I Am the Chosen King (The Saxon Series #2)

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I Am the Chosen King (The Saxon Series #2)

by Helen Hollick (Goodreads Author)

4.15 of 5 stars 4.15 · rating details · 634 ratings · 92 reviews

In this beautifully crafted tale, Harold Godwinesson, the last Saxon King of England, is a respected, quick-witted man both vulnerable and strong, honorable and loving-and yet, in the end, only human. After the political turmoil and battles leading up to 1066, we all know William the Conquerer takes England. But Helen Hollick will have readers at the edge of their seats, h

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Paperback, 592 pages

Published March 1st 2011 by Sourcebooks Landmark (first published October 5th 2000)

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Feb 27, 2011 Misfit rated it 5 of 5 stars

Lol, Harriet just reviewed it.

http://misfitandmom.wordpress.com/201...

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Oct 17, 2011 Phoebe rated it 5 of 5 stars Recommends it for: Lisa

Shelves: adult, historical

Another harrowing yet deeply satisfying reading experience from this eminently talented author. Picking up quite close to where The Forever Queen leaves off, Hollick draws her readers into the complicated, hostile relationship between Harold and Swegn, Godwine's two eldest sons. Swegn is an unsavory character who causes all manner of grief for his family, and Harold is a warm, intelligent, sensible, and all-around nice guy who will eventually have the crown of England thrust upon him--and we all...more

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Apr 16, 2011 Patty rated it 5 of 5 stars

*sigh*
I knew how this book was going to end. Even still, even knowing, I found myself turning the pages as it reached the conclusion hoping for a different result. Ms. Hollick writes a tale of Harold that had me rooting for him and wanting him to live. But alas, all students of history know that England lost its King that day and the memory of the date of the Battle of Hastings in 1066 remains.
This is the second book by Ms. Hollick I have had the good fortune to read; my first was The Forever Qu...more *sigh*
I knew how this book was going to end. Even still, even knowing, I found myself turning the pages as it reached the conclusion hoping for a different result. Ms. Hollick writes a tale of Harold that had me rooting for him and wanting him to live. But alas, all students of history know that England lost its King that day and the memory of the date of the Battle of Hastings in 1066 remains.
This is the second book by Ms. Hollick I have had the good fortune to read; my first was The Forever Queen (my review is HERE) which tells the history preceding this book. You don't need to read the first to enjoy the second. But you will be missing an excellent book...
I Am the Chosen King starts with Edward known to history as "the Confessor" on the thrown. He is, to put it mildly, not the strongest or most competent of kings. He inherited much from his father, Ethelred the Unready. Yet he does have a bit more kindness in his heart than his father. He bumbles through his reign not realizing the results of his promises until it is too late. He makes unwise friendships and alliances caring more for himself than for England.
Harold Godwineson ends up Earl of Wessex after the death of his father. He is wise, thoughtful and an excellent leader of men. Despite his good qualities Edward prefers Harold's brother Tostig because Tostig is basically a "yes" man. When Tostig's management of his earldom causes a near civil war Edward finally realizes the error of his ways.
I've laid out a VERY simplistic bit of what is a complex, detailed and well researched tale about strong personalities and two men who would be King after Edward. William of Normandy invaded England and took the crown whether it was his to have or not. He didn't care. He wanted it so he took it. There is not much left of the historical record and that which is left was written by the victors so you know how they have spun it!
This was a book that was very hard for me to put down. I found myself immersed in time and place and just about felt like I was THERE. Ms. Hollick is a master at delivering a tale that you don't want to end. Even when you know the outcome you don't want to depart from the characters. I spent this morning googling the players in the book to see what more I could learn. What does that tell you about her storytelling? Or this - at times I wanted to jump into the pages and just strangle some people! The writing is that powerful. I loved this book and hope there are more. As much as I hated William I would love to see how Ms. Hollick writes his story.
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Mar 25, 2011 Erin rated it 4 of 5 stars

In the 11th Century, the celibate and highly religious Saxon King Edward sat on the throne of England. The only surviving son of Queen Emma “Ælgifu”, Edward came to the throne he never wanted harboring resentment against the mother that forced him to grow up abandoned in exile and baring a fierce loyalty to the Norman nobles and clerics who raised and protected him in his mother’s stead. Edward played a wicked game of politics to force his mother out of power and to cow her supporters among the...more

