Down Under Interviews Arianwen Nunn

The latest novel, “Bards Sing of Love and War,“ opens with a prologue where Rhoddri, the chief bard of King Gruffydd ap Cynan of Gwynedd, talks to a young aspiring bard, Tal, about the role of bards in glorifying battle skills and love. This sets the historical context of Norman King Henry I’s campaign against the Welsh in 1114 and introduces the tensions within Welsh leadership. The story begins with a raid led by Griffith ap Rhys, the prince of Dehuebarth, who seeks to reclaim his kingdom from the Normans and win the hand of Gwenllian, Gruffydd ap Cynan’s daughter. Concurrently, Gruffydd’s brother-in-law, Gronwy, conspires with Bishop Richard de Belmais to undermine Gruffydd by accusing him of supporting Griffith. The political intrigue deepens as Norman lords are sent to escort Gruffydd to the English court, while Griffith presents himself with spoils from his raid and asks for Gwenllian’s hand in marriage. Gruffydd, feeling defeated after the failed campaign, is cheered by a masked