The Price of Loyalty
By Malve von Hassell
By Malve von Hassell
Publication Date: August 21st, 2025
Publisher: Historium Press
Pages: 379
Genre: Historical Fiction
In a time of kingdoms and crusades, one man's heart is the battlefield.
Cerdic, a Saxon knight, serves Count Stephen-Henry of Blois with unwavering loyalty-yet his soul remains divided. Haunted by memories of England, the land of his childhood, and bound by duty to King William, the conqueror who once showed him mercy, Cerdic walks a dangerous line between past and present, longing and loyalty.
At the center of his turmoil stands Adela – daughter of a king, wife of a count, and the first to offer him friendship in a foreign land. But when a political marriage binds him to the spirited and determined Giselle, Cerdic’s world turns again. Giselle, fiercely in love with her stoic husband, follows him across sea and sand to the Holy Land, hoping to win the heart that still lingers elsewhere.
As the clash of empires looms and a crusade threatens to tear everything apart, Cerdic must confront the deepest truth of all-where does his loyalty lie, and whom does his heart truly belong to?
A sweeping tale of passion, honor, and impossible choices-perfect for fans of The Last Kingdom and The Pillars of the Earth.
She was the beloved daughter of a mighty king, and destined to one day become the mother of another.
First, however, Adela of Normandy has to grow up and accept her place in the world.
Throughout her childhood, she finds unwavering support in her father’s faithful English page, Cerdic of Wessex—a boy of loyalty and honour who has sworn fealty to her family. As the two grow up side by side, their lives become intertwined by fate and circumstance. Cerdic became not only her trusted companion but also her most loyal courtier. Whenever she turns to him with a request, he responds without hesitation, eager to fulfil her wishes.
Yet beneath his willing compliance lay a lingering question: what would he have to sacrifice of himself to remain in her service, and would he ever see England again?
“The Price of Loyalty: Serving Adela of Blois” by Malve Von Hassell is a captivating novel that delves deep into the themes of loyalty, identity, and the multifaceted nature of power. With vivid prose and compelling characters, the story invites readers to contemplate the nuances of allegiance and the personal struggles that arise in the face of political intrigue and shifting loyalties.
This novel presents a vibrant cast of unforgettable characters, some of which are based on actual historical figures, while others spring forth from the author’s vivid imagination. Each character is imbued with depth, motivation, and emotional complexity, which unfolds not only through their thoughts but, more compellingly, through their actions. As the narrative progresses, readers encounter some of the most distinguished figures of the era, including the regal presence of King William and his rather fractious children. With meticulous attention to historical sources, Von Hassell masterfully encapsulates the spirit of the time, as well as the very human experiences that came with it.
As the cherished daughter of a king, Adela enjoys every privilege one could imagine. Her mother, a devoted and meticulous parent, is determined to provide her with the most comprehensive education available, ensuring that Adela is well-prepared for the challenges of royal life. At times, Adela can be wilful and challenging, but she is also a very sweet and caring child. She forms an unlikely friendship with Cerdic, an English page whom her father “rescued” from obscurity on his way home from conquest. As a child, Adela delights in the simple joys of life and is a particular favourite of her father. As an adult, she is undoubtedly her father’s daughter; she is no man’s fool, but unlike William, Adela possesses a far superior education. Adela was born to be the Lady of the Manor, and even her husband, Count Stephen-Henry of Blois, trusts her skills in managing their affairs while he is away on Crusade. Adela is a woman of great faith and determined to stand out in a man’s world. Her relationship with Cerdic evolves over the years. Initially, they are friends, but later he becomes her most trusted servant. However, their long acquaintance sometimes leads Adela to take Cerdic for granted. Adela is a formidable presence, a woman of strength and conviction, who harbours a profound depth of care for those around her, even if she often struggles to express it. As a mother, she sometimes comes across as cold and distant, particularly towards her eldest child, who lacks the quick wit and sharpness of her other offspring. Yet, beneath her tough facade resides an honest spirit. It is this complex blend of warmth and aloofness, strength and vulnerability, that renders her character so captivating and multifaceted for the reader.
Cerdic grapples throughout the novel with his identity. Born in England, he is forcefully taken as a page by King William and receives an education alongside the king’s youngest children. This unique upbringing places him at the crossroads of conflicting loyalties, leaving him in a constant state of inner turmoil. While he is deeply grateful to William for the opportunities that have been bestowed upon him, he cannot shake the ache of longing for his mother, whose absence haunts him. His friendship with Adela offers a comforting solace in his tumultuous world, yet as they grow up it remains strictly platonic, casting a shadow over his heart. Through Cerdic’s journey, Von Hassell skilfully explores complex themes of duty, identity, and the often-painful transition from childhood to the responsibilities of adulthood. Eager to prove himself as a capable man, Cerdic is stifled by a lack of chances to demonstrate his worth, but the day will come when he would do anything to be away from the battlefield and live a life of peace with his family. Cerdic emerges as a character that readers find endearing. However, his devotion to Adela often comes with a price; her relentless demands leave him feeling stretched thin, complicating his ability to forge a deeper connection with his wife, Giselle. As Cerdic navigates the turbulent waters of duty and affection, the struggle to balance these relationships forms the heart of his compelling story.
