Book Spotlight: The Fall of Kings (Legend of the Cid, Book 3) by Stuart Rudge

 Castile. 1071AD. Three kings. One crown.

After Sancho II of Castile dispatches his champion Rodrigo Diaz de Vivar to capture his brother, King Garcia of Galicia, he hopes it is a defining moment in his quest to reunite the lands of his father under one banner. But Alfonso VI of Leon is one step ahead, and has already added the lands of Galicia to his domain. When the only alternative is war, Sancho turns to Rodrigo to lead the armies of Castile, and he must use all his tactical acumen to defeat the Leonese in the field. Only one son of Fernando can claim victory and become the Emperor of Hispania.

Rodrigo and Antonio Perez, now a knight of the realm, find difficulty adjusting to the new regime. Dissent and unrest run rife throughout the kingdom, and the fear of a knife in the dark from enemies old and new hangs heavy upon the pair. But if it is allowed to fester, it threatens to undo all that has been achieved. Can Rodrigo and Antonio root out the enemies of the king, and prevent chaos reigning throughout the land?

The Fall of Kings in the breathtaking third instalment of the Legend of the Cid.

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Stuart Rudge

Stuart Rudge was born and raised in Middlesbrough, where he still lives. His love of history came from his father and uncle, both avid readers of history, and his love of tabletop wargaming and strategy video games. He studied Ancient History and Archaeology at Newcastle University and has spent his fair share of time in muddy trenches, digging up treasure at Bamburgh Castle.

He was worked in the retail sector and volunteered in museums, before working in York Minster, which he considered the perfect office. His love of writing blossomed within the historic walls, and he knew there were stories within which had to be told. Despite a move in to the shipping and logistics sector (a far cry to what he hoped to ever do), his love of writing has only grown stronger.

Rise of a Champion is the first piece of work he has dared to share with the world. Before that came a novel about the Roman Republic and a Viking-themed fantasy series (which will likely never see the light of day, but served as good practise). He hopes to establish himself as a household name in the mound of Bernard Cornwell, Giles Kristian, Ben Kane and Matthew Harffy, amongst a host of his favourite writers.

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History Trivia - El Cid captures Valencia from the Moors

June 15

1094 El Cid, the great Spanish national hero, captured Valencia from the Moors.
 

History Trivia - El Cid captures Valencia from the Moors

June 15

763 BC Assyrians recorded a solar eclipse that was later used to fix the chronology of Mesopotamian history.

1094 El Cid, the great Spanish national hero, captured Valencia from the Moors.

1219 King Valdemar brought victory for Denmark. According to legend, the Danish flag fell from the sky during the Battle of Lyndanisse (now Tallinn) in Estonia, turning the tide in favor of the Danes.

History Trivia - Lady Godiva rides naked on horseback through Coventry

July 10

 48 BC Battle of Dyrrhachium: Julius Caesar barely avoided a catastrophic defeat to Pompey in Macedonia.

138 Emperor Hadrian died of heart failure at Baiae at age 62; he was buried in Rome in the Tomb of Hadrian beside his late wife, Vibia Sabina.

988 The city of Dublin was founded on the banks of the river Liffey.

1040 Lady Godiva rode naked on horseback to force her husband, the Earl of Mercia, to lower taxes.

1086 Knut IV, the Saint, King of Denmark was murdered.

1099 El Cid, of Castile died.

1212 The most severe of several early fires of London burned most of the city to the ground.

1452 King James III of Scotland was born. 1

460 - Wars of Roses: Richard of York defeated King Henry VI at Northampton.

1520 King Charles V & King Henry VIII signed treaty of Calais.

History Trivia - El Cid captures Valencia from the Moors

June 15

763 BC Assyrians recorded a solar eclipse that was later used to fix the chronology of Mesopotamian history.

1094, El Cid, the great Spanish national hero, captured Valencia from the Moors.

1184 King Magnus V of Norway was killed at the Battle of Fimreite.  

 

1215 Magna Carta sealed: Following a revolt by the English nobility against his rule, King John puts his royal seal on the Magna Carta,  or "Great Charter."

 

1219 King Valdemar brought victory for Denmark. According to legend, the Danish flag fell from the sky during the Battle of Lyndanisse (now Tallinn) in Estonia, turning the tide in favor of the Danes.

1330 Edward, the Black Prince was born.

1381 Wat Tyler, leader of English Peasants' Revolt, was beheaded in London.

1520 Pope Leo X threatened to excommunicate Martin Luther in papal bull Exsurge Domine.