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Mar 02, 2011 Sandra Olshaski rated it 2 of 5 stars

I Am the Chosen King by Helen Hollick (Rated: P, V)
ISBN 9781402240669
Sourcebooks
Published March 2011
Trade paperback, 592 pages

Reviewed by Sandra

The Battle of Hastings, also known as the Norman invasion of Britain or the Norman Conquest, is familiar terrain to history buffs. I Am the Chosen King is essentially the lead-up to it as the book covers the years from 1043 to 1066 A.D. Viking raids still occur and Edward the Confessor, of Westminster Abbey fame, sits on the throne of England.

I found the...more I Am the Chosen King by Helen Hollick (Rated: P, V)
ISBN 9781402240669
Sourcebooks
Published March 2011
Trade paperback, 592 pages

Reviewed by Sandra

The Battle of Hastings, also known as the Norman invasion of Britain or the Norman Conquest, is familiar terrain to history buffs. I Am the Chosen King is essentially the lead-up to it as the book covers the years from 1043 to 1066 A.D. Viking raids still occur and Edward the Confessor, of Westminster Abbey fame, sits on the throne of England.

I found the narrative quite long. Although this is an account about Harold Godwinesson, the last Saxon King of England (the chosen king) there is an equal amount of space, it seemed to me, devoted to William of Normandy.

Slowly, slowly the story moves forward as the author describes the life of the each of the two protagonists. Harold is 21 years old and already an earl with lands and wealth. He offers a “hand-fast” marriage (read concubinage) to Edyth with whom he eventually has 7 children. William of Normandy is betrothed to Matilda when she is 11 years old, marries her some time later and they produce several children also. Right from the outset, Harold is portrayed as the good guy. He is variously described as loving, conscientious, just, even-tempered, determined, and loyal. William, on the other hand, is ruthless, cruel, cold, ambitious, lusting after the throne of England. Everything in his life is secondary to his ambition, including his wife.

The overwhelming theme of the book concerns the power struggles both in England and Normandy during the twenty years prior to 1066 and the author describes them in detail. Both Harold and William are involved in these disputes and battles, though not always against each other. Upon the death of his father, Harold becomes Earl of Wessex, second only in power and importance to the king. The narrative then takes on a more urgent tone as ambition starts to infect Harold. Why shouldn’t he rule England? Upon the death of King Edward, William is chosen by the Witan, the Council of advisors, to be the next king of England. Upon learning this, William of Normandy is enraged because Harold has already sworn fealty to him and agreed to support William’s own claim to the throne. William judges Harold’s acceptance of the crown as treachery against him and the stage is thus set for the fateful Battle of Hastings.

William invades England. Harold moves his army towards Hastings. The bloody carnage takes place on October 15, 1066. Harold is savagely murdered, then hacked to pieces – a dishonourable death to both English and Norman sensibilities. William, Duke of Normandy becomes King of England. And the rest is history, as the saying goes.

I found some of the language coarse and vulgar, perhaps with the view to making the story authentic. The description of the battles was bloody and too detailed for me. In the final analysis, the recounting of this history offers further proof to me that “man has dominated man to his injury.”

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Feb 05, 2012 Wordsmith rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: yestherearesomeevnicantread, historical-faction, have-reviewed, kings-n-queens, star-three, ranking-2012-reads-processing, over-500-pages, ebooks-kindle, death-violent, family-saga, england, france, history, lit-british, part-of-series, romance-novel, violence, war-or-battles

