Paula Lofting's Blog, page 3
October 27, 2013
PAULA READS: ENDURANCE by Tom Blake
Today I am posting a review for The Review Blog's Halloween Creepfest. Endurance is Tom Blake's first novel which he has published independently. Tom, 20, asked me to review it to coincide with his giveaway for The Face Book event.
Author T J Blake
Endurance follows the traumatic experiences of Thomas Williams as he fights to survive an alien attack on London. For Tom, the day the attack started was a special day. He was going to propose to his girlfriend, Anna, but suddenly, as he kneels before her, she is tragically snatched from him in a devastating accident as the attack from above begins to reign down bullets and bombs on the people of London. Hardly able to believe what has happened, Tom sifts through the rubble and the ruins of the city he once lived in, trying his best to survive the alien attacks as well as an infected population on the ground who's ravaged bodies and minds are crazed with a rage they cannot contain. But as the story develops - all is not as it seems. Just who is behind the destruction of London and the world? Who are these aliens that seem to be targeting him? And is he going insane? Has he been plunged into a living nightmare or is it really just a dream - a horrible, freakish dream that he cannot discern what or who is real and what or who isn't. These are all questions that will plague the reader throughout; keeping them turning the page, eager to find out what is going to happen next. This book is aimed at a YA audience, however I am certainly far from being a young adult and I very much enjoyed it.
This book is not for the faint-hearted. The author spares no detail of the gore and devastation of maimed and polluted bodies. Here is one of the milder examples of the book.
"Continuing to jog, with a slight limp, he got closer and closer to the screams. The screams turned from an echo to a solid sound. Soon, Tom saw the screaming woman. She was crawling with one arm and no legs; her face was covered in blood and looked as if it’d been scraped along the concrete-strewn ground. Her screams rang through Tom’s ears. The sight made him queasy. He ran toward her."
I am not averse to gore - but there is a lot, so if you're not into blood, guts and more, this book may not be good for you, however that would be a shame because it has a most original plot and runs at a fast pace so there are no boring or dull bits. There are times in the book when you think, I've got a handle on the plot now and then in the next few pages, you're thwarted. The author's ability to keep you guessing is what drives this novel forward and there is no time to waste thinking about it; no resting on one's laurels, for before you know it you're running with the main character - running for your life. This young author has something that a lot of other writers don't; an ability to draw the reader in so that you are there, midst the scenery and the extras. Like a movie filmed in 3D it hits you right in the eye, engulfs you in it's ectoplasm and transports you to another world.
Although this book is exciting, scary and horrific, it would really benefit from a professional edit and I know that Tom Blake has taken this on board. It's no mean feat to write a book at 20, edit it and publish it yourself and Tom has written a very readable book. A professional edit would be the icing on the cake for me and I hope by the time he has written the sequel, which is coming, I hope that it will be a very special cake indeed.
Generously, Tom is going to make his book free to download on the 31st of October. So pop that in your diary or mark it on your calendar. Go on what have you got to lose?
You will be able to download Endurance form this link for free on the 31st of October but if you can't wait till then, why not buy it now!!
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Endurance-ebook/dp/B00E8Q9QCU/ref=la_B00C2TFFJ8_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1382880341&sr=1-1
Author T J Blake
Endurance follows the traumatic experiences of Thomas Williams as he fights to survive an alien attack on London. For Tom, the day the attack started was a special day. He was going to propose to his girlfriend, Anna, but suddenly, as he kneels before her, she is tragically snatched from him in a devastating accident as the attack from above begins to reign down bullets and bombs on the people of London. Hardly able to believe what has happened, Tom sifts through the rubble and the ruins of the city he once lived in, trying his best to survive the alien attacks as well as an infected population on the ground who's ravaged bodies and minds are crazed with a rage they cannot contain. But as the story develops - all is not as it seems. Just who is behind the destruction of London and the world? Who are these aliens that seem to be targeting him? And is he going insane? Has he been plunged into a living nightmare or is it really just a dream - a horrible, freakish dream that he cannot discern what or who is real and what or who isn't. These are all questions that will plague the reader throughout; keeping them turning the page, eager to find out what is going to happen next. This book is aimed at a YA audience, however I am certainly far from being a young adult and I very much enjoyed it.
This book is not for the faint-hearted. The author spares no detail of the gore and devastation of maimed and polluted bodies. Here is one of the milder examples of the book.
"Continuing to jog, with a slight limp, he got closer and closer to the screams. The screams turned from an echo to a solid sound. Soon, Tom saw the screaming woman. She was crawling with one arm and no legs; her face was covered in blood and looked as if it’d been scraped along the concrete-strewn ground. Her screams rang through Tom’s ears. The sight made him queasy. He ran toward her."
I am not averse to gore - but there is a lot, so if you're not into blood, guts and more, this book may not be good for you, however that would be a shame because it has a most original plot and runs at a fast pace so there are no boring or dull bits. There are times in the book when you think, I've got a handle on the plot now and then in the next few pages, you're thwarted. The author's ability to keep you guessing is what drives this novel forward and there is no time to waste thinking about it; no resting on one's laurels, for before you know it you're running with the main character - running for your life. This young author has something that a lot of other writers don't; an ability to draw the reader in so that you are there, midst the scenery and the extras. Like a movie filmed in 3D it hits you right in the eye, engulfs you in it's ectoplasm and transports you to another world.
Although this book is exciting, scary and horrific, it would really benefit from a professional edit and I know that Tom Blake has taken this on board. It's no mean feat to write a book at 20, edit it and publish it yourself and Tom has written a very readable book. A professional edit would be the icing on the cake for me and I hope by the time he has written the sequel, which is coming, I hope that it will be a very special cake indeed.
Generously, Tom is going to make his book free to download on the 31st of October. So pop that in your diary or mark it on your calendar. Go on what have you got to lose?
You will be able to download Endurance form this link for free on the 31st of October but if you can't wait till then, why not buy it now!!
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Endurance-ebook/dp/B00E8Q9QCU/ref=la_B00C2TFFJ8_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1382880341&sr=1-1
October 26, 2013
The Promise by Kevin Ashman
For the start of our Halloween Creepfest, here is a short story of revenge from beyond the grave by Kevin Ashman.
I opened my eyes, or at least I thought I did, but if I had thought harder I would have realised they were already open, it was just that I couldn’t see anything. Not that I cared, it was the last thing on my mind. All I could remember were the beautiful memories of the wedding ceremony with Lisa, the most beautiful girl in the world.
It had been a magical few days, the best of my life. Azure Jamaican sunsets and sweet scents of sunshine fruits were flavoured with sounds of steel drums and reggae rhythms. The time when all my hopes and dreams had come true and I had finally married the woman of my dreams, no, not just of my dreams but of my very being, my soul, my life.
All my life I had been around her, drawn in by her aura. Throughout infant school I had followed her around the playground like a needy puppy, joining enthusiastically in her childish games. Primary school was a world of wonder that we discovered together, the closest of friends, with adventures shared and futures still too distant to be contemplated. Our teen years tried hard to alter our relationship and though teenage culture demanded we sought the fellowship of our peers, we still glanced at each other across crowded dance floors, often walking home together yet saying goodbye at her garden gate before talking into the small hours on the phone.
She had a boyfriend once, encouraged almost rabidly by her friends and I hated him with a vengeance, yet even when they finished a few days later, I still shied away from asking her out, terrified of rejection, not realising that these were sentiments she also shared.
But eventually, the inevitable happened and something special developed. I still remember that starlit night, when I paused at her gate a moment too long. That awkward few seconds, that void of silence, crying out to be filled. Waiting for me to scream out as loud as I could,
Don’t you know how much I Love you? Don’t you know how much I want to take you in my arms and hold you until the stars above burn themselves out? How I want to spend the rest of eternity alongside you, looking at you, knowing you, loving you?'
But I didn’t shout out, and neither did she, but what she did do was something else, something completely different, something infinitely better. She tiptoed up and kissed me gently on the lips.
That was the beginning of my life, the day I was really born, the point at which my existence took on meaning. Since then, I smile at the oft asked question, What is love? The answer is easy, It is lisa. She is the very essence of love and nothing in the universe exists apart from my love for her. I will live for her, die for her for she is now the sole reason I exist in this suffocating yet intoxicating entrancement.
The wedding had been everything we had dreamed of, and, having decided to wait until our wedding night to consummate the marriage, was a sensory overload of love and tenderness. We found each other at last, physically, mentally and emotionally while the world stood still, waiting for us to see it again. The moonlit walks, the starlit passion. Days filled with laughter and nights filled with wonder. This was it, the very reason I had been put on this earth by whatever entity existed up there.
That had been an age ago. Why had it stopped, what had I done so wrong to deserve this. Why did the cruel hand of fate deal such a devastating blow?
Everything had been perfect that night, the last night of our honeymoon and we had returned early to our chalet on the beach, keen to spend our last night alone before leaving this paradise.
They shouldn’t have been there, they had no right. My mind had span as it struggled to take in the situation, the shouts of the attackers and the screams of my beloved. The struggle, the noise, the flash of light…….the pain.
But it was as nothing compared to the pain that followed, the pain of seeing her dragged off by the two men to a lustful fate. The pain of trying to move, to help her, to rescue her from harm, unable to move yet conscious to what they intended What sort of husband was I who could not even protect my wife in the first weeks of our union. The world became dark and the last thing I heard was her voice calling my name, begging me to help.
How long had I lain there, summoning my will to overcome my bodies limitations. It had taken time but love conquers all, a triumph of mind over matter, love over hate. I knew that at last I would be able to do it. To rise again and seek her out and take her once more in my arms, and this time, no gun on this earth would stop me joining my love.
Gradually, as my consciousness returned, so did my strength, though how such malnourished muscles could even summon any power whatsoever was beyond me. First the movement of a finger, forcing its way past its neighbour, encouraging its fellows to join it in its task. Then my hand became free and clawed at the surrounding dankness, forcing its way upwards through the cloying blanket of hopelessness. Finally, with a flourish that mirrored the birth of a baby, my hand pushed forth to pierce the cool Caribbean night, breaking free of the shallow grave where I had lain for the last two months.
‘Don’t worry, Lisa,’ I thought as the soil fell from my empty eye sockets, ‘I’m coming to get you.’
I opened my eyes, or at least I thought I did, but if I had thought harder I would have realised they were already open, it was just that I couldn’t see anything. Not that I cared, it was the last thing on my mind. All I could remember were the beautiful memories of the wedding ceremony with Lisa, the most beautiful girl in the world.
