The Atheling Chronicles , Book #4
Historical Fiction
Date Published: 11-12-2023
Publisher: Tirgearr Publishing
In 1030 C.E., Cnute, king of England, Denmark, and Norway, sends Harald, his middle son, to the Kingdom of Dublin to meet with his Norse-Irish allies. Harald’s mission is to coordinate an invasion of the northern Welsh kingdom of Gwynedd, to replace King Rhydderch who is growing too powerful on England’s borders. Harald is reluctant to be involved in affairs of state, but agrees to go, even though his beloved wife, Selia, is unwell. Harald tells Selia he will not have to take part in the fighting.
While she waits for Harald to return, Selia and her friend Gudrun befriend a young and attractive gleeman (poet-minstrel). When the gleeman is accused of a crime, Selia seeks witnesses in his defense.
Harald becomes involved in a conflict with Dublin’s neighbor, and to appease the king of Dublin, he commits to leading their combined forces in the attack on Wales. The plan is to replace King Rhydderch with Iago, the weaker King of Anglesey. The more Harald learns of these monarchs, the more his allegiance leans toward the man he has been sent to kill.
Will Harald unseat a strong and just ruler to carry out his father/king’s commands, or will he tread a more righteous road, which will destroy the life he and Selia have built in England?
Interview with Garth Pettersen
Have you read anything that made you think differently about fiction?
I read something about writing historical fiction that made me sit up: “Exploit the gaps.” Instead of writing a retread of a known story, find the gaps and fill them with ‘might-have-beens.’ In the case of my protagonist, Harald Harefoot, little is known. There are big gaps to fill.
How do you select the names of your characters?
Because I write historical fiction, I research common names of the ethnic group I am concerned with, the Anglo-Saxons, the Norse, the Irish, the Normans, etc. I always choose names that I feel fit the character. Sometimes, a member of my writing group will comment that two character names sound similar, but I can’t part with the names I have chosen. Names become integral to the characters. With Anglo-Saxon and Norse names, nicknames were often added, sometimes humorously. I have a Norse-Irish character in The Sea’s Edge who had a serious headwound from a battle. He’s known as Hagan Hole-in-the-Head. In my work-in-progress, Ravens Hill, there is a minor character who is an old woman with a dark spot on her face. She is called Edilda Mole-Face.
Do you hide any secrets in your books that only a few people will find?
I don’t think so. I try to create a medieval world that breaks stereotypes, so I am trying to reveal rather than conceal. For example, in the eleventh century most folk lived with other family members or with other workers of the lord who employed them, perhaps in a hall that functioned as kitchen, dining room, and bedroom. With little privacy, bodily functions and sexual relations were not considered profane. So, when one wanted to swear, body words had no power to shock. For a good curse word, you had to use the Lord’s name in vain—'by God’s wounds, I’ll see you bleed’ etc. Only later when the rich had more privacy, did an ‘oh, shit’ have any punch. And forget the ‘F’ word—it didn’t come into the language until the 15th century. Off on a tangent here? My point is there is much to be uncovered about the Middle Ages, even in language. So, no hidden secrets.
What was your hardest scene to write?
I was most challenged by the battle scene. I have been told I have a talent for fight scenes, but a battle is a different thing—like directing Hamlet on stage is different from directing Spartacus for the big screen. For my battle between the Welsh and the allied Norse-Irish and Danish-English forces, I had to research eleventh century weaponry and tactics before I could yell, “Action!” Keeping the different characters in play for the reader was also challenging.
Do you want each book to stand on its own, or are you trying to build a body of work with connections between each book?
The Sea’s Edge is book 4 of The Atheling Chronicles. I never want a reader to feel they don’t know what is going on because they haven’t read the previous books. I want each book to read as a stand-alone, but with a niggling at the reader to read the rest of the series. I’m trying to suggest readers should start anywhere, but do go back and catch up,
What were your goals and intentions in this book, and how well do you feel you achieved them?