This should of been a book made for me. History, Epic Saga, War, Royalty, Long. Uhmm, not so much. First of all, it wasn't what I thought it would be and that's my bad. Really now. As if 565 pages COULD be filled with accurate facts of the comings and goings surrounding the daily lives of these people living c.1050's. Even the experts are hard-pressed to agree on much, with any degree of certainty. Not surprising considering the little they have to go on. Few, if any, written documents remain....more This should of been a book made for me. History, Epic Saga, War, Royalty, Long. Uhmm, not so much. First of all, it wasn't what I thought it would be and that's my bad. Really now. As if 565 pages COULD be filled with accurate facts of the comings and goings surrounding the daily lives of these people living c.1050's. Even the experts are hard-pressed to agree on much, with any degree of certainty. Not surprising considering the little they have to go on. Few, if any, written documents remain. So much is conjecture. Not knowing whether certain people even existed.
But then, I already know that to be the case when I DO read other books of this nature, knowing in advance however, they are "factualized fiction." As is the case, when I read, and enjoy, Phillipa Gregory's books. Or Amanda Foreman's, Allison Weir's. Take Lady Jane, wife of George Boylen, who was brother to Queen Ann. Who was beheaded. Now, please correct me if I'm mistaken, but this is my understanding. Not much is known of her other than she existed, married George and survived that first round of executions. A single document remains that relays the information that on the day of HER execution, she was brought downriver with a single handwoman or (possibly) as she was a Lady, a lady-in-waiting. Yet I could read Gregory's tale of her shenanigans and pithy jealousies because I was caught up in a good STORY. I feel that way about the book, "Georgiana, The Duchess of Devonshire." Admittedly, much more is known of her life, still, how on earth would Ms. Foreman know the intimacies of every conversation between The Duke and Bess or Georgiana and Mr. Fox? Or even how much Mr. Sheridan lost at Whist? But the book was so good, that while reading it, there was no space for thoughts like, uhmm, I don't think that's right. Better get my fact-checkin' boots on. And that was the problem for me with "I Am The Chosen King." I kept getting distracted by inaccuracies and "factions" I knew were unknowable. Thats a big turn-off for me.
Actually, my favorite line(s) in the entire novel came at the very end, after the book, after all her tidying up fact from fiction and 'splaining. She commented that although England, was, from that point on, ruled by Norman Kings, they NEVER BECAME Norman's themselves. Otherwise, all the Brits would be speaking French. And so, yes, King Harold was, The Last English King. A Chosen One. (It has been surmised)(less)

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Sep 09, 2011 Danielle rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: modern-fiction, historical-fiction

I picked up this book at the library when I couldn't find one that I had listed to read, and am glad I did. I Am the Chosen King tells the story of Harold and William, two powerful men who lead different lives but in the end are vying for the crown of England. I have an interest in the Norman Invasion of 1066. In my history of the English language class, I had to do a project on the Bayeaux Tapestry, a Norman creation that tells the story of that invasion from, of course, the Norman standpoint....more

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Jul 07, 2011 Lee Anne rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: ala-2011, historical-fiction, medieval

Still torn between giving this two or three stars. I mean, I finished all almost 600 pages of it, but I almost gave up a couple of times. I was reading an uncorrected proof with very confusing punctuation, so I'm sure that had a little to do with it. But I felt that it tried a little too hard to be epic, and then too hard to be romance, and I just didn't find the characterization all that great. I mean, show me that Harold is a kind and honorable man, don't just tell me. And the line between his...more

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Mar 20, 2011 Blodeuedd Finland rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: historical-fiction

Another well-written tale by Hollick. In this one we follow the last 30 years before 1066, and see the fall of the last English King.

Harold Godwinesson is the son of Earl Godwin of Wessex. In his youth he falls in love with a beautiful woman, Edyth and takes her as his handfast wife. Because he knows that in the future he must make a alliance and get a wife in a Christian ceremony. We follow his life as he becomes Earl of East Anglia, as his sister Edith marries Edward (the confessor), as he fig...more

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Apr 05, 2013 Ellen Ekstrom rated it 4 of 5 stars

