NOTE
Dear Readers,
When I decided the final book in the Age of Conquest series should take another step back in time to give more credit to Godfroi and Robine D’Argent for the origins of the Wulfriths, I anticipated an emotional journey. But not one of this depth.
I have chided this author for bouts of sobbing, reminding myself these are characters created from the dust of my imagination and not the dust of the ground. However, my emotions persist in the belief Godfroi and Robine are known to me in truth—that I did not simply Once Upon a Time them but drew their pain and joy from the real world within and without. God-inspired? Only He knows.
For those who have read the Age of Faith series, you will recognize the name of Drogo from THE UNVEILING, his character having sired the 12th century Wulfriths. Too, you may recall though he was no villain, neither was he a hero, having sought to impress on his sons that a man should love only his destrier, sword, and shield. As I prepared for the epilogue of DAUNTLESS by expanding my timeline, I discovered Drogo was born near the end of Robine’s life. Thus, it seemed right the infant was present for her passing, presenting an opportunity to allude to the reason he failed to love unlike others of his family, including his own sons. So how did love elude Drogo beyond the dispositions with which one is born and imbued? Likely, he was affected by lack of a mother’s love in his younger years and a father’s love thinned by unresolved grief. Of course, it could not have helped that on Drogo’s wedding day, his betrothed sought to steal away with another man whom he promptly slew—hardly the way to begin a marriage.
That’s it for my fictional characters, but what of the historical figure who became the Conqueror? What is known of Duke William’s childhood is fascinating for his ability to survive and thrive. Doubtless, numerous threats to his life and exposure to the ruthlessness required to gain ground in the Middle Ages shaped him into the warrior who took the throne of England by force and subjugated its people. And yet one of the most intriguing things about him is his devotion to his wife during an age when it was common for men in power to dishonor their wedding vows. Though William must have had many opportunities to embrace infidelity, most historians believe he remained faithful to Matilda. Was this love? I believe so, and that he was capable of such feelings because of his mother’s love and possibly that of his sire who never wed and made his illegitimate son his heir.
Of final note, when Robine and Godfroi passed in 1097, King William would have been dead ten years and succeeded by his third son, William Rufus, who may have been murdered in 1100 by the brother who became King Henry I, the grandfather of King Henry II of my Age of Faith series.
Have I overstuffed this Author’s Note? Though a bundle of feathers was edited out, another handful could have been cast to the wind, but those last were so downy it seemed cruel to set them adrift. Hence, grace appreciated—and skimming allowed.
Later this year, I hope you will return with me to the Middle Ages when the 14th century Age of Honor series debuts. If you would like a peek at the first book, an excerpt was included in HEARTLESS, the fourth book in the Age of Conquest series, and another excerpt is included here.
Godspeed! ~ Tamara