I Am the Chosen King

Saxon #1

by Helen Hollick

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

Genres: Historical Fiction, Fiction, Historical, British Literature, Medieval, 11th Century, Fantasy

592 pages, Paperback

First published October 5, 2000

About the author

I escaped London in January 2013 to live in North Devon - but was born in Walthamstow, North East London in 1953 I began writing at the age of 13. Desperately wanting a pony of my own, but not being able to afford one, I invented an imaginary pony instead, writing stories about our adventures together at every spare opportunity. In the seventies I turned to science fiction - this was the age of Dr. Who, Star Trek and Star Wars. I still have an unfinished adventure about a bit of a rogue who travelled space with his family, making an honest(ish) living and getting into all sorts of scrapes. Perhaps one day I might finish it.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

I have published two non-fiction books: Pirates Truth and Tales with Amberley Press and Smugglers : Fact and Fiction with Pen & Sword.

I also run an historical fiction review blog, Discovering Diamonds, with a dedicated and enthusia

Reviews

[Frances · Rating 5 out of 5]

An Impressive Novel.
Every once in awhile a real gem comes along and you are swept away on a timeless journey. I was captured by the first page and held spell bound until the very end. Helen Hollick is truly a remarkable author with a gifted talent for exceptional and superior writing. The entire book flows along smoothly with many strong characters and scenes written in such a lovely poetic description providing the sensation of being right there in the midst of it all. Beginning in the year 1043 with the newly crowned Edward, King of England, he is surrounded by many subjects who befriend him for their own self-seeking motives, and others whose only desire is to serve their King with irrefutable loyalty. There are battles to be won, scores to be settled, and many a head stuck on a pike. ‘I am The Chosen King’ is an unforgettable and extraordinary tale, written with a great deal of passion by the author. I absolutely loved it! Very highly recommended.

[Natasa · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an outstanding read by a splendid storyteller. The novel is faithful to the historical record while taking a few liberties here and there. The entire book flows along smoothly with many strong characters and scenes written in such a delightful poetic description providing the sensation of being right there during it all. Even though you know the ending before you start the book, it is in the story’s telling in between that will captivate you and keep you reading. Full review you can find on my blog: https://poetryofreading.blogspot.com/...

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

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

[Patty · Rating 5 out of 5]

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

[Krista · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the first time I have minded a historical fiction book with multiple points of view (POV); perhaps it’s because I feel that Harold Godwinson, the main man in this book, had not been given all the ‘exposure’ he deserved. Other than that, I am content with how the narrative of his life and the events leading to the Norman conquest of 1066 have been carried out. I only know fragments about him from several post-Norman conquest stories I have read—mostly a flick through in a page proclaiming him as the fallen king, but with this book, it not only introduced me to Harold’s valor and commitment to serve but to the Anglo-Saxons’ rich history and traditions as well. I actually first became fascinated with English medieval history through the Plantagenets, although now I also find a degree of sympathy and respect for the likes of Harold Godwinson who did not cower from the threat of foreign invasion and valiantly fought and died for his country. Whether his ascendance to the throne was ruled by avarice or love for his homeland, I know not, but Helen Hollick is obviously Team Harold and it’s not difficult to really like him when he’s been everywhere in this book as a pleasant, caring, and level-headed man.

The novel has abruptly ended with the death of England's last Anglo-Saxon king. It was a truthfully sad, brusque ending, like Miss Hollick did not care anymore about the aftermath of the events or was unrelenting to describe the after-battle scenes in a few more words—save from a terse order from Duke William about Harold’s resting place or a glimpse of his common-law wife weeping. At any rate, it has worked for me; I felt the story had ended the way it should have as there was nothing more to tell when Harold was slain in battle. Had the author decided to write a few pages more after his downfall, I would have probably lost interest and stopped reading.