I'm going to mention once, here and now, that this ebook's formatting was disappointing, sloppy, and annoying for such a reputable publishing house. There! Fortunately, it did not take away from my enjoyment of Ms. Hollick's sequel to "The Forever Queen," "I am the Chosen King (UK title: "Harold the King")." The story of the Godwine family and their rise to power continues in this novel that culminates with the Battle of Hastings and William of Normandy's seizure of England. I am one of the many...more I'm going to mention once, here and now, that this ebook's formatting was disappointing, sloppy, and annoying for such a reputable publishing house. There! Fortunately, it did not take away from my enjoyment of Ms. Hollick's sequel to "The Forever Queen," "I am the Chosen King (UK title: "Harold the King")." The story of the Godwine family and their rise to power continues in this novel that culminates with the Battle of Hastings and William of Normandy's seizure of England. I am one of the many who only know about 1066 And All That from what the victors told us in their chronicles. I did further reading after finishing this novel and discovered that Harold Godwinson wasn't the bumbling doofus I'd imagined him to be from my history lessons, losing his crown to a far superior man and force. It's said that Harold and the English army was minutes away from victory when Harold was struck in the eye by an arrow and then brutally hacked to death by the Normans, and perhaps William himself. Harold, I discovered, was an able leader who was popular, powerful and elected by the Witan, the council of nobles in Anglo Saxon England, to be the King. Depending on whose history you read, William of Normandy claimed the right to the throne of England because he claimed Edward the Confessor said he was the heir and claimed Harold broke an oath to back up his claim (that oath may have been given under duress). Interesting, since the English at the time elected their monarch - the idea of primogeniture hadn't become the norm.

This is a work of fiction, and Hollick's research and interest in her subject comes through in the dialogue, the characterization and flow of the story. The artistic license she takes enhances the facts and makes her story as plausible and real as the events as they happened. I was particularly impressed with the chapters dealing with the Battle itself - written in stages and with a minimum of gore and detail. Dramatic tension is given to the reader in dialogue and character study. I'm a soft touch for stray dogs and misunderstood monarchs and I had a lump in my throat when I finished the book.

Harold isn't whitewashed; he has his flaws. He is, like William, a man of his times. William the Conqueror is a real bastard, not the gallant hero of the chronicles and ballads - in fact, he comes across as a psychopath. Edward the Confessor - not so much a saint as someone who wants to be left to his books, hunting and court favorites, never really wanted to be King and didn't make the best of it. His legacy? Westminster Abbey. The women in the story are strong, and range from gentle to shrew, and are pawns moved about on the chessboard as it pleases the men, e.g., Harold takes a 'handfast' wife in the Danish custom, a common law wife, knowing full well that eventually, as a nobleman, he will have to make a marriage that will be recognized by the church, a politically expedient alliance, and say good bye to his marriage of love and all that it encompasses. That must have been torture to live every day wondering if your husband was going to leave and the remarkable Edyth Swannhaels, the handfast wife, is shown as a brave, understanding, good woman who was circumspect about her position.

I recommend this book for anyone who thinks of Anglo Saxon England as just another blip in history, as Harold Godwinson as just another dismissed and defeated king, and the history of England not beginning until 1066.

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Oct 22, 2008 Laura rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Recommended to Laura by: Misfit

Shelves: hf-medieval-europe, historical-fiction, read-2008

Wonderful book, above all my expectations even if Helen Hollick doesn’t have the same absorbing way in writing a beautiful like Sharon Kay Penman, who is my favorite HF writer, without any doubt. Her characters are not fully emotional engaged as the ones by SKP and we don’t feel so attached to them. The description of Hastings battle was breathless.

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Jan 04, 2012 Ambre rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: historical-fiction

Wow, I really missed the charm of this book. Possibly, I was turned off by the author and editor's decision to throw sentence structure to the wind. Sentence fragments are poor grammar, not a stylistic option! But mostly, I just found it boring. The first half was OK, but the book was unbeleivably long, and it is not like we didn't already know the ending!

The author created characters out of single personality traits- petulant, beautiful, cruel, and of course the handsome and honorable Harold. I...more

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Mar 13, 2011 Laura rated it 5 of 5 stars

We’ve all heard of the year 1066 and of William the Conqueror and his glorious takeover of England. But what is the rest of the story? What was the land that William was taking over, why was he taking it over, and who was he taking it over from? I am the Chosen King is the story of Harold Godwinesson, the last Saxon King of England and it answers all of these questions.

