Set during the dramatic Year of Three Kings (1483), The Year of Three Kings is a gripping historical fiction adventure novel set against the final, violent years of the Wars of the Roses. As the English crown passes rapidly from Edward IV to Edward V and finally Richard III, political turmoil engulfs both England and Scotland.

The story follows Robert, a young Scottish adventurer torn between loyalty to his clan and the dangerous ambitions of powerful rulers. His journey takes him through secret missions, stolen gold, attempted assassinations and a failed rebellion in Wales, where he risks his life to rescue a duchess. As war and betrayal shape the medieval world around him, Robert must navigate shifting alliances while confronting questions of honour, identity and survival.

Rich in medieval history, political intrigue and fast-paced adventure, The Year of Three Kings will appeal to fans of historical adventure fiction, Wars of the Roses novels, and epic stories of courage and ambition set in late medieval Britain.

Royalties from the first year of publication are being generously donated to the charity Combat Stress.

Christopher Wilkins served in the Welsh Guards in London and abroad, seeing active service in Aden and the Radfan. Upon leaving the Army, he joined The Sunday Times, later establishing a free-sheet newspaper with a circulation of 100,000. He later became the founding chairman and architect of an intelligence-gathering organisation he named ‘Hakluyt.'

He is currently on the Advisory Board of the Global Strategy Forum, a nonpolitical organisation for discussion and debate on foreign, defence and security matters. Christopher’s previous publications include a biography of Edward Woodville, The Last Knight Errant: Sir Edward Woodville and the Age of Chivalry, which was published by Bloomsbury in 2010.

‘A vivid and consistently imagined recreation of the swirl of
events and personalities that saw the end of the Plantagenet era,
told with a strikingly pinpoint command of historical detail.’
Professor Gordon Turnbull, General Editor of the Yale
Boswell Editions.

‘Storytelling of a very high order of loves and battles in the
borderlands of 15th-century Scotland and England.’
David Campbell, Publisher of Everyman Library.

‘Never has the 15th century seemed more relevant to the modern
day. A gripping read.’
Dom Joly, writer and comedian.

‘Wilkins’ genius lies in his talent for weaving fascinating
nuggets of historical detail into a thrilling plot with a rich cast
of characters. The result is both a vivid depiction of life in the
late fifteenth century and an utterly gripping adventure story.
I could not recommend The Year of Three Kings more highly!’
Jacqueline Jinks, Director, Global Strategy Forum.

‘What a splendid read! Wilkins has remarkable mastery of the
historical context, and of the minutiae of the lives of so many
fascinating characters. Robert Eliott has a winning personality.’
Sir Robertson Young, former High Commissioner to India

‘Enthralling ... this novel brings to light a chapter of history
that is both important and little understood – I wanted it to
go on!’
Sir Kevin Tebbit, former Permanent Secretary at the MoD.

‘The whole thing combines exciting, non-stop action with
politically savvy and fascinating background context and
structure.’
Stephen Romer, poet, essayist and Stipendiary Lecturer,
University of Oxford.

‘Like all the very best historical fiction, this is an exciting story
rooted in known facts of the period, the fruits of dedicated
research combined with storytelling of the very highest order.’
Justin Maciejewski DSO MBE, Director of the National
Army Museum.

‘Great storytelling that pivots on one of the most extraordinary
years in English history.’
Redmond Finer, Director, Peter Finer, Antique Arms
and Armour.

‘Full of colour and energy, and hugely enjoyable.’
Major General Charles Vyvyan, CB, CBE