[Lori Elliott · Rating 5 out of 5]

In Hollick's acknowledgements she mentions Sharon Penman and Elizabeth Chadwick as being strong influences on her writting and I could tell this was true based on how richly she writes!!! The editing was not the best so be warned on that front... but I did love EVERY second of this series and recommend it to any Penman/Chadwick fan!!!

[Gretchen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I knew what was coming and I cried like a baby any way. Poor Edyth. Poor Gytha. William really was a bastard. At least this William was.

[May · Rating 5 out of 5]

I knew the date. I knew the place. I knew nothing about the details! The Battle of Hastings: 1066 is now more than just a phrase to me. Helen Hollick has taken the few facts available and woven an incredible story, highlighting the whys and wherefores of that pivotal moment in English history. Truly recommend it!!!

[Judith Arnopp · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am always worried when I pick up a novel about one of my pet favourites. Harold Godwinson is like a god to me but I had no need to worry for in Helen's hands he becomes everything I would like him to be. A flawed but brilliant man. On my favourites shelf for all time.

[Pauline Calkin · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a novel of historical fiction that tells an epic story of the events and people leading up to a turning point in English history, the Battle of Hastings in 1066. It begins with the coronation of Edward, later called the confessor, centering on the man who was chosen to succeed him, Harold, Earl of Wessex, and on William the Conquerer, aka the Bastard. Harold is the good guy. Handsome, good-natured, honorable—a just lord who would rather negotiate than go to war. William, on the other hand is literally and figuratively a bastard. Cruel, vengeful, relentless in his ambition.

In the opening, Harold is touring his new earldom of East Anglia with his father Godwine, and his older brother Swegn and younger brother Tostig. Harold meets and falls in love with the daughter of a local thegn, Edyth Swannhaels. Because of her relatively low status, he cannot marry her, but she becomes his hand-fast wife—a marriage not recognized by the Church. They both know that one day Harold may have to marry a woman of noble birth. After this, we don’t hear much from Edyth or for that matter, Harold for at least for a while, although we check in occasionally at their manor house and see how their family is growing. The first part of the book deals with the troubles between the feckless King Edward and the troubles caused by the preferences shown his Norman favorites and suspicions of his earls, especially Harold’s father, Godwine. Even though Godwine’s daughter, Edith, marries Edward and becomes queen, her father and older sons must flee into exile for a time. It would be too tedious to recount all the events during this time, including Swegn’s misadventures. Although her marriage is never consummated, Edith finds a way to ingratiate herself with King Edward and her favorite brother, Tostig, also becomes the king’s favorite. All I can say is that compared with this family, the brothers York look like the Three Musketeers.

Meanwhile, we are given glimpses of William cementing his hold on the Duchy of Normandy. He takes a bride, Mathilda, who is reluctant at first, but becomes devoted to William and he to her. She just doesn’t think about certain things—as when he has defenders of a besieged town skinned alive because they mocked him as the bastard grandson of a tanner. Their relationship is effectively portrayed. William’s attitude toward his own children is one of disinterest and in the case of his oldest son, disdain. The contrast between his attitude and Harold’s is highlighted when Harold falls into William’s hands, and becomes something of a favorite with his children. There is also a hint that Mahtilda is somewhat attracted to Harold.

In fact, the story did not become interesting to me until Harold is at William’s court, having gone there in an attempt to obtain the release of his youngest brother and a nephew who had been held as prisoners for years. We see William maneuver Harold to swear an oath of fealty to him and back his claim to the English throne, all the while dangling over his head the implicit threat that his nephew will suffer dire consequences if Harold refuses to take the oath.

Of course, Harold is offered the throne upon Edward’s death, much to the chagrin of his sister Queen Edith and brother Tostig, not to mention an enraged William. When Harold is crowned king, he does marry an earl’s sister, the beautiful Alditha, and grows fond of her but he still can’t forget Edyth. There is some inconsistency in the description of Alditha’s personality. Harold first meets her ten years or so before the marriage. She is outspoken and is proud of her Welsh heritage. Harold teases her and she attempts to kick him and bites his hand. Real spirit in a woman as they would say in old movies. But when they are wed she is described as shy, sweet, and undemanding? Indeed, both women are a bit too saintly in their unselfish love of Harold. Alditha can’t follow him in the upcoming battle with William because of her pregnancy, but she tells Edyth she must go because Harold will need her.).

