The Wayward Prince: The first installment of a gripping historical saga (Robert the Wayward Prince Book 1)

The Battle of Hastings is won and William the Conqueror now rules England.

But the victory brings only fresh challenges for the Norman – with Scottish and Welsh nobles to keep in order as well as potential Saxon rebels to stay on top of. And there are dangers lurking everywhere in Europe for any monarch in these turbulent medieval times.

It is too much for one man – and William needs the help of his princely sons. None more so than Robert, Prince (Duke) of Normandy.

But forever at odds with his cantankerous father, Robert ploughs his own furrows most of the time without regard to the Conqueror’s wishes. Queen Matilda watches patiently as Robert lives his own life and supports her rebellious son without the knowledge of her husband.

When they are on speaking terms, the king sends Robert off on some impossible tasks: first as a diplomat, to persuade the Scots back inside their border; then as a stud, to try and forge an alliance with the Welsh through a liaison with a Welshwoman, then to try the same with an Italian Contessa, in order to complete the Norman domination of Italy.

Robert’s strategies swing from formal persuasion to erotic encounters in the bedchamber, with varying degrees of success.

When then king dies, Robert must deal with his treacherous and scheming brothers, William Rufus and Henry. Then the pope calls for a holy war to liberate Christians in Jerusalem – and the rest is history…

Or is it?

Robert: The Wayward Prince is the story of the Conqueror’s eldest son, living within the family from hell, where greed and treachery go hand in hand with love and loyalty. A very modern tale from the 11th century plucked straight from the pages of history and brought to life in a very exciting way.


Austin Hernon was born on Tyneside in 1941 and enjoyed a military career. Already a Royal Navy trained diver, he joined the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers as a recovery mechanic before specialising in underwater recovery with the Royal Engineers and Royal Marines. After retiring from the army he worked in British Telecom and Post Office Group, developing information systems for distribution, before retirement when he took up writing. Disappointed that his autobiography failed to impress publishers, Austin chose Robert, Duke of Normandy as his subject, a man to whom he believes history has been unkind.