Library

HISTORICAL FICTION

There is a good sized body of historical fiction with an Anglo-Saxon bent out there. Most of it is good, often it can be seriously flawed, but generally it is entertaining stuff and a good way to bring to life the period. I have arranged the list below into roughly chronological periods which are however undefined in terms of dates.

My most common dissatisfaction with books about the period is simple things being wrong, such as pre-Viking Age characters being given Scandinavian names when there is a substantial choice of English names and enough name elements known to make up your own constructs. Then there is the treatment of Anglo-Saxon paganism as being identical to Scandinavian paganism but with a W at the beginning of Odin, not to mention good old fashioned anachronisms. There are a few other points along these lines but this is not the place to make specific criticisms. As these all point to Amazon, take into account the customer reviews there - there may even be some of mine!

Settlement Period
Rhinegold (Stephan Grundy) Technically this is of only passing connection to the Anglo-Saxons, being set in Europe throughout, but I have included it for character and because it is truly outstanding. I think this was originally released as two or three individual books. Although the historical setting is very convincing and well researched, there are monsters and Valkyries here where the story needs them.
Hengest's Tale (Gillian Patton Walsh) An account of Hengest's adventures in Frisia, possibly aimed at a young adult reader.
A Brother's Oath (Chris Thorndycroft) Horsa needs to find his elder brother Hengest when the latter is abducted.
A Warlord's Bargain (Chris Thorndycroft) Hengest and Horsa fight for Vortigern and Ambrosius Aurelianus
A King's Legacy (Chris Thorndycroft) Hengest and Horsa fight against Vortigern's sons.
Men Went to Cattraeth (John James) From the other side: an account of the Gododdin.
Ragnarok (Anne Thackery) Bad title (suggestive of Viking Age) for a good book. A post-Arthurian British noblewoman marries an English king.
The Saga of Beowulf (R. Scot Johns) A modern retelling of Beowulf. It takes a few liberties with the original, with historical continuity and with facts along the way. Originally conceived in two episodes, The Land of Death and Shadow followed by The Land of Fire and Ice. It is also available on Kindle


Heptarchy Period
The Amber Treasure (Northern Crown) (Richard John Denning) Set in the 6th/7th century in Deira.
Child of Loki (Northern Crown) (Richard John Denning) Set in 6th/7th century Dalriada. Also on Kindle.
Ship Burial: The Rune of Ing (Kevin Andrew) A Christian mission from Kent to East Anglia finds the way is less than smooth.
Paths of Exile (Carla Nayland) King Edwin's life as an exile after his father's death.
Storm Frost (P.B. Sabin Moore) Set in the 7th century but the location is unknown.
Brightfire: A Tale of Sutton Hoo (P.B. Sabin Moore) Sequel to Storm Frost set in 7th century East Anglia
The Whispering Bell (Brian Sellars) Set in 7th century Mercia - the tale of an orphaned girl who rises to a position of influence and becomes a target of familial spite.
Month of Swallows (C.P.R.Tisdale) Story of Hilda, a girl in the court of King Edwin of Northumbria
Holy Isle (C.P.R.Tisdale) Sequel to Month of Swallows. Good luck finding a copy (you are up against me for one!)
Caedmon: The Lord's Poet. (John K Deaconson) A cowherd hunted by a stranger contemplates his life and prospects. Recommended!
The Way Of Wyrd: Tales of an Anglo-Saxon Sorcerer (Brian Bates) I started reading this and it is apparently set in Sussex, where a Mercian monk is learning about what a pagan shaman does. The title says it all. I night finish it one day.
Wolf Girl (Theresa Tomlinson) A crime story set in 7th century Northumbria

Viking Period
The Last Kingdom (Bernard Cornwell) Northumbrian exile fights the Vikings. As seen on TV!
The Pale Horseman (Bernard Cornwell) Northumbrian exile at Athelney with Alfred of Wessex
The Lords of the North (Bernard Cornwell) Northumbrian exile returns home
Sword Song (Bernard Cornwell) Northumbrian exile returns to help Alfred of Wessex
The Burning Land (Bernard Cornwell) Northumbrian exile saves Wessex
Hrolf Kraki's Saga Poul Anderson's faithful rendition of the saga with additional material from other sources makes for an almost saga-like reading experience; not to everyone's taste as it can feel like reading a translation rather than a work of fiction.
Byzantium (Stephen Lawhead) Irish monk enslaved by Vikings finds his way by the Volga to Byzantium.
Raven: Blood Eye (Giles Kristian) A Viking's life.
Raven: Sons of Thunder (Giles Kristian) More of a Viking's life
The Whale Road (Robert Low) Viking band in search of the treasure of Attila
The Wolf Sea (Robert Low) Still looking for Attila's treasure by way of a stolen sword.
The White Raven (Robert Low) Apparently finished with Attila's treasure the boys have problems at home.
The Prow Beast  (Robert Low) Their homes lost and their boat sunk, the boys get involved in Swedish politics.
Far After Gold (Jen Black) Scottish lass enslaved by Viking brute/hunk in M&B style kirtle-ripper

