Book Title: Godwine Kingmaker
Series: The Last Great Saxon Earls
Author: Mercedes Rochelle
Publication Date: April 4, 2015
Publisher: Sergeant Press
Page Length: 351
Genre: Historical Fiction
THE LAST GREAT SAXON EARLS
GODWINE KINGMAKER
THE SONS OF GODWINE
FATAL RIVALRY
by
Mercedes Rochelle
Blurb:
They showed so much promise. What happened to the Godwines? How did they lose their grip? Who was this Godwine anyway, first Earl of Wessex and known as the Kingmaker? Was he an unscrupulous schemer, using King and Witan to gain power? Or was he the greatest of all Saxon Earls, protector of the English against the hated Normans? The answer depends on who you ask.
He was befriended by the Danes, raised up by Canute the Great, given an Earldom and a wife from the highest Danish ranks. He sired nine children, among them four Earls, a Queen and a future King. Along with his power came a struggle to keep his enemies at bay, and Godwine's best efforts were brought down by the misdeeds of his eldest son Swegn.
Although he became father-in-law to a reluctant Edward the Confessor, his fortunes dwindled as the Normans gained prominence at court. Driven into exile, Godwine regathered his forces and came back even stronger, only to discover that his second son Harold was destined to surpass him in renown and glory.
This series is available on Kindle Unlimited
Universal Link: Amazon UK: Amazon US: Amazon CA: Amazon AU: Audio:
Mercedes Rochelle is an ardent lover of medieval history, and has channeled this interest into fiction writing. She believes that good Historical Fiction, or Faction as it’s coming to be known, is an excellent way to introduce the subject to curious readers. She also writes a blog: HistoricalBritainBlog.com to explore the history behind the story.
Born in St. Louis, MO, she received by BA in Literature at the Univ. of Missouri St.Louis in 1979 then moved to New York in 1982 while in her mid-20s to “see the world”. The search hasn’t ended!
Today she lives in Sergeantsville, NJ with her husband in a log home they had built themselves.
Website: Twitter: Facebook: Book Bub: Amazon Author Page: Goodreads:
EXCERPT:
Duel between Canute and Edmund Ironside
The isle of Olney was little more than a
long sandbank with willow trees growing unsteadily on its shore. The two Kings
and their followers disembarked on opposite sides at the same time. They made their
way to the center, where an enclosure was quickly roped off.
Godwine was even more impressed by
Edmund's great size from close up, and he understood Canute's reluctance to
meet him in single combat. The man was intent—nay, grim—and there was no evidence
of any softness or weakness about him. Edmund's mouth was set and his black
eyes were steady as he scrutinized his antagonist, looking for shortcomings. He
motioned with his head for the man beside him to step forward.
Tearing his eyes from Edmund, Godwine
assumed he was facing Eadric who walked to the center, acknowledging both
opponents with a glance and a nod, as though he ruled the assembly. Godwine was
surprised at the man's ugliness; his bulging blue eyes so pale they seemed
empty. For just a second Eadric's eyes met with Godwine's, and the Saxon
couldn't suppress a shudder; how could such a loathsome creature inspire such
confidence?
And then Eadric spoke, clearing up the
little mystery. His voice was so melodic that it was a delight just to listen
to him. Godwine had heard that Eadric was of common ancestry and had risen in
Aethelred's favor by way of his own abilities. It was no wonder, he
thought to himself. One could get lost in that man's voice.
"We are gathered here," Eadric
was saying, "to decide the fate of the kingdom by single combat. Canute
claims the crown by right of his father, Swegn Forkbeard." He bowed to the
Dane.
"And Edmund Ironside claims the
kingship by right of his inheritance from King Aethelred." He bowed to the
Saxon. "Both men have good and valid claims; and yet, it stands to reason
that the misery wrought on our good country should come to an end. Let God in
heaven make the decision for us, and grace the rightful King with a victory
this day."
Pleased with this little speech, Eadric
moved back, waving for the assembled to give the combatants more room.
Canute and Edmund moved into the center
of the clearing, their eyes locked. The Saxon was armored in chain mail like
Canute, his choice of weapon broadsword and shield against the Dane's axe and
shield.
No one in the crowd made a sound.
The two Kings circled, each looking for
an opening, then suddenly they both dashed together, shattering the silence
with a deafening crash of steel against wood. Both men had aimed a blow for the
head; both easily stopped the blade with their shield.
Canute was transformed by the first
encounter. He lost all of his uncertainty when the fighting began. Crouching so
that Edmund had a smaller target, Canute began concentrating on the Saxon's
timing, and forgot about his overwhelming size.
