Whispered Tales: 5 Interviews with My Ancestors

Five women from history and the author's genealogy tell about their lives and times in this fictionalized interview that draws parallels to some aspects of the author's life as well. Interviewed are Saint Bathilde of Neustria, Queen Adelaide of Francia, Anna Yaroslavna of Kiev, Lucie la Zouche of England, and Matoaka of Tsenacommacah. In historical accounts, Bathilda is credited with helping end the practice of child slavery in Europe. Adelaide influenced the standardization of currency and laws in Francia, which became France. Anna illuminates the Swedish ties to the Ukraine and speaks of her involvement in the excommunication of her son King Philip I of France for bigamy. Lucie la Zouche lived in the perilous 14th century to become the family linchpin back to the royal houses of Europe and the British Isles. Matoaka is the ancestor about whom much has already been written, but this interview is the non-Disney version of her life.