The Maid of the White Hands by Rosalind Miles

But the original Irish legend ends differently, and so does this book, with magic and drama as only Rosalind Miles can write it. There ends the traditional medieval story of Tristan and Isolde-with betrayal, death, and grief. To her horror, he turns his face to the wall and dies. Isolde immediately leaves for France, but when Blanche sees the white sails from the castle window, she pulls the curtains and tells Tristan that they are black. If the ship’s sails are black, he will know that she no longer loves him. If she can forgive him for marrying another, she must come to France in a ship set with white sails. He is dying, he tells her, and asks for one final sign of their love. But the original Irish legend ends differently, and so does this book, with magic and drama as only Rosalind Miles can write it. Near death from his wounds, Tristan sends one last desperate letter to Isolde by a trusted servant. Tristan’s letters to Isolde are intercepted, and he is told that she has given him up. Mark sends Tristan to France to be healed by Blanche, who makes the most of the opportunity. King Mark has become suspicious of his wife and nephew, and when Tristan is wounded in battle, he sees a chance to separate them for good. Her father objects, but fate favors Blanche. Blanche is of an age to be married, and she has chosen her husband-Tristan of Lyonesse. She, too, is a physician and is called “Blanche Mains,” for her white hands and healing touch. King Hoel named his daughter in honor of Isolde of Ireland, but young Isolde of France has always been determined to outdo Queen Isolde.

Her true love is his nephew, Tristan of Lyonesse, who has never married, remaining faithful to Isolde.Īcross the sea in France, a young princess who shares Isolde’s name enters the story.

But while Ireland is her destiny, Isolde is already Queen of Cornwall, trapped in a loveless marriage to the mean-spirited King Mark. The throne of the Emerald Isle, one of the last strongholds of the Goddess, awaits her. In Ireland her mother, the Queen, lies dying.

The Maid of the White Hands by Rosalind Miles