Edmund followed quickly with a series of
well-aimed blows—first high, then low—and pushed forward, trying to overcome
his enemy with brute force.
Quickly recognizing Edmund's reliance on
his strength, Canute began to weave and duck, cutting in and out of his
opponent's range. He struck quickly, more to weaken Edmund and draw blood than
to maim him; Canute realized that one solid blow from the Saxon could easily
finish him.
The chain links began to burst and fly
off Edmund's armor, displaying Canute's skill. Edmund was forced back
momentarily and stopped, gasping for breath. The Dane straightened up, seeing
his difficulty, and said in a loud voice, "Edmund, you are too
short-winded."
Stung, the Saxon jumped forward,
responding with a stunning wrap-around blow to Canute's head; the Dane fell to
the ground.
"Not too short-winded if I can
bring so great a King to his knees.”
Smiling grimly, Edmund stood back for a
moment, allowing his opponent to recover; then he moved in again, chopping so
heavily at the Dane's shield that huge splinters flew in every direction.
Canute stepped back, then again, and
realized that he was not going to hold up much longer. His shield arm was
growing numb; frenziedly defending himself, he couldn't return any of the
blows.
Then, with a gasp, the Dane was forced
again to one knee. "Bravest of youths," he cried out, "why
should either of us risk his life for the sake of a crown?"
Edmund stopped his hammering and stood
back, waiting for Canute to continue.
"Let us be brothers by
adoption," Canute went on, staying on one knee, "and divide the
kingdom, governing so that I may rule your affairs, and you mine."
The Saxon looked at Canute with lowering
brows; he seemed unconvinced.
"Even the government of Denmark I
submit to your disposal."
These last words came out more
reluctantly; they cost Canute dear. Edmund knew that. He dropped his shield,
passed the sword to his left hand, and gave Canute his right, helping him up.
"I hope he knows what he is
doing," Ulf growled to Godwine. "This is more than the rest of us
bargained for."
Godwine glanced at Ulf, worried at his
tone.
King Edmund ceremoniously held Canute at
arm's length, then gave him the kiss of peace; as though they were brothers,
the Dane returned his gesture, amid the cheers of the Saxons. Canute's
followers were less vociferous in their enthusiasm, but out of regard for their
chief, they raised no objection.
Edmund seemed to have come prepared;
releasing Canute, he motioned for his scribes to advance, and record all that
was to be decided. It seemed that the division was going to take place in that
very spot.
"He must want witnesses,"
Godwine said, nodding, "so that there will be no questions later. It seems
that Edmund wants to be rid of our presence at the soonest."
Canute did not react to this hasty
gesture, nor did he give any indication that he suffered humiliation from his
defeat. His first demands were for the Danish fleet to be paid a certain amount
of money, as a matter of course. Edmund agreed without demurring, so habitual
was this method of dealing with the Danes. Then, the actual division was
decided upon. Edmund was to have all the land south of the Thames: the earldom
of Wessex. In addition to this, East Anglia, Essex, and London. Canute was
agreeable. "Done. Those last belong to you anyway, even with my troops all
over them. Wessex has always been yours."
Canute was to have all of Mercia and
Northumbria: a sizable portion of England, if somewhat less populous. It was
agreed that each would succeed to the territories of the other in case of
death; Edmund's two children were very young, and therefore given little
consideration for the moment.
Both Kings appeared content, though
Godwine wondered how deep that satisfaction went. But when all was finished and
Canute came nearer, an angry glint in his eye gave the Saxon his answer.
However, Ulf didn't seem to notice.
"Why did you do that?" the Jarl said angrily. "You should not
have included Denmark in the bargain."
Canute turned on him furiously.
"What business is it of yours, what I do with my kingdom?"
Ulf stepped back, but he was too
committed to stop now. Nor did he want to. "It is very much my business.
Do not forget the rest of your Jarls. Without our support, where would you
be?"
Canute's face tuned red, but he
restrained his temper. He said icily, "I would watch what I say, if I were
you."
His manner made Godwine more nervous
than if he were to explode in anger. But still Ulf did not heed his wrath.
"You had just better watch yourself, Canute. We will have no foreign king
telling us what to do."
"You will do as I say!" Canute
turned to the field, observing the last of the Saxons. When he looked at Ulf
again, his eyes were shuttered, his voice even. "Do not worry, Ulf. What
you fear will never happen." Then he spun on his heels and strode off,
motioning for his Danes to follow.
Thank you so much for hosting Mercedes Rochelle on your lovely blog today, Judith.
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Cathie Dunn
The Coffee Pot Book Club
Thanks so much for hosting me!
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