The Belt of Gold
by Cecelia Holland
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Description
In an exotic ancient land, a foreign stranger's sworn mission of vengeance leads him into the perilous circle of a ruthless Byzantine empress In the early years of the ninth century, the road home from Jerusalem winds through Constantinople for two Frankish noblemen-warriors. But when an encounter with a young woman running for her life results in the murder of Hagen the White's brother, he vows to find the perpetrators, no matter how highborn or powerful, and take his revenge. His hunt will show more carry him into the royal circle of the Basileus Irene, a ruthless despot who blinded her own son to force him off the throne. The beautiful and calculating empress is fascinated by this supposed barbarian who has sworn allegiance to the great Charlemagne, and she welcomes him into the imperial court--and into the dangerous fires of countless royal conspiracies. Suddenly Hagen must tread carefully through a vipers' nest of plots, lies, and bloodthirsty power plays, for if the stranger trusts the wrong serpent, he will certainly die. One of the world's premier purveyors of historical fiction, acclaimed novelist Cecelia Holland ushers the reader into a thrilling, exotic, and colorful world ruled by one of history's most complex and fascinating women. The Belt of Gold is a stunning tale of power and vengeance set against a breathtaking backdrop of Byzantine opulence, from the conspiracies of the empress's court and the intrigues of the bedchamber to the heart-racing clashes of champions in the public arenas where famed charioteers seek ultimate glory before the eyes of an adoring populace. show lessTags
Recommendations
Member Reviews
Constantinople, AD 802! Is there any place and period in history Cecelia Holland can't write about with confident authority? Hagen, Frankish warrior on his way home from pilgrimage to Jerusalem becomes ensnared in a nasty little power-struggle between the Basileus Irene and pretender to the throne John Cerulis. A complex, poisonous affair it ensnares court and city officials, diplomats, spies, courtesans and competitors in the hugely popular chariot races. Hagen is just looking for revenge, but he doesn't know what to believe or who, if anyone to trust.
There's some wonderfully manly stuff in this, between barbarian Hagen's fighting prowess, the single-minded charioteers, the hermit from the desert, the imperial treasurer, straining show more under the weight of empire, all men struggling in manly roles, yet all ruled by a woman. Holland excels at this. show less
There's some wonderfully manly stuff in this, between barbarian Hagen's fighting prowess, the single-minded charioteers, the hermit from the desert, the imperial treasurer, straining show more under the weight of empire, all men struggling in manly roles, yet all ruled by a woman. Holland excels at this. show less
This was a great improvement on the previous two Holland novels I have read, City of God and Hammer for Princes, which were flat and dull. The characters are more interesting and colourful and the cultural contrast between the Frankish Hagen and the Byzantine court well drawn, though more could have been made on the Frankish side. The author has clearly researched well the background, which is not a common one for English language historical novels. Interestingly, according to Wikipedia, this (and the other novel of hers I like, Lords of Vaumartin) was commissioned by a publisher, not created from scratch by the author - counterintuitively, perhaps, these commissioned novels read better to me.
When Hagan and his brother Rogerius arrive in Constantinople in 802, on their way home to Frankland from Jerusalem, they see it only as a stop on their journey. They have fulfilled their pilgrimage and now look forward to resuming their lives among the mists and forests of their native country. But when an accidental encounter with a beautiful young woman and a gang of thugs leaves Rogerius dead, the heartbroken Hagan vows revenge. Little does he realise that this vow will draw him deep into the midst of the literally byzantine plots unfolding in the Queen of Cities, and entwine his future with that of the beautiful, charismatic, dangerous Empress Irene...
For the full review, please see my blog:
show more target="_top">https://theidlewoman.net/2018/05/31/the-belt-of-gold-cecelia-holland/ show less
For the full review, please see my blog:
show more target="_top">https://theidlewoman.net/2018/05/31/the-belt-of-gold-cecelia-holland/ show less
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Author Information
52+ Works 3,324 Members
Born in Henderson, Nevada, Cecelia Holland was educated at Pennsylvania State University and Connecticut College, where she received her B.A. degree. She has served as a visiting professor of English at Connecticut College since 1979. Holland's historical novels have received broad critical acclaim. According to one critic, she "proves that there show more can be more to historical thrillers than swordplay and seduction." (Time) Among her novels is City of God (1979), which is set in Rome during the period of the Borgia family. Told from the point of view of Nicolas, a secretary to the Florentine ambassador to Rome, this novel brings to life the period of the Renaissance, including the political intrigue that characterized Rome at the time. Other works include Until the Sun Falls (1969), a story of the ancient Mongols and their empire, The Firedrake (1966), her first published novel, Great Maria (1974), The Bear Flag (1990), and Pacific Street (1991). Holland is very adept at capturing the period she writes about, including the clothing, furnishings, and customs of the time. One critic has noted that Holland "is never guilty of the fatuity which plagues most historical fiction: she never nudges the reader into agreeing that folks way back then were really just like you and me, only they bathed less often." (Bowker Author Biography) show less
Common Knowledge
- Original publication date
- 1984
- People/Characters
- Empress Irene Sarantapechaina; Irene of Athens
- Important places
- Constantinople, Byzantine Empire
Classifications
Statistics
- Members
- 112
- Popularity
- 289,280
- Reviews
- 3
- Rating
- (3.62)
- Languages
- English, Spanish
- Media
- Paper, Ebook
- ISBNs
- 7
- ASINs
- 1