It had been a magical few days, the best of my life. Azure Jamaican sunsets and sweet scents of sunshine fruits were flavoured with sounds of steel drums and reggae rhythms. The time when all my hopes and dreams had come true and I had finally married the woman of my dreams, no, not just of my dreams but of my very being, my soul, my life.
All my life I had been around her, drawn in by her aura. Throughout infant school I had followed her around the playground like a needy puppy, joining enthusiastically in her childish games. Primary school was a world of wonder that we discovered together, the closest of friends, with adventures shared and futures still too distant to be contemplated. Our teen years tried hard to alter our relationship and though teenage culture demanded we sought the fellowship of our peers, we still glanced at each other across crowded dance floors, often walking home together yet saying goodbye at her garden gate before talking into the small hours on the phone.
She had a boyfriend once, encouraged almost rabidly by her friends and I hated him with a vengeance, yet even when they finished a few days later, I still shied away from asking her out, terrified of rejection, not realising that these were sentiments she also shared.
But eventually, the inevitable happened and something special developed. I still remember that starlit night, when I paused at her gate a moment too long. That awkward few seconds, that void of silence, crying out to be filled. Waiting for me to scream out as loud as I could,
Don’t you know how much I Love you? Don’t you know how much I want to take you in my arms and hold you until the stars above burn themselves out? How I want to spend the rest of eternity alongside you, looking at you, knowing you, loving you?'
But I didn’t shout out, and neither did she, but what she did do was something else, something completely different, something infinitely better. She tiptoed up and kissed me gently on the lips.
That was the beginning of my life, the day I was really born, the point at which my existence took on meaning. Since then, I smile at the oft asked question, What is love? The answer is easy, It is lisa. She is the very essence of love and nothing in the universe exists apart from my love for her. I will live for her, die for her for she is now the sole reason I exist in this suffocating yet intoxicating entrancement.
The wedding had been everything we had dreamed of, and, having decided to wait until our wedding night to consummate the marriage, was a sensory overload of love and tenderness. We found each other at last, physically, mentally and emotionally while the world stood still, waiting for us to see it again. The moonlit walks, the starlit passion. Days filled with laughter and nights filled with wonder. This was it, the very reason I had been put on this earth by whatever entity existed up there.
That had been an age ago. Why had it stopped, what had I done so wrong to deserve this. Why did the cruel hand of fate deal such a devastating blow?
Everything had been perfect that night, the last night of our honeymoon and we had returned early to our chalet on the beach, keen to spend our last night alone before leaving this paradise.
They shouldn’t have been there, they had no right. My mind had span as it struggled to take in the situation, the shouts of the attackers and the screams of my beloved. The struggle, the noise, the flash of light…….the pain.
But it was as nothing compared to the pain that followed, the pain of seeing her dragged off by the two men to a lustful fate. The pain of trying to move, to help her, to rescue her from harm, unable to move yet conscious to what they intended What sort of husband was I who could not even protect my wife in the first weeks of our union. The world became dark and the last thing I heard was her voice calling my name, begging me to help.
How long had I lain there, summoning my will to overcome my bodies limitations. It had taken time but love conquers all, a triumph of mind over matter, love over hate. I knew that at last I would be able to do it. To rise again and seek her out and take her once more in my arms, and this time, no gun on this earth would stop me joining my love.
Gradually, as my consciousness returned, so did my strength, though how such malnourished muscles could even summon any power whatsoever was beyond me. First the movement of a finger, forcing its way past its neighbour, encouraging its fellows to join it in its task. Then my hand became free and clawed at the surrounding dankness, forcing its way upwards through the cloying blanket of hopelessness. Finally, with a flourish that mirrored the birth of a baby, my hand pushed forth to pierce the cool Caribbean night, breaking free of the shallow grave where I had lain for the last two months.
‘Don’t worry, Lisa,’ I thought as the soil fell from my empty eye sockets, ‘I’m coming to get you.’
October 15, 2013
The Events That Led to The Battle of Hastings
Standing along the ridge where 947 years ago thousands of men, pressed tightly together, stood locked in a shieldwall of death. I close my eyes as I listen to the narrator telling the story of the battle that took place here almost a thousand years ago. I hold the little electronic guide closely to my ear so I don't miss anything and listen in awe as within me a shiver runs through and I imagine myself there among the pandemonium of it all; the heaving, the shoving, the yells and the screams of the dying; the whoops of those whose spear aims have met their targets. I have always had a good imagination and it doesn't take much for me to picture the scene in my minds eye. I have been to the battlefield at Battle Abbey many times and I am never tired of the place. I am drawn to it, like a moth drawn to a candle. Ever since I went there to watch a re-enactment of the Battle that took place there back in 2005, I have wanted to revisit time and time again as if by doing so I could change the course of what happened that day. I don't know why, but I am often so inexplicably affected by the trauma of that day that I cannot explain why in any rational terms. Sometimes I wonder, if re-incarnation were possible, if my spirit had been there when it really happened.Of course I don't believe in such things, well not really...but its uncanny that I am filled with a multitude of different emotions every time I go there.
And so on this day in 1066, to pay my respects to all those men who died there for what they believed in, I have revisited the battle site and as I am here, the voices of those who fought here that day, echo down the winds of time, willing their story to be told. But their story does not start or end with William's victory that day, it starts long before that. What happened that caused that great battle to happen; The Battle of Hastings? Why did William of Normandy, commonly known as William the Conqueror or William the Bastard, choose to embark on such a massive venture, taking an enormous gamble to risk so much for the crown of England. What made him think that he had that right anyway? Why did Harold supposedly 'usurp' the throne from its rightful owner. Why did he not support Edgar the Atheling's claim to the throne? Why didn't Edward officially nominate William as his successor and why did the Witan support Harold's claim?
To answer all these questions one needs to examine the back-story. But where is a good place to start? For me, I think 1051 is as good a place as any.
1051
King Edward approaching his 50's has sat on the throne now for 9 years and is beginning to make in-roads in distancing himself from the influence of Godwin, the canny and powerful Earl of Wessex. Edward has never been able to forgive his leading Earl for the part he played in the death of his younger brother Alfred, even though Godwin has been found innocent of any wrong doing under oath. Edward's long time friend, Robert Champart of Jumieges, the newly appointed Archbishop of Canterbury and Godwin's sworn enemy, finds it easier and easier every day to poison the King's already festering mind, with evil against the Earl.The Earl of Wessex, he whispers into Edward's ear, killed your brother and now he is going to kill you. The Archbishop wants Godwin out of the way so he can exert his influence over the King without any impediment.
Now Into the scene comes Edward's dear departed sister's husband, Eustace of Boulogne, that little French province of which he is count, and a plot is devised - or so it appears - to oust Godwin and his family from power. It seems that there is more than one person who might benefit from the Godwinsons' departure from power, for they are on the rise, with 2 of his sons in Earldoms of their own and 3 more waiting in the wings for their own. Eustace and his men cause havoc in the town of Dover on their way home from a visit with the King. Dover is in Godwin's jurisdiction. A fight ensues between the men of Dover and Eustace's men because the townfolk are outraged at the Frenchmen's demand for food and lodging. They probably have neglected to ask nicely. A comparative amount of men on both sides are killed due to the fight and Eustace and his men scurry back to the King to tell tales on Dover. Godwin is summoned before a disgusted King Edward who demands that he punish the Doverians by burning it to the ground. Godwin naturally comes down on the side of his town after hearing their side of the story and refuses. After a stand off with the King, Godwin and his sons lose the support of his own retainers because the other mighty earls of the realm, Earl Leofric and Earl Siward back the King against them, not wishing to engage the realm in a civil war. The Godwins are given 3 days to leave the country or they will be killed on sight. Godwin, his wife and 3 of his sons and his daughters flee to Flanders and seek asylum from Count Baldwin in St Omer. Godwin's second eldest son, Harold and his younger brother Leofwin take a ship to Ireland to seek assistance from the King there, MacDiarmitt and Edith, Godwin's daughter, married to King Edward, is eventually sent packing, unceremoniously, to a nunnery.
Meanwhile, during their exile, according to the Anglo Saxon chronicle, across the sea from Normandy comes Duke William. There is scant evidence for this visit, but later, the Normans will claim that it was then that Edward offered him the heirdom to his crown. Whether or not this actually happens remains a mystery, but it seems to fit plausibly with what happens later. Something along those lines must have taken place, otherwise why does William go to all the trouble to invade in 1066. He must have some reason to believe he was offered the crown. He didn't just pluck the idea out of nowhere. However, Edward knows that offering the crown is not his prerogative. Custom and practice dictates that English kings are permitted to name and nominate their heirs, but a number of members of the royal family are considered 'atheling' - meaning throne-worthy. It is up to the Witan to elect the future king, by approving the king's nomination or not.
So, with this in mind, I am inclined to believe that if he makes that journey to visit his cousin, William may be advised by Edward that he will consider supporting him when the time comes for him to nominate his heir. In return, perhaps William will promise to stop allowing Viking raiders to launch their raids upon England from his ports.
It seems that this idea was more likely to have been supported by Edward's Norman courtiers rather than the English. Edward had brought a few Normans with him in his entourage back in 1041 when his half brother King Harthacnut had invited him to come home from exile in Normandy. They would not have been very popular with the English, especially if they had been promoted into positions of power at the expense of the native born English, even the Anglo-Danes. So, would the English courtiers have been happy with this arrangement the King might have made? I think on the whole, probably not, otherwise later, why would the King have approved a search by Bishop Ealdred to find his nephew, Edward the Exile, who was the only living relative alive with the Royal blood of Wessex?
The Duke did not have any Royal Wessex blood and had no real claim. He had no interests in England, no land or property. His only connection with Edward was through his Great Aunt Emma, who was Edward's mother, making him a second cousin to Edward. But Robert Champart, Eustace of Boulogne and the other Franco/Norman conspirators were obviously pro-William and most likely could see themselves flourishing in an England under a Norman King's rule, and at this time as the chronicles show, Robert, now Archbishop of Canterbury, was a big influence over Edward who would have relished any plot to oust Godwin from his life. But in a few months, Robert and his cronies' reign of power was soon to be over and whatever happened regarding William, Duke of Normandy, was soon put on the back burner. Within a year of his exile, Godwin and his family are back, a whirlwind of destruction as they burst their way in hurricane-style, sweeping across the Channel, back into the kingdom. Robert and his friends flee back to Normandy, taking with them the young hostages that Godwin had been forced to provide during negotiations with the King before exile; apparently for William as surety for Edward's promise to him.