I wanted Harald, my protagonist, to continue being the reluctant hero (he is the second son of King Cnute, but has no wish to succeed his father) who is swept up in forces beyond his control. Harald is forced to lead men in battle and discovers he is good at it. By the time he returns to his beloved Selia, he is stronger and more decisive, battle-hardened, wiser, and perhaps sadder. I am pleased with how the story turned out for Harald and I think The Sea’s Edge is my best book so far.
What inspired you to write The Sea’s Edge?
With a series such as The Atheling Chronicles, where one is writing about an historical figure, history won’t let you stop. Little is known about Harald Harefoot other than where he ended up (you’ll have to look him up—I won’t give it away). At the end of book 3, The Cold Hearth, Harald and Selia are attempting to work the land, living a peaceful life away from court intrigues and power plays. Enemies have been defeated and Selia is expecting their first child. So, as The Sea’s Edge begins, all that peace and tranquility must be given a good shake-up. I wondered what neighbouring kingdom might cause King Cnute enough difficulty to warrant pulling Harald in. Research pointed me to Wales—the Kingdom of Gwynedd specifically.
Can you tell us a little bit about the next books in The Atheling Chronicles series or what you have planned for the future?
In book 5, Ravens Hill, King Cnute grants Harald and Selia a large estate (this is the 11th century, so picture Viking halls, not manor houses and castles). Harald is only slightly reluctant to take on the role of a large landowner because he realizes he needs a stronger power base if he and Selia are to survive when his brother Harthacnute inherits the throne. When H and S take over the estate (tรบn), they face a corrupt steward, a neighbouring monastery that wants the land, and a murder.
There will be one more novel in the series following Ravens Hill, unless a new idea shoots by my ear like an assassin’s arrow and I must write more.
Can you tell us a little bit about the characters in The Sea’s Edge?
Sure. While Harald is away, Selia struggles after a loss and goes to stay with her friend Gudrun. A traveling ale-scop—a poet who passes the hat in the halls of thegns—named Trygve the Precious, enters their lives. He is young, attractive, and attentive. When he is accused of theft, Selia takes up his cause, only to develop doubts about his innocence.
Harald meets his Duhb-linn (Dublin) allies, King Sigtrygg Silkbeard and his offspring. Sigtrygg is manipulative and demanding, with an eye for younger ladies. Sigtrygg’s son, Olaf, is arrogant and impulsive.
Harald also encounters the weak King Iago of Onglissey and his clever and dominant queen Madwen.
While Harald gets to know his allies, he also learns more about the man he is sent to depose, King Rhydderch of Gwynedd—a leader worthy of his crown—and he begins to doubt his allegiance.
What did you enjoy most about writing this book?
I enjoyed getting to know the cast of characters and seeing how they reacted when thrown into the conflict of kingdoms (I would have said ‘game of thrones’ but it’s been used). I realized with this fourth book that it had to be more complex. With The Sea’s Edge, I took it up a notch. Recently, I was pleased to receive a first-place Incipere Award for this latest addition to The Atheling Chronicles.
About the Author
Garth Pettersen is an award-winning Canadian writer living in the Fraser Valley near Vancouver, BC, where he and his wife board horses. Pettersen has a BA in History from the University of Victoria and is a retired teacher. His short stories have appeared in anthologies and in journals such as Blank Spaces, The Spadina Literary Review, and The Opening Line Literary 'Zine. Garth Pettersen's historical fiction series, The Atheling Chronicles, is published by Tirgearr Publishing and is available on most online outlets.
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4 comments:
The cover art looks great. This story sounds fascinating.
Thank you for doing the interview, Avid Reader. Your site looks fabulous.
Do you have a favorite travel destination?
A favourite travel destination? There are so many places. I'd like to see the Viking longships in Norway. I'd like to hike Hadrian's Wall. And then there's the Shetland, Orkney, and Faroe Islands. I'd like to get away from tourists, but that's probably impossible without trekking. I'd also love to do more horse packing trips: the Dolomites, the Andes, Cuba, Africa etc. etc. etc...
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