The Order of the White Boar

How well do you know the story of the real King Richard III? Not as well as Matthew Wansford.
Matthew, a 12-year-old merchant’s son, has always longed to be a knight. And his chance comes in the golden summer of 1482 when he arrives at Middleham Castle, home of King Edward IV’s brother, Richard, Duke of Gloucester – valiant warrior, loyal brother, loving father, good master.
Soon Matt encounters a dangerous enemy. Hugh, a fellow page, is a better swordsman, horseman, more skilled in all the knightly arts – and the son of an executed traitor. A vicious bully, he aims to make Matt's life hell.
Yet Matt also finds the most steadfast of friends – Alys, Roger and Edward, the Duke’s only son. Together they forge a secret knightly fellowship, the Order of the White Boar, and swear an oath of lifelong loyalty – to each other and to their good lord, Duke Richard.
But these are not times to play at war. Soon Matt and his friends will be plunged into the deadly games of the Wars of the Roses. Will their loyalty be tested as the storm looms on the horizon?
For readers of 10 and above, ‘The Order of the White Boar’ tells the exciting adventures of Matt and his friends in the months leading up to the momentous events of 1483, the ‘Year of the Three Kings’.
And follow Matt and his friends' further adventures in 'The King's Man', 'King in Waiting' and 'Sons of York', Books 2, 3 and 4 of 'The Order of the White Boar' sequence, as they serve their good master King Richard III through to the fateful summer of 1485 and beyond... All four books are now available in two omnibus editions - The Order of the White Boar, Books 1 and 2 and King in Waiting, Books 3 and 4.
Coming soon: book 5 in the series, The False Prince

Praise for 'The Order of the White Boar'
‘A wonderful work of historical fiction . . . altogether a very enjoyable book for both children and adults.’ Isabel Green, 'Ricardian Bulletin' of the Richard III Society, which voted it No. 11 in 'top Ricardian fiction'
‘This engaging and exciting story has the power to captivate readers of any age . . . extremely well researched and a pleasure to read.’ Wendy Johnson, author of The Traitor's Son
‘A really gripping historical novel . . . well written, vivid and absorbing.’ E. Flanagan, author of 'Eden Summer'
'A terrific book . . . fabulously written, fast-paced, and full of action and character.' Narrelle M. Harris, author of 'Kitty & Cadaver'
‘Exciting and appealing, accurate and well-researched . . . I can honestly see this becoming a classic.’ Joanne R. Larner, author of 'Richard Liveth Yet'
‘Finally! A book that has been written for a younger audience, which brings to life the just and fair leader that Richard III truly was.’ Richard III’s Loyal Supporters
Find Matt and Alex on Facebook at Alex Marchant Author, on Twitter @AlexMarchant84 and @whiteboarorder, and on WordPress @AlexMarchantBlog.

A Ricardian since a teenager, and following stints as an archaeologist and in publishing, Alex now lives and works in King Richard's own country, not far from his beloved York and Middleham. Much of this book was 'seen' and 'heard' while striding over the nearby heather-clad moors with a loyal hound, 'rescued' in the golden summer of 2012 and named, indecisively but Olympically, Milli Mo Ennis Ohuruogu Murray - Milli for short.