Pelzmantel: A Medieval Tale

When her mother dies in childbirth, the young Princess Hallgerd finds sanctuary with her family's caregiver--a centuries old Irish witch, Carae Mna', known to her charges simply as "Nanna."

In this retelling of the Grimm Brothers' tale "Allerleirau," Hallgerd grows up in exile under the witch's tutelage while the realm stagnates in the hands of her grieving father, who has come to be under the control of Thomas, a mage from Nanna's homeland.

The story is told from Nanna's point of view, allowing her to weave many other tales into the telling of Hallgerd adventures. The narrative is infused with actual stories from medieval Ireland and Scandinavia as well as inventions nonetheless firmly grounded in the author's thorough knowledge of the time period.

Medieval magick plays a major role, from genuine herbal cures to complex prognostications about the dangers facing the young royal. The focus throughout the novel remains on women's experiences in the medieval world, revealing the complexity and richness of this less well-known sphere.