Druids and witches.
Druids wield the Fire Element, and sun symbols are one of their sacred images. Photo by me.
Fire that burned hot as a dragon’s. The ability to cast glamours and appear to be someone else. Curse setting, if the druid was powerful enough to brand his will on another. A talent for speaking with fabulous beasts – a strong druid could temporarily lure a familiar away from a witch – a terrifying prospect for Eliza. And their magic left no scent to follow and track.
They had been tireless, vicious enemies.
Extract from WITCHLAND by Juno Goldstone.
In WITCHLAND, there’s a bitter history between druids and witches. Before the Witch Rising that rescued Anne Boleyn from the Tower of London, druids held secular and magical power second only to the king’s. At this time, England was known as Albion and life was much as it was in our own timeline’s history, the main differences being that Albion had magic and there was no Church, the Druid Brotherhood taking on this role. And in Albion’s timeline the neighbouring realm of Gwynedd (Wales) was never conquered by England.
The first druid to serve a mortal king was Merlin, who recruited many others to Arthur’s cause. Some of his druids became Knights of the Round Table, and ever since the time of Arthur, the Druid Brotherhood has loyally served the kings of Albion. I’ll go into Merlin’s story – how it impacts on the realm’s present and future – in Book 3 of the series: WITCHLAND’S UNTAMED FIRE. I’ve completed the first draft and I’m very excited about where the story goes. There will be an extract of UNTAMED FIRE in the back of the second book: TIDES OF THE HEART, which will be out in early February 27.
King Henry the Eighth kept druids sworn to his service at his Court as protectors, spymasters* and enforcers of his will.
*Druids can use their magical fire salamanders to go to places too dangerous or distant for a druid to visit. They can even read books through the salamander’s eyes, which makes them ideal for gathering information on people suspected of being the king’s enemies.
Witches kept their magic secret, hiding from the authorities; women had few rights until the witches rose up to seize power. One day I’d love to write the full story of the Witch Rising, because it would be fun to write more of the Anne Boleyn who appears in Merlin’s memories in Book 3. Her story will be one of tragedy and triumphs, and I’m also curious to learn more of Eliza’s ruthless ancestors when I come to write them. All I know so far is that the first Peverley Witch was honourable – if ruthless – and brave, whilst her sister The Druidslayer was the one who enjoyed hunting druids.
Because after Henry was captured, after Merlin died protecting him, the druids swore they’d take their revenge on Anne Boleyn. Their terrible vengeance led directly to the devastating Druid Wars and, eventually, to the curse set on all witches’ marriages by the last druid leader before he died.