Hollway, Don Battle for the Island Kingdom. England's Destiny 1000-1066

A story about the years up to 1066, when Vikings, Anglo-Saxons and Normans fought for the English crown. A story of loyalty, betrayal and military might. The six decades leading up to 1066 were characterised by bloody wars and intrigue as three peoples vied for supremacy over the English island kingdom. In this epic retelling, Don Hollway depicts the clashes between Vikings, Anglo-Saxons and Normans, their warlords and their conniving queens. The story begins with the Viking Knut the Great forging three nations into his North Sea empire, while his Saxon wife Aelfgifu rules in his stead and plots for England's throne. Their arch-enemy is Emma of Normandy, the widow of the Saxon king Aethelred, who lays claim to Knut's realm by asking for his hand in marriage. Her sons become rivals, pawns in their mothers' wars, until they are able to secure their own destiny. And always in the shadows is Godwin of Wessex, who plays all sides to gain the power behind the throne until his son Harold rises to become king of all England. But Harold's brother Tostig turns traitor, leaves the Anglo-Saxon side and joins the army of the last great Viking, Harald Hardrada, where they meet their fate together at the Battle of Stamford Bridge. And all the while, William the Bastard watches from across the Channel as he fights for his own Norman duchy, but with one eye on the English crown.