JAYDEN WOODS - Official Author Site
Character Page
IMPORTANT: In some sections, I add tidbits that may be spoilers for the story. That's why these spoilers are in red.
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ALFHELM
AKA Ælfhelm of York, Elfhelm, Aelfhelm
CHARACTER INTRO: Alfhelm is the ealdorman of Northumbria from 994 A.D. until his death. He is the father of Alfgifu of Northhampton. His wife is named Wulfrun. He is a calm and gentle man who, to his own detriment, is far too passive in the administrations of government for his own good.
QUOTE: Alfhelm peered longingly into the shadows of the forest. Eadric could now see the silver strands of hair twined with brown in the ealdorman’s mane, and the frown lines deepening permanently around his nose. “I have lost my foothold. That is all there is to it.” (from Eadric the Grasper)
HOW MUCH IS FACT? It is believed that King Ethelred ordered the assassination of Alfhelm through Eadric Streona. This was probably due to the fact that Alfhelm failed to protect York against the Scots, and young Uhtred of Northumbria was rising quickly to power in Alfhelm's place. It is also true that Alfhelm might have been Eadric’s uncle, if Eadric’s father was Wulfric Spot.
ALFGIFU
AKA Alfgifu of Northampton, Aelgifu
Read a short story about Alfgifu: Alfgifu the Orphan
CHARACTER INTRO: Alfgifu is the daughter of Alfhelm. She is young when her father is mysteriously assassinated. She suspects the murderer is a thegn named Eadric and devotes herself to bringing about his demise.
QUOTE: But as Eadric brought the drink to his lips and drank he nearly choked, for a woman stepped suddenly into the circle of firelight and brushed her fingers over Canute’s chest. She was a fair woman by nature, but draped with dark cloths and silks, and her pale eyes stared at him through narrow slits. But she was not even old enough to be called a woman, and her body seemed more like that of a teenaged boy. She was not very beautiful, her face square and masculine, her hair cropped above her ears, but she draped herself against Canute’s body like his lover.
It could be none other than Alfgifu, the daughter of Alfhelm.
“Do you like your drink?” she said to Eadric, sneering. “I prepared it especially for you.” (from Eadric the Grasper)
HOW MUCH IS FACT? It is true that Alfgifu was the daughter of Alfhelm of York. She had two children with Canute the Great, Svein and Harold Harefoot. The legitimacy of her marriage with Canute is often questioned, because Canute ignored it later, when he chose to marry Queen Emma of Normandy.
AKA Ælfhelm of York, Elfhelm, Aelfhelm
CHARACTER INTRO: Alfhelm is the ealdorman of Northumbria from 994 A.D. until his death. He is the father of Alfgifu of Northhampton. His wife is named Wulfrun. He is a calm and gentle man who, to his own detriment, is far too passive in the administrations of government for his own good.
QUOTE: Alfhelm peered longingly into the shadows of the forest. Eadric could now see the silver strands of hair twined with brown in the ealdorman’s mane, and the frown lines deepening permanently around his nose. “I have lost my foothold. That is all there is to it.” (from Eadric the Grasper)
HOW MUCH IS FACT? It is believed that King Ethelred ordered the assassination of Alfhelm through Eadric Streona. This was probably due to the fact that Alfhelm failed to protect York against the Scots, and young Uhtred of Northumbria was rising quickly to power in Alfhelm's place. It is also true that Alfhelm might have been Eadric’s uncle, if Eadric’s father was Wulfric Spot.
ALFGIFU
AKA Alfgifu of Northampton, Aelgifu
Read a short story about Alfgifu: Alfgifu the Orphan
CHARACTER INTRO: Alfgifu is the daughter of Alfhelm. She is young when her father is mysteriously assassinated. She suspects the murderer is a thegn named Eadric and devotes herself to bringing about his demise.
QUOTE: But as Eadric brought the drink to his lips and drank he nearly choked, for a woman stepped suddenly into the circle of firelight and brushed her fingers over Canute’s chest. She was a fair woman by nature, but draped with dark cloths and silks, and her pale eyes stared at him through narrow slits. But she was not even old enough to be called a woman, and her body seemed more like that of a teenaged boy. She was not very beautiful, her face square and masculine, her hair cropped above her ears, but she draped herself against Canute’s body like his lover.
It could be none other than Alfgifu, the daughter of Alfhelm.
