Best of
Anglo-Saxon

2009

The White Horse King: The Life of Alfred the Great


Benjamin R. Merkle - 2009
    Across the English coastlands and countryside they raided, torched, murdered, and destroyed all in their path. Farmers, monks, and soldiers all fell bloody under the Viking sword, hammer, and axe.Then, when the hour was most desperate, came an unlikely hero. King Alfred rallied the battered and bedraggled kingdoms of Britain and after decades of plotting, praying, and persisting, finally triumphed over the invaders.Alfred's victory reverberates to this day: He sparked a literary renaissance, restructured Britain's roadways, revised the legal codes, and revived Christian learning and worship. It was Alfred's accomplishments that laid the groundwork for Britian's later glories and triumphs in literature, liturgy, and liberty."Ben Merkle tells the sort of mythic adventure story that stirs the imagination and races the heart―and all the more so knowing that it is altogether true!" ―George Grant, author of The Last Crusader and The Blood of the Moon

Peaceweaver


Judith Arnopp - 2009
    At Rhuddlan she discovers both friendship and romance, but from a man who is not her husband. Ultimately she finds herself accused of treason, fornication and incest until a surprise night attack destroys Gruffydd's palace and Eadgyth is captured by the Saxons.After the betrayal and murder of Gruffydd, Eadgyth, separated from her sons, is taken to the court of Edward the Confessor. There, desperate to be reunited with her children, she befriends the queen and her feminine charms enable her to infiltrate the sticky intrigues of the Godwin family. An unexpected proposal of marriage from Earl Harold provides the opportunity she requires and, on his accession to the throne, she agrees to become his queen. However, her security is threatened as William the Bastard assembles his fleet in the south and Harald Hardrada prepares to invade from the North. The portentous date of October 14th 1066 looms.Eadgyth tells a tale of loss, betrayal, passion and war and highlights the plight of women, tossed in the tumultuous sea of feuding Anglo Saxon Britain.Chapters can be viewed on the youwriteon.com website.

Paths of Exile


Carla Nayland - 2009
    The stirring story of a young prince caught between Britonnic and Saxon worlds in 7th century England.

The Old English Epic of Waldere


Jonathan Himes - 2009
    Imagery and themes such as armaments and the worthiness of warriors to bear them point to the climax of Walter's victory over Gudhere in single combat, a duel presenting an ethical dilemma for Hagen as indicated in both of the extant leaves. This critical edition resolves some long-standing textual cruces while also providing background on Old English heroism, weapons, and versification.