Like Beethoven’s Symphony Number 7, I am the Chosen King starts out quiet and touching and then slowly, almost without you reali...more

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Feb 04, 2013 Richard Stueber rated it 4 of 5 stars

This novel takes lace between 1043 and 1966 A. D. It's manly the story of Harold Godwinson King of England in 1066 and what led up to the Norman conquest of England in 1066.
Herein are Dowager Queen Emma of England, a daughter of Richard the Fearless Duke of Normandy, and widow of Ethelred the Unready and Cnut the Great, Kings of England. She and her son Edward the Confessor mutually detest each other. Edward refused to cohabit with his wife Edith, a sister of Harold Godwinson, presumably for rel...more

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Aug 03, 2011 Amber rated it 4 of 5 stars

Well I'm finally finished with the darn thing! I have to admit, it was am amazing book but it's just not my type of reading. It's more suited for those who like historical anthologies not vampires and witches. So keeping that in mind, I still really enjoyed it. It took me 20x longer to finish it just because I had to feel "in the mood" to pick it up and get my dose of history! I was very disappointed in the ending! Poor Harold! I really liked him, but you can't change history so what was done is...more

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Feb 27, 2012 Marsha Lambert rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I purchased Harold the King while living in England in 2008. I am very interested in this time frame and thought I would give this book a try. I am so glad I did. This was the first book by Helen Hollick that I read and after reading Harold the King went on to read mostly all of her other work. I haven't read all her body of work as of yet but it is on my to be read list.
Harold the King is a great read. Helen Hollick has the ability to transport the reader right into the story / time frame. Her...more

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Mar 23, 2011 Craig rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: historical-fiction

This is a well-written historical fiction account of what was occurring in the England, France (Normandy) and Scandanavia leading up to the historic Battle of Hastings in 1066 (the Norman Conquest). The author focuses principally on the life of Harold Godwinesson who would be crowned King Harold upon the death of King Edward (who died childless - later named Edward the Confessor) in January, 1066, and of Harold's short reign as King of England (the last of England's Saxon kings). Attention is al...more This is a well-written historical fiction account of what was occurring in the England, France (Normandy) and Scandanavia leading up to the historic Battle of Hastings in 1066 (the Norman Conquest). The author focuses principally on the life of Harold Godwinesson who would be crowned King Harold upon the death of King Edward (who died childless - later named Edward the Confessor) in January, 1066, and of Harold's short reign as King of England (the last of England's Saxon kings). Attention is also given to Duke William of Normandy (and his rise to power) and of Gruffydd (ruler of Wales) who was killed by his own Welsh people during the reign of King Edward. The author paints Harold as a noble altruistic character; William of a cold, aspiring, calculating and depraved nature; and Gruffydd as a base, unfeeling and ultimately cowardly figure. In other words, in the mind the the author, each ruler is painted in white or black terms (either very good or completely corrupt). Few historic details exist to really know these characters intimately; it may have been that there was less perfection in Harold and more humanity in Willam and Gruffydd than the author intimates. However, Hollick has done her homework, and spins an interesting novel as to how events might have played out. Her depiction of the Battle of Hastings itself is graphic. The Normans were bloodily repulsed during their first two attacks before they finally prevailed on the third attack. Had King Harold and his army not had to march to northern England to defeat his rebellious brother, Tostig (who was in league with Harada of Norway), at the battle of Stamford Bridge, and then immediately make a forced march back to southern England to confront William at Hastings, the Battle of Hastings, no doubt, would have ended with an English victory. As the battle unfolded, it was almost won by King Harold and the English anyway with their worn-out troops. Again, this is a well written account of a very pivotal point in the history of England. I highly recommend the book.(less)

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Aug 15, 2008 William Russeth rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition Recommends it for: Anyone into English history

Wonderfully written- amazingly detailed. Not a book of battles, but a book delving into the POVS of Harold, his brothers, his wives, his enemies, and his king during the time period leading up to the Norman conquest.

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Apr 10, 2013 Nicolle Walters rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: historical-fiction

This book is based on historical fact, but is a fictionalized account of the last two Anglo-Saxon kings who ruled up to the invasion of William "The Conqueror" (or "The Bastard" as he was also known).

"Yawn!" You might say...but you'd be wrong! It is a fascinating glimpse into medieval England when "English" names included those like "Aethelred," "Aelfgifu" and "Aedric."

