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.
anglo-saxons
The War Wolf – Let’s Read and Discuss 08
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.
The War Wolf – Let’s Read and Discuss 07
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.
The War Wolf – Let’s Read and Discuss 06
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
The War Wolf – Let’s Read and Discuss 05
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.
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
I had a Moment of Design Madness – Unless it Works of Course in Which Case it’s Genius!
I was looking around Amazon with my own novels as a starting point and I realised that there many fine examples of book covers out there. In fact it seems that everyone has upped their game with regards to covers. As I perused the offerings that came up as being in the same genre as … Continue reading I had a Moment of Design Madness – Unless it Works of Course in Which Case it’s Genius!
Typographical Errors
Having written a book of a very different nature to the previous volumes in the Sorrow Song trilogy I decided to re-read both The War Wolf and For Rapture of Ravens so as to immerse myself back into the world of 1066 once again. I know, some might wonder why this is necessary when I … Continue reading Typographical Errors
POV – Literally a Point of View
In a novel the ‘point of view’ (POV) is considered one of the most crucial elements of telling a story. I had a customer complain about the fact that in ‘The War Wolf’ I used what seemed to them to be many or multiple points of view. To date they are the only person to … Continue reading POV – Literally a Point of View
Returning to the Sorrow Song Trilogy
Writing Eugenica was something of an interruption to completing the Sorrow Song Trilogy in that it was both unplanned and unexpected. I think that at the time I finished For Rapture of Ravens, the second in the series, I needed a break from all things 1066. Eugenica gave me that break. Now, however, it is … Continue reading Returning to the Sorrow Song Trilogy
Peter C Whitaker 