Less than a year after his coronation, Harold is defeated at Hastings by William. He is beheaded and his body mutilated. It is left to Edyth to identify him by marks on his body that only she knows.

I did have some issues with the writing. The author got caught up in trivial details. For example, while sister Edith is complaining to her mother that Harold’s relationship with that slut Edyth will ruin her chances to marry the king, the door to the chamber comes open. We know what this means, Edith’s insults are heard by Edyth. Well, yes, but we are first told that Edyth is out there playing chess. Harold has gone out to tend to an injured horse; he comes back in. There is a discussion about the game. Harold puts Edyth on his lap. Finally, we go back to the open door and they hear the insult. This takes at least a couple of pages; somehow I think this little drama could have been written more succinctly. And that’s not the only example. There are often confusing shifts in time and place. Is this what is happening now, or is Edward thinking about what happened a week before? I can figure it out, but it does sort of interrupt the flow of the narrative.

Also, there is a lots of repetition. I mean lots. I don’t know how many times after talking with one of her children (in particular Queen Edith), Gytha (Harold’s mom) thinks to herself that she doesn’t know how she had children who were so different. Harold muses for several paragraphs about becoming king. A page or two later he muses again. No wonder this book is 574 pages long and feels longer.

Despite the issues I have with it, the book is worthwhile overall—a moving story with some romance and memorable characters woven in. The novel must have been effective judging by the sadness I felt when reading of Harold’s death.

[Samantha · Rating 4 out of 5]

I picked up this book not long after finishing Hollick's "Forever Queen," the first in this Saxon Series. Having read very little about England's pre-Conquest history, I did enjoy learning about this time period, and the portions that I looked up to delve deeper into did show that the book is written about as accurately as anything about that time can be at this point.

As with the first book, I felt that too much time was spent on details and events that did not seem to add to much to moving the story along. Though I enjoy epic novels, I do not so much like drudging through unnecessary side plots. I assume that Hollick was attempting to give a broad picture of the political maneuvering and historical backstory, but sometimes there was just too much. For example, the descriptions of Godwine's exile, Harold's time in Normandy, and Edward the Exile's decision to come to England all seemed to have little to add to the overall story.

That being said, I did greatly enjoy this book. Having only basic knowledge of the events of 1066, I was enthralled with the people and events that led to the Battle of Hastings. All of the what-if's and if-only's are expertly taken advantage of in Hollick's writing to keep the reader on the edge of their seat, even knowing that Harold's demise is eminent. Since I did not previously know much about Harold, I do not know if his characterization is accurate, but it seems unlikely that he was as smart, caring, personable, and all-around wonderful as he is painted in this narrative. About the only dislikable thing about him is his apparent love for two women at the same time which is explained away as being necessary for his status (explained a few too many times as we are constantly reminded that he will eventually have to take a "real" wife).

William of Normandy, on the other hand, is the evil, selfish, ambitious man that is loved only by his wife, and only by her because her other choice is a miserable life and marriage. The stereotypical good versus evil of Harold and William was a little over the top, which was a shame since the historical facts were so well presented, a more balanced and realistic personification of these two men would have been nice.

The way this was written and the turn of events reminded me of the many Ricardian slanted novels that I have read about Richard III. Both the last Saxon king and last Plantagenet king were killed by usurpers with little claim to the throne, and many authors would have us believe that these doomed kings would have been England's greatest blessing had they reigned for more time. Whether it was actually true of either Harold or Richard, I suppose we can only conjecture.

Overall, I found this a very worthwhile read that has opened me to another very interesting part of history. I would definitely recommend this and "Forever Queen" to any fan of English historical fiction.