1056
Eadred, Bishop of Worcester since 1046, served Edward for many years as a diplomat and a military leader. He was also a friend to the Godwins for many years. His influence was not just confined to England and he was a well travelled man, including a trip to Rome, perhaps more than once. Edward approved his visit to Germany to try and locate the whereabouts of Edward's nephew, Edward the Exile, who was the son of his older deceased brother, Edmund Ironside and King of England for a short reign. This was so he could be brought back to England and formalise him as a Royal Atheling. A title that seems to never have been bestowed upon William. Ealdred was gone for some time, around a year or so, but he eventually returns home to court without the Exile and divulges the whereabouts of the King's nephew at the court in Hungary. Problems abroad have prevented Ealdred in reaching Edward the Exile in Hungary, but at least they have knowledge of his existence and where he can be found.
1057
Harold Godwinson, now Earl of Wessex since his father died in 1053, was definitely abroad in 1057 and may have been part of the expedition that took place to bring Edward the Exile and his Hungarian family home to England. Edward the Exile was referred to as such because when his father, Ironside, died of wounds he sustained in battle fighting Cnut's forces, he was sent, with his mother and his brother Edmund, to King Olof of Sweden's court by Cnut, to be disposed of. Instead of carrying out Cnut's wishes, they were secreted away to Kiev and somehow Edward ended up at the court of King Stephen in Hungary. Edward the Exile returned to England this year and with him came his wife Agota, a Hungarian noble lady, his two daughters Cristina and Margaret and his infant son, Edgar, who was later to become Edgar the Atheling. Margaret later became the wife of King Malcolm III of Scotland.
Unfortunatley, Edward the Exile died within 3 days of arriving in England and never got to meet the King. The Chronicles suggest that this might have been contrived, that perhaps he was prevented from seeing his uncle and, although not directly stated, murdered. There is no evidence to say that he was, but they do not mention the cause of his death. Some historians have suggested also that this might have been the doing of the Godwinsons as they were on the rise and that Harold had already had his eye on the crown. Again there is no evidence to point the finger of murder at Harold or anyone for that matter. One can, however, imagine that rumours would have been rife, especially given the circumstances of Edward's death.
From then on, little Edgar, probably around 5 years old at the time, was known as the Atheling and proclaimed throneworthy because of his royal blood. He and his sisters and mother were no doubt taken into Queen Edith's care and Edgar would have been nurtured as any Royal Prince would have been.
1064
By this time, Harold Godwinson was practically running the country. It was he who had been leading most of the military operations: Harold and Bishop Ealdred led the expedition into Wales, following the Welsh King Gruffydd and exiled Lord Alfgar of Mercia's attack on Hereford, which the King's nephew, Ralph de Mantes, then the Earl of Hereford failed to repel.There may have been some following incursions by Gruffydd and Alfgar and a contingent of Norsemen in 1058 which again Harold would have led the forces against. The English chronicles are vague about this occurrence but the Irish Annales describe it as a massive attempt to invade by Magnus of Norway with the Welsh and Alfgar's alliance. In 1063, Harold and Tostig twice led invasions into Wales and devastated the country, possibly after finally losing patience with Gruffydd; the Welsh themselves put an end to their leader after the terrible punishment inflicted by Harold's army. They sent Gruffydd's head to Harold who presented it to King Edward.
Harold was titled Dux Anglorum and was by all intents, the second most important and wealthiest man beside the King, in England. He was pretty much in charge as Edward, politically weak, was ineffective compared with the power that Harold had. Wealth and land meant having plenty of retainers and Harold had plenty of all of those things. He was extremely powerful and he had three brothers, all earls too.
In 1064, for some unclear reason, Harold decided to take leave of the King and travel to Normandy. There are two versions of course, as to the reason why Harold did this. Version 1 comes first and as we all know that old adage; "history is always written by the victors" is quite relevant here. Norman Chroniclers William de Jumieges and William of Poitiers have both asserted that Edward sent Harold to Normandy around this time to confirm that William would succeed to the throne upon his death. Version 2, the English version, was written by Eadmer, a monk of Canterbury, though written some years after the battle, when it was probably more safe to do so. Eadmer asserts that Harold went to Normandy to try to negotiate the release of his brother Wulfnoth and his nephew Hakon, against his King's advice or wishes; Edward told him that 'nought good will come of such a journey'. Unfortunately, Harold's indifference toward his King's advice was to lead to his eventual downfall. Harold wanted the release of his kinsmen, who had been hostages in Normandy since Robert Champart had left London for Normandy with them back in 1052. The Normans would say that the boys had been sent with Edward's permission to the Duke as surety that he would keep his word about the promise of the throne. Perhaps this is so; Edward may have been expecting Robert's return to England, but it was clear in a few years, that any negotiations that had taken place with William were going to disappear into the ether as far as the English were concerned.
Both these versions can be followed in the Bayeux Tapestry. The Tapestry can, whichever theory one chooses to follow, be interpreted to allude to both. It is my opinion that Eadmer's version is the correct. I do believe that Harold, though probably a very foolish idea, went with the purpose of retrieving his brother and nephew. Why at that time and not earlier is a question that is not answerable, for there is no information on the workings of Harold's mind unfortunately. Edward would have known William reasonably well, for he had been in Normandy as an exile when the Duke was growing up. I do not believe like some people do, that he had promised the young Duke the kingdom before he left for England, for there was no way of him knowing that he would ever have been king, especially as his brother, Harthacnut was only 24 and likely to live on and beget heirs of his own. And the boy-Duke's father before him had not been that supportive of Edward regaining his kingship so there was no need for him to feel particularly grateful to the young Duke William as some have suggested. If anything was said between them, I believe that it might have been the sort of child-friendly conversation that an older relative might have with a younger relative, "Oh sure, one day if I am king.."sort of thing. So Edward probably knew that William, when he wanted something, didn't stop until he got it. After all, why should he be content with a small corner of France when he could have a whole Kingdom? And who better suited to be King than a man such as he? He had been base born, he wanted to redeem that feature of his life and all those who had mocked him for having been born a bastard and made disparaging remarks about his mother's family would soon be laughing on the other side of their faces when he was King of England!
So Harold falls into William's clutches in Normandy. Having rescued him from Guy de Ponthieu as he is blown off course in his ship with his men, William has the eminent Earl where he wants him. William will not let Harold go back to England until he has sworn fealty to him, making him his vassal. William disregards the fact that the Earl of Wessex, equally as powerful in his own country, if not more, cannot be made his vassal, but Harold sees no other way out. If he doesn't agree to kneel before the Duke, he and his men and his kinsmen, will never go home. And according to the old Teutonic laws, an oath given under duress, such as Harold is made to make, can be rescinded at a later date when safe to do so, much like making a promise with one's fingers crossed.
So Harold returns to England, with only one of his kinsmen, Hakon, who would have been about 17 or 18 years old. Wulfnoth, his brother, would be reunited with his family when William was king. Edward, is not amused and according to Eadmer tells the Earl, "I told you so."
1066
Edward lies dying in his palace at Westminster. With him are his closest companions; Robert FitzWimarc, Edward's kinsman and standard-bearer who is also related to William of Normandy; Edith, his wife and Queen; Archbishop Stigand and Harold Godwinson. Even the Norman chronicler admits that here, as Edward draws his last breath, Edward declares that he leaves his wife and his kingdom in Harold's care. It doesn't really make any difference anyway, and we might be forgiven in thinking that this is an afterthought from the Godwinson's spindoctors, because it seems that from the haste with which Harold is crowned, the Witan and everyone involved have already decided that Harold is to be the wearer of the crown now.
When William hears about his good friend Harold usurping his crown, he is enraged. In fact enraged doesn't cut it. He is incandescent with such anger that he cannot speak. That crown is his! Harold swore on holy relics that he would support him and would pave the way for him. William doesn't rest on his laurels. He gathers all his vassals and all those who answer his call for aid, promising them great rewards if they will enter into this great venture of his to England. "You'll never do it," some of them say. William is determined to prove them wrong. He goes off to the Pope and acquires the Popes approval and a Papal Banner. Harold is an oath-breaker and a usurping devil! His good name is dragged through the mud; he is a fornicator, a robber of churches and stealer of lands among many other dastardly deeds. He, William, is a devout and just man. Edward promised him the crown and therefore he will just have to go and take it from the usurper.
William, convinces all that this is a project worth undertaking with promises of lands a plenty in England - lands, I might add, that are not his to give. There are plenty of landless knights in Normandy and the offer of wealth, territory and a possible position in the new regime, is all it takes to change any skeptical minds. He sets about building a flotilla, large enough to carry ships, arms and prefab castles and men, thousands of men, and horses. This is a major undertaking and one has to admire the determination and the courage of the man. He is, no doubt, a remarkable man.
Meanwhile, Harold stands down the fyrd for Harvest time. The men that have been watching the coast for signs of William's coming can not be held upon to do more than their fair share of fyrd duty and he has kept them beyond the 2 months required already. Seeing no sign of the Normans (he knows they are coming having sent spies abroad to investigate) he breathes a sigh of relief, but before he knows it, his brother Tostig, exiled after they fell out in 1065, invades Yorkshire with Harald Hardrada. Hardrada has his sights set on being King of England and Tostig has found him a useful ally who promises him his lost northern earldom back. Hardrada and Tostig defeat the northern earls, brothers Edwin and Morcar at Fulford Gate. When Harold hears of this invasion, he marches north with his household guard - the Huscarles and collects armies from the counties along the way. As King, he is entitled to call on the national fyrd in times of crisis and this, is a time of crisis! Harold surprised them, their steel glinting in the sunshine as they come upon the Norse army and surprise them whilst the unsuspecting Norse are sunning themselves in the fields at Stamford Bridge without their armour, waiting for the York townspeople to arrive with the hostages promised to them after their victory at Fulford. Harold's army defeat Tostig and Hardrada, both men dying during the battle. Harold hardly has time to rest when word comes that William and his troops have landed along the Sussex coast and are burning the lands thereabouts, including Harold's manors.
Harold and his tired huscarles are forced to march south, this time to face the invading Frenchmen. This time, on the way down south, he gathers the fyrds of the shires and the counties that did not march north with him to Stamford. It is a different army that comes south for the Battle of Hastings. But it is Harold's own men who are the worn and tired soldiers that fight and die with him.
14th October 1066
So William and Harold's men face each other, 9 hours past midnight. William's are at the bottom of Telham Hill and are looking up at Harold's shieldwall along Senlac Ridge on Caldbeck Hill. They have to get their horses up that steep incline to where the solid wall of men, all baying and calling out for their blood, stand rigid on the hill. Several times they are repulsed as they fight their way up toward them. Several of them are killed by the spears and the huge Dane axes that can cut the heads from their horses, cleave the men also that are riding them. The air is filled with voices shouting in French and English and possibly Latin.
