Bringing Medieval Women to Life – Treason and Betrayal in the Mortimer Household

This is the title of the talk to be given by Anne O’Brien, Sunday Times Best Selling author, in Pembridge Church at 11 am on Saturday 25th May. The venue has special significance. In 1301 Roger Mortimer married the heiress, Joan de Geneville, at this church.

A Court of Betrayal

Anne’s latest book A Court of Betrayal tells Joan’s story. Married at just 15, Joan is swept up in a world of treacherous court politics and dangerous secrets as her husband deposes Edward II and rules England alongside Queen Isabella.

When Roger is accused of treason, she is robbed of her freedom and must survive catastrophic events in her fight for justice- with her family’s lives hanging in the balance.

What the Critics Say

“O’Brien cleverly intertwines the personal and political in this enjoyable, gripping tale.” – The Times

“The characters are larger than life…and the author a compulsive storyteller” - Sunday Express

“O’Brien’s page-turner vividly brings to life the restriction of women, and the compassion and strength of this real-life figure from medieval times.“ - Woman

The Author

This is Anne’s fifteenth novel and her books have sold close to a million globally. Anne read history at Manchester University before studying Education at Hull University. She taught history in East Yorkshire. She now lives in an eighteenth-century timber-framed cottage in the Welsh Marches. Her special interest and subject of her books is the lives of medieval women, often at pivotal moments in our history.

Pembridge Medieval Weekend

Portrait of Pembridge is thrilled to host this event with the kind permission of the church wardens of St Mary’s Church, Pembridge. It will take place during the Leominster Medieval Society’s Medieval Weekend to include a battle re-enactment, displays, and talks all around Pembridge on 25th/26th May. All events are free and are family-friendly.

Read Anne’s blog “Writing About the Medieval Mortimers”.