HUNTINGDON was a dangerous and violent place in 1070, according to a new book. Divided Loyalties, has been written for children by Buckden author Linda Upham. The book is set during fighting between the Saxons and the Normans and the story centres on two

HUNTINGDON was a dangerous and violent place in 1070, according to a new book.

Divided Loyalties, has been written for children by Buckden author Linda Upham.

The book is set during fighting between the Saxons and the Normans and the story centres on two families, one Norman and one Saxon, who try to make peace and form an alliance through marriage.

The prospective bride, Neva, the Saxon heroine of the story, betrothed at 11, is reluctant to go through with the marriage to a Norman and we follow the story through her perspective.

Mrs Upham, a historian and a former manager of additional educational needs for Huntingdonshire, who has a grown-up son and daughter, said: "I started writing when my own children were young and I couldn't find the sort of historical fiction books for them that I was looking for.

"The morals and message of the story also reflect today's problems of immigrant communities and social upheaval and includes the problem of an arranged marriage."

This is her second book. The first The Bronze Dagger, set in Lincolnshire in AD60, was published by Lutterworth Press.

Divided Loyalties is published by ­AuthorsOnLine, the on-line publisher based in Gamlingay.

INFORMATION: The Bronze Dagger can be ordered on Amazon. Divided Loyalties, recommended price, £8.95 can be ordered from www.authorsonline.co.uk