The Abbess of Whitby

Hild is caught between two worlds. Handmaid to the goddess Eostre, she finds herself tossed from one power to another - the indifferent goddess, the callous King, her crass husband - before meeting the Christian priests of Iona and finding a home for her bruised spirit. Then the young convert catches the eye of Aidan, a charismatic leader. Inspired and guided by him, she builds communities, creates trust, leads men. Even her old enemy, King Oswy, entrusts his child to her, and seeks her help to heal his divided kingdom. A woman of power and wisdom, subtle and brilliant, she will change the history of her nation.

Jill Dalladay was a classicist, historian and former head teacher who pioneered the Cambridge Latin course. She lived in Whitby and sadly passed away in 2019.