Cradle of a Nation: A Story of Colonial Virginia

Cradle of a Nation: A Story of Colonial Virginia, Diana M. Johnson, Superior Book Publishing Company, 2006

Set in 1700s Virginia, this is one family's story in Colonial America, before words like "revolution" and
"independence" sweep the land.

If there is such a thing as a "good" slave owner, that's William Daingerfield. Early in the book, he finds his white overseer mercilessly beating a slave without his consent. Not only does he stop the beating, and do what he can to nurse the slave back to health, he fires the overseer, and has him thrown in jail. This being a tobacco plantation, when harvest time comes, he is not afraid to get dirty in the fields, alongside his slaves.

This story is told by young Will Daingerfield, and Davy, his personal servant. Despite that master/slave wall between them, having grown up together, they are nearly inseparable. Will is sent to the William and Mary Grammar School to get an education, and Davy goes with him. Allowed to sit in on Will's classes, still as his personal servant, Davy ends up getting educated, and learning how to read. Later, Will asks Davy why he doesn't talk better, now that he's educated. Davy basically says that if other whites don't get on his case, and even threaten to kill him, for trying to "act" white, his fellow slaves will.

Back at the plantation, the years pass. Will becomes master of the plantation, and there are marriages, births and deaths, including both of Will's parents. Will's first wife, Catherine, dies in childbirth. A number of years previously, at a fancy ball, when Will was a teenager, he met a child named Apphia, who boldly said that one day she was going to marry Will. Well, "one day" has come, and as Wife #2, she bears Will several children. Years later, Will's son, and Davy's son, join the Virginia army to fight the French and Indians to keep Virginia's access to the Ohio River valley. Both Will and Davy realize that things have come full circle, that they are getting on in years, and, every day, hope and pray to see their sons coming up the road.

At the end of this book, the author mentions that the characters in this book were real people. The author still does her usual excellent job at making the characters and story feel real. It is an interesting story, and is very much worth reading.

Quest For the Crown

Quest for the Crown, Diana M. Johnson, Superior Book Publishing Co., 2002

Set approximately 1300 years ago, this novel is the story of Pepin the Short, one of the heirs of Charles Martel. After Martel's death, his kingdom (present-day France and Germany) is split between Pepin and Carloman, his older brother. A huge secret in the family is the very old prophecy that someone of this bloodline will become King of All Franks, a prophecy that Pepin would very much like to fulfill. Since the Merovingians have held the throne for the past several hundred years, public knowledge of the prophecy would upset many people.

Pepin can't exactly fight Carloman for the crown (Carloman is next in line), but he has no such problem dealing with anyone else who gets in his way, including a treasonous, younger, half-brother named Grifo. Years later, Carloman is racked with guilt over a cold-blooded murder he committed in the heat of battle. He is convinced that the only way to atone for his sin is to "give" Pepin the crown, and join a monastery.

Pepin is constantly on the move, consolidating and expanding his territory. With help from the Pope, he establishes the Divine Right of Kings. He takes an army over the Alps, and almost does not make it, to help out the Pope in Italy. The conquered Italian cities are donated to the Pope, and become the Vatican.

This novel is a first-rate piece of writing. As much as possible, it's based on historical fact, so it feels very plausible. It's well done, and is a fitting end to a really good trilogy.

Pepin's Bastard

Pepin's Bastard, Diana M. Johnson, Superior Book Publishing Company, 1999

Set approximately 1300 years ago, this historical novel is about Charles, born of an illegitimate relationship. His father, Pepin de Gros, is Mayor of the Castle in Cologne (the real authority), and Plectruda, his wife, is past childbearing age. Charles is born to Alpaida, one of the servant girls. Plectruda is irate, and even though Charles' claim to the throne is tiny, she makes sure that he never gets anywhere near it. Growing up, Charles is teased and tormented about his parentage by the other children. Always called Pepin's Bastard instead of Charles, it gets to the point where he might as well make that his legal name.

In his early teens, he is sent to a faraway castle, run by a man named Dodo, to learn how to be a soldier. He spends his winters at the monastery at Metz to learn reading, writing and arithmetic, a rarity. He marries, and starts a family, knowing that if Plectruda gets her hands on any of them, their life span will be very short. Charles rises through the ranks at the castle, becoming Captain of the Guard. Meantime, the throne in Cologne keeps changing hands, usually through assassination. One night, Charles receives the wife and teenage daughter of Grimwald, the latest occupant of the throne and one of Plectruda's sons. They tell a harrowing tale of fleeing at night, with just the clothes on their backs. Charles and the daughter have a child and get married, almost wrecking his marriage to Rotruda, his wife, but there is a reason for it.

Around the year 700, the Franks in northern Europe were a bunch of disorganized tribes, constantly attacking each other. Charles unites them under his banner, and takes the name Charles Martel (Charles the Hammer). The book ends with the first battles with a heretofore unknown group, the Muslims, coming from the southwest.

This is a gem of a book. As much as possible, it is based on historical fact. The author can trace her ancestry back to this time period, to a man named Pepin the Vain (read part 1 of this trilogy). It's interesting, very well done and recommended.

Destiny's Godchild

Destiny's Godchild, Diana M. Johnson, Superior Book Publishing Co, 1998

Set in Frankish Gaul (France approximately 1400 years ago), this is the story of Egar, a young man sent out into the world by his Master to find his destiny. Egar can earn a living with his harp, his juggling and some sleight-of-hand, but how can he "change the course of Frankish history" (according to his Master)?

Finding himself in the royal court in Paris, Egar meets Pepin the Vain, nobleman and tutor to Prince Dagobert, son of King Clothar. Egar feels that his destiny is somehow tied to Pepin. Clothar sends Dagobert to rule one of the outlying provinces, from a town called Metz. Dagobert is still a child, so Pepin is sent along as Mayor of the Palace (literally, the power behind the throne). Pepin does not have royal blood, but he wants the throne very, very much, and figures that this is his chance (he's not called Pepin the Vain for nothing). Dagobert loves the pomp and ceremony of being King, but hates the day-to-day routine; Pepin is only too happy to oblige. On day, Egar, who has accompanied them to Metz, has a vision of a great king; Pepin thinks it's him, but Egar isn't sure.

Years later, Clothar dies, so Dagobert moves to Paris to become King of all Frankish territory. Pepin and Egar stay behind in Metz, which, without a monarch, pactically becomes a ghost town. They ride to Paris to convince Dagobert to spend part of the year in Metz. They are shocked to find that the Queen has been humiliated and forced into a convent, and the castle has become a place for all-night partying with lots of prostitutes. The day-to-day business of the kingdom is the farthest thing from Dagobert's mind.

Pepin's ambition gets the better of him on a later trip to Paris to convince Dagobert to clean up his act. Pepin is confined to the castle, and relieved of his position as Mayor of Metz. Egar, with help from a bit of sorcery, races back to Metz, to tell Pepin's family to flee immediately, just minutes ahead of guards from Dagobert.

This one is really good. Pepin feels like a real person (he was a real person; the author can trace her family history back to him), the writing is very well done and shows a lot of research, and, overall, it's well worth the reader's time.