In 15th-century England, chaos reigns as a mad king teeters on the brink of ruin.
With the loss of France haunting the realm, loyalty becomes a rare commodity and ambition serves as a dangerous game played by those who would dare to grasp the throne.
Amid the nobles vying for power, a young boy named William of Ribchestre stands at a crossroads.
Forced to live in the shadow of his arrogant older brother, William is no ordinary page; he possesses the skills of a warrior and a heart that beats for honour above all else.
When fate opens a door to a new life, he finds himself the squire to Sir John Wygayn — a grizzled survivor of the French wars. Together, they are sent to defend the lonely outpost of Brougham Castle, where kinships are formed despite the danger that lurks in every shadow.
But as the storm clouds of civil war gather, William’s journey shifts from mere survival to a fight for the very soul of England. Their success at Brougham sees William and Sir John summoned to defend the king and his supporters at the Battle of St Albans, igniting the inferno that begins the Wars of the Roses — a brutal conflict that will shape the future of the kingdom.
Can William rise to the challenge and carve his name into history, or will he be swallowed by the shadows of war?
Squire by Griff Hosker is published on 28 August, 2026.
For more of this year’s new historical fiction, have a look at Historia’s list of over 180 books coming out in 2026.