"Dex Aie!" shout the Normans and the French. It means God aid us!
"Holi Cross!" shout the English, referring to the piece of the real Cross that was said to have been ensconced in Harold's church at Waltham.
William is fighting for his life. He is trapped there, boxed in with only the land between him and his ships. If he loses today, he is a dead man. Harold, known for his merciful treatment of his enemy, will make an exception for him, he is sure. He has to win today. He cannot lose! But at first, the battle looks to be going nowhere. His men are repulsed by the ferocity of the English and the horses cannot break the shieldwall.
Harold orders his men to keep the line. They must not break it at all cost. He is in the centre of the crush with his standards, his fighting man and the Dragon of Wessex fluttering high in the breeze. Sworn to protect him are his household guard, around 300 of them. His bothers Gyrth and Leofwin are also there with their own huscarles. These are the highly trained professional warriors, the men with the Dane Axes. Gyrth and his mother Countess Gytha have tried to persuade him to wait until the resting fyrd could make the journey south to join them, after they have recovered from Stamford Bridge and Fulford. Earls Morcar and Edwin should be coming to their aid any day. When Harold refused to wait, his brother Gyrth begs him to allow him to fight in his place until the rest of the army comes. Harold refuses and it is reported that there is a touching scene where Gytha, Harold's devoted mother, clasps his leg, imploring him not to go and he kicks her away in anger. It is a matter of honour that he fights and not anyone else on his behalf; and if God decides that he should be the victor or the loser, so be it. It was in His hands.
Just when William, who also has two of his brothers with him, Bishop Odo and Robert Mortain, is thinking that victory might escape him, he is unhorsed three times, each time commandeering a horse from one of his knights. The Frenchmen, Bretons and Normans hear that he has been killed and they begin to turn around, cavalry and footsoldiers alike, bowmen and crossbowmen too who have been raining arrows up hill all day uselessly, all turn to run for their lives. But Odo, William's brother calls their attention to his brother who has lifted his helm back off his face so they can see it is him. "Look at me! It is I, your Lord and I am alive!"
He rallies them back, shouting that he will kill them if they desert. Seeing he is alive they regroup and the battle is back on.
Then come the feign retreats. The cavalry look as if they are retreating and the English start to run down the hill toward them thinking they are going to rout the invaders. But the Cavalry see that the English have broken out of their lines and encircle them, cutting them down without mercy. This happens again and Harold must look on with despair in his heart, shouting for his men not to break their lines and remember his orders. But they do not listen. It is around this time that both the King's brothers, Gyrth and Leofwin are killed.
The battle continues and dusk approaches. The English shieldwall is depleted but standing strong, still. William is almost despairing of getting the break he hopes for and Harold is praying that the wall will hold until darkness falls, when the fighting will have to stop. William tells his archers to shoot up high in the air so that the arrows will come down at a different gradient and hopefully catch the English at a better angle. This works! A barrage of arrows rain down on the English catching them as they involuntarily look up, hitting them on their shoulders, the exposed parts of their faces, their heads, those without helmets, in their throats. The school of thought has often been that Harold was hit in the eye with an arrow. I do not believe that this happened. This is was what happened as the Carmen states: William spies Harold fighting for his life with his body guard and with the lines breaking, he gathers four of his soldiers and they target him, spearing him in the throat, cutting his leg off at the thigh, emasculating and disemboweling and beheading him. Around him, his huscarles die with him, the men who have fought so hard to save him and keep him alive. It was in the English mindset of the time, that they should die with their lord and this is remarked upon by the foreign invaders, that their loyalty and honour is their downfall.
As Harold dies in the blood and the slough, the battle is lost. A few men, late comers perhaps, valiantly try to make a stand on a hillock but are eventually chased to their deaths like the other survivors who run into the forest in the hope of escape as the dark comes down.
William can now dare to be victorious as around him, the flower of the English nobility lay in tatters
So we have examined the events leading up to this great battle and now know something of why the battle took place. William believed he had been promised the crown, I am in no doubt about that, but he was an arrogant man and would not have given English laws or customs any consideration when Harold's messages came back to him. That the majority of the English did not wish for a Norman to rule, I also have no doubt by the amount of men who turned out for him that day; there were many more on their way also, I do believe. The English wanted the right to choose their own king and William could not understand that concept.
William did not conquer England on that day, Saturday the14th October 1066. It took him at least 5 more years putting down rebellions, notably Hereward's rebellion, Edgar Atheling's also and Eadric the Wild's. Even the sons of Harold had a go at invading from Ireland, but they did not have the power their father had.
William was fighting for a crown he believed was his. His followers were fighting for the promise of wealth and land that was not theirs. The English were fighting for their homes and a system they themselves had created. they wanted England to be ruled by an Englishman. The year had started off well for Harold. He was regarded well in contemporary sources. A fair man, a just and good king. He too had faults, he was ambitious and wanted power. He had a distinguishable career and at the time that Edward had died, there was no other choice but him for king. He was the obvious choice. He was powerful, he had noble blood and he had the experience that the young Edgar lacked, to face the Norman duke. He could have supported Edgar's claim, acted as regent, but if I had been him, I would have felt like I'd earned the crown.
What happened on that day happened as it was meant to. We cannot change the past, although it often haunts us and the what ifs and the if only's will call to us in the signs that our forebears leave us in the landscape and in the ancient ruins. Their voices echo to us like whispers in the wind, blown through the pages of the history books; and the hidden secrets that mingle with the lies and the untruths are what keeps us looking for what really happened.
Bibliography
Barlow F (1997) Edward the Confessor by (2nd ed) Yale University Press, US.
Harvey Wood H (2008) The Battle of Hastings: The Fall of Anglo-Saxon England, Atlantic books, London.
Rex P (2009) 1066: A New History of the Norman Conquest, Amberley Publishing, Gloucs.
Stenton F (1997) Anglo Saxon England (3rd ed) Oxford University Press, US.
Swanton M (2000) The Anglo Saxon Chronicles (2nd ed) Phoenix Press, US.
This has been part of my research for my novel Sons of the Wolf of which I am giving a way a copy. Please comment here if you would like to win one.
And so on this day in 1066, to pay my respects to all those men who died there for what they believed in, I have revisited the battle site and as I am here, the voices of those who fought here that day, echo down the winds of time, willing their story to be told. But their story does not start or end with William's victory that day, it starts long before that. What happened that caused that great battle to happen; The Battle of Hastings? Why did William of Normandy, commonly known as William the Conqueror or William the Bastard, choose to embark on such a massive venture, taking an enormous gamble to risk so much for the crown of England. What made him think that he had that right anyway? Why did Harold supposedly 'usurp' the throne from its rightful owner. Why did he not support Edgar the Atheling's claim to the throne? Why didn't Edward officially nominate William as his successor and why did the Witan support Harold's claim?
To answer all these questions one needs to examine the back-story. But where is a good place to start? For me, I think 1051 is as good a place as any.
1051
King Edward approaching his 50's has sat on the throne now for 9 years and is beginning to make in-roads in distancing himself from the influence of Godwin, the canny and powerful Earl of Wessex. Edward has never been able to forgive his leading Earl for the part he played in the death of his younger brother Alfred, even though Godwin has been found innocent of any wrong doing under oath. Edward's long time friend, Robert Champart of Jumieges, the newly appointed Archbishop of Canterbury and Godwin's sworn enemy, finds it easier and easier every day to poison the King's already festering mind, with evil against the Earl.The Earl of Wessex, he whispers into Edward's ear, killed your brother and now he is going to kill you. The Archbishop wants Godwin out of the way so he can exert his influence over the King without any impediment.
Now Into the scene comes Edward's dear departed sister's husband, Eustace of Boulogne, that little French province of which he is count, and a plot is devised - or so it appears - to oust Godwin and his family from power. It seems that there is more than one person who might benefit from the Godwinsons' departure from power, for they are on the rise, with 2 of his sons in Earldoms of their own and 3 more waiting in the wings for their own. Eustace and his men cause havoc in the town of Dover on their way home from a visit with the King. Dover is in Godwin's jurisdiction. A fight ensues between the men of Dover and Eustace's men because the townfolk are outraged at the Frenchmen's demand for food and lodging. They probably have neglected to ask nicely. A comparative amount of men on both sides are killed due to the fight and Eustace and his men scurry back to the King to tell tales on Dover. Godwin is summoned before a disgusted King Edward who demands that he punish the Doverians by burning it to the ground. Godwin naturally comes down on the side of his town after hearing their side of the story and refuses. After a stand off with the King, Godwin and his sons lose the support of his own retainers because the other mighty earls of the realm, Earl Leofric and Earl Siward back the King against them, not wishing to engage the realm in a civil war. The Godwins are given 3 days to leave the country or they will be killed on sight. Godwin, his wife and 3 of his sons and his daughters flee to Flanders and seek asylum from Count Baldwin in St Omer. Godwin's second eldest son, Harold and his younger brother Leofwin take a ship to Ireland to seek assistance from the King there, MacDiarmitt and Edith, Godwin's daughter, married to King Edward, is eventually sent packing, unceremoniously, to a nunnery.
Meanwhile, during their exile, according to the Anglo Saxon chronicle, across the sea from Normandy comes Duke William. There is scant evidence for this visit, but later, the Normans will claim that it was then that Edward offered him the heirdom to his crown. Whether or not this actually happens remains a mystery, but it seems to fit plausibly with what happens later. Something along those lines must have taken place, otherwise why does William go to all the trouble to invade in 1066. He must have some reason to believe he was offered the crown. He didn't just pluck the idea out of nowhere. However, Edward knows that offering the crown is not his prerogative. Custom and practice dictates that English kings are permitted to name and nominate their heirs, but a number of members of the royal family are considered 'atheling' - meaning throne-worthy. It is up to the Witan to elect the future king, by approving the king's nomination or not.
So, with this in mind, I am inclined to believe that if he makes that journey to visit his cousin, William may be advised by Edward that he will consider supporting him when the time comes for him to nominate his heir. In return, perhaps William will promise to stop allowing Viking raiders to launch their raids upon England from his ports.
