Saxon Storm
(2021)The Huscarl Chronicles: Books 1-2
(A book in the Huscarl Chronicles series)
An omnibus of novels by Paul Bernardi
‘Thurkill is a warrior with a heart and soul, a man of honour and mettle that Beobrand would be proud to have alongside him in the shieldwall.’ Matthew Harffy, author of the Bernicia Chronicles
Thurkill's Revenge
January 1066.
King Edward has died. With no son or brother to succeed him, the throne has passed to Harold, Earl of Wessex, for little other reason than he knows how to fight, a quality that England will have need of before the year is out.
By September, England – the richest kingdom in Christendom – is beset on all sides by its enemies. To the north, the Vikings lurk, supported by Harold’s rebel brother, Tostig. While to the south, Duke William of Normandy awaits a fair wind to speed his ships to take the crown.
Thurkill, a young huscarl warrior in the service of the king, wants nothing more than to stand with his father’s forces in battle, to win glory and renown. He is eighteen and eager to prove himself.
It is only after the conflict at Stamford Bridge and the devastating defeat at Hastings not three weeks later, that the warrior comes to understand the true meaning of duty. Returning to his village, he finds his father's lands occupied by the enemy and his family, the people of the village, looking to him for protection.
With the Normans now rampaging across the south of England, Thurkill not only learns how to fight and survive - but he must draw his sword to save his family and countrymen.
Thurkill's Battle
December 1066.
England’s future lies in ruins. King Harold is dead, mutilated. The cream of England’s warrior nobility lie with him.
In Lundenburh, those lords who were not killed in battle, have elected a new king. A beardless boy called Edgar – the last prince of Wessex – on whose young shoulders, all hope now rests. Edgar must summon what remains of the warriors of England if he is to prevent Duke William from taking his crown.
Following the brutal events at his father’s hall in Haslow, Thurkill has marched his warband north to join Edgar in Lundenburh. The charred remains of his childhood home hold nothing now but bloody memories that will haunt him to his dying day.
Determined to play his part, Thurkill offers his sword to the young king in defence of the city against marauding Norman horsemen. But he can only delay the inevitable as Duke William is finally crowned king on Christmas Day.
With Edgar defeated and, with him, all Saxon hopes dashed, Thurkill travels north to Gudmundcestre, where he sets up home with Hild, with whom he has been reunited. But any hopes he has of putting his past behind him are torn to shreds by the arrival of Robert FitzGilbert, brother of the man he killed in Haslow.
Robert has come to claim the blood price for his brother’s death - and he will stop at nothing in his quest for vengeance.
Paul Bernardi is the author of The Huscarl Chronicles and To the Devil His Due.
Praise for Paul Bernardi:
‘Displays an historian’s eye for authentic detail in a galloping read.’ Paul Bannister, author of Storm of Arrows
‘A fast paced, action packed medieval adventure; a boy becomes a man during one of the most tumultuous pivot points of English history.’ J.A. Ironside, author of The King's Knight series
‘The cataclysmic events of 1066 seen through the eyes of a strapping youth — a gripping tale of courage and revenge.’ Alistair Forrest, author of Libertas
Genre: Historical
Thurkill's Revenge
January 1066.
King Edward has died. With no son or brother to succeed him, the throne has passed to Harold, Earl of Wessex, for little other reason than he knows how to fight, a quality that England will have need of before the year is out.
By September, England – the richest kingdom in Christendom – is beset on all sides by its enemies. To the north, the Vikings lurk, supported by Harold’s rebel brother, Tostig. While to the south, Duke William of Normandy awaits a fair wind to speed his ships to take the crown.
Thurkill, a young huscarl warrior in the service of the king, wants nothing more than to stand with his father’s forces in battle, to win glory and renown. He is eighteen and eager to prove himself.
It is only after the conflict at Stamford Bridge and the devastating defeat at Hastings not three weeks later, that the warrior comes to understand the true meaning of duty. Returning to his village, he finds his father's lands occupied by the enemy and his family, the people of the village, looking to him for protection.
With the Normans now rampaging across the south of England, Thurkill not only learns how to fight and survive - but he must draw his sword to save his family and countrymen.
Thurkill's Battle
December 1066.
England’s future lies in ruins. King Harold is dead, mutilated. The cream of England’s warrior nobility lie with him.
In Lundenburh, those lords who were not killed in battle, have elected a new king. A beardless boy called Edgar – the last prince of Wessex – on whose young shoulders, all hope now rests. Edgar must summon what remains of the warriors of England if he is to prevent Duke William from taking his crown.
Following the brutal events at his father’s hall in Haslow, Thurkill has marched his warband north to join Edgar in Lundenburh. The charred remains of his childhood home hold nothing now but bloody memories that will haunt him to his dying day.
Determined to play his part, Thurkill offers his sword to the young king in defence of the city against marauding Norman horsemen. But he can only delay the inevitable as Duke William is finally crowned king on Christmas Day.
With Edgar defeated and, with him, all Saxon hopes dashed, Thurkill travels north to Gudmundcestre, where he sets up home with Hild, with whom he has been reunited. But any hopes he has of putting his past behind him are torn to shreds by the arrival of Robert FitzGilbert, brother of the man he killed in Haslow.
Robert has come to claim the blood price for his brother’s death - and he will stop at nothing in his quest for vengeance.
Paul Bernardi is the author of The Huscarl Chronicles and To the Devil His Due.
Praise for Paul Bernardi:
‘Displays an historian’s eye for authentic detail in a galloping read.’ Paul Bannister, author of Storm of Arrows
‘A fast paced, action packed medieval adventure; a boy becomes a man during one of the most tumultuous pivot points of English history.’ J.A. Ironside, author of The King's Knight series
‘The cataclysmic events of 1066 seen through the eyes of a strapping youth — a gripping tale of courage and revenge.’ Alistair Forrest, author of Libertas
Genre: Historical
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