Pembrokeshire author Claire Fuge's novel sparks Welsh history interest

1126. The Norman conquest grips Wales. Rebellion stirs. And one woman’s choice could ignite it all.

‘The Siren’s Daughter’, the new book by Carew author Claire Fuge, tells the incredible story of a Welsh Princess who became a key figure in the Norman conquest of Wales.

The book is based on the true story of 'Princess Nest', daughter of Rhys ap Tewdwr (Rhys ap Tudor Mawr), King of Deheubarth in South Wales. Seized as hostage as a child after her father's death, Princess Nest led a tumultuous life, and had relationships with key political players of the time.

Nineteen-year-old Angharad, the daughter of a Norman knight and a captive Welsh princess, arrives at Aberteifi Castle to face an arranged marriage. But her stepfather, the merciless Norman commander of the castle, has other plans. He demands that Angharad expose her mother, Nesta, as a secret rebel or be cast out to die.

To survive, Angharad presses Nesta to reveal the truth about her past: as a Welsh princess stolen by invaders, the victim of wars and betrayals, the seductress of kings and princes. As Nesta’s story unfolds, Angharad discovers a legacy more dangerous than she could have imagined, and must decide whether to protect her mother or herself…

Claire Fuge is a historical fiction author charting the rise of the Tewdwr family from medieval Wales into the Tudor dynasty. Her new novel is based in Cardigan Castle, with scenes set in Carew, Manorbier and Pembroke Castles.

Claire lives near Carew in Pembrokeshire, where Nesta’s castle still stands, and often walks her dog around its ruins. It was hearing of the woman for whom the castle was originally built that inspired her to research her story.

“This book is of course hugely relevant for Tenby, because the history of Henry Tudor (Henry VII) is so important in Tenby,” Claire commented, “and the story I have written is about the ancestors of the Tudors. (Basically, written hundreds of years before Henry Tudor’s time, when the ancestors of the Tudors - still going by their Welsh name of Tewdwr - were fighting the Norman Conquest!

“I love the idea of a Norman versus Tudor mash-up!”

When asked about where the book can be bought locally, Claire said: “The shop in Carew Castle has said they are going to take it as soon as they have space, which is really exciting because of course the book was inspired by the time that I spent there.

“And the bookshop in St Davids have also told me that they are stocking it and have ordered copies in.”

“I’m getting lots of comments about the fact that this whole period is so under-covered by historical fiction books that have been written up to now,” she added. “There’s so little written about medieval Wales - and it’s igniting people’s interest in Welsh history for the first time - which is a wonderful thing to hear.”

Further information on The Siren's Daughter (ISBN 9781835744529) is available on The Book Guild website.