Did you know that Queen Emma was the first woman who was crowned queen twice? Once to an ineffectual Anglo-Saxon king, Aethelred...more

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Jan 29, 2012 Meagan rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: historical-fiction, medieval, england, france, read-in-2012

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

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Dec 02, 2011 Sarah rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: nae_reviewed

I cannot imagine reading a better historical fiction novel than The Lost Kingdom - 1066 series, including the first volume, The Forever Queen. In I Am the Chosen King, Helen Hollick has transported me to England, 1044, and the buildup to the great Norman invasion of William the Conqueror in 1066. The newly appointed last Saxon King, Harold, has much to contend with at home in England. Hollick's writing takes the reader into the private lives of these two great men -- their thoughts, families, fe...more

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Jul 10, 2011 Paula Lofting rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I loved this book, it had everything I'd been looking for in a good historical fiction book; love, hatred, battles and adventure. It made me care about the characters and I fell in love with Harold. Helen's interpretation of the events leading up to the Norman conquest followed the known facts excellently. It dispersed with the Norman propaganda that denigrated Harold as a usurper instead of the rightful King of England and showed how the misguided William the Bastard of Normandy wrongly came to...more

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May 09, 2012 Jeanne Dunn rated it 4 of 5 stars

Hollick hooked me with The Forever Queen, and I Am the Chosen King lived up to my expectations. I adore well-researched historical fiction. Hollick does her homework quite thoroughly, and does a good job of bringing history to life. Having met many of the characters in the first book, it was easier to sink into the second, and although I still don't consider her writing beautiful, it did flow more smoothly for me in Chosen King. If you are an Anglophile who enjoys historical fiction firmly based...more

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Jan 23, 2012 Stacy Schmidt rated it 5 of 5 stars

Like its prequel, _The Forever Queen_, this novel takes place in England in the years immediately prior to the Norman Conquest. Although Queen Emma remains integral to England's monarchy at the beginning of the novel, the focus of the book shifts to include not only the English court, but also the life of William, Duke of Normandy. Hollick's fictionalized account of the events leading up to the Norman Conquest provides an entertaining look into the politics and intrigue surrounding William's per...more

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Mar 07, 2011 Sheree rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: arc, historical-fiction, read-in-2011, reviews

In I Am The Chosen King Helen Hollick eloquently continues the story of Saxon England begun in The Forever Queen culminating with one of the most famous dates in English history; 1066 and the Battle of Hastings.

I Am The Chosen King took me a lot longer to read than The Forever Queen and like many weighty historical fiction novels, I think it's best read when you have large chunks of time to devote to the experience. Due only to reading time constraints I wasn't as quick to fall in love with this...more

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Oct 14, 2011 Tlaloc rated it 1 of 5 stars

Shelves: historical-fiction

Disappointing to say the least. Didn't live up to expectations, and I didn't think I had many to begin with:

The characters seem shallow, and you never quite become intimate with Harold, and the gamut of minor characters don't even register. The only character I found with a bit of depth was William the Bastard.

The pacing was off, with constant wrangling back and forth between ultimately unimportant persons and their geographical settings, while years flutter by. This sapped much of the vitality...more

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Apr 23, 2012 Gaile rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: 11th-century

Another chunk of British history before the Norman conquest and right up to it. Harold is depicted as a character with duel desires, on the one hand to wear the British crown, on the other hand to be a family man and landlord. In the end when Edward The Confessor dies, Harold is the only qualified candidate.
William The Bastard sets out ruthlessly to subdue Normandy and then to invade England for the British crown. We know that he became William I and overran England but he did not succeed in tot...more

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Sep 04, 2011 Kelly rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: medievalists

While I found the story/plot interesting, I felt like this book needed a good edit. Scenic descriptions that didn't really add to the storyline (I actually skipped pages, which I rarely do!), too much dithering about Harold's political marriage and ambitions, and I really felt like William was a caricature, not a real person. That said, I found the book fascinating when recounting the Saxon side of the Battle of Hastings and its build up, and Hollick's Harold was definitely an engaging and roman...more

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Nov 13, 2011 Christie rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: big-books, england, historical-fiction, middle-ages, royalty, biographical-fiction

I picked this book up because I had read and loved The Forever Queen and this was the sequel which I was hoping to love as much. I did not. The book was still a nice story and the writing was beautiful, it just did not pack the punch that the first one did. I have some ideas for why this is.

The first book mainly followed Emma of Normandy and her two husbands and her reign as Queen of England. This book starts with the reign of Emma's son, Edward the Confessor, and ends with the Norman conquest....more

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Oct 06, 2011 Mary Alaga rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

This was the second of a two part epic (The first book being "The Forever Queen"), about Harold, and the Norman usurper William.