[Malacima · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ovo je priča onoga što se dešavalo u Engleskoj, Francuskoj (Normandiji) i Skandanaviji i dovelo do istorijske (za engleze) bitke kod Hastingsa 1066. godine. Autorka se fokusira uglavnom na život
erla Veseksa Harolda Godvinessona koji će biti krunisan kraljem Haroldom II posle smrti kralja Edvarda III (koji je umro bez nasledstva - kasnije nazvan Edvard Ispovednik) i Haroldove kratke vladavine kao kralja Engleske (poslednji Englesko-Saksonski kralj -koji ce poginuti u bitci kod Hastingsa). Pažnja se daje i vojvodi Vilijamu od Normandije (poznat kao Vilijam osvajač takodje poznat kao Vilijam kopile -i njegovom podizanju vlasti i na kraju vladarem Engleske) i Gruffidda (vladara Velsa) kojeg je ubio Velški narod tokom vladavine kralja Edvarda III.
U knjizi je opisan familijarni odnos Harolda i njegove brace i sestara (njegova sestra je bila kraljica udana za Edvarda III a jedan od brace Tostig se urotio protiv Engleske i brata). Kao što ce doći do bitke tako će doći i do razdora familije. Neki dogadjaji su opisani maštom autorke ali se uglavnom držala istorijskih dogadjaja. Knjiga je zaista lep omaž kralju Haroldu i dogadjajima oko bitke.
Preporučujem ovu istorijsku fikciju za sve ljubitelje ovog žanra.

[Robin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was surprised by how differently Emma is portrayed in this compared to it's prequel "Forever Queen". She is more self serving, cold hearted and bitter but I suppose that's to be expected given everything she'd been through by the second book. She was certainly a survivor, I just feel as though she was portrayed more sympathetically in the first book.

Harold is certainly the hero of the story but what really makes this book interesting is watching all the intricate relationships between all the characters, good and bad, and the build up (mostly on the English side but we also increasingly see more of William as the story goes on) to the Norman invasion of 1066. I don't normally take such interest in periods of invasion because they are often military based which doesn't interest me very much - but Hollick comes at it from the human side as well, bringing each character to life.

And the climax, though military, was very moving. Too many novels based on actual historical figures don't have a great climax because real life is more a series of ups and downs. This was a long but true built up to a very impacting climax.

[Deborah Pickstone · Rating 2 out of 5]

Of all Helen Hollick's books, I Am the Chosen King is the best of them. She makes Harold Godwinson very sympathetic and I desperately wanted the inevitable ending not to happen. Harold is one of my heroes and she did ok for him, so she gets a vote from me for that.

However, she is apt to lecture her readers and makes historical errors so laughable that I....er....laugh. Forever Queen was rather bad and her Arthur series finished me off as a reader, as all but one of the characters (which one??? Hint: it wasn't Arthur ;)) was really horrible and the historical howlers were littering the....castle. Special mention of the time the casement (?) blew open in a storm and all the glass panes (?????) smashed. In the 5th century. Known fact.

[Jo · Rating 4 out of 5]

So sad even thought I knew what was coming. Hollick does a good job of making Harold a real man and not just a name in history. I loved the afterward fact that Elizabeth II has both Harold's and William's blood.

[Geoff Boxell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Books about King Harold always bring me mixed emotions. Like most English I hate the Norman Conquest and still have problems dealing with our loss. This book is one of the best of its kind and, despite the inevitable sad ending, I really enjoyed reading it and highly recommend it.

[Craig · Rating 4 out of 5]

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

[Blodeuedd Finland · Rating 4 out of 5]

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


Harold Godwinesson is the son of Earl Godwin of Wessex. In his youth he falls in love with a beautiful woman, Edyth and takes her as his handfast wife. Because he knows that in the future he must make a alliance and get a wife in a Christian ceremony. We follow his life as he becomes Earl of East Anglia, as his sister Edith marries Edward (the confessor), as he fights with his brother Swegn, as they all has to go into exile. As the Earls grumble about what a bad king Edward is, as they try to subdue the Welsh, more fighting within the family, worrying about who the next king will be, and at last, Hastings.


