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Conqueror Trilogy #1
Of the Ring of Earls
William of Normandy had come, had triumphed. Many of the English nobility lay dead, and for the survivors, including Waltheof of Huntingdon, the future could hold no certainties.
256 pages, Hardcover
Published October 26, 1970
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About the author
Juliet Dymoke
34 books25 followersJuliet Dymoke was born at Enfield in Middlesex and educated at a boarding school in the country. During the war she worked for The Canadian Army Medical Records and at that time married Hugo de Schanschieff who was then serving as an air gunner in he Royal Air Force.
It was while her husband was away in the R.A.F. that Juliet Dymoke turned her attention to writing and also to work on scripts for various films companies. She has published several books for children but counts historical novels with "more fact than fiction" as her particular field. She has travelled all over the British Isles in the course of her research, as she makes a special point of authenticity. Among her main interests are music, television drama and "anything to do with the countryside".
It was while her husband was away in the R.A.F. that Juliet Dymoke turned her attention to writing and also to work on scripts for various films companies. She has published several books for children but counts historical novels with "more fact than fiction" as her particular field. She has travelled all over the British Isles in the course of her research, as she makes a special point of authenticity. Among her main interests are music, television drama and "anything to do with the countryside".
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
October 31, 2016
Waltheof of Northumbria was the last Anglo-Saxon Earl to be killed by William the Conqueror. I knew his story from the histories, though to the modern reader he is more of a footnote. Not so to his contemporaries! Waltheof was the youngest son of Earl Siward the Strong—best known for helping Malcolm III gain the throne of Scotland at the battle of Dunsinane. Siward was also one of the three great Earls under Edward the Confessor (along with Godwine of Wessex and Leofric of Mercia). But when he died, his last living heir was still a boy, and Waltheof was passed over, not to gain an earldom until just before Harold Godwineson became king. Juliet Dymoke picks up his story before the battle of Stamford Bridge, as the young Earl begins to discover his strength and prowess. He makes a name for himself but is wounded and unable to accompany King Harold to Hastings, to his everlasting regret.
This is the setting for a compelling story which gives us an intimate look at an honest young man, torn between loyalty to his countrymen and loyalty to his new master, the undefeatable William the Conqueror. There is no going back, though the Northumbrians are slow to accept this fact. At first, King William tries to rule with a light hand though he keeps the key players close at hand. The other earls, Edwin and Morcar, chafe at their easy confinement, but Waltheof falls under the spell of King William’s niece Judith—a tie stronger than any oath of loyalty. But he cannot have her, and ultimately Waltheof falls in with the fractious earls as they launch their ill-fated rebellion leading to the Great Harrowing of the north. Luckily for Waltheof, William forgives his role and even allows Judith to marry him, though he warns the young earl that the next transgression would be his last.
I found this novel to be a compelling visit to post-conquest England. King William is not painted as a villain but there is no doubt that he is an uncompromising ruler. Our Waltheof is well-meaning but flawed, supported by good friends but blinded by passion for his long-awaited wife. We see two cultures attempting to live together, though the victors inevitably lord it over the conquered. It is not an easy time, and Waltheof inevitably gets trapped in a conflict not of his making. He is a very likeable character and I found myself wiping away a few tears at his untimely end. The author has done a good job tying all the loose ends together and giving us a sympathetic portrait of an ill-fated hero born in unhappy times.
This is the setting for a compelling story which gives us an intimate look at an honest young man, torn between loyalty to his countrymen and loyalty to his new master, the undefeatable William the Conqueror. There is no going back, though the Northumbrians are slow to accept this fact. At first, King William tries to rule with a light hand though he keeps the key players close at hand. The other earls, Edwin and Morcar, chafe at their easy confinement, but Waltheof falls under the spell of King William’s niece Judith—a tie stronger than any oath of loyalty. But he cannot have her, and ultimately Waltheof falls in with the fractious earls as they launch their ill-fated rebellion leading to the Great Harrowing of the north. Luckily for Waltheof, William forgives his role and even allows Judith to marry him, though he warns the young earl that the next transgression would be his last.
I found this novel to be a compelling visit to post-conquest England. King William is not painted as a villain but there is no doubt that he is an uncompromising ruler. Our Waltheof is well-meaning but flawed, supported by good friends but blinded by passion for his long-awaited wife. We see two cultures attempting to live together, though the victors inevitably lord it over the conquered. It is not an easy time, and Waltheof inevitably gets trapped in a conflict not of his making. He is a very likeable character and I found myself wiping away a few tears at his untimely end. The author has done a good job tying all the loose ends together and giving us a sympathetic portrait of an ill-fated hero born in unhappy times.
January 1, 2017
A Book to Remember Always!
Surely freedom is important, more precious than food,air or even life itself. There is no life without freedom. Some would say I speak cliches. But have they ever truly been free? I have and am. This is what this book tell me when I read it. Judge for yourself. A truly amazing story of a man , close to God and the true meaning of freedom. Read.
Surely freedom is important, more precious than food,air or even life itself. There is no life without freedom. Some would say I speak cliches. But have they ever truly been free? I have and am. This is what this book tell me when I read it. Judge for yourself. A truly amazing story of a man , close to God and the true meaning of freedom. Read.
May 2, 2018
Just loved it.
October 29, 2017
I loved this book! ! A great story!
September 1, 2018
Good story but the editing was terrible. Many errors of grammar, spelling, and punctuation. This was why my rating was a 3
April 3, 2017
Outstanding
The strategy, the hope, the betrayal. This is a great telling of the time immediately following 1066 from the perspective of one of the great earls. Don't read the end right before bedtime or you will lay awake all night wondering, if for some small change in plan, what might it have been? Highly recommend.
The strategy, the hope, the betrayal. This is a great telling of the time immediately following 1066 from the perspective of one of the great earls. Don't read the end right before bedtime or you will lay awake all night wondering, if for some small change in plan, what might it have been? Highly recommend.
January 28, 2011
An easy read with a likeable protagonist, although he is probably highly sanitized for modern sensibilities!
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August 5, 2011loved it, brought me to tears in some parts.....very exciting book
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews