The Winchester Hours continues with The Belfont Rose, (working title).  It’s now 1365 and the story switches to Agnes, the girl from the Abbey. Skilled herbalist and bright as a button, her life changes dramatically when she reaches the age of eighteen. Her future is in the hands of others, and since women don’t have that much agency over their choices, it seems likely she’s going to have to play the hand she’s given. Being a dutiful girl, she sets out to do just that with her usual optimism and can-do attitude.  But yup, you guessed it…Agnes’ sense of duty is going to be stretched tighter than my waistband. Also – there is a shocker in store. Not just for Agnes, but for several other characters in the previous book.

The action is going to move to Lainston, an area just outside Winchester, near the village of Sparsholt.  The word “Spar” is defined (see Merriam Webster) as an old English word meaning “Spear”.  And “Holt” is a medieval word for Wood. The book was originally going to be called The Spear Wood but…the words will still have significance.

Sparsholt itself is surrounded by Crabwood and is a beautiful place for a walk.