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Sward And Sword: The Tale Of Earl Godwine
Amidst the bloodshed of 11th century combat and conquest, Saxon Godwine elevates himself from landless youth to trusted confidante of the most powerful man in England.
A kingmaker, Godwine's fealty propels six monarchs to occupy the English throne in his lifetime. But the pursuit of power is not without peril, and his skillful diplomacy and battle prowess are constantly tested by the schemes of distant, formidable enemies.
His allegiance to the monarchy pledged by sward and sword, Godwine seeks to maintain his influence as the Normans attempt to thwart him. Beset on all sides by bold and bitter adversaries, who will prevail?
This is the large print edition of Sward And Sword, with a larger font / typeface for easier reading.
A kingmaker, Godwine's fealty propels six monarchs to occupy the English throne in his lifetime. But the pursuit of power is not without peril, and his skillful diplomacy and battle prowess are constantly tested by the schemes of distant, formidable enemies.
His allegiance to the monarchy pledged by sward and sword, Godwine seeks to maintain his influence as the Normans attempt to thwart him. Beset on all sides by bold and bitter adversaries, who will prevail?
This is the large print edition of Sward And Sword, with a larger font / typeface for easier reading.
362 pages, Paperback
Published May 31, 2021
About the author
John Broughton
138 books25 followersJohn Broughton was born in Cleethorpes in Lincolnshire, studied at the local grammar school and went on to take an honours degree in Medieval and Modern History at the University of Nottingham, where he also studied Archaeology.
John retired in January 2014 and chose the period that fascinates him most – the Anglo-Saxon period – as the setting for his first historical novel. Since then, he has had 28 novels published by Next Chapter Publishing. Most are historical novels, but he also writes murder mysteries, fantasy and sci-fi.
John retired in January 2014 and chose the period that fascinates him most – the Anglo-Saxon period – as the setting for his first historical novel. Since then, he has had 28 novels published by Next Chapter Publishing. Most are historical novels, but he also writes murder mysteries, fantasy and sci-fi.
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
January 31, 2022
Fiction so real it could be fact
The author, John Broughton has an unerring talent for making his historical fiction books appear so realistic, one can easily be lulled into believing them to be true factual discourses on Britain's early history, and here, he's done it once again!
The tale of Earl Godwine and his family, their struggles, triumphs and tragedies was real enough to have me eagerly turning page after page as I couldn't tear myself away from the story, even as I read late into the night.
The action scenes are at times, brutally realistic as these were indeed brutal times, where life could be cheap and morals were certainly very different to those of today. From renegade princes to conspiring bishops and treasonous relatives, it's a wonder some people survived to reach adulthood in those turbulent times.
I'm not giving away too much in the way of spoilers as I don't want to spoil things for the readers who will follow me. Suffice it to say that I thoroughly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys historical fiction that reads like a dose of historical fact, a really excellent trait that isn't that easy to achieve. Definitely a big 5 stars from me, and by the way, do watch out for the evil Queen Emma, a villain worthy of any book of any genre!
The author, John Broughton has an unerring talent for making his historical fiction books appear so realistic, one can easily be lulled into believing them to be true factual discourses on Britain's early history, and here, he's done it once again!
The tale of Earl Godwine and his family, their struggles, triumphs and tragedies was real enough to have me eagerly turning page after page as I couldn't tear myself away from the story, even as I read late into the night.
The action scenes are at times, brutally realistic as these were indeed brutal times, where life could be cheap and morals were certainly very different to those of today. From renegade princes to conspiring bishops and treasonous relatives, it's a wonder some people survived to reach adulthood in those turbulent times.
I'm not giving away too much in the way of spoilers as I don't want to spoil things for the readers who will follow me. Suffice it to say that I thoroughly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys historical fiction that reads like a dose of historical fact, a really excellent trait that isn't that easy to achieve. Definitely a big 5 stars from me, and by the way, do watch out for the evil Queen Emma, a villain worthy of any book of any genre!
November 27, 2025
This book offers a vivid look into 11th-century England and the rise of Earl Godwine. I enjoyed watching him grow from a landless youth into one of the most influential men in the kingdom. The author blends battle scenes, political tension, and personal struggle in a way that feels both exciting and believable. The looming threat of the Normans adds strong suspense. A solid, engaging historical read.
November 30, 2025
A compelling story about a man who rises from nothing to become a kingmaker. The writing captures both the brutality and beauty of medieval England. Godwine’s character is comple,strong, loyal, and constantly tested by enemies who want to see him fall. The pacing is steady, and the world feels alive with tension and ambition. A very satisfying historical tale.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews