Ismere: a story of "The Lady of the Mercians".

For Aneirin, a bond-slave on the monastery lands of Stour-in-Ismere the future looks bleak when he is rejected in love. But this is only the beginning of more tragic events when his community is destroyed by a Viking invasion. Finding refuge and ultimately the protection of the Lady Aethelfleda, wife to the local ealdorman, he enters on eight long years of service to her, in the bitter war to liberate his homeland. He attains freedom, wealth and status beyond his dreams and a home that at last he can call his own, and tries to serve the memory of his mistress as faithfully after her death, as he had in life. But Aneirin’s battle is not over with the coming of the peace, and he faces financial ruin, death of his loved ones, insanity and the evil scheming of unworthy men ---- before finally discovering his own secret fate, a destiny hidden in the trackless swamp of Ismere.

	Ismere: a story of The Lady of the Mercians

For Aneirin, a bond-slave on the monastery lands of Stour-in-Ismere the future looks bleak when he is rejected in love. But this is only the beginning of more tragic events when his community is destroyed by a Viking invasion. Finding refuge and ultimately the protection of the Lady Aethelfleda, wife to the local ealdorman, he enters on eight long years of service to her, in the bitter war to liberate his homeland. He attains freedom, wealth and status beyond his dreams and a home that at last he can call his own, and tries to serve the memory of his mistress as faithfully after her death, as he had in life. But Aneirin’s battle is not over with the coming of the peace, and he faces financial ruin, death of his loved ones, insanity and the evil scheming of unworthy men ---- before finally discovering his own secret fate, a destiny hidden in the trackless swamp of Ismere.
Author Martin Wall appeared Live on BBC Radio WM Carl Chin Show Sunday 23rd March 3.15pm	About the author Martin Wall has a lifelong interest in the folklore, history and magic of the Midlands. Born in the region in 1962, he has lived in many of the places that feature in this story. He studied at the University of Exeter, and gained a Masters degree. He works for the West Mercia probation service, teaches at Ruskin College, and still lives nearby the lost site of the monastery of Ismere.	Click on a map showing some of the places featured in the book.
	My contribution to The Legend Of St Kenelm in The Modern Antiquarian
	Theories on the Battle of Tettenhall on the Black Country Bugle site
		Buy Ismere here
	Extracts of Ismere can be found on Google Book Search under "Ismere" Alternatively click here	Buy Ismere here