As far as I’m aware until I wrote Autumn1066 in 2017 no one else had ever written a book encompassing the three final battles, two of which were fought between the Anglo-Saxon nation and the Viking invasion force, led by Harald Sigurdsson, alias HardradΓ₯ – the battles of Fulford and Stamford Bridge. Then just over a week later, the battle of Hastings when the force led by Duke William of Normandy, (also of Viking descent), finally ended Anglo-Saxon rule in 1066.
My extremely short novella Autumn 1066, is in essence a historical account of the last few weeks of England in the hands of the Anglo-Saxons. I compiled it from second-hand accounts written fifty years later in 1116 – chiefly The Anglo-Saxon Chronicles, which at best can only be regarded as political spin by the religious community of the time, in an attempt to curry favour with the new masters of Britain, the Normans. Unfortunately there are no creditable eyewitness accounts to be had.
Now here’s my question – did I treat it as purely historical or not?
In several places I added small details to flesh out what I believe may have taken place from inferences made by those responsible for writing the accounts. When you read it, you can decide if I’ve taken liberties or not.
Meanwhile, I’m busy adding the involvement of the few fictional characters I’ve employed where relevant, as their involvement throughout is minimal.
When I hand it over to the two gentlemen who offered to be my beta-readers – Colin Noel-johnson and Andrew French, I’ve no doubt they will have something to say about whether or not they consider the fictional characters as being relevant. At the moment, I’m in two minds on the subject of their inclusion…
If anyone does know of any such book, apart from the one I’m currently writing, I would be most grateful if you could give me the title, and the name of its author. So far I only know of one extremely badly written book from back in the nineteen nineties. But that one only ever concerned the battle at Stamford Bridge…
More later
π
Reblogged this on Kate McClelland.
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Thanks for the reblog Kate. π xx
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Did you ever watch this, Jack?
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1329539/
I thought it was quite well done, and it is free to watch, on All 4.
http://www.channel4.com/programmes/1066
It blends fictional characters into those events.
Best wishes, Pete.
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Yep. It only ever covered the battle of Hastings. Thanks anyway Pete. π
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OK, Jack. Worth a shot.
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π
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I am afraid that I can’t assist you with sources of information. Your book sounds like a terrifically good read.
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I’ve now placed it in the hands of my beta readers for their verdicts. π
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Emailed you, Jack π
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Cheer’s Chris. π
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Sorry, I can’t help you. But I’d love to read your book when it come out.
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Chris the storyreading ape came across an article in a history magazine and passed it on to me Andrew. π
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I haven’t heard of any book on those battles, but if I stumble on anything, I’ll let you know.
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Chris the storyreading ape came across an article in a history magazine and passed it on to me. π
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Reblogged this on Have We Had Help? and commented:
More on what went into writing Autumn 1066
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