On 14th October 1066 a Saxon army under the command of King Harold of England stood at Sentlache Ridge, some 7 miles north of Hastings. Duke Guillaume of Normandy led his army from the port to fight the decisive battle of the year. The Normans had invaded England on 28 September, but King Harold was … Continue reading The Battle of Hastings
Not a New Year’s Resolution
The holidays are over, and it is the start of a new year. I have never seen the point of making resolutions simply because the calendar has changed to a new page. I believe that resolutions should be made as and when necessary. I have not made a New Year’s Resolution, but I have determined … Continue reading Not a New Year’s Resolution
Mixing Fact with Historical Fiction 2 – My version of the Battle of Stamford Bridge
Continuing on from the Battle of Fulford Gate I approached writing about the Battle of Stamford Bridge in exactly the same way. I had received many positive comments regarding how I had gone about describing the action. It seems that I had hit on a successful technique for describing both the action from the point … Continue reading Mixing Fact with Historical Fiction 2 – My version of the Battle of Stamford Bridge
The Battle of Stamford Bridge
The Battle of Stamford Bridge took place only five days after the Battle of Fulford Gate. The Viking army, under King Harald Hardrada of Norway had won what appeared to be a decisive victory, destroying the Saxon’s Army of the North. Its leaders, the brothers Eorl Edwin of Mercia and Eorl Morcar of Northumbria had … Continue reading The Battle of Stamford Bridge
Mixing Fact with Historical Fiction – My version of the Battle of Fulford Gate
The fact is that most historical records are not complete. The veracity of what does remain can often be questioned. Although I did a lot of research for The War wolf it was with relatively few different sources. 1066 belongs to the period that used to be called the Dark Ages, a reference to the … Continue reading Mixing Fact with Historical Fiction – My version of the Battle of Fulford Gate
The Battle of Fulford Gate
Writing about an actual historical event in a piece of fiction is challenging, especially if, as the writer, you are keen on being authentic and accurate. I most certainly was. I undertook a lot of research into both the actual battle, how it was fought, the weapons and armour, why it happened, and what the … Continue reading The Battle of Fulford Gate
Back to the Beginning
I was inspired to write my first novel, The War Wolf, after a visit to York. I live locally to the city and this was one of many such journeys. It occurred to me on this occasion that there was something amiss with the city’s obsession with all things Viking. The Vikings ruled York for … Continue reading Back to the Beginning
The last of my free book offers has finished
The last of my free book offers has finished. The response has been very good. Even Eugenica, a book that I have historically found difficult to convince readers to have a look at, enjoyed a large number of downloads. Next, comes the boring bit; waiting for people to read the books and, hopefully, post a … Continue reading The last of my free book offers has finished
The Queen of the Mountain Kingdom: Read for FREE!
An Epic Fantasy set in an original world. On the Holy Mountain of Oroson women cannot hold positions of authority over men, but Princess Saran, facing the imminent death of her father and becoming the last of their dynasty, plans to take the crown. Her enemies are greater than she knows. The original occupants of … Continue reading The Queen of the Mountain Kingdom: Read for FREE!
Eugenica – The Challenging Book
It was not a surprise that so many people took advantage of my free book giveaway, certainly in respect of the historical fiction novels. Those books have always proved popular. The big surprise though is Eugenica. I have always found it difficult to get this book a readership, but this week has gone very well. … Continue reading Eugenica – The Challenging Book
Peter C Whitaker 