“Do you like your drink?” she said to Eadric, sneering. “I prepared it especially for you.” (from Eadric the Grasper)
HOW MUCH IS FACT? It is true that Alfgifu was the daughter of Alfhelm of York. She had two children with Canute the Great, Svein and Harold Harefoot. The legitimacy of her marriage with Canute is often questioned, because Canute ignored it later, when he chose to marry Queen Emma of Normandy.
AYDITH
Read short stories about Aydith:
Aydith the Aetheling
Edmund the Aetheling
AKA Edith, Eadgytha
CHARACTER INTRO: Aydith is the daughter of King Ethelred the Unready. When she is four years old, she witnesses a Viking attack on the city of Lundenburg. The gruesome sight of a monk's death scars her forever. She grows determined to never let the Northmen conquer Engla-lond.
QUOTE: “I am Aetheling Aydith, and I asked you a question. You will answer it.”
Her show of authority sparked a flare of rebellion in Eadric’s spirit, and a sharp smile curled up his face. “Peace, my girl; you are far too beautiful to let these grueling matters ruin the pleasure of your company.”
Her mouth gaped open a moment, and then the water struck his face before he saw her move at all. He did not even understand where the liquid had come from until he saw the empty animal-skin in her hand. Icy cold drops poured down his neck and matted his hair against his tunic. He blinked desperately to clear the droplets from his eyes. Then he could do nothing but stare at her in awe and fury.
“Churl or noble,” she said, “you’re either a fool or a coward, like all the others. And I hate both.”
And then she stormed away. (from Eadric the Grasper)
HOW MUCH IS FACT? Very little is known about Aydith. She was probably born around 990 A.D. by Ethelred's first wife. She married Eadric Streona in 1007 and later married Thorkell the Tall.
Read short stories about Aydith:
Aydith the Aetheling
Edmund the Aetheling
AKA Edith, Eadgytha
CHARACTER INTRO: Aydith is the daughter of King Ethelred the Unready. When she is four years old, she witnesses a Viking attack on the city of Lundenburg. The gruesome sight of a monk's death scars her forever. She grows determined to never let the Northmen conquer Engla-lond.
QUOTE: “I am Aetheling Aydith, and I asked you a question. You will answer it.”
Her show of authority sparked a flare of rebellion in Eadric’s spirit, and a sharp smile curled up his face. “Peace, my girl; you are far too beautiful to let these grueling matters ruin the pleasure of your company.”
Her mouth gaped open a moment, and then the water struck his face before he saw her move at all. He did not even understand where the liquid had come from until he saw the empty animal-skin in her hand. Icy cold drops poured down his neck and matted his hair against his tunic. He blinked desperately to clear the droplets from his eyes. Then he could do nothing but stare at her in awe and fury.
“Churl or noble,” she said, “you’re either a fool or a coward, like all the others. And I hate both.”
And then she stormed away. (from Eadric the Grasper)
HOW MUCH IS FACT? Very little is known about Aydith. She was probably born around 990 A.D. by Ethelred's first wife. She married Eadric Streona in 1007 and later married Thorkell the Tall.
CANUTE
AKA Knut, Knutr
Read short stories featuring Canute:
Alfgifu the Orphan
Canute the Viking
CHARACTER INTRO: Canute is the son of the king of Denmark, Sweyn
Forkbeard. He is very young when the crown is placed upon his own head,
but his youth only makes him more ruthless and determined to fulfill his
father’s legacy. Due to his experiences as a youth, Canute believes
that the Christian God is the one true God, and also that God has chosen
him to be king of Engla-lond.
QUOTE: Canute released [Eadric], though Eadric’s chin continued to throb as if bruised. “Power comes to me of its own will, Eadric. I have an older brother who grew up believing he would surpass me. Now he rules in Denmark, but the new land is mine. My father, God keep his soul, took this land and gave it to me immediately by his own death. All of the pieces fall into place, one by one, as if for my benefit. And then there is you. Your name means ‘power,’ does it not? And here you are, kneeling at my feet, though I have never even asked it of you.” (from Eadric the Grasper)
HOW MUCH IS FACT? It is true that Canute was very young when his father died and passed on the crown—not yet twenty years old when he became king. My physical descriptions of him were inspired by actual descriptions in old Viking sagas. It is also true that he trained under Thorkell the Tall before coming to England. While it is certainly possible that Canute began his childhood with pagan beliefs and then became an extremely devout Christian, my implications as to his personality and true nature are speculation.