That might seem like a lot but the book does chronicle 30 years, and they were not easy years. The book sometimes follows different people, and one of these is a certain young Duke of Normandy. A bloodthirsty man who later wants England. I liked that there were different POVs now and again, because even if we mostly follow Harold, we also get to see what other things. William, Edward, Queen Edith, and a few more. A hint what they might have thought about events taking place.


The book does what it sets out to do. It tells about these last years of Anglo-Saxon rule and what a man Harold might have been. And he is a good man who truly loves his hand-fasted wife (concubine). The bad guy in this tale is Duke William. As for King Edward, well him I mostly feel sorry for because he just is so useless.


Conclusion:

A good historical novel, long yes, but it explained things nicely and she had her own spin on things. I liked this tale about how it all might have happened, and at last, this is fiction, we can never know the whole truth as Hollick says at the end.



At the end I went nooo! Why? Because I did not want to see it happened, that which had to happen in 1066.


Rating:

Well-written

[William Russeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

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

[🌒JFosbookboss🌒 · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.999999 stars Wonderful told story around the last English King Harold and William the Conqueror of Normandy, the author definitely knows how to properly weave a historical fiction novel to fill in the most likely gaps not clearly defined in history. The ending was rather abrupt so that soured it for me. I want to read some of her other books, because maybe the endings are better. That’s the only thing that keeps this from being a 4 or 5 star review. No abrupt endings!

[Steven · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellently written and accurate historical novel on the life and times of King Harold the 2nd, culminating in the Battle of Hastings and the Norman Conquest. I grew to like Harold as a character so much in this story that I was saddened when he was killed in the end, even though I already knew how his story ended.

[J.G. Harlond · Rating 5 out of 5]

The very best sort of historical fiction. Helen Hollick takes the reader into a completely different world, where each real person has his or her own vivid story. Beautifully written. Highly recommended.

[Janet Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good historical novel, but so very sad to read about Harold II falling to William the Bastard of Normandy.

[Lisa Bywell · Rating 5 out of 5]

690 pages of Saxon England in the time leading up the Norman Conquest. Brilliant.

[Ellen Ekstrom · Rating 4 out of 5]

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

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

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

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

[Sandra Olshaski · Rating 2 out of 5]

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

Reviewed by Sandra

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

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

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

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

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

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

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

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

Like Beethoven’s Symphony Number 7, I am the Chosen King starts out quiet and touching and then slowly, almost without you realizing it, it moves to a stunning and powerful conclusion. For the last two hundred or so pages, I found myself totally obsessed with the book. Knowing that William would ultimately triumph did not lessen the suspense. I wanted to know what exactly happened, and I couldn’t help but wish that Harold would be able to conquer William the Conqueror or at least ride off into the sunset with Edyth.

Harold Godwinesson was the son of Godwine, the powerful Earl of Wessex. An Earl in his own right, Harold falls in love with Edyth, the beautiful daughter of thegn Eadric of Nazeing. As the only child of a thegn, Edyth will inherit land and money, but it is only a modest sum and not enough to tempt an earl. Harold marries Edyth anyway in a “handfast” ceremony with the expectation that at some point he may have to make a church approved political marriage. He spends many happy years with Edyth, but when destiny beckons, he is called to serve England as king and to protect it from foreign invaders.
I loved I am the Chosen King. There was so much to love about it and it was rich with such detail, that I’m having hard time writing about it and breaking it down. So read my review and thoughts knowing that I am only touching the tip of the iceberg of how much was in this novel.

For the rest of my review, please check out my blog at: http://lauragerold.blogspot.com/2011/...

