England in 1360. The Pestilence is killing thousands, undermining the authority of Church and king. Cemeteries are full, burial pits overflowing. Prayers beseeching God’s mercy, remain unanswered. Unceasing horror… But there is worse to come. More deaths and increasingly brutal murders. When Bishop of Hereford, John Trilleck, is beheaded, Pope Innocent sends Cardinal Beyssac and his companions to Hereford to restore the Church’s authority. Their journey through England reveals a lawless country, rife with paganism and ritual murder. The disciples of the Wyvern Ring will wade through blood to fulfil their sacred duty. As emissary of the pope, Cardinal Beyssac is targeted for assassination. Deadlier than the Pestilence, it appears the Wyvern Ring cannot be stopped.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
William R. Francis was born in Liverpool and educated at Alsager College (now part of the University of Manchester) where he gained an Honours Degree in History and English Literature. After experiencing a variety of hospital jobs, he trained as an educator, working as head of department in schools in Kent and Herefordshire for a number of years. His students loved to hear him tell stories. He has written four historical documentaries for BBC Radio and won hundreds of competition prizes by devising memorable tie-breakers. His ambition is to write a screenplay for a major Hollywood movie.
William spoke to Your Herefordshire earlier and said:
“The story is set in Hereford in 1360, against the backdrop of the worst pandemic of all time “The Black Death”.
“I am not from Hereford but I have lived in The Golden valley for 32 years. I was born in Anfield, Liverpool-so near LFC’s ground, I could tell you the score sitting in my front lounge! I have attended hundreds of games at Anfield in the past but not so many now I live in Herefordshire.
“I was Head of History at Kingstone High School for 26 years until I retired in 2015. I now work part time in the County Hospital.
“The Wyvern Ring is a comical history thriller, set against the ravages of The Black Death, focusing on Cardinal Beyssac and his companions in a life and death struggle to prevent an organisation of Saxon fanatics unleashing mayhem and taking control of England.
“The Wyvern Ring, a murderous revolutionary group has never accepted the state of England post 1066. They believe the English people are under occupation. Based in Mordiford, they behead the Bishop of Hereford and prepare for a nationwide uprising.
“This is the blurb on the Amazon website. The book is published by Pegasus and costs £7.99.”
Purchase now – The Wyvern Ring eBook: Francis, William : Amazon.co.uk: Kindle Store