QUOTE: Canute released [Eadric], though Eadric’s chin continued to throb as if bruised. “Power comes to me of its own will, Eadric. I have an older brother who grew up believing he would surpass me. Now he rules in Denmark, but the new land is mine. My father, God keep his soul, took this land and gave it to me immediately by his own death. All of the pieces fall into place, one by one, as if for my benefit. And then there is you. Your name means ‘power,’ does it not? And here you are, kneeling at my feet, though I have never even asked it of you.” (from Eadric the Grasper)
HOW MUCH IS FACT? It is true that Canute was very young when his father died and passed on the crown—not yet twenty years old when he became king. My physical descriptions of him were inspired by actual descriptions in old Viking sagas. It is also true that he trained under Thorkell the Tall before coming to England. While it is certainly possible that Canute began his childhood with pagan beliefs and then became an extremely devout Christian, my implications as to his personality and true nature are speculation.
EADRIC STREONA
AKA Edric
Short stories introducing Eadric, in order of chronological occurrence:
Golde the Mother
Athelward the Historian
Edmund the Aetheling
Hildred the Maid
CHARACTER INTRO: Eadric is born circa 986 A.D. When his mother Golde becomes pregnant, she runs from her duty as a maid for Ealdorman Alfric of Mercia to live with a humble swineherd named Hunwald. Eadric spends his early childhood with the swineherd tending pigs. When Eadric is seven years old, Ealdorman Alfric of Mercia visits Golde at the swineherd's farm. Alfric seeks refuge because he has just betrayed Engla-lond to the Danes and suspects the king's men are after him. Intrigued by the ealdorman, Eadric follows him home and witnesses the chaos that ensues: Alfric's legitimate son, Algar, is blinded by the king's men. Most of Alfric's home is pillaged and demolished. Alfric himself escapes, alive and ready to scheme his way back into King Ethelred's favor.
After this incident, Golde takes Eadric to a powerful man she knew from her days as a maid for Ealdorman Alfric: Ealdorman Athelward of Wessex. Golde offers to pay him if he provides her son with an education, despite the strangeness of such an exchange. Young Eadric impresses Athelward with his intelligence and eagerness, however, so Athelward accepts the task of educating him. For several years, Athelward tutors Eadric. Afterwards, Eadric moves back north to serve a swineherd of Staffordshire, Wulfric Spot.
At the age of sixteen, Eadric accompanies Wulfric Spot to the witenagemot in Lundenburg. Here he meets young Edmund Ironside, without knowing that the boy is an aetheling, and casually counsels him on the nature of warfare. He tells Edmund just want he wants to hear, so Edmund runs to his father the king and repeats Eadric's words. King Ethelred summons Eadric for further discussion, not realizing that he is only a lowly servant. After their conversation, however, King Ethelred is inspired to commit one of the most foolish acts in his lifetime: the attempted murder of every Dane in Engla-lond.
Despite this botched and regretful incident, young Eadric remains strongly in the king's mind. He gives Eadric a small estate on which to live as a thegn. Eadric soon proves himself a worthy thegn by helping his serfs survive one of the worst famines Engla-lond has ever seen (see the short story, "Hildred the Maid"). When Eadric is twenty, Ethelred sends Aetheling Edmund to visit him. Edmund brings a letter from the king ordering him to assassinate Ealdorman Alfhelm, who is also coming to visit. Murder is not in Eadric's nature, but ever since his visit to the royal palace, he cannot erase the king's daughter, Aydith, from his mind.
And thus the story progresses ...
QUOTE:
[Eadric] bowed his head deep, as if ashamed of the sorrow he so purposefully displayed. But perhaps, in a way, he was. “My lord. My friend. My brother. You have been kinder to me than I deserved, for you are merciful, and your heart is strong and pure. You are a worthier king than Engla-lond has ever known before. Please, Edmund.”
He looked up into his new king’s eyes. “Trust me one more time.” (from Eadric the Grasper)At the age of sixteen, Eadric accompanies Wulfric Spot to the witenagemot in Lundenburg. Here he meets young Edmund Ironside, without knowing that the boy is an aetheling, and casually counsels him on the nature of warfare. He tells Edmund just want he wants to hear, so Edmund runs to his father the king and repeats Eadric's words. King Ethelred summons Eadric for further discussion, not realizing that he is only a lowly servant. After their conversation, however, King Ethelred is inspired to commit one of the most foolish acts in his lifetime: the attempted murder of every Dane in Engla-lond.
