Publisher: Bike Ride Books
Print Length: 347 Pages
Genre: Historical Fiction
This is a historical novel through the eyes of Alfred the Great, set in real 9th century Wessex in the face of viking raids and then invasion, ideal for readers of historical fiction, especially books set in Anglo-Saxon England, such as The Last Kingdom by Bernard Cornwell.
Readers say the Alfred of Wessex trilogy is fast-paced, yet more than just battles, weaving historical accuracy into a compelling storyline, and gets inside the mind of Alfred the Great, bringing alive an exciting and important era of English history.
In the first book of the trilogy, ‘Alfred of Wessex, Book One: Inheritance', the Anglo-Saxon Kingdoms of Wessex, Mercia, Northumbria and East Anglia face a gathering storm of Danes threatening destruction and occupation. Amongst all this, Alfred’s brother’s Kingdom of Wessex is split by rivalries.
And then the Danes invade.
As the intrigues and rivalries continue even during war, how can Wessex avoid catastrophe: is this the end of Wessex? And what of Alfred himself?
A young man may be taught how to wield a sword, but nothing can truly prepare him for the moment when he must use it to take another man’s life. For Alfred, the youngest of the royal brothers, the fighting in Kent is the beginning of an education that will demand far more of him than skill with a weapon. The Danes are threatening the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms, and those entrusted with defending Wessex do not always put its interests before their own.
With ‘Alfred of Wessex, Book One: Inheritance’, Michael Carden has written an absorbing account of a young man learning what it means to lead. Warfare and the struggle for power occupy much of the narrative, yet it is Alfred’s relationships with those closest to him that give this novel its emotional depth.
Alfred is an engaging protagonist, particularly because Carden allows him to be young. He has questions he cannot answer, opinions he cannot always defend and a tendency to become frustrated when others will not listen. There are occasions when his determination runs ahead of his experience, but there is also a willingness to learn. His position within the royal family does not make him an accomplished commander, and his survival sometimes depends upon someone else reaching him in time. This vulnerability makes him all the more compelling.
As the story progresses, the consequences of leadership become increasingly apparent. The warriors who follow Alfred have families, homes and lives beyond the battlefield. Asking them to fight means accepting that some will never return. Carden gives due attention to that responsibility, allowing the reader to see the thought and uncertainty behind decisions that must nevertheless be made quickly. Alfred cannot afford to remain the inexperienced younger brother, however much he might sometimes wish to.
His friendship with Noth is one of the great pleasures of this novel. Their teasing brings humour to otherwise difficult moments, and there is an ease between them that comes from years of companionship. Noth knows when Alfred is concealing pain, when he needs encouragement and when he is being thoroughly stubborn. Beneath the jokes lies a fierce concern for his friend’s safety. However, their closeness does not spare them disagreements, particularly when changes within Alfred’s household leave Noth questioning his place. These moments are uncomfortable precisely because their friendship matters.
The Ealdorman of Berkshire is equally important to Alfred. His guidance carries the affection of a man who has helped fill a painful absence in the younger man’s life. Through this relationship, and through Alfred’s conversations with his sister, the loneliness of his childhood becomes clear. Those early losses help explain why the family he builds with Elswith means so much to him.
Elswith is introduced as a shy young woman, but there is more to her than her initial awkwardness suggests. She has opinions of her own and will not simply agree because an agreement is expected of her. Her affection for Alfred is evident, as is her fear when he leaves to face the Danes. One particularly convincing exchange sees her challenge his attempt to tell her not to be frightened. She has every reason to be afraid, and he cannot offer the certainty she needs. Their marriage brings welcome tenderness to the story, without making the dangers outside their household any less real.
Edith is another character who leaves a lasting impression. Warm, capable and courageous, she recognises qualities in herself that her position gives her little opportunity to exercise. Her love for her husband does not prevent her from seeing his limitations, and her affection for Alfred is accompanied by regret over the childhood she could not remain to share. The conversations between brother and sister are among the novel’s most affecting scenes.
The struggle within Wessex’s leadership is often as troubling as the enemy beyond its borders. The ealdormen command warriors whose loyalty belongs first to them, and a king cannot assume that those men will be available when he needs them. Family interests and personal ambition intrude upon decisions that concern the survival of the kingdom. Alfred must learn to deal with men who resent him, question him and possess the power to frustrate his plans.
There are times when these disputes become repetitive. Several council meetings revisit familiar objections, and Wulfhere’s relentless hostility occasionally makes his next response rather predictable. Eadwulf is more interesting in this respect. His measured manner makes it harder to judge how far practical concerns explain his advice and how far he is pursuing his own advantage. Some tightening of the repeated arguments would have helped maintain the pace, although the tension between royal authority and the ealdormen’s power remains an important part of the story.
The fighting itself is vividly described. The weight of equipment, the difficulty of seeing beyond a shield and the confusion when men lose their formation make the battles feel frighteningly immediate. There is little comfort in courage when the ground is slippery, the enemy is pressing forward and orders cannot be heard. Food, shelter and exhausted men also matter, and Carden shows how these everyday necessities can limit even the most determined commander.
Alfred’s illness adds a further uncertainty. His pain comes and goes, the remedies offer limited relief, and nobody can tell him or his companions what the future holds. He often finds his symptoms less troublesome when occupied, but the exhaustion following an attack cannot always be concealed. His insistence that he is well enough to continue can be frustrating, especially when those around him can plainly see otherwise. It is a very human weakness in a man upon whom so much increasingly depends.
The brutality of the invading armies is strongly emphasised. Radmer and Guthrum bring greater complexity to that portrayal, and their encounters with Alfred are particularly interesting. More of this attention to differing motives would have been welcome, although Carden conveys the suffering of threatened communities with considerable force.
‘Alfred of Wessex, Book One: Inheritance’ is a compelling beginning to Alfred’s story. The friendships, family ties and difficult choices give the reader much to care about, while the battles make clear how precarious survival can be. By the closing pages, there is every reason to want to discover what lies ahead for Alfred and those who have placed their trust in him.
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Mary Anne xxx