Danelaw Saga

An enthralling new Griff Hosker Viking series, The Danelaw Saga, begins. This story is set at the end of the tenth century and charts the journey of a young warrior, whose father, Bersi, is killed during a raid on Wessex. Sven Bersisson has to grow up quickly and to follow in his father's footsteps. Sweyn Skull Taker, his uncle, becomes his foster father and they raid Wessex and Frankia where the young warrior becomes a man. King Sweyn Forkbeard, the King of Denmark, uses their clan to help in his dream of defeating the Norwegians and then taking the throne of England. Sven becomes part of those plans but when he takes possession of a fabled Dragon Sword, his life changes and he becomes greater than his father could ever have dreamed.

Now that he has made a name for himself and shown his courage in battle Sven Saxon Sword becomes not only a leader in battle but also a target for others when he fights. Beginning with the Battle of Svolder when hundreds of ships clashed in the sea, the novel takes us through the maelstrom of war. Sweyn Forkbeard has ambitions in the west where there is a weak Saxon king, Aethelred. Sven Saxon Sword and his foster father are part of the force which battles in Wessex, Cornwall and Kent. As they battle the clan grows and becomes more powerful. Sven Saxon Sword becomes a warrior of even greater renown and a leader of men.

When a weak king rules a rich land then the people suffer. When a power-mad ruler wishes to take that land then there is only one outcome. Sven Saxon Sword is content with his life but King Sweyn Forkbeard wants to use the Dragon Sword to help him claim a kingdom across the seas from Denmark. With Prince Cnut at his side, Sven has to fight not only the English but also Danes who change sides, Scots keen to grab land themselves and even the oathsworn of the new Danish king.

King 'thelred was the worst King of England but, in his second son, Edmund Ironside, was a king in the mould of King Alfred. Prince Cnut has his own problems for his brother refuses to share the crown of Denmark with him. It is Sven Saxon Sword, wielding Oathsword who orchestrates the campaign that brings the Danish fleet to invade England. The oath he made on the sword is now a fetter, tethering him to the fate of Prince Cnut of Denmark.

Sven Saxon Sword was now a lord. He ruled a small village on the river. He thought that his service toking Cnut, now that he had helped him to gain the crown, was over. He was wrong. Not only does he have to deal with Norse raiders but he is also summoned to serve in a war against the Swedes. The Oathsword is called upon again to save, not only King Cnut and his ambitions, but also his home.