Despite this botched and regretful incident, young Eadric remains strongly in the king's mind. He gives Eadric a small estate on which to live as a thegn. Eadric soon proves himself a worthy thegn by helping his serfs survive one of the worst famines Engla-lond has ever seen (see the short story, "Hildred the Maid"). When Eadric is twenty, Ethelred sends Aetheling Edmund to visit him. Edmund brings a letter from the king ordering him to assassinate Ealdorman Alfhelm, who is also coming to visit. Murder is not in Eadric's nature, but ever since his visit to the royal palace, he cannot erase the king's daughter, Aydith, from his mind.
And thus the story progresses ...
QUOTE:
[Eadric] bowed his head deep, as if ashamed of the sorrow he so purposefully displayed. But perhaps, in a way, he was. “My lord. My friend. My brother. You have been kinder to me than I deserved, for you are merciful, and your heart is strong and pure. You are a worthier king than Engla-lond has ever known before. Please, Edmund.”
HOW MUCH IS FACT? Eadric's birthdate is not known. Neither is the identity of his father, for whom history books offer three candidates: Alfric of Mercia, Wulfric Spot, and Aethelward the Historian and Ealdorman. Whether or not Eadric was responsible for the Massacre of Saint Brice's Day is speculative. The prime history source for this time period, the Anglo-Saxon Chronicles, does not blame Eadric for this occurrence, but you will find the event attributed to him in later history books. According to Edward Freeman in Old English History for Children (1869): “It is said that Ethelred was advised to do this by one Eadric, surnamed Streona, a man of low birth, who became his chief favourite, and to whom he gave his daughter Edith in marriage. Of this Eadric we shall hear a great deal for some years" (pg. 211 Freeman). But it has also been said that Eadric was a man to whom many crimes were attributed when no one else was to blame.
Nevertheless, several of Eadric's actions seem evident enough from the original sources. Here is a list of things Eadric certainly did: (WARNING, this entire list contains SPOILERS for Eadric the Grasper)
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Seize church lands in his own name, therefore earning the nickname "streona" meaning grasper / acquisitor
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Assassinate Ealdorman Alfhelm of Northumbria in the woods Shrewsbury with the help of the town hangman, Godwin "Porthund" (Town Dog)
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Marry Aydith, daughter of King Ethelred, in 1007 A.D, thus becoming Ealdorman of Mercia
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Encourage King Ethelred to pay the Danes not to attack. This payment was called the Danegald
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Convince King Ethelred not to face Thorkell the Tall in battle in 1009 A.D. All the troops had already been gathered and were ready to fight, but Eadric talked them out of it and they let Thorkell pass
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Act as a go-between for King Ethelred and Thorkell the Tall during the ransom of Bishop Alphege. The ransom was set for three thousand pounds, but Alphege refused to let his fellow Englishmen pay it. He died at the hands of the rowdy Danes instead
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Assassinate Sigeferth and Morcar, allies of Edmund Ironside, by inviting them over to feast and then attacking them. One description of this murder is particularly cruel: the two thegns might have tried to escape by rushing into a tower with their hearth companions for safety, at which point Eadric's men lit the tower on fire
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Join the Viking King, Canute. The timing of this means that Eadric probably would have been with Canute while the Viking cruelly raided sections of Mercia
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Somehow won his way back into Edmund Ironside's good graces, only to betray him in the Battle of Ashingdon
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Assassinated Edmund Ironside
EDMUND IRONSIDE
AKA Edmund Aetheling
CHARACTER INTRO: Edmund, second eldest son of King Ethelred, is a bold boy who must grow up at a very early age, due to the fact he may soon become king. He is a teenager when he first meets Eadric, whose advice to him seems like exactly what King Ethelred needs to hear. Even when Eadric's advice results in the horrendous St Brice's Day Massacre, Edmund remains a friend to Eadric, who is as charming as he is intelligent. Little does he know, he and Eadric will soon become mortal enemies ...
QUOTE: “Oh Eadric,” gasped Edmund, “I am so glad ... so very glad to have you back.”