It seems that this idea was more likely to have been supported by Edward's Norman courtiers rather than the English. Edward had brought a few Normans with him in his entourage back in 1041 when his half brother King Harthacnut had invited him to come home from exile in Normandy. They would not have been very popular with the English, especially if they had been promoted into positions of power at the expense of the native born English, even the Anglo-Danes. So, would the English courtiers have been happy with this arrangement the King might have made? I think on the whole, probably not, otherwise later, why would the King have approved a search by Bishop Ealdred to find his nephew, Edward the Exile, who was the only living relative alive with the Royal blood of Wessex?
The Duke did not have any Royal Wessex blood and had no real claim. He had no interests in England, no land or property. His only connection with Edward was through his Great Aunt Emma, who was Edward's mother, making him a second cousin to Edward. But Robert Champart, Eustace of Boulogne and the other Franco/Norman conspirators were obviously pro-William and most likely could see themselves flourishing in an England under a Norman King's rule, and at this time as the chronicles show, Robert, now Archbishop of Canterbury, was a big influence over Edward who would have relished any plot to oust Godwin from his life. But in a few months, Robert and his cronies' reign of power was soon to be over and whatever happened regarding William, Duke of Normandy, was soon put on the back burner. Within a year of his exile, Godwin and his family are back, a whirlwind of destruction as they burst their way in hurricane-style, sweeping across the Channel, back into the kingdom. Robert and his friends flee back to Normandy, taking with them the young hostages that Godwin had been forced to provide during negotiations with the King before exile; apparently for William as surety for Edward's promise to him.
1056
Eadred, Bishop of Worcester since 1046, served Edward for many years as a diplomat and a military leader. He was also a friend to the Godwins for many years. His influence was not just confined to England and he was a well travelled man, including a trip to Rome, perhaps more than once. Edward approved his visit to Germany to try and locate the whereabouts of Edward's nephew, Edward the Exile, who was the son of his older deceased brother, Edmund Ironside and King of England for a short reign. This was so he could be brought back to England and formalise him as a Royal Atheling. A title that seems to never have been bestowed upon William. Ealdred was gone for some time, around a year or so, but he eventually returns home to court without the Exile and divulges the whereabouts of the King's nephew at the court in Hungary. Problems abroad have prevented Ealdred in reaching Edward the Exile in Hungary, but at least they have knowledge of his existence and where he can be found.
1057
Harold Godwinson, now Earl of Wessex since his father died in 1053, was definitely abroad in 1057 and may have been part of the expedition that took place to bring Edward the Exile and his Hungarian family home to England. Edward the Exile was referred to as such because when his father, Ironside, died of wounds he sustained in battle fighting Cnut's forces, he was sent, with his mother and his brother Edmund, to King Olof of Sweden's court by Cnut, to be disposed of. Instead of carrying out Cnut's wishes, they were secreted away to Kiev and somehow Edward ended up at the court of King Stephen in Hungary. Edward the Exile returned to England this year and with him came his wife Agota, a Hungarian noble lady, his two daughters Cristina and Margaret and his infant son, Edgar, who was later to become Edgar the Atheling. Margaret later became the wife of King Malcolm III of Scotland.
Unfortunatley, Edward the Exile died within 3 days of arriving in England and never got to meet the King. The Chronicles suggest that this might have been contrived, that perhaps he was prevented from seeing his uncle and, although not directly stated, murdered. There is no evidence to say that he was, but they do not mention the cause of his death. Some historians have suggested also that this might have been the doing of the Godwinsons as they were on the rise and that Harold had already had his eye on the crown. Again there is no evidence to point the finger of murder at Harold or anyone for that matter. One can, however, imagine that rumours would have been rife, especially given the circumstances of Edward's death.
From then on, little Edgar, probably around 5 years old at the time, was known as the Atheling and proclaimed throneworthy because of his royal blood. He and his sisters and mother were no doubt taken into Queen Edith's care and Edgar would have been nurtured as any Royal Prince would have been.
1064
By this time, Harold Godwinson was practically running the country. It was he who had been leading most of the military operations: Harold and Bishop Ealdred led the expedition into Wales, following the Welsh King Gruffydd and exiled Lord Alfgar of Mercia's attack on Hereford, which the King's nephew, Ralph de Mantes, then the Earl of Hereford failed to repel.There may have been some following incursions by Gruffydd and Alfgar and a contingent of Norsemen in 1058 which again Harold would have led the forces against. The English chronicles are vague about this occurrence but the Irish Annales describe it as a massive attempt to invade by Magnus of Norway with the Welsh and Alfgar's alliance. In 1063, Harold and Tostig twice led invasions into Wales and devastated the country, possibly after finally losing patience with Gruffydd; the Welsh themselves put an end to their leader after the terrible punishment inflicted by Harold's army. They sent Gruffydd's head to Harold who presented it to King Edward.
Harold was titled Dux Anglorum and was by all intents, the second most important and wealthiest man beside the King, in England. He was pretty much in charge as Edward, politically weak, was ineffective compared with the power that Harold had. Wealth and land meant having plenty of retainers and Harold had plenty of all of those things. He was extremely powerful and he had three brothers, all earls too.
In 1064, for some unclear reason, Harold decided to take leave of the King and travel to Normandy. There are two versions of course, as to the reason why Harold did this. Version 1 comes first and as we all know that old adage; "history is always written by the victors" is quite relevant here. Norman Chroniclers William de Jumieges and William of Poitiers have both asserted that Edward sent Harold to Normandy around this time to confirm that William would succeed to the throne upon his death. Version 2, the English version, was written by Eadmer, a monk of Canterbury, though written some years after the battle, when it was probably more safe to do so. Eadmer asserts that Harold went to Normandy to try to negotiate the release of his brother Wulfnoth and his nephew Hakon, against his King's advice or wishes; Edward told him that 'nought good will come of such a journey'. Unfortunately, Harold's indifference toward his King's advice was to lead to his eventual downfall. Harold wanted the release of his kinsmen, who had been hostages in Normandy since Robert Champart had left London for Normandy with them back in 1052. The Normans would say that the boys had been sent with Edward's permission to the Duke as surety that he would keep his word about the promise of the throne. Perhaps this is so; Edward may have been expecting Robert's return to England, but it was clear in a few years, that any negotiations that had taken place with William were going to disappear into the ether as far as the English were concerned.
Both these versions can be followed in the Bayeux Tapestry. The Tapestry can, whichever theory one chooses to follow, be interpreted to allude to both. It is my opinion that Eadmer's version is the correct. I do believe that Harold, though probably a very foolish idea, went with the purpose of retrieving his brother and nephew. Why at that time and not earlier is a question that is not answerable, for there is no information on the workings of Harold's mind unfortunately. Edward would have known William reasonably well, for he had been in Normandy as an exile when the Duke was growing up. I do not believe like some people do, that he had promised the young Duke the kingdom before he left for England, for there was no way of him knowing that he would ever have been king, especially as his brother, Harthacnut was only 24 and likely to live on and beget heirs of his own. And the boy-Duke's father before him had not been that supportive of Edward regaining his kingship so there was no need for him to feel particularly grateful to the young Duke William as some have suggested. If anything was said between them, I believe that it might have been the sort of child-friendly conversation that an older relative might have with a younger relative, "Oh sure, one day if I am king.."sort of thing. So Edward probably knew that William, when he wanted something, didn't stop until he got it. After all, why should he be content with a small corner of France when he could have a whole Kingdom? And who better suited to be King than a man such as he? He had been base born, he wanted to redeem that feature of his life and all those who had mocked him for having been born a bastard and made disparaging remarks about his mother's family would soon be laughing on the other side of their faces when he was King of England!
So Harold falls into William's clutches in Normandy. Having rescued him from Guy de Ponthieu as he is blown off course in his ship with his men, William has the eminent Earl where he wants him. William will not let Harold go back to England until he has sworn fealty to him, making him his vassal. William disregards the fact that the Earl of Wessex, equally as powerful in his own country, if not more, cannot be made his vassal, but Harold sees no other way out. If he doesn't agree to kneel before the Duke, he and his men and his kinsmen, will never go home. And according to the old Teutonic laws, an oath given under duress, such as Harold is made to make, can be rescinded at a later date when safe to do so, much like making a promise with one's fingers crossed.
So Harold returns to England, with only one of his kinsmen, Hakon, who would have been about 17 or 18 years old. Wulfnoth, his brother, would be reunited with his family when William was king. Edward, is not amused and according to Eadmer tells the Earl, "I told you so."
1066
Edward lies dying in his palace at Westminster. With him are his closest companions; Robert FitzWimarc, Edward's kinsman and standard-bearer who is also related to William of Normandy; Edith, his wife and Queen; Archbishop Stigand and Harold Godwinson. Even the Norman chronicler admits that here, as Edward draws his last breath, Edward declares that he leaves his wife and his kingdom in Harold's care. It doesn't really make any difference anyway, and we might be forgiven in thinking that this is an afterthought from the Godwinson's spindoctors, because it seems that from the haste with which Harold is crowned, the Witan and everyone involved have already decided that Harold is to be the wearer of the crown now.
When William hears about his good friend Harold usurping his crown, he is enraged. In fact enraged doesn't cut it. He is incandescent with such anger that he cannot speak. That crown is his! Harold swore on holy relics that he would support him and would pave the way for him. William doesn't rest on his laurels. He gathers all his vassals and all those who answer his call for aid, promising them great rewards if they will enter into this great venture of his to England. "You'll never do it," some of them say. William is determined to prove them wrong. He goes off to the Pope and acquires the Popes approval and a Papal Banner. Harold is an oath-breaker and a usurping devil! His good name is dragged through the mud; he is a fornicator, a robber of churches and stealer of lands among many other dastardly deeds. He, William, is a devout and just man. Edward promised him the crown and therefore he will just have to go and take it from the usurper.
William, convinces all that this is a project worth undertaking with promises of lands a plenty in England - lands, I might add, that are not his to give. There are plenty of landless knights in Normandy and the offer of wealth, territory and a possible position in the new regime, is all it takes to change any skeptical minds. He sets about building a flotilla, large enough to carry ships, arms and prefab castles and men, thousands of men, and horses. This is a major undertaking and one has to admire the determination and the courage of the man. He is, no doubt, a remarkable man.