I knew how it ended, and that's about all I knew. (Art History, Medieval study, the Bayeux tapestry.) But as a reader of all English historical fiction that I find, I decided it was time to learn more about the battle of Hastings.

I found the books fascinating and full of information that I never knew. I enjoyed almost all of the journey.

And I now understand why the su...more

1 like · like · see review

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About Helen Hollick

Born in Walthamstow, North East London, in 1953 I began writing at the age of 13. Desperately wanting a pony of my own, but not being able to afford one, I invented an imaginary pony instead, writing stories about our adventures together at every spare opportunity. In the seventies I turned to science fiction - this was the age of Dr. Who, Star Trek and Star Wars. I still have an unfinished advent...more Born in Walthamstow, North East London, in 1953 I began writing at the age of 13. Desperately wanting a pony of my own, but not being able to afford one, I invented an imaginary pony instead, writing stories about our adventures together at every spare opportunity. In the seventies I turned to science fiction - this was the age of Dr. Who, Star Trek and Star Wars. I still have an unfinished adventure about a bit of a rogue who travelled space with his family, making an honest(ish) living and getting into all sorts of scrapes. Perhaps one day I might finish it.

I had wanted to become a journalist when leaving secondary school, but my careers advice was not helpful. "Don't be silly," I was told, "you can't type." (I still can't, I use four fingers.) Instead, I worked in a Chingford library where I stayed for 13 years although I was not very happy there - I did not realise it, but I wanted to write. The one advantage of the library, however, was the access to books, and it was there that I came across the Roman historical novels of Rosemary Sutcliff, the Arthurian trilogy by Mary Stewart, and the historian Geoffrey Ashe. I was hooked on Roman Britain - and King Arthur!

Reading everything I could, I eventually became frustrated that novels were not how I personally felt about the matter of Arthur and Gwenhwyfar (Guinevere).

By this time, I was married with a young daughter. I had time on my hands and so I started writing my idea of Arthurian Britain . I deliberately decided not to include Merlin and Lancelot, there was to be no magic or Medieval myth. My book was to be a "what might have really happened" historical novel, not a fantasy, and most certainly not a romance! What I didn't know, when I started, was that my one book was to grow into enough words to make a complete trilogy.

I found an agent who placed me with William Heinemann - I was accepted for publication just after my 40th birthday. The best birthday present I have ever had.

I had previously had a smaller success with a children's personal safety book (stranger danger) called "Come and Tell Me," a little story that I had written for my daughter when she was 3. I wanted to tell her how to keep safe in a clear and simple manner - with a message that could be easily remembered. "Always come and tell me before you go anywhere with anyone" fitted nicely. I was immensely proud when my little story was taken up as an official safety book by the British Home Office to be used nationally by the police and schools. An updated and revised version of "Come and Tell Me" was re-published by Happy Cat Books but is now out of print.

I followed on with two Saxon period novels A Hollow Crown and Harold the King - both are about the people and events that led to the Battle of Hastings in 1066 - from the English point of view.
(these titles are published as The Forever Queen and I Am The Chosen King in the US)

When Heinemann did not re-print my backlist I took my books to a small UK independent publisher with their even smaller mainstream imprint, adding my historical adventure series the Sea Witch Voyages to my list.
Unfortunately Discovered Authors / Callio Press, were not as organised as they should have been and the company closed in the spring of 2011. Not wanting my books to fall out of print in the UK I took them to an indie company - SilverWood Books of Bristol UK - and with their technical assistance "self published"

I am also with Sourcebooks Inc in the US, and with Artemis Yayinlari in Turkey.
I was delighted to make the USA Today bestseller list in 2011 with The Forever Queen (US title of A Hollow Crown)

I have no qualifications, nor have I been to college or university, although I have studied part-time for my Medieval History Diploma, which, I'm pleased to report, I passed with honours. One day I may find the time to complete the degree!(less)

More about Helen Hollick...

Books by Helen Hollick

The Kingmaking (Pendragon's Banner Trilogy, #1)

Pendragon's Banner (Pendragon's Banner Trilogy, #2)

Shadow of the King (Pendragon's Banner Trilogy, #3)

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I Am the Chosen King (The Saxon Series #2)

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