They drew back enough to look into each other’s faces. Though for a moment Eadric wondered at his ability to keep up this incredible ploy, he felt simultaneously that it required no effort at all.
“Edmund,” he sighed. “You are one tough son of a bitch, do you know that?” (from Eadric the Grasper)
HOW MUCH IS FICTIONAL? Edmund's friendship with Eadric is somewhat fictional. However, the sheer number of times he trusted Eadric--despite the fact Eadric repeatedly betrayed him--suggests that he and Eadric must have had a deep and complex relationship. Secondly, while Eadric is thought to have assassinated Edmund eventually, the Anglo-Saxon Chronicles also mention that when Eadric first gets the idea to kill Edmund (the two of them meet in separate boats on the river), Eadric can't bring himself to go through with it.
QUOTE: “Oh Eadric,” gasped Edmund, “I am so glad ... so very glad to have you back.”
They drew back enough to look into each other’s faces. Though for a moment Eadric wondered at his ability to keep up this incredible ploy, he felt simultaneously that it required no effort at all.
“Edmund,” he sighed. “You are one tough son of a bitch, do you know that?” (from Eadric the Grasper)
HOW MUCH IS FICTIONAL? Edmund's friendship with Eadric is somewhat fictional. However, the sheer number of times he trusted Eadric--despite the fact Eadric repeatedly betrayed him--suggests that he and Eadric must have had a deep and complex relationship. Secondly, while Eadric is thought to have assassinated Edmund eventually, the Anglo-Saxon Chronicles also mention that when Eadric first gets the idea to kill Edmund (the two of them meet in separate boats on the river), Eadric can't bring himself to go through with it.
EMMA OF NORMANDY
AKA --
CHARACTER INTRO: Emma is only twelve years of age when she is sent from Normandy to marry the king of Engla-lond, King Ethelred. At the time, Ethelred is already a king who is questioned by his subjects, and whose country is victim of constant Viking raids. Emma herself is of Danish descent, so she feels sympathy for the Vikings all the while. She does her duty to King Ethelred, but she also befriends Eadric Streona, and when the tides turn, she will be ready to turn with them.
QUOTE: Emma smiled. “Do not put up your guard around me, Eadric. I think we will be friends. Do you know who my friends once were, back in Normandy?”
He shook his head.
“Vikings.” She closed her eyes and breathed in through her nose. “I can still remember their sun-faded hair and eyes the color of the ocean. They smelled of the sea.” She opened her eyes and exhaled, sadly now. “But Ethelred is my lord now.”
Eadric was at a loss. The queen’s admission scared him. (from Eadric the Grasper)
HOW MUCH IS FICTIONAL? There is very little I made up about Emma of Normandy, beyond the typical elaboration of dialogue.
ETHELRED
AKA King Ethelred, Ethelred the Unready, Aethelred
Read a short story about young King Ethelred: http://talesofmercia.wordpress.com/2010/06/01/ethelred/
CHARACTER INTRO: Ethelred becomes king at a very young age (approximately 11) when his older brother is poisoned. Little does anyone know, his entire reign is cursed from the beginning with mistakes and bad fortune. Ethelred's reign is plagued by Viking attacks, and from the beginning, he is betrayed by many of his own thegns. His mistakes continue when he decides to take young Eadric under his wing, inspired by Eadric's advice to kill all of the Danes in Engla-lond.
QUOTE: “Why does God hate me?” growled Ethelred through his sobs. “He made me a king before I was ready, Eadric. I was barely eleven when my brother died and gave me the throne. My entire reign, I have tried so hard to serve my kingdom. But the pagans keep on coming, they never stop, they just keep coming, and what else can I do? What else can I do? And Aethelstan!” A fresh cry of pain and rage ripped from his throat, so agonizing that even Eadric felt his eyes prick with sympathetic tears. (from Eadric the Grasper)
HOW MUCH IS FACT? There is very little I "made up" about Ethelred, except for the typical elaboration of dialogue.
AKA King Ethelred, Ethelred the Unready, Aethelred
Read a short story about young King Ethelred: http://talesofmercia.wordpress.com/2010/06/01/ethelred/
CHARACTER INTRO: Ethelred becomes king at a very young age (approximately 11) when his older brother is poisoned. Little does anyone know, his entire reign is cursed from the beginning with mistakes and bad fortune. Ethelred's reign is plagued by Viking attacks, and from the beginning, he is betrayed by many of his own thegns. His mistakes continue when he decides to take young Eadric under his wing, inspired by Eadric's advice to kill all of the Danes in Engla-lond.
