The Errant Hours

The Historical Novel Society Editor’s Choice

One of Book Riot’s Must-Read Medieval Novels

“A beautifully crafted epic tale of adventure, love and courage, worthy of the greatest Medieval Minstrels.” Karen Maitland

“Kate Innes’s glorious first novel is a lyrical joy. Up there with the best of Patricia Bracewell and Elizabeth Chadwick, it offers utter immersion in an intricate, plausible world.” Manda Scott

"An utterly delightful novel that kept me reading into the small hours. Very Enjoyable.”
Helen Hollick for the Historical Novel Society

England 1284
The uprising in Wales is over, the leader gruesomely executed, the dead are buried. But for Illesa Arrowsmith, the war’s aftermath is just as brutal. When her brother is thrown into the Forester’s prison on false charges, she is left impoverished and alone. All Illesa has left is the secret manuscript entrusted to her – a book so powerful it can save lives, a book so valuable that its discovery could lead to her death.

When the bailiff’s daughter finds it, Illesa decides to run, and break her brother out of jail by whatever means. But the powerful Forester tracks them down, and Illesa must put herself and the book at the mercy of an unscrupulous knight who threatens to reveal all their secrets, one by one.

Inspired by the seductive art of illuminated manuscripts, The Errant Hours draws from the deep well of medieval legend to weave a story of survival and courage, trickery and love.

Fans of authors like Elizabeth Chadwick, Sharon Kay Penman, Conn Iggulden, Ken Follett and Patricia Bracewell will love its gritty realism, compulsive narrative, vivid characters and beautiful prose.

"A skilful mix of stories and an intricate and very gripping narrative. I enjoyed it immensely."
Dr Henrietta Leyser - Oxford Historian and author of Medieval Women

The Errant Hours is the first book of The Arrowsmith Trilogy, which follows the life of courageous and resourceful Illesa Arrowsmith as she confronts the physical and spiritual dangers of Plantanget Britain. It is followed by All the Winding World and Wild Labyrinth.

Kate Innes trained as an archaeologist, teacher and museum education officer before turning to writing full time. She lives in Shropshire near some of the locations in The Errant Hours.

Kate Innes was born in London and lived and worked in America and Zimbabwe, but now exists happily amidst the history and natural beauty of Shropshire with her husband and three children. She was trained as an archaeologist and worked as a Museum Education Officer around the Midlands. After several writing courses, she expanded her repertoire (previously short poems only) to write The Errant Hours, based on real events in the Welsh Marches during the Thirteenth century. Kate has been writing and performing poetry for many years, usually with a particular focus on animals, art or the natural world. These poems, associated research and thoughts are posted in her blog and through @kateinnes2 Kate runs writing workshops, works collaboratively to write community poems and undertakes commissions and residencies.

James Wade studied architecture at St John's College, Cambridge and Harvard and worked in London until 1996 when he moved to Shrewsbury. In addition to his architectural work, he enjoys drawing and painting and has undertaken a number of illustration projects. http: //jameswade.webs.com