Meanwhile, Harold stands down the fyrd for Harvest time. The men that have been watching the coast for signs of William's coming can not be held upon to do more than their fair share of fyrd duty and he has kept them beyond the 2 months required already. Seeing no sign of the Normans (he knows they are coming having sent spies abroad to investigate) he breathes a sigh of relief, but before he knows it, his brother Tostig, exiled after they fell out in 1065, invades Yorkshire with Harald Hardrada. Hardrada has his sights set on being King of England and Tostig has found him a useful ally who promises him his lost northern earldom back. Hardrada and Tostig defeat the northern earls, brothers Edwin and Morcar at Fulford Gate. When Harold hears of this invasion, he marches north with his household guard - the Huscarles and collects armies from the counties along the way. As King, he is entitled to call on the national fyrd in times of crisis and this, is a time of crisis! Harold surprised them, their steel glinting in the sunshine as they come upon the Norse army and surprise them whilst the unsuspecting Norse are sunning themselves in the fields at Stamford Bridge without their armour, waiting for the York townspeople to arrive with the hostages promised to them after their victory at Fulford. Harold's army defeat Tostig and Hardrada, both men dying during the battle. Harold hardly has time to rest when word comes that William and his troops have landed along the Sussex coast and are burning the lands thereabouts, including Harold's manors.
Harold and his tired huscarles are forced to march south, this time to face the invading Frenchmen. This time, on the way down south, he gathers the fyrds of the shires and the counties that did not march north with him to Stamford. It is a different army that comes south for the Battle of Hastings. But it is Harold's own men who are the worn and tired soldiers that fight and die with him.
14th October 1066
So William and Harold's men face each other, 9 hours past midnight. William's are at the bottom of Telham Hill and are looking up at Harold's shieldwall along Senlac Ridge on Caldbeck Hill. They have to get their horses up that steep incline to where the solid wall of men, all baying and calling out for their blood, stand rigid on the hill. Several times they are repulsed as they fight their way up toward them. Several of them are killed by the spears and the huge Dane axes that can cut the heads from their horses, cleave the men also that are riding them. The air is filled with voices shouting in French and English and possibly Latin.
"Dex Aie!" shout the Normans and the French. It means God aid us!
"Holi Cross!" shout the English, referring to the piece of the real Cross that was said to have been ensconced in Harold's church at Waltham.
William is fighting for his life. He is trapped there, boxed in with only the land between him and his ships. If he loses today, he is a dead man. Harold, known for his merciful treatment of his enemy, will make an exception for him, he is sure. He has to win today. He cannot lose! But at first, the battle looks to be going nowhere. His men are repulsed by the ferocity of the English and the horses cannot break the shieldwall.
Harold orders his men to keep the line. They must not break it at all cost. He is in the centre of the crush with his standards, his fighting man and the Dragon of Wessex fluttering high in the breeze. Sworn to protect him are his household guard, around 300 of them. His bothers Gyrth and Leofwin are also there with their own huscarles. These are the highly trained professional warriors, the men with the Dane Axes. Gyrth and his mother Countess Gytha have tried to persuade him to wait until the resting fyrd could make the journey south to join them, after they have recovered from Stamford Bridge and Fulford. Earls Morcar and Edwin should be coming to their aid any day. When Harold refused to wait, his brother Gyrth begs him to allow him to fight in his place until the rest of the army comes. Harold refuses and it is reported that there is a touching scene where Gytha, Harold's devoted mother, clasps his leg, imploring him not to go and he kicks her away in anger. It is a matter of honour that he fights and not anyone else on his behalf; and if God decides that he should be the victor or the loser, so be it. It was in His hands.
Just when William, who also has two of his brothers with him, Bishop Odo and Robert Mortain, is thinking that victory might escape him, he is unhorsed three times, each time commandeering a horse from one of his knights. The Frenchmen, Bretons and Normans hear that he has been killed and they begin to turn around, cavalry and footsoldiers alike, bowmen and crossbowmen too who have been raining arrows up hill all day uselessly, all turn to run for their lives. But Odo, William's brother calls their attention to his brother who has lifted his helm back off his face so they can see it is him. "Look at me! It is I, your Lord and I am alive!"
He rallies them back, shouting that he will kill them if they desert. Seeing he is alive they regroup and the battle is back on.
Then come the feign retreats. The cavalry look as if they are retreating and the English start to run down the hill toward them thinking they are going to rout the invaders. But the Cavalry see that the English have broken out of their lines and encircle them, cutting them down without mercy. This happens again and Harold must look on with despair in his heart, shouting for his men not to break their lines and remember his orders. But they do not listen. It is around this time that both the King's brothers, Gyrth and Leofwin are killed.
The battle continues and dusk approaches. The English shieldwall is depleted but standing strong, still. William is almost despairing of getting the break he hopes for and Harold is praying that the wall will hold until darkness falls, when the fighting will have to stop. William tells his archers to shoot up high in the air so that the arrows will come down at a different gradient and hopefully catch the English at a better angle. This works! A barrage of arrows rain down on the English catching them as they involuntarily look up, hitting them on their shoulders, the exposed parts of their faces, their heads, those without helmets, in their throats. The school of thought has often been that Harold was hit in the eye with an arrow. I do not believe that this happened. This is was what happened as the Carmen states: William spies Harold fighting for his life with his body guard and with the lines breaking, he gathers four of his soldiers and they target him, spearing him in the throat, cutting his leg off at the thigh, emasculating and disemboweling and beheading him. Around him, his huscarles die with him, the men who have fought so hard to save him and keep him alive. It was in the English mindset of the time, that they should die with their lord and this is remarked upon by the foreign invaders, that their loyalty and honour is their downfall.
As Harold dies in the blood and the slough, the battle is lost. A few men, late comers perhaps, valiantly try to make a stand on a hillock but are eventually chased to their deaths like the other survivors who run into the forest in the hope of escape as the dark comes down.
William can now dare to be victorious as around him, the flower of the English nobility lay in tatters
So we have examined the events leading up to this great battle and now know something of why the battle took place. William believed he had been promised the crown, I am in no doubt about that, but he was an arrogant man and would not have given English laws or customs any consideration when Harold's messages came back to him. That the majority of the English did not wish for a Norman to rule, I also have no doubt by the amount of men who turned out for him that day; there were many more on their way also, I do believe. The English wanted the right to choose their own king and William could not understand that concept.
William did not conquer England on that day, Saturday the14th October 1066. It took him at least 5 more years putting down rebellions, notably Hereward's rebellion, Edgar Atheling's also and Eadric the Wild's. Even the sons of Harold had a go at invading from Ireland, but they did not have the power their father had.
William was fighting for a crown he believed was his. His followers were fighting for the promise of wealth and land that was not theirs. The English were fighting for their homes and a system they themselves had created. they wanted England to be ruled by an Englishman. The year had started off well for Harold. He was regarded well in contemporary sources. A fair man, a just and good king. He too had faults, he was ambitious and wanted power. He had a distinguishable career and at the time that Edward had died, there was no other choice but him for king. He was the obvious choice. He was powerful, he had noble blood and he had the experience that the young Edgar lacked, to face the Norman duke. He could have supported Edgar's claim, acted as regent, but if I had been him, I would have felt like I'd earned the crown.
What happened on that day happened as it was meant to. We cannot change the past, although it often haunts us and the what ifs and the if only's will call to us in the signs that our forebears leave us in the landscape and in the ancient ruins. Their voices echo to us like whispers in the wind, blown through the pages of the history books; and the hidden secrets that mingle with the lies and the untruths are what keeps us looking for what really happened.
Bibliography
Barlow F (1997) Edward the Confessor by (2nd ed) Yale University Press, US.
Harvey Wood H (2008) The Battle of Hastings: The Fall of Anglo-Saxon England, Atlantic books, London.
Rex P (2009) 1066: A New History of the Norman Conquest, Amberley Publishing, Gloucs.
Stenton F (1997) Anglo Saxon England (3rd ed) Oxford University Press, US.
Swanton M (2000) The Anglo Saxon Chronicles (2nd ed) Phoenix Press, US.
This has been part of my research for my novel Sons of the Wolf of which I am giving a way a copy. Please comment here if you would like to win one.
October 5, 2013
Why I think British History should be taught in our primary schools
The anniversary of the Battle of Hasting looms and 1066 is one of those dates that almost everyone knows of but not necessarily what happened or why it happened. Ask an English person when the Battle of Hastings took place, most will know that it took place in 1066 but who fought who and why is less known. Many children these days are not taught about this pivotal event in English history although I know from my own experience as a mum that my children, who have all gone through school now, were taught about the Anglo-Saxons in primary school only. But what did those primary school children actually learn about the Anglo Saxons? Do they retain any of that knowledge as they grow up as to who those funny Germanic people actually were – do they actually realise that they were the original ‘English’, the ancestors of today’s English. I see that the Key stage 1 curriculum has been disapplied which means that now teachers are free to design their own curriculum to suit their pupils needs. What a shame that the history of this land might be subject to the whims of teachers who may think that British history is not relevant to today's school children and many schools with large ethnic minorities. Not that I think that this is what will happen, but it is no longer a given that pupils will learn the chronological history of the land in which they live. This might sound un PC to you, but how better to create a sense of cohesiveness and a sense of belonging than by everyone, no matter what their ethnic background, learning and participating in history lessons, taking part in trips to wonderful castles and other living history exhibits that facilitate learning in an exciting, interactive and interesting way? The children of these migrant families, whatever their generation, may one day have descendants who will intermarry. The likelihood of this is quite high. Of course our history is relevant to them and to those who might also not intermarry. As a re-enactor I want to share the history I portray with those who live with side by side with me in this land as much as I like to learn about the culture of others I meet in my everyday life.
History is important and relevant because it helps us to learn from the past – so that we do not have to bear witness to the same scenes of man’s inhumanity to his fellow man time and time again; atrocities that have plagued humankind since man fought his way out of the primordial ooze. I know that time has shown that we don't learn completely, but small changes can make big differences and maybe now, in this century, it is time that we made a start. Children hopefully will never again be forced down coal mines or chimneys. What we have learned from the first and second world wars, stopped Nazism from holding dominion over society again. It still exists, but it doesn’t flourish like it did in the earlier half of the last century. Ethnic cleansing reared its ugly head back in the 90’s with Bosnia and Kosovo, but although slow to react, the world has shown their disapproval of such acts. Then there are still the dreadful inter-tribal wars going on in some parts of Africa, the problems in Syria, Palestine and Iraq - just a few that make me want to weep with frustration at the hopelessness of it all. But we are a work in progress and what are we if we don’t know our past? How then can we protect our future?
So if you believe that British history is important to all the children of this land then please share this post. Let’s share our different cultures together and make our future a lot brighter.