QUOTE: “Why does God hate me?” growled Ethelred through his sobs. “He made me a king before I was ready, Eadric. I was barely eleven when my brother died and gave me the throne. My entire reign, I have tried so hard to serve my kingdom. But the pagans keep on coming, they never stop, they just keep coming, and what else can I do? What else can I do? And Aethelstan!” A fresh cry of pain and rage ripped from his throat, so agonizing that even Eadric felt his eyes prick with sympathetic tears. (from Eadric the Grasper)
HOW MUCH IS FACT? There is very little I "made up" about Ethelred, except for the typical elaboration of dialogue.
GODRIC
Read a clip from "Godric the Kingslayer": http://talesofmercia.wordpress.com/2010/11/28/a-glimpse-into-godric-the-kingslayer/
CHARACTER INTRO: Godric is born 1007 A.D. as the bastard son of Hildred and Eadric. Godric spends the first few years of his life with his mother in Shropshire, but eventually, Eadric allows him to move into his estate at Tamworth. Godric is generally despised by his step-mother, Aydith, and all of his step-siblings; nevertheless, he lives in safety and physical luxury. When Godric is eight years old, he witnesses his father assassinate two men in the dining hall. Eadric helps him cope with this by assuring him that some people simply need to die--a mentality that will strongly affect Godric for the rest of his life.
QUOTE: “You will forgive me,” hissed Canute. “I had mercy on you.”
“You had mercy too late.” With a grunt, Godric overpowered Canute’s arms, pinning them to the pillow. Meanwhile his forearm pressed sharply into Canute’s throat. He leered over the king’s trembling lips. His one remaining eye, the symbol of Canute’s mercy, bored into Canute’s gaping pupils. “And that mercy will cost you your life.” (from Godric the Kingslayer)
HOW MUCH IS FACT? Godric is fictional. However, it is true that a son of Eadric Streona may have aided in the assassination of Edmund Ironside.
Read a clip from "Godric the Kingslayer": http://talesofmercia.wordpress.com/2010/11/28/a-glimpse-into-godric-the-kingslayer/
CHARACTER INTRO: Godric is born 1007 A.D. as the bastard son of Hildred and Eadric. Godric spends the first few years of his life with his mother in Shropshire, but eventually, Eadric allows him to move into his estate at Tamworth. Godric is generally despised by his step-mother, Aydith, and all of his step-siblings; nevertheless, he lives in safety and physical luxury. When Godric is eight years old, he witnesses his father assassinate two men in the dining hall. Eadric helps him cope with this by assuring him that some people simply need to die--a mentality that will strongly affect Godric for the rest of his life.
QUOTE: “You will forgive me,” hissed Canute. “I had mercy on you.”
“You had mercy too late.” With a grunt, Godric overpowered Canute’s arms, pinning them to the pillow. Meanwhile his forearm pressed sharply into Canute’s throat. He leered over the king’s trembling lips. His one remaining eye, the symbol of Canute’s mercy, bored into Canute’s gaping pupils. “And that mercy will cost you your life.” (from Godric the Kingslayer)
HOW MUCH IS FACT? Godric is fictional. However, it is true that a son of Eadric Streona may have aided in the assassination of Edmund Ironside.
HASTINGS
Read a short story about Hastings: Hastings the Hearth Companion
CHARACTER INTRO: Hastings serves as a hearth companion to King Ethelred. Born the son of a rich thegn, he found a place in the king's service at a young age and became a rather permanent member of King Ethelred's retainers. He does not have much ambition beyond serving the king; he goes with the royal family and only tentatively holds lands through his father. Hastings' loyalty to the king, however, eventually morphs into loyalty for his daughter, Aydith.
QUOTE: She pulled off the helmet and let down her matted hair. Next she unfastened her steel plates and leather fittings. Then she pulled open her linens and let them fall below her shoulders, so she could unwrap her tightly-bound breasts.
Footsteps echoed behind her. She pulled her tunic back up and turned to see Hastings at the doorway, his face red. “I am sorry, my lady.”
“No reason to be.” She forced a smile. “It’s nothing you haven’t seen already.”
