The Dawn Before Darkness
By William Prather
A novelized biographical account of several prominent historical figures in western Europe during the dimly lit period at the end of the sixth century. King Chilperic I and Queen Fredegonde, whose lives followed the curve of France’s coming-of-age as a post-Roman center of power, lead a nation attempting to re-define itself culturally and religiously. The idealistic culture of the kings, queens and nobility of this time bear remarkable similarity to that of the Founding Fathers of America a millennium later.
$16.00
About the Author
William Prather
At the age of 6, William Prather was told by his parents that he was going to be an attorney, and there was no question or doubt about him doing so. While completing military training at Clark University, after being drafted in 1943, Prather learned German and French, and visited France days after the D-Day Normandy invasion. Following the war, he practiced law, was licensed by the U.S. Supreme Court, and began the Civility Foundation, headquartered in Toledo, Ill., with the purpose of promoting harmonious social practices and civil society supported by thoughtful, informed individuals observing the Golden Rule. Prather was the author of multiple nonfiction books on the banking industry; and "The Dawn Before Darkness" was his singular historical fiction novel that he got to see published before his death.
Read an Excerpt
The whole of the Sixth Century was filled with the quarrels and wars of rival kings for hegemony over Roman Gaul. …
The royal replacement cycle had started to convolute again when Chilperic, having elevated his new wife, Fredegonde, to a co-executive position with himself, accompanied her on a field trip to Tournai to inspect a public works project. The marriage was only in its second year when on a fall day the two of them, together with a mounted platoon of guards and a handful of servants, had cantered the full distance from Soissons to the country seat of Tournai. Their objective was two-fold: to inspect and test the newly rebuilt drawbridge to the castle, and to replenish the fisc of Neustria with casks of the newly harvested local wine, falnerian. …
The sun was low on the horizon when the bridge was retracted for the final time and fastened securely with chains. Greatly pleased with the flawless execution of their plans, the king, queen and mounted platoon decided to delay their return to Soissons for a last banquet and an extra night in the wine country.
Unwisely, as it turned out. King Sigebert, who with his marching army was returning from Burgundy after an inconclusive foray with brother Gubtram against the Vandals, was secretly informed of the unprotected Neustrian visit and chose to implement the determination of his wife, Brunehilde, to eliminate both Chilperic and his allegedly murderous queen to avenge the death of her sister, Galswinthe.