Warrior of Two Kings
(The Northumbria Trilogy Book 1)
By Birgit Constant
Publication Date: 21st October 2024Publisher: tinctaculum
Page Length: 370 Pages
Genre: Historical Fiction
Entangled in shifting alliances, a young English warrior fights for love, honour and survival in blood-soaked Northumbria.
England, 1066. In a remote Northumbrian village, young Oswulf is to become an elite warrior for the English king.
But as English, Norse and Norman forces wage war against each other to secure control over Northumbria, Oswulf is caught in a perilous web of fickle loyalities and relentless ambition that drive friend and foe alike.
Shaken by the excesses of his first battles, Oswulf’s faith in his chosen path wavers as the Normans tighten their grip on England. Too late does he discover that revenge is a murderous master and that he cannot honour his obligation without sacrificing everything.
Duty calls, but only destiny can save him.
Oswulf, the son of English ðegn Osfrið and Æþelgifu, aspires to be a huscarl in King Harold Godwinson's service. He is convinced that being one of Harold’s elite soldiers, with the honour and prestige that comes with it, is his destined path and he is determined to make his father proud.
But King Harold must first secure his country’s sovereignty. There are those from across the sea who counter his claim as king.
Oswulf’s unwavering loyalty to his king is clear, and after their decisive triumph over King Harald Hardrada’s Norwegian army at Stamford Bridge, Harold’s hold on the throne appears secure. But a Norman invasion in the south of England changes everything.
Harold’s death and the Norman victory mean that Oswulf’s dream of becoming a huscarl is crushed. But now is not the time to dwell on disappointment, for these are dangerous times. To survive, Oswulf must make some difficult decisions, some of which will change his life forever.
Warrior of Two Kings (The Northumbria Trilogy Book 1) by Birgit Constant, is a must-read for historical fiction fans.
Oswulf, is a character marked by unimaginable suffering. He has encountered the darkest horrors imaginable. It is advisable to have tissues close at hand, for there are scenes in this novel that are utterly heartbreaking. However, Oswulf's story begins before the events that will forever alter his destiny. Despite his young age of sixteen, he is already a skilled warrior, a result of his father’s rigorous training. Oswulf aspires to be a huscarl, but his status also dictates that he will eventually inherit his father’s manor at Ledlinghe. He watches his father closely and listens to him carefully, but even though his father is a brave and respected man, he is not always truthful. The way Osfrið pockets some of the tax money meant for the king, even though it comes from the peasants, to pave the way for Oswulf’s huscarl future makes him extremely uncomfortable, but he stays silent, knowing that his father is doing this for him. In the same way, he understands that, in his father’s eyes, he is the most valued child because he is the oldest and heir. Yet, he won’t stand aside while his siblings are in danger, he’ll intervene if he can and sacrifice his own life if he must. Throughout this novel, Oswulf remains a very moral character despite everything that happens to him.
However, Oswulf's almost idyllic life is soon to come to a devastating end. Political unrest and the threat of invaders from both the north and south of England have cast a shadow over his future, making it far from secure. Despite this, he still makes plans for the future, he wants to marry Godgifu and start a family. He’s positive that King Harold will prevail, overcoming any threat to his reign, as he sees Harold as the true King of England. Oswulf’s deeply ingrained patriotism is challenged as the narrative unfolds, compelling him to question the direction in which his life will now go. Oswulf is often faced with impossible choices or no choice at all, but he tries to make the best of his situation, even when that situation is abhorrent.
Oswulf is always heroic, but his heroism, though evident in his character, is not a product of his own volition, but rather a consequence of external pressures beyond his control, and because of this he leaves a lasting impression on the reader's heart and his story is simply unforgettable.
The are several antagonists in this story, and not all of them are from across the sea. His father’s words, “Never trust a Viking,” is something that Oswulf often finds himself reflecting on. The Normans, the most overt adversaries, inflict the most suffering on Oswulf, his loved ones, and England, yet ironically, a Norman becomes his saviour in his darkest hours. Throughout the book, the author cleverly conceals the true antagonist, maintaining a gripping, taut suspense that culminates in the final chapter.
By following Oswulf’s story, the reader witnesses the Battles of Fulford and Stanford Bridge as if they were there. When it comes to writing believable and realistic battle scenes, Constant is exceptionally gifted. Despite its harrowing nature, Constant’s account is comprehensive, leaving no detail out. However, despite the book’s focus on the violent aspects of the era, it also offers moments of levity, such as the camaraderie and gentle humour shared between Oswulf and his brother-in-arms, Ulfgar. The story balances intense violence with normal daily activities, providing a respite for both the characters and the audience.
This book consistently explores the theme of conflict. The passing of Edward the Confessor acts as a catalyst for widespread suffering and death, marking a time of immense grief in this era. Although Harold Godwinson asserted his claim to the throne, there were others who felt they were Edward’s rightful successors and were willing to fight for it. The common people are burdened with suffering due to the nobility’s power struggle for the throne. The brutal portrayal of villages destroyed and the devastation William the Conqueror brought to the north highlights the human suffering caused by these events. The masterful depiction of these events effectively conveyed the terrifying and dreadful reality of life during that time.
The excessive use of Anglo-Norman and Old Norse languages unfortunately slowed the story down, especially at the beginning of the novel. While some words, place names, and battle locations from these languages are familiar to those studying or are interested in this historical period, the majority of the dialogue written in these languages in the novel remains incomprehensible to the reader. Though the story provides a comprehensive glossary, the need to constantly refer back and forth became tedious, detracting from the enjoyment of what is otherwise a wonderful book.
The countless hours Constant has devoted to researching this historical period is evident through this book. Constant possesses an innate understanding of what makes history worth reading, making her the ideal guide for readers exploring this dangerous period of history.
Birgit Constant’s “Warrior of Two Kings” (The Northumbria Trilogy Book 1) encompasses the full range of human emotion, from extraordinary victories to the deepest despair. This story once read will be difficult to forget.
Review by Mary Anne Yarde
Yarde Reviews & Book Promotion
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Warrior of Two Kings
Birgit Constant
Birgit Constant has a PhD in medieval studies, has learned eleven languages and worked her way through translation, IT and Public Relations before ending up in the world of books.
She has been working as an author, writer and editor in Landshut, Germany, since 2014.
She writes historical fiction for readers who want to immerse themselves into medieval history and languages. She has also published a guide for budding authors.
When she is not working on her manuscripts, you can find her on foot or on her bike at various speeds in Landshut, where she lives with her family.
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