Giselle effortlessly captures the reader’s heart with her unwavering can-do attitude and gentle nature. As the ideal wife for Cerdic, their marriage holds the promise of happiness, but only if Adela steps aside. Giselle is depicted as a strong-willed woman deeply connected to her land, grappling with conflicting emotions for Cerdic while navigating the intricacies of her relationship with Adela—she wants to hate Adela because of her hold on Cerdic, but she cannot. These internal struggles render her both believable and relatable. Throughout the narrative, Giselle undergoes a remarkable transformation, evolving from a spirited, somewhat wild girl into a woman bound by societal expectations. Yet, despite these constraints, she remains a resourceful and independent individual. Her motivations ring clear from the outset; there is no ambiguity in her intentions. She does not seek to curry favour, engage in idle gossip, or plead for affection. Yet, beneath her resilient exterior lies a profound desire for her husband’s love, coupled with an intense fear for his safety, particularly as he prepares for a second Crusade. Giselle is a character readers can deeply invest in; she is beautifully portrayed with rich emotional depth and complexity.
The historical events in this book unfold with striking clarity. King William’s tumultuous relationship with his eldest son, Robert, is intricately portrayed, reflecting the deep emotional rifts that challenge the bonds of family. Matilda, William’s wife, cunningly communicates with her son despite William’s strict prohibitions, revealing her own sense of loyalty and defiance. The constant clashes between Robert and his father, as well as his brothers, spiral into armed conflict, showcasing a heart-wrenching struggle that threatens to tear the family apart.
The depiction of the Crusades is strikingly vivid, immersing the reader in the harsh realities of despair, unrelenting hunger, pervasive filth, and the grim shadow of rampant disease. It compels reflection on the divine, provoking deep questions about how a benevolent God could permit such profound suffering among His people. This contemplation leaves a haunting impression on the reader of both the brutality of war and the complexities of the human condition. Yet, readers are also reminded that while many men set forth on the Crusades with noble intentions—to liberate the Holy Land and seek atonement for their sins—this journey also served as a tantalising opportunity to amass wealth and elevate their social standing. This duality presents a fascinating paradox, illuminating the multifaceted motivations behind one of history’s most tumultuous chapters.
“The Price of Loyalty: Serving Adela of Blois,” by Malve Von Hassell, is a wonderfully depicted story that immerses readers in a richly detailed world. The protagonists are compelling and complex, woven into a vivid setting that transports the reader to a time of political scheming and questionable personal loyalty.
This book comes highly recommended.
Review by Mary Anne Yarde
Yarde Book Reviews & Book Promotion
Malve von Hassell is a freelance writer, researcher, and translator. She holds a Ph.D. in anthropology from the New School for Social Research. Working as an independent scholar, she published The Struggle for Eden: Community Gardens in New York City (Bergin & Garvey 2002) and Homesteading in New York City 1978-1993: The Divided Heart of Loisaida (Bergin & Garvey 1996). She has also edited her grandfather Ulrich von Hassell's memoirs written in prison in 1944, Der Kreis schließt sich - Aufzeichnungen aus der Haft 1944 (Propylaen Verlag 1994).
Malve has taught at Queens College, Baruch College, Pace University, and Suffolk County Community College, while continuing her work as a translator and writer. She has published two children’s picture books, Tooth Fairy (Amazon KDP 2012/2020), and Turtle Crossing (Amazon KDP 2023), and her translation and annotation of a German children’s classic by Tamara Ramsay, Rennefarre: Dott’s Wonderful Travels and Adventures (Two Harbors Press, 2012).
The Falconer’s Apprentice (namelos, 2015/KDP 2024) was her first historical fiction novel for young adults. She has published Alina: A Song for the Telling (BHC Press, 2020), set in Jerusalem in the time of the crusades, and The Amber Crane (Odyssey Books, 2021), set in Germany in 1645 and 1945, as well as a biographical work about a woman coming of age in Nazi Germany, Tapestry of My Mother’s Life: Stories, Fragments, and Silences (Next Chapter Publishing, 2021), also available in German, Bildteppich Eines Lebens: Erzählungen Meiner Mutter, Fragmente Und Schweigen (Next Chapter Publishing, 2022).
Her latest publication is the historical fiction novel, The Price of Loyalty: Serving Adela of Blois (Historium Press, 2025).
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Your book sounds amazing! Congratulations.
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