Despite their lust for glory the two noblemen decide to abandon the people of York to their enemies. They are all for fleeing to the safety of distant Durham.
discussion
The War Wolf – Let’s Read and Discuss 23
It is a historical fact that at the Battle of Fulford Gate 500 huscalrs banded together and fought a last stand. Why they did this is not recorded, or at least I was unable to find a reliable account of their motive. How successful they were is also forgotten.
The War Wold – Let’s Read and Discuss 22
A short but important piece. As the battle at Fulford Gate heads towards its tragic conclusion, Mildryth and Wulfhere experience their very first confrontation.
The War Wolf – Let’s Read and Discuss 21
The end of the battle is approaching. High Theign Athelwine has a decision to make. It is not going to be an easy one.
The War Wolf – Let’s Read and Discuss 20
In the city of York the people are expecting great news from the battle raging at Fulford Gate, but very quickly this mood changes as the populace begin to realise the way in which the fight is going and what it will probably mean for them.
The War Wolf – Let’s Read and Discuss 19
King Hardrada himself is painfully aware that his strength is spread out behind him and that his men are vulnerable to attack. It might seem like a good idea to go on the offensive at the very start of the battle, but it is the one thing that Coenred fears; he knows that the Saxon army lacks sufficient spears to achieve a victory that way.
The War Wolf – Let’s Read and Discuss 18
All of the accounts that I have read of Harold's character portray him as a very active man. His recent illness appears to have been something of an anomaly, which is probably why it is mentioned. He was a very experienced politician who had also fought in several wars.
The War Wolf – Let’s Read and Discuss 17
Harald Hardrada was the most famous Viking of his day. His exploits were legendary and, it was claimed, that he had only ever lost one battle and that was when he was a boy and not a commander of men. Although Edwin and Morcar had seized the initiative and chosen the site of the battle, Hardrada thought quickly and set out his troops to best suit his own battleplan.
The War Wolf – Let’s Read and Discuss 16
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.
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.
Peter C Whitaker 