[Carolyn Hughes · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was surprised to realise that I didn't actually know all that much about the events that led up to the Battle of Hastings in 1066. Helen Hollick's 'Harold the King' did a great job of filling in that gap in my knowledge, with a vibrant and thoroughly enjoyable telling of the story of Harold Godwinsson, the feeble Edward I, Harold's dastardly brothers Swegn and Tostig and his devious sister Edith (queen to Edward), and of course the horrible Duke William of Normandy, later to be known as the Conqueror. Not forgetting the other women in Harold's life, especially Edyth Swannhaels, his hand-fasted wife, who bore him seven children and retained his love to the end, despite him having to marry another woman for the sake of politics. I found their relationship most touching... In some ways, I felt their closeness seemed quite modern, but there is no reason to imagine that 11th century men, even such "manly" men as Harold, were incapable of such true and lasting affection.
Overall I found the characters engaging and well-drawn - the "nasty" ones perhaps more fascinating than engaging - and watching everyone vie for position in their pursuit of the crown was intriguing. Helen's vivid writing drew me in both to their lives and to Anglo-Saxon life in general.
Of course, if I didn't know much about the years before 1066, I did know what actually happened in that fateful year. So it was inevitable that (as other reviewers have said), as I grew fond of the Harold that Helen had portrayed, I began to hope that maybe, somehow, history was wrong, and he would survive William's invasion. How very upsetting it was to find that history was right! I really felt I wanted to know what sort of king he might have turned out to be.
Thoroughly recommended, both as a great telling of the story of King Harold, and as a wonderful, page-turning read.

[Sheree · Rating 5 out of 5]

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

I Am The Chosen King took me a lot longer to read than The Forever Queen and like many weighty historical fiction novels, I think it's best read when you have large chunks of time to devote to the experience. Due only to reading time constraints I wasn't as quick to fall in love with this one as I was with The Forever Queen. However Harold and Edyth & Hollick's meticulous attention to detail and plausible artistic license won my heart in the end.

We follow Edward's reign (son of Aethelred and Emma) as King of England (in name only) as Earl Godwine does all the hard work in ruling England. Hollick gives a colourful rendition of the exploits of the Godwin family and a highly detailed account of the events leading up to the Norman conquest.

Once again the author excels with character portrayal. Duke William of Normandy was both fascinating and terrifying, Edith and Tostig (Harold's siblings) grasping, self centred and easy to dislike. The love between Harold Godwinesson and his handfasted wife Edyth brought tears to my eyes and while it was expected he would marry in the christian way eventually, I was saddened when it actually occured; even though his Queen, Alditha is sweet and understanding.

The descriptions of the Battle of Hastings were breathtaking, and heartbreaking, I had goosebumps reading these scenes. Hollick's author notes were a wonderful addition and much appreciated by this reader. All up, another winner for Helen Hollick and fans of historical fiction.

[Kristen · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fantastic account of the last of the Saxon English kings. Edward the Confessor was the last Saxon to complete his regin, and Harold Godwinson was the last Saxon king period.

Hollick did a great job bringing these figures to life. I liked how conflicted Harold was about his duties as a nobleman, and later as king. Edward was pathetic and unlikeable, but you also had to feel a little sorry for him for being so completely ill equipped to be a good king. Edyth Swanneck was a wonderfully strong woman and I appreciated how she was written.

The history of Saxon England was woven in deftly as well. Reading about the Witan, the fyrd, the thegns and aetheling, all were brought into the story in a way that made it feel like you already knew the information. I like when a historical fiction novel is written in such a way that it's obvious it is well researched but doesn't beat you over the head with it.

The death of Harold took me by surprise, but then it made sense that he was NOT, in fact, killed by the arrow to the eye. When we consider that William of Normandy had zero legitimate claim to the English throne, an arrow to the eye of the rightful king would make William's triumph seem like an act of god. It was probably propaganda, comissioned by Bishop Odo in the form of the Bayeux Tapestry, as mentioned in the author's note.

Definitely recommended for anyone who loves a good, well researched historical fiction, and anyone who has an interest in Anglo-Saxon England.