History is important and relevant because it helps us to learn from the past – so that we do not have to bear witness to the same scenes of man’s inhumanity to his fellow man time and time again; atrocities that have plagued humankind since man fought his way out of the primordial ooze. I know that time has shown that we don't learn completely, but small changes can make big differences and maybe now, in this century, it is time that we made a start. Children hopefully will never again be forced down coal mines or chimneys. What we have learned from the first and second world wars, stopped Nazism from holding dominion over society again. It still exists, but it doesn’t flourish like it did in the earlier half of the last century. Ethnic cleansing reared its ugly head back in the 90’s with Bosnia and Kosovo, but although slow to react, the world has shown their disapproval of such acts. Then there are still the dreadful inter-tribal wars going on in some parts of Africa, the problems in Syria, Palestine and Iraq - just a few that make me want to weep with frustration at the hopelessness of it all. But we are a work in progress and what are we if we don’t know our past? How then can we protect our future?
So if you believe that British history is important to all the children of this land then please share this post. Let’s share our different cultures together and make our future a lot brighter.
September 3, 2013
the Spectacular Virtual Review Group Blog Launch
https://www.facebook.com/events/36801...
Please join us on on the link above for fun and games as for a fortnight, The Review Group celebrate the launch of their blog. starts this weekend 7th September.
www.thereviewgroup.blogspot.co.uk
There will be a variety of different posts each day, reviews, author interviews, guest posts and special features. And not to mention some really great giveaways!!!!!
With featured authors such as Michelle D Gent, Robert Southworth, Judith Arnopp, Steven A. Mackay, Lorraine Hunt Lynn, Karen Aminadra and the historian, Simon Stirling, there will be no shortage of interesting and fun posts!
Hope to see you there!
Please join us on on the link above for fun and games as for a fortnight, The Review Group celebrate the launch of their blog. starts this weekend 7th September.
www.thereviewgroup.blogspot.co.uk
There will be a variety of different posts each day, reviews, author interviews, guest posts and special features. And not to mention some really great giveaways!!!!!
With featured authors such as Michelle D Gent, Robert Southworth, Judith Arnopp, Steven A. Mackay, Lorraine Hunt Lynn, Karen Aminadra and the historian, Simon Stirling, there will be no shortage of interesting and fun posts!
Hope to see you there!
August 27, 2013
RIP Richard III - Long Live King Henry VII!- THE SUMMER OF OUR DISCONTENT AND BAD BEHAVIOUR
Well, it's that time of the year again, when all sense of respect, manners and decent human qualities appear to be thrown as caution to the wind. Well, it doesn't always have to be August the 22nd for there to be insults flying between the Tudorites and the Ricardians, but the anniversary of Bosworth seems to bring out the worse in everyone and if you're a little obsessed with either of these two men, or unhinged in some way,like the woman who recently showed herself up on someone's timeline, then all hell breaks out on that fabulous medium that we know and love - Facebook. It never ceases to amaze me how people in these FB groups go way over what I consider to be healthy in their quest to defend or promulgate their love for their idols to the extent that they will jump in on threads in groups that they don't normally post to make insulting, provocative and disrespectful remarks, even on people's own timelines which is very rude in my view. What is this about Henry and Richard that inspire such childish and awful behaviour in supposedly adult, intelligent people? Ok so we all have our own views of each man, but for goodness sake, they've been dead for more than 500 years! We only know them in the sense of what has been written about them and there has been a lot of differing opinions about them over the years.
For a long time, the Richard III Society and other organisations have done their best to reform his character, perhaps to the point of over compensating for Richard's previously maligning by Shakespeare and Moore et al. They have found rationales for his execution without trial of Will Hastings, his declaration his wife's mother being dead when she wasn't, and reasons why he couldn't have possibly killed his nephews, pointing the finger at either Buckingham or Margaret Beaufort. The Henrians on the other hand state that this airy fairytale Richard who could actually do no wrong was not quite the darling all the Ricardians were making him out to be and they too then came up with rationales. Little Margaret Beaufort couldn't have possibly have done it, after all she neither had the motive nor the means, did she. And of course, as far as they're concerned, Richard had all the motives and not only that, he wasn't a very nice chap for not giving Hastings a trial and where was the loyalty he was supposed to have shown his brother all his life when he stole the crown from his twelve year old nephew? And of course over the years there has been argument for and against these two chaps, counter-arguments follow and follow and we see the two factions going round in circles with their arguments with neither side capitulating to the other. None-the-less, I do believe there were a few little victories as some staunch Ricardians began to see the arguments that the Henrians were putting forth as actually holding some weight, including me. Having said that I've never considered myself a Ricardian in the sense that I'm a fully paid up Richard III Society member but from my twenties when I read the wonderful The Sunne in Spleandour by the lovely Sharon Kay Penman and then went on to read other non-fiction books about him to read the 'facts', I was fiercely pro-Richard. Nowadays, I'm not totally convinced that he didn't murder his nephews, either indirectly or directly. However nor can I be sure that it wasn't Margaret Beaufort. Anyway, I'm no longer under the impression that he was the Mills and Boon Richard who rescued his lady love from a Cinderella style scenario and had perfectly good reasons for all the bad things he did after his brother's death, though I am sure that he probably did in his eyes.
Now Henry, he was not a total good bean either, was he? He predated his reign from the day before
Bosworth so he could confiscate the lands of all those who fought against him, thus disinheritng their children. Not really fair that, was it. He also had young Edward of Warwick executed, but at least he had a trial to which he pleaded guilty to plotting with Perkin Warbeck. It was also thought that he may have been a little simple and naive because he had been kept imprisoned for so long. His was a sad story. Apparently he executed poor John of Gloucester, Richard's bastard son after giving him an annuity of £20 pounds a year. But as for his execution, the only source that sites it is a 17thc one, and even then the author doesn't directly name him, referring to him as a base-born son of Richard III. So we cannot be sure that Henry did indeed execute him. There are no records of John's death. But on the whole, Henry was an astute statesman, creating stability in the country and created prosperity and secured his crown through his enactments against livery and maintenance so that the barons would be unable to keep large numbers of retainers effectively forming private armies. Despite these qualities, he was said to have been rapacious in his financial dealings which enabled him to amass great wealth at the expense of others.So here we have two very different men, one a warrior and one a statesman. Both were kings. The why's and the wherefores as to who deserved the crown more are as irrelevant today as a betamax recorder. It has happened; they happened. It's over. Why do people have to get at one another in such a ridiculously childish, irreverent manner. Ok so, you like Henry? I like Richard. Who cares? It's great to commemorate our idols lives but why does one party or the other feel the necessity to insult and goad and bitch at the other?
I was talking to a WOR re-enactor (he wanted to remain nameless) today and I asked him if there existed the same animosity in the society between the various factions and this is what he said: "There is *absolutely none*, that I've ever seen. You can't afford to hold grudges against people who are going to be swinging steel weaponry at you. Generally, you tend to be 'mates' within your own household/retinue but get on civilly (with the occasional bit of joshing or reminders of past embarrassments) with other groups."
As I am also a re-enactor and he asked me if the Saxons hated the Vikings and I said there is never any animosity between any of us, we share a love of history, despite which side we like to fight on, its never personal. Its history we portray, not long forgotten personal vendettas and enmities.
It seems that perhaps when people are on Facebook, sitting at the computer and looking at a screen, they lose all sense of propriety. I'll admit, I'm no saint, I'm not above the odd debate and I'm not above letting someone know if I think they've been downright malicious and nasty but a lot of these people I've noticed hide behind pictures of flowers or cartoons, it makes me wonder what they've got to hide. I've even seen people go onto Fan pages on FB and expect to have a serious historical debate! It's a fan page for goodness sake! This is so disrespectful to the author and the people who run it. It's the height of rudeness if you ask me. People should leave the historical debates to the serious historical debating groups and if you're brave enough to go into one of those then expect to be pounced on if your view is different from theirs. But some people thrive on this kind of debate and that's fine, I guess I'm a bit feint hearted when it comes to serious historical debate.
So, what do I think of these two men? I have a lot to learn about Henry and have on my tbr list The Winter King which I am told is very good. I'm yet to find him vaguely interesting, inspiring or mildly amusing even. He appears to be very bland really but one thing that I did hear about him was that he loved Elizabeth his wife and was desperately sad when she died. That touched me and maybe that's a good place to start.
I still admire Richard and consider myself pro-him, but mostly I admire his skills and generalship as a soldier. It is this quality that interests me most and he was as I like to call him, a Bad Ass. In truth though, there were a lot of worse things done by other kings. Look at the brutal way Edward I behaved toward the Scottish and the Welsh, not to mention his own people. Anyway that's another blog, he he!
So just so you know, all this is my own work and if I have made any errors, they are mine and no one else's.
August 17, 2013
PAULA's PEOPLE GUEST SPOT: GAYLE COPPER, TATTOO ARTIST AND BOOK ILLUSTRATOR
Fabulous body artist and book illustrator Gayle worked with me on my first novel Sons of the Wolf and has been working really hard on the illustration for the cover of the sequel, The Wolf Banner. Thanks Gayle for allowing me to interview you on my blog. Gayle is a good friend of mine and we met through our mutual love of historical re-enactment. apart from being an amazingly talented artist, she's pretty deadly with a 9ft spear and has killed me many a time on the battle field.
So Gayle, how long have you been involved in re-enactment? On and off for around twenty years re-enacting different time periods. I much prefer the Dark Ages though.
Do you find that re-enacting helps you in your work as an artist? Everything helps being an artist.I really enjoy this time period so working with you on your cover has been great fun.
Apart from your career and re-enactment, you have lots of hobbies. Can you tell us about some of them? I enjoy so many things there is never enough time (or paper) for them. I spend time boxing and target rifle shooting, off roading and camping.There are also so many hobbies within re-enactment.
You're mum to a gorgeous little boy. With your busy schedule, how do you fit everything in? I'm not really sure, I think great support from my family and friends.He joins in with most of my hobbies, and enjoys them as much as i do.
Can you tell us about Steel Point and what makes it different from other Tattoo Parlours? At Steel Point we pride ourselves on
being friendly and professional and can cater for every style, we enjoy designing custom pieces. We excel in good work and customer care, it's a great environment for us and the customers and the atmosphere makes it a pleasure to come in every day.
Before and after cover-upWhat is the funniest/interesting piece of artwork you've ever had to do? I once did a roast chicken on a girl's bum, full colour with steam and all.
What's your favourite style? Can we see some images? All styles are fun to do, colour, black and grey. I love a challenge, I especially love cover-ups and repair work. also as a qualified paramedical tattoo artist I do a lot of cosmetic work as well. The picture right is of a cover up I've recently done.
You have a great team working for you at Steel Point, can you tell us about them? They are really the best, Mark, Nadz and York are amazing artists, Mark is our traditional and flash artist and also our piercer. Nadz is great for fantasy work and York totally owns script work and all writing styles. Anna and Trevor keep it all together, they are our awesome trainees and assistant piercers. They really couldn't be a better team!
