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.
historical fiction
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.
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 War Wolf – Let’s Read and Discuss 02
Very early on in working on The War Wolf I realised that only a warrior could link all three books together. Originally, I had thought of writing more of an historical account of 1066, but, in my opinion, there was too much separation between the main historical figures to make that work. I needed to create a character who could logically appear in all three battles.
The War Wolf – Let’s Read and Discuss 01
Having looked at the Prologue in my previous post we now move to the opening chapter. It might surprise those who have not read the book that I began with the actual tale not in Saxon England but on the continent: enter Duke Guillaume of Normandy!
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
Peter C Whitaker 