When D.H. Morris began exploring her family history, a surprising discovery led her on a journey through time to the 9th century. What she found was remarkable: her direct ancestor was Judith, a young Carolingian princess whose life intersected with kings, political alliances, and ultimately, a choice that would alter European history.
This isn't historical fiction—it's a meticulously researched true story that Morris uncovered during the pandemic and has now brought to life in "The Girl of Many Crowns."
In a recent interview on "The Author's Voice with KAJ," Author D.H. Morris revealed the fascinating journey that led her to uncover and tell this remarkable historical account:
A wedding gift sparked the discovery: Morris's aunt, a family genealogist, gave her a massive family tree chart as a wedding present. When examining it, Morris noticed something that didn't seem right about her ancestor Judith's life timeline. "I thought there's something wrong here... so I started digging into it thinking I would correct that and instead I found the most fascinating story."
COVID lockdown provided the opportunity: "When COVID came, I decided... if I want the story to be told for my family, then I really need to finish the research," Morris explained, describing how she immersed herself in 9th-century history to understand the world her ancestor inhabited.
The story is set during a pivotal moment in European history: The events took place during what historians call the "Carolingian Renaissance"—a brief flowering of culture and learning amidst the so-called Dark Ages. This was "a very critical time in the birth of what we know now as Europe," when kingdoms were being formed through political alliances and warfare.
The stakes were incredibly high: During one climactic period in the book, Morris notes that if a particular battle had gone differently, "there would have been no France—they would have all been speaking German." The personal decisions of these historical figures had continent-altering consequences.
The research process was extensive: Morris delved into original sources, including the works of premier medieval scholar Janet L. Nelson and the Annals of St. Bertin—diaries kept by monks in the 9th century. She researched everything from food and clothing to celebrations and political structures to bring authentic detail to her ancestor's world.
What makes this story particularly poignant is Morris's personal connection to it. As she researched, she realized that any small change in history would have altered the future dramatically. "It occurred to me on a number of occasions that if one little thing had happened differently," she reflected, "none of this would have occurred, and the whole world would have been different."
Instead of creating a dry historical account, Morris crafted the book to "read like a novel even though all the events in there are true." She meticulously researched the period to bring this extraordinary world to life, including fascinating cultural details like the early origins of what might have been football or rugby in medieval Wales.
Morris's goal with the book extends beyond her family history: "I want people to feel informed about a period of time they have perhaps never looked at before... and also I want people to be inspired in their own lives to have courage, to have strength, to know that you can make it through even if you're facing incredible challenges."
Watch the full interview to discover how Morris researched this captivating story, the challenges she faced in writing about her ancestors, and the surprising cultural legacy this medieval princess left behind—including Belgian chocolate and beer named after a legendary bear encounter from the couple's journey!
P.S. Morris revealed she's currently working on a prequel about Judith's grandmother—another remarkable woman who was selected during a royal "bride show" and later had to navigate the complex politics of the Carolingian court to protect her son's future. This continuation of the family saga promises to further illuminate this fascinating period of European history!
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