Just finished, 'The Burning Land',


the fourth book in Cornwell's 'Saxon Tales' series, of the 9th century, when the Vikings fought the Saxons for the control of England. Had always heard of Normandy, that section of France, and the Normans, but never realized the term came Norsemen or Northmen, another name for the Vikings. Also, as I have said before, Viking was originally a verb, as in going viking, or plundering. England came REAL close to becoming a Norse settlement, when the Norsemen controlled nearly all of England, including London and the Thames, but Alfred, the only king with 'the Great' added to his title, saved the day, with a couple of battles that could have gone either way. Pretty tough time to live, but it wasn't boring.

Comments

ladyj said…
Had you not been of Norse blood, would you have gotten into Cornwell's novels?
Fam Guy said…
I think so, but can't say for sure.
ladyj said…
Can you see yourself as the mighty Viking, shield and sword in hand, covered in animal hide, riding forth on your galloping steed, ready to face your opponent in battle? Locked in warfare...ah the thrill of the sword piercing deep into the enemy, as he falls to the ground, blood spilling from his mortal wound. You cry out "fore", grab your clubs and onward you trod to the next hole.
Fam Guy said…
You're right. I AM a modern day Viking. Take no prisoners....

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