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.
1066
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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.
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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.
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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.
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This is the calm before the storm and the perfect place to start setting out the positions of the main players. I begin with the arrival in York of Coenred's brother huscarls, in particular Sigbert and Hereric. The opening scene introduces all of the warriors, Thrydwulf is a peasant who has made good through his martial prowess. Aethelmaer, Hengist, and Alfrid are younger men, the sons of lords, but true huscarls all the same. I enjoyed writing the banter between the elder and younger men, which continues into the following novels.
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So why did King Hardrada of Norway invade England? This chapter gave me an opportunity to examine why the most famous Viking of his day risked everything to go to war against the Anglo-Saxons. In 1066 Harald Hardrada was entering the autumn of his life. He had worked hard to become rich and powerful and, most of all, the king of his people.
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This chapter really falls into two halves. First, we see Mildryth in a domestic setting with her friend, Branda. I doubt that anyone would be surprised to know that Anglo-Saxon people enjoyed talking about what other people were up to; it is a very human activity enjoyed the world over. Although Mildryth is theign-worthy she … Continue reading The War Wolf – Let’s Read and Discuss 06
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King Harold was a religious man. The role of religion in early medieval life was very strong. The Anglo-Saxons had gone from a collection of heathen tribes to a nation of devout Christians. In 1066 they were busy either building new churches or rebuilding older wooden churches in stone.
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If you are going to have a female character who has a genuine role in the story then she is going to need an antagonist.
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In 1066, King Harold of England faced two enemies, Duke Guillaume of Normandy and King Hardrada of Norway. Both had only weak claims to the English crown but it appears that Harold underestimated Hardrada and, coincidentally, the thirst for vengeance of his own brother, Tostig Godwinson. King Harold spent the summer watching the movements of … Continue reading The War Wolf – Let’s Read and Discuss 03
Peter C Whitaker 