Pre-Conquest Period
The Homecoming of Beorhtnoth (J.R.R. Tolkein) A look back at the Battle of Maldon from the grisly battlefield.
Mercenaries (Jack Ludlow) Norman lads go out to seek their fortune in the Mediterranean.
Warriors (Jack Ludlow) Norman lads make a name for themselves in Italy.
Conquest (Jack Ludlow) Normans + Conquest = ?  No, not 1066, this sees our Norman lads go on Crusade.
Housecarl (Laurence J Brown) The life of a Huscarl in Harold Godwinson's army.

Post-Conquest Period
Last of the English (Charles Kingsley) Story of Hereward the Wake
Hereward (James Wilde) Another Story of Hereward the Wake

One final comment: I have discovered in the course of compiling this list that at least one book that I had listed elsewhere (but not here) is probably the work of a Neo-Nazi. The Anglo-Saxons seem to hold a great deal of fascination for English Neo-Nazis, so I suppose a small sample of books from the genre may reflect their distasteful world view. If any of the books here are of the same ilk, I unreservedly apologise for including them. If you let me know, I will be happy to remove links to such books. This list is to be viewed as a wide sample of the genre rather than a list of recommendations!

CHILDREN'S FICTION

I will include here any books that are historical fiction for children and any books which, like The Adventures of the Billy Goats Gruff, include elements of fantasy, but have a familiar setting.

Hengest's Tale (Gillian Patton Walsh) An account of Hengest's adventures in Frisia, possibly aimed at a young adult reader.
Beowulf: Dragonslayer (Red Fox Classics) Rosemary Sutcliffe's contribution to Old English story-telling.
Troll Fell (Troll Trilogy) Katherine Langrish creates a landscape populated by settled humans alongside trolls and other creatures from Norse mythology.
Troll Mill (Troll Trilogy) (Katherine Langrish) Second episode in this series.
Troll Blood: Troll Series, Book 3 (Troll Trilogy) (Katherine Langrish) Concluding part of the Troll Fell trilogy
West of the Moon (Katherine Langrish) Takes the characters from the Troll Fell series on a new adventure.
The Sea of Trolls Nancy Farmer's milieu is quasi-historical and these parts are less than convincing. Once the story gets into its stride, the fantasy is compelling.
The Weirdstone of Brisingamen One of my own childhood favourites, from Alan Garner. Two children discover a magical world on their doorstep around Alderley Edge in Cheshire. Features Insular, Anglo-Saxon and Norse elements.
The Moon of Gomrath (Alan Garner) The children unwittingly awaken elements of The Old Magic into the world and an old enemy is taking keen interest in events.
The Sleeping Army (Francesca Simon) Set it an alternative modern Britain, the author of Horrid Henry showcases her knowledge of early Medieval literature.
From Goats Gruff to Glory (Rik Ravado) A very different re-telling of the Three Billy Goats Gruff story, following how the Troll goes on through other adventures to eventually be hailed as a hero.

ANGLO-NORSE FANTASY FICTION

I will include here any books that are set in a milieu that has elements of Faerie but most especially have an Anglo-Saxon or Norse element as well.

Giants of the Frost (Kim Wilkins) Set on an island in the Arctic Circle, a new meteorologist on the base courts danger with a man she meets where there should be nobody living. In Asgard, Odin's son is restless. Great book!
The Autumn Castle (Gollancz S.F.) (Kim Wilkins) Set in modern Germany and involves art and the pursuit of beauty - even if it means pursuing it into Faerie and taking home the bones of dead fay folk.
Shield Maiden (Richard Denning) Set in Mercia, this follows a young girl who finds a horn and soon has strange powers pursuing her. Given the age of the heroine, this may belong in the category above. Also on Kindle.
The War of the Flowers is Tad Williams stand alone venture into Faerie from the modern world.
Monarch of the Glen Neil Gaiman adds to his American Gods franchise with this novella set in northern Scotland involving Grendel and his old mum.
Expecting Someone Taller
Who's Afraid of Beowulf?
Valhalla
Odds and Gods These four comedies by Tom Holt all have the right credentials to be included here.


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