I found the task describing in detail how the two armies were constituted and deployed within the landscape quite difficult. I have read accounts of actual battles in other historical fiction novels and sometimes became lost as the conflict progressed. It was my intent to try and avoid that.
novels
The War Wolf: Read and Discuss 15
This was also the first meeting between Mildryth and Edwin and it begins quite nervously. Through it I hoped to suggest some of the nervous excitement and anxiety that many of the people in the city might be feeling. There was a long history of conflict between the Anglo-Saxons and Vikings of course, and they were so closely matched that it was not possible to foretell the outcome.
The War Wolf – Let’s Read and Discuss 14
The moments immediately preceding the battle gave me an opportunity to describe the equipment and tactics that both the Anglo-Saxons and Vikings shared. They used the same weapons, straight swords, spears, and axes, as well as large wooden shields made to a circular pattern and often decorated with painted designs. I undertook a lot of research on this subject, a fact that more than one reviewer has congratulated me for.
The War Wolf: Read and Discuss 13
This is not a long piece but I think it is important. Not only does it explain the manoeuvres of the Norsemen from a military perspective it also allows for a vivid interaction between some of the key characters in their ranks.
Marketing: a Facebook Experience
I have been on Facebook for sometime now, so it seemed reasonable that I try their adverts to try and garner a greater interest in my books. I composed and advert with the intention of selling more copies of my epic fantasy, The Queen of the Mountain Kingdom. I dropped the price to $0.99. I set my budget to £20 and the advert to run over 4 days.
The War Wolf – Let’s Read and Discuss 12
This chapter gave me an opportunity to enjoy some Anglo-Saxon poetry. Unfortunately, I lacked both the knowledge and the time to make an acceptable translation of the poem, The Wanderer, so I approached Rick McDonald who had published a very accessible version. He graciously gave me permission to use it.
The War Wolf – Let’s Read and Discuss 11
This is a very reflective piece, an opportunity to examine the thoughts of both Tostig Godwinson and Harald Hardrada on the eve of battle. I wanted to represent them both as real people, not just historical personages. Of course, there is a degree of artistic licence on my part.
The Queen of the Mountain Kingdom – Special Offer
For a limited time only my Epic Fantasy novel, The Queen of the Mountain Kingdom, is available for only $0.99!
The War Wolf – Let’s Read and Discuss 10
Perhaps one of the almost tragic aspects of the Battle of Fulford Gate, other than the fact that it seldom gets more than a footnote in most accounts of 1066, is that, even thought taking to the field rather than holding the walls of York, Eorl Edwin actually made a clever choice of battleground.
The War Wolf – Let’s Read and Discuss 09
Although the politics are interesting I did not write this scene to explore them. Rather, I was interested in supposing what Harold's relationship with his new wife Eadgyth might have been like. Contemporary sources suggest that they were fond of each other, despite the political inspiration for their marriage.
Peter C Whitaker 