The Words of Kings and Prophets with Shauna Lawless

A thousand years ago Irish society was being reshaped by the Vikings. After years of opportunistic raiding, the Norsemen’s behaviour was changing. As the new millennium approached they were becoming a permanent present on the island.

This was the age of powerful figures like Brian Boru. It is also the historical setting for an enthralling series of historical fantasy novels by the author Shauna Lawless. The first in this trilogy, The Children of Gods and Fighting Men, was published in 2022. Now, The Words of Kings and Prophets, Lawless's second book, is being released. Here she tells us more about the Ireland of the year 1000, and of the rich mythology that has come down to us today.

Unseen Histories

What was your own first encounter with Irish mythology?

Shauna Lawless

My grandmother used to write stories about Irish history and mythology. She loved creating stories about fairies and banshees the most, and she often used her grandchildren as characters in her work. After this, maybe when I was about thirteen or so, I found the book Of Gods and Fighting Men by Lady Gregory, which had all the original legends that my grandmother had been so inspired by. This goes back in time by thousands of years and is full of magic, battles and famous warriors. I was hooked.

Unseen Histories

What do you think it is about Ireland that creates such a vivid tradition of storytelling?

Shauna Lawless

I think it’s because Ireland has held onto its mythologies quite well – so we have a huge source of inspiration at our fingertips. I also think the art of ‘storytelling’ is important in Ireland. Perhaps because Ireland is a wet and cold country, much entertainment is found in the telling of stories by the warmth of a fire. It’s also a country that has endured much poverty over the last several hundred years. The few things that are always free are imagination and stories. 

Unseen Histories

The plot of your debut book, The Children of Gods and Fighting Men, begins in Ireland in the year 981 AD. What was the country like at that time?

Shauna Lawless

Ireland was a country in upheaval. The Viking Age really changed Ireland quite considerably. For centuries, the O’Neill clan in the north of Ireland had held the high kingship, but the arrival of the Vikings and the establishment of their ports in the south meant that power suddenly switched to the southern kings. Years of raiding by the Vikings had left an impact, but the move toward peace was making progress by 995 AD. The Vikings and the ports they established in Ireland – Dublin, Wexford, Waterford, Cork, and Limerick – enabled an increase in trade with European countries, and wealth flooded into the country. I’d also add that while Ireland had converted to Christianity, they had not taken to it quite as devoutly as England and southern Europe. This gives it a more pagan culture than people might expect.

Unseen Histories

Is it right to say that the most familiar figure from this time is Brian Boru, who became the High King of Ireland?

Shauna Lawless

I would say that’s true. Most people in Ireland have heard of Brian Boru and the Battle of Clontarf.

"Years of raiding by the Vikings had left an impact, but the move toward peace was making progress by 995 AD. The Vikings and the ports they established in Ireland – Dublin, Wexford, Waterford, Cork, and Limerick – enabled an increase in trade with European countries, and wealth flooded into the country."

Unseen Histories

Was this a time when the Viking attacks on Ireland were intensifying?

Shauna Lawless

I would say at the time of the novel, that this is when Viking attacks on Ireland were beginning to decrease. The Vikings are moving towards settlement, and part of this involves marrying into the Irish highborn families. It wouldn’t go down well if you were raiding into the lands owned by your in-laws. Raids did still happen, though most of these had political motivations rather than simply stealing valuable objects.

Unseen Histories

In traditional histories of this period, women’s voices are often missing. Does this happen with the Irish myths too?

Shauna Lawless

No. Not with the Irish myths. There are many women included in Irish mythology – and many of them were very powerful. The Morrígan, Brigid, and Biróg. I could go on – but these women represent some of the most well-known Tuatha Dé Danann characters of Irish myth. The most famous woman from our mythologies is probably Queen Medb, who features prominently in the story An Táin Bó Cúailgne (The Cattle Raid of Cooley.) 

Unseen Histories

Your first novel, The Children of Gods and Fighting Men, ended in 999 AD. Can you tell us which years your new book, The Words of Kings and Prophets, spans?

Shauna Lawless

This book chronicles the years of 1000–1 AD. It is the period where King Brian’s power increases. In my first book, he starts out as the King of Munster. However, by book two, his ambitions move beyond that and toward the high kingship.

Unseen Histories

Brian Boru’s famous Battle of Clontarf still lies in the future at this point. What drama can readers expect in this new book?

Shauna Lawless

The Battle of Clontarf makes up much of the action in my third book in the trilogy. Book two is showing you the events that lead up to this. You can expect lots of political manoeuvring, scheming, and power plays. Everyone wants more land and more power. You will also find the more personal drama of the characters I write about. Gormflaith and Fódla are my two female protagonists, each with their own hopes and dreams as Ireland becomes an increasingly dangerous place 𖡹

The Words of Kings and Prophets (Gael Song Book 2)

Head of Zeus, 14 September, 2023
RRP: £20 | ISBN: 978-1803282671

"Lawless blends fantasy with historical fiction to great effect" 
– SFX

Power fades but fire endures...

Ireland, 1000 AD. Clouds of war gather for mortals and immortals alike as the Irish kingdoms strive for supremacy.

Gormflaith, unhappy queen of Brian Boru, schemes to destroy the Descendants, sworn enemies of her Fomorian kind. As her plans take an unexpected turn, Gormflaith discovers her magic is more powerful than she ever realised - but at what cost?

Descendant healer Fódla dwells disguised in the mortal world, seeking to protect her young nephew - but the boy has secrets of his own. Fódla must do all in her power to keep him hidden from those who would use him for evil.

When a mysterious man comes to King Brian's court, his presence could spell disaster for both Gormflaith and Fódla - and for Ireland herself. For he is Tomas, an ambitious immortal - and he will do anything to see his plans become reality.

The sequel to the critically acclaimed The Children of Gods and Fighting Men, The Words of Kings and Prophets is the powerful new historical fantasy novel by Shauna Lawless.

"Lawless blends the fantasy, myth, and historical elements with a masterly hand" 
– LoveReading

"Celebrates the extraordinary history and cultural traditions of Ireland while giving voice to the women who helped shape it" 
– Lucy Holland