He bowed his head as he walked further into the room. “On a day like this I know why I would give my life at any moment for you, my lady.” He bowed low to her, then grabbed her hand and kissed it. Her hand stiffened in his when his lips lingered unnecessarily long. “I hate to be apart from you, Aydith.”
His use of her name unsettled her and she tugged her fingers free. “We have no choice. Eadric would kill you.”
“As I said.” He turned his head to look up at her. “I would give my life for you.” (from Eadric the Grasper)
HOW MUCH IS FACT? Hastings is a fictional character.
HILDRED
Read a short story about Hildred: Hildred the Maid
CHARACTER INTRO: Hildred is a maid who enters Eadric's service after the famine of 1005 A.D. She is a kind woman with dimples when she smiles and a submissive spirit. She falls for Eadric while in his service and bears him a bastard son named Godric.
QUOTE: That night, Eadric visited Godric in the west hall where he stayed with his mother, Hildred. The two of them shared a small space separated with cloth from the other servants’ beds. To have Eadric visit them there was very unusual. Hildred sat on her bed, knitting, while Godric played with wooden toys on the floor. Eadric strode into their space, pushing aside the woolen curtain without so much as an invitation. Hildred flinched and dropped her knitting sticks. Then a red flush suffused her cheeks. The same predicament seemed to strike Eadric as he looked back at her, though Godric could not understand why.
“Hello, Hildred,” said Eadric after a moment. His voice seemed tight.
Hildred stared back at him, mouth hanging open uncertainly.
“Father!” cried Godric. He stood up and tried to give Eadric a hug, though Eadric made little effort to return the gesture. He patted Godric’s thick brown hair.
“I want to speak with you about something, Godric.” But he was still looking at Hildred. (from Godric the Kingslayer)
HOW MUCH IS FACT? Hildred is a fictional character.
Read a short story about Hildred: Hildred the Maid
CHARACTER INTRO: Hildred is a maid who enters Eadric's service after the famine of 1005 A.D. She is a kind woman with dimples when she smiles and a submissive spirit. She falls for Eadric while in his service and bears him a bastard son named Godric.
QUOTE: That night, Eadric visited Godric in the west hall where he stayed with his mother, Hildred. The two of them shared a small space separated with cloth from the other servants’ beds. To have Eadric visit them there was very unusual. Hildred sat on her bed, knitting, while Godric played with wooden toys on the floor. Eadric strode into their space, pushing aside the woolen curtain without so much as an invitation. Hildred flinched and dropped her knitting sticks. Then a red flush suffused her cheeks. The same predicament seemed to strike Eadric as he looked back at her, though Godric could not understand why.
“Hello, Hildred,” said Eadric after a moment. His voice seemed tight.
Hildred stared back at him, mouth hanging open uncertainly.
“Father!” cried Godric. He stood up and tried to give Eadric a hug, though Eadric made little effort to return the gesture. He patted Godric’s thick brown hair.
“I want to speak with you about something, Godric.” But he was still looking at Hildred. (from Godric the Kingslayer)
HOW MUCH IS FACT? Hildred is a fictional character.
RUNA
Read a short story about Runa: Runa the Wife
CHARACTER INTRO: Runa is a free-spirited woman with a dark past. For a long time she lives in the woods, reading runes and supporting herself on wildlife. When she meets Thorkell the Tall, however, she decides to try domestic life. She soon ingratiates herself with the Viking community and finds herself pursuing her dreams of raiding and pillaging. At long last she travels to Engla-lond with Thorkell, where she meets a man who greatly intrigues her named Eadric.
QUOTE: After discarding the last garment, [Runa] swam back to [Eadric] and positioned herself behind him. Her hands gentle, she grasped his head and guided it back into the water. She worked the water into his scalp then down through his hair, wringing and stroking the long blond locks free of dirt and filth. Then she brushed the water over his face and ears, lingering on his smooth chin. Her hands rubbed down his neck and shoulders, then slid around to the front of his torso. When she started pushing them still down, he finally moved.
He grabbed her wrists and held them tight, his breath shallow and fast. “What do you want?” he demanded.
“The same thing you clearly want.” Her fingers tickled at the hairs of his belly. (from Eadric the Grasper)
HOW MUCH IS FACT? Runa is a fictional character.