What inspires you when you are working on the illustrations for my novel? Luckily I have all the benefit of the photos from all the Regia events and a love of the period. I think even you are in one of the pictures in kit, though you wouldn't know it unless I pointed it out to you?A lot of the drawings are inspired by actual people and places. I have even asked friends to model for inspiration. It's a lot of fun and I look forward to doing more.
It's been great having you work on them, I couldn't ask for a more talented illustrator! One more thing, what sort of books do you like to read? Sci-fi and fantasy, I really enjoyed your book.
The Steel Point team
Steelpoint are based in Croydon, South London. To learn more about Gayle and her teams’ work at Steel Point, visit http://www.steelpointtattoos.co.uk and check out the fabulous website there.
So Gayle, how long have you been involved in re-enactment? On and off for around twenty years re-enacting different time periods. I much prefer the Dark Ages though.Do you find that re-enacting helps you in your work as an artist? Everything helps being an artist.I really enjoy this time period so working with you on your cover has been great fun.
Apart from your career and re-enactment, you have lots of hobbies. Can you tell us about some of them? I enjoy so many things there is never enough time (or paper) for them. I spend time boxing and target rifle shooting, off roading and camping.There are also so many hobbies within re-enactment.
You're mum to a gorgeous little boy. With your busy schedule, how do you fit everything in? I'm not really sure, I think great support from my family and friends.He joins in with most of my hobbies, and enjoys them as much as i do.Can you tell us about Steel Point and what makes it different from other Tattoo Parlours? At Steel Point we pride ourselves on
being friendly and professional and can cater for every style, we enjoy designing custom pieces. We excel in good work and customer care, it's a great environment for us and the customers and the atmosphere makes it a pleasure to come in every day.
Before and after cover-upWhat is the funniest/interesting piece of artwork you've ever had to do? I once did a roast chicken on a girl's bum, full colour with steam and all. What's your favourite style? Can we see some images? All styles are fun to do, colour, black and grey. I love a challenge, I especially love cover-ups and repair work. also as a qualified paramedical tattoo artist I do a lot of cosmetic work as well. The picture right is of a cover up I've recently done.
You have a great team working for you at Steel Point, can you tell us about them? They are really the best, Mark, Nadz and York are amazing artists, Mark is our traditional and flash artist and also our piercer. Nadz is great for fantasy work and York totally owns script work and all writing styles. Anna and Trevor keep it all together, they are our awesome trainees and assistant piercers. They really couldn't be a better team!
What inspires you when you are working on the illustrations for my novel? Luckily I have all the benefit of the photos from all the Regia events and a love of the period. I think even you are in one of the pictures in kit, though you wouldn't know it unless I pointed it out to you?A lot of the drawings are inspired by actual people and places. I have even asked friends to model for inspiration. It's a lot of fun and I look forward to doing more.It's been great having you work on them, I couldn't ask for a more talented illustrator! One more thing, what sort of books do you like to read? Sci-fi and fantasy, I really enjoyed your book.
The Steel Point team
Steelpoint are based in Croydon, South London. To learn more about Gayle and her teams’ work at Steel Point, visit http://www.steelpointtattoos.co.uk and check out the fabulous website there.
August 6, 2013
An excerpt from my sequel the Wolf Banner
I am currently working on the first edit of the sequel to my book Sons of the Wolf The Wolf Banner. Here is a little excerpt form it
“He suffers, my lord. A soul in torment. Nary a word has he spoken since that day,” she continued. Her gaze alternated between him and the ground; when she spoke, it met his and when she paused or hesitated, it was cast downwards.
“Then why would he do such a thing…for me…for Winflaed, when he has been caused so much hurt?”
“Because you saved his little sister….from the fire.” She went to the cart and lifted out a little dark-haired child. “Remember her? You risked your life to save her. Now he risks his life to come here and give you back your child.” The little girl was now an infant of four, with Helghi’s dark curls and eyes. She had the haunted look of a child who lived constantly in fear.
Wulfhere nodded. A memory of that night came flooding back in a torrent of images. He stood for a moment gazing at the woman holding her child, and in his mind’s eye he saw the scene as if it were happening then. He had just handed over the child to her grateful mother’s arms. He watched as she walked away. From where he sat, slumped on the grass as flames from the burning building blazed around him, he’d caught her glancing back at him, mouthing ‘thank you’. The same sense of peace that had breezed through him that night touched him again. He was transported back in time and he remembered how he had felt when he saw her clutching her child, safe from harm, knowing that it was because of him that the little mite lived.
“He suffers, my lord. A soul in torment. Nary a word has he spoken since that day,” she continued. Her gaze alternated between him and the ground; when she spoke, it met his and when she paused or hesitated, it was cast downwards.
“Then why would he do such a thing…for me…for Winflaed, when he has been caused so much hurt?”
“Because you saved his little sister….from the fire.” She went to the cart and lifted out a little dark-haired child. “Remember her? You risked your life to save her. Now he risks his life to come here and give you back your child.” The little girl was now an infant of four, with Helghi’s dark curls and eyes. She had the haunted look of a child who lived constantly in fear.
Wulfhere nodded. A memory of that night came flooding back in a torrent of images. He stood for a moment gazing at the woman holding her child, and in his mind’s eye he saw the scene as if it were happening then. He had just handed over the child to her grateful mother’s arms. He watched as she walked away. From where he sat, slumped on the grass as flames from the burning building blazed around him, he’d caught her glancing back at him, mouthing ‘thank you’. The same sense of peace that had breezed through him that night touched him again. He was transported back in time and he remembered how he had felt when he saw her clutching her child, safe from harm, knowing that it was because of him that the little mite lived.
July 16, 2013
PAULA'S PEOPLE: GRACE ELLIOT - HISTORICAL ROMANCE NOVELLIST
Grace Elliot is in my spotlight this week, her latest novel, Verity's Lie is now out!
Grace Elliot leads a double life as a veterinarian by day and author of historical romance by night. Grace lives near London and is passionate about history, romance and cats! She is housekeeping staff to five cats, two sons, one husband and a bearded dragon (not necessarily listed in order of importance). “Verity’s Lie” is Grace’s fourth novel.
Verity’s Lie - Synopsis Charles Huntley, Lord Ryevale, infamous rogue…and government agent.
In unsettled times, with England at war with France, Ryevale is assigned to covertly protect a politician’s daughter, Miss Verity Verrinder. To keep Verity under his watchful eye, Ryevale plots a campaign of seduction that no woman can resist– except it seems, Miss Verrinder. In order to gain her trust Ryevale enters Verity’s world of charity meetings and bookshops…where the unexpected happens and he falls in love with his charge.
When Lord Ryevale turns his bone-melting charms on her, Verity questions his lordship’s motivation. But with her controlling father abroad, Verity wishes to explore London and reluctantly accepts Ryevale’s companionship. As the compelling attraction between them strengthens, Verity is shattered to learn her instincts are correct after all – and Ryevale is not what he seems. So if Lord Ryevale can lie, so can she… with disastrousconsequences.
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June 17, 2013
A Beautiful Analysis of my novel Sons of the Wolf by Lisl Zlitini
Whispers in the Wind: Sons of the Wolf
The above link is the most beautiful review I have ever read for a book. That it happens to be mine is by the by - but I am so grateful and lucky to have had this lady review my book for my IndieBRAG Blog Tour
Here are some highlights of the review
"In the course of the novel readers learn of other familial secrets, seamlessly revealed by Lofting in her characters’ dialogue–knots that smoothly reveal themselves–and sudden, dramatic actions and events. Like the tapestry depicting the lives and meanings of their ancestors’ world, Lofting skillfully portrays that of the Horstedes in scenes otherwise reminiscent of a typical day or evening, yet with so much meaning infused within. As Ealdgytha, Wulfhere’s beautiful but unhappy wife awaits his return,
http://www.bragmedallion.com/blog-tour/indiebrag-blog-tour for more dates.If you would like to win a copy of Sons of the Wolf, email me @ sonsofthewolf1066@googlemail.comBefore the Second Sleep is Lisl Zlitini's blog, I highly recommend it.
The above link is the most beautiful review I have ever read for a book. That it happens to be mine is by the by - but I am so grateful and lucky to have had this lady review my book for my IndieBRAG Blog Tour
Here are some highlights of the review
"In the course of the novel readers learn of other familial secrets, seamlessly revealed by Lofting in her characters’ dialogue–knots that smoothly reveal themselves–and sudden, dramatic actions and events. Like the tapestry depicting the lives and meanings of their ancestors’ world, Lofting skillfully portrays that of the Horstedes in scenes otherwise reminiscent of a typical day or evening, yet with so much meaning infused within. As Ealdgytha, Wulfhere’s beautiful but unhappy wife awaits his return,
[p]art of her was missing. Somewhere in her mind she had closed a door, locking inside the thoughts she did not want to think and the feelings she could not bear to feel.[. . . ] Then, at hearth time, she sat by the fire, chatting quite animatedly away to Gunnhild about her new pregnancy.This scene sewn into a tapestry would reveal little to an examiner, for who can see into hearts embroidered into material? Like the multitudes of others we encounter in passing each day, these people we might see, but what lives in their hearts and minds lay unknown to us even sadly, when we blow off the dust and bring our open hearts to the examination. Or perhaps, like Ealdgytha, we see something we recognize but wish to dismiss and carelessly toss the remnants of our ancestors into coffers and chests."And:'Lofting has allowed us, too, to be passionate observers rather than passive ones, because she has brought to life an era shrouded in the mystery of the unknown. With such a distance as nearly a thousand years between “us” and “them,” we already sometimes echo the wretched Alfgar’s words of his own era, “What does it matter what she felt? [. . . ] as long as you are on the winning side [. . . i]n the end it is all the same.” And given the diversity of persona across the timeline, it can hardly be disputed there were some who treated even their own times thus. In diplomatic fashion, Lofting has given even such as Alfgar voice to speak to us, even at the risk he may be matted together with slave taking, “men so drunk they pissed where they stood” and “the torn body of a dead baby lying in the mud.” 'For more, click the link at the top. Its worth reading, even just to see Lisl Zlitin's genius!
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http://www.bragmedallion.com/blog-tour/indiebrag-blog-tour for more dates.If you would like to win a copy of Sons of the Wolf, email me @ sonsofthewolf1066@googlemail.comBefore the Second Sleep is Lisl Zlitini's blog, I highly recommend it.
