La sposa normanna

Synopsis of La sposa normanna

Palermo, 1185. Costanza d'Altavilla, having taken vows many years ago and withdrawn from the world, is called before the King of Sicily. She is the only surviving princess of royal blood and must marry Henry of Swabia, son of Frederick Barbarossa, to seal an agreement between the kingdom and the Empire. Though she never desired the pomp of court, she submits for the good of the Norman people. Her marriage to Henry proves unhappy, but when she finally gives birth to the long-awaited heir, her life is devoted to his survival. After Costanza's death, the "little king" must fight powerful enemies to claim the throne of the Altavilla, leading the Kingdom of Sicily to unprecedented splendor. First published in 2004, 'La sposa normanna' is a beloved contemporary classic.