Read a short story about Runa: Runa the Wife
CHARACTER INTRO: Runa is a free-spirited woman with a dark past. For a long time she lives in the woods, reading runes and supporting herself on wildlife. When she meets Thorkell the Tall, however, she decides to try domestic life. She soon ingratiates herself with the Viking community and finds herself pursuing her dreams of raiding and pillaging. At long last she travels to Engla-lond with Thorkell, where she meets a man who greatly intrigues her named Eadric.
QUOTE: After discarding the last garment, [Runa] swam back to [Eadric] and positioned herself behind him. Her hands gentle, she grasped his head and guided it back into the water. She worked the water into his scalp then down through his hair, wringing and stroking the long blond locks free of dirt and filth. Then she brushed the water over his face and ears, lingering on his smooth chin. Her hands rubbed down his neck and shoulders, then slid around to the front of his torso. When she started pushing them still down, he finally moved.
He grabbed her wrists and held them tight, his breath shallow and fast. “What do you want?” he demanded.
“The same thing you clearly want.” Her fingers tickled at the hairs of his belly. (from Eadric the Grasper)
HOW MUCH IS FACT? Runa is a fictional character.
THORKELL THE TALL
Read a short story featuring Thorkell: Runa the Wife
CHARACTER INTRO: Thorkell the Tall is one of the most powerful Jomsvikings in Jomsborg, foster-father to young Prince Canute. He fights because it is what he has done all his life and he rarely questions bloodshed. His brother is killed amidst the tragedies of the Saint Brice's Day Massacre. He comes to Engla-lond with his warriors as well as his wife, Runa, to fight the Anglo-Saxons. After meeting Eadric, however, their loyalties begin to shift.
QUOTE: “Are you Eadric of Mercia, who advised the king four years ago?”
Eadric was too terrified to respond.
Runa pulled Thorkell aside and they spoke to each other privately. When they finished, Thorkell looked at Eadric long and hard. Then he turned and walked away, but only for a moment. He came back with his goliath sword in hand, walking directly towards Eadric.
The remaining throng of Danes cheered. Eadric’s heart sank and his limbs froze with fear.
Thorkell reached down with one hand, as he had the night before, and lifted Eadric directly off the ground with only a soft grunt of strain. He threw Eadric over his shoulder, mail coat and all, and started walking away with him. (from Eadric the Grasper)
HOW MUCH IS FACT?
It is true that Thorkell the Tall helped raise and train Canute the Great. The shifts of his loyalty in the book and his capture of Archbishop Alphege follow the events of the Anglo-Saxon Chronicles. His first wife or wives are unknown, though he did have a son named Harald. His friendly relationship with Eadric Streona is strongly implied by the events of history, such as their mutual Danegald negotiations, and it is very likely that Eadric convinced Thorkell to briefly work for King Ethelred.
Read a short story featuring Thorkell: Runa the Wife
CHARACTER INTRO: Thorkell the Tall is one of the most powerful Jomsvikings in Jomsborg, foster-father to young Prince Canute. He fights because it is what he has done all his life and he rarely questions bloodshed. His brother is killed amidst the tragedies of the Saint Brice's Day Massacre. He comes to Engla-lond with his warriors as well as his wife, Runa, to fight the Anglo-Saxons. After meeting Eadric, however, their loyalties begin to shift.
QUOTE: “Are you Eadric of Mercia, who advised the king four years ago?”
Eadric was too terrified to respond.
Runa pulled Thorkell aside and they spoke to each other privately. When they finished, Thorkell looked at Eadric long and hard. Then he turned and walked away, but only for a moment. He came back with his goliath sword in hand, walking directly towards Eadric.
The remaining throng of Danes cheered. Eadric’s heart sank and his limbs froze with fear.
Thorkell reached down with one hand, as he had the night before, and lifted Eadric directly off the ground with only a soft grunt of strain. He threw Eadric over his shoulder, mail coat and all, and started walking away with him. (from Eadric the Grasper)
HOW MUCH IS FACT?
It is true that Thorkell the Tall helped raise and train Canute the Great. The shifts of his loyalty in the book and his capture of Archbishop Alphege follow the events of the Anglo-Saxon Chronicles. His first wife or wives are unknown, though he did have a son named Harald. His friendly relationship with Eadric Streona is strongly implied by the events of history, such as their mutual Danegald negotiations, and it is very likely that Eadric convinced Thorkell to briefly work for King Ethelred.
