The Footholder's Tale

When I was a child there was a long-running television programme called 'Jackanory' that was simply people telling stories to the camera.  I was captivated by one series of tales which were about beautiful women, powerful kings and wizards, and mystical places.  Even at my tender age I was enchanted by the stories' subtlety and gentleness which made them different from other tales I'd been heard.  I never forgot these legends, and was delighted to rediscover them many years later when I picked up a book of traditional medieval Welsh tales called 'The Mabinogion'.  'The Footholder's Tale' is a retelling of one of these stories, and because of the soft spot I have for it, this is the one of my novels I'm most attached to.

Published in June 2015, 'The Footholder's Tale' is a historical fantasy.  I've always referred to the novel affectionately as 'Footy'.

The tale is about King Math, who must keep his foot in a maiden's lap or he will die.  Despite that unpromising premise it's a wonderful story of love, war, lust, and power and is easily my favourite traditional story.

The tale is set in north Wales, which is an area I have lived and holidayed in, so I know it well.  The book's time and place (Celtic north Wales) was one I studied for my degree, so the background came relatively easily.  I'm very fond of the settings and I hope this affection for both the story and its location has come over in the writing.

Here's 'Footy's' buy link

Here's the blurb:

Math, King of Gwynned will die without a maiden’s magic to soothe his battle-injured foot. In a court rife with envy, greed and cunning, Math must choose a successor. His nephew falls in love with the beautiful new Footholder and he and his scheming brother plot to win her and at the same time ruin her – a plan which could mean the king’s death. Will the maiden’s bonding with the king cost her life or can she overcome treachery and save both king and kingdom from being torn apart?

Set in mythical Wales, The Footholder’s Tale, Andrew Richardson’s historical fantasy captures the mystical elements of the times and combines intrigue and classic romance, based on Gaelic legends.


Reviews

So far, reviews have been kind to the story.  The five I've seen to date have given either four or five stars (out of five), on either Goodreads or Amazon.

"Super read, I really enjoyed."  (Four stars; Goodreads)
"Touching, beautifully written, atmospheric and historically accurate."  (Five stars, Goodreads)
Full reviews on the book's Goodreads page.

"A good book to take on holiday, and even more so if you are heading for north Wales."  (Four stars; Amazon)
"I thoroughly enjoyed this book."  (Five stars; Amazon)
Full reviews on the book's Amazon page.