What do you think?
Rate this book
Making of England #1
Conquest
1066 - Senlac Ridge, England. William the Bastard, Duke of Normandy, defeats Harold Godwinson, King Harold II of England, in what will become known as the Battle of Hastings.
The battle is hard fought and bloody, the lives of thousands have been spent, including that of King Harold. But England will not be conquered easily, the Anglo-Saxons will not submit meekly to Norman rule.
Although his heroic deeds will nearly be lost to legend, one man unites the resistance. His name is Hereward of Bourne, the champion of the English. His honour, bravery and skill at arms will change the future of England. His is the legacy of the noble outlaw.
This is his story.
The battle is hard fought and bloody, the lives of thousands have been spent, including that of King Harold. But England will not be conquered easily, the Anglo-Saxons will not submit meekly to Norman rule.
Although his heroic deeds will nearly be lost to legend, one man unites the resistance. His name is Hereward of Bourne, the champion of the English. His honour, bravery and skill at arms will change the future of England. His is the legacy of the noble outlaw.
This is his story.
528 pages, Paperback
First published February 17, 2011
37 people are currently reading
593 people want to read
About the author
Stewart Binns
18 books35 followersStewart Binns began his professional life as an academic. He then pursued several adventures, including a stint at the BBC, before settling into a career as a schoolteacher, specializing in history. Later in life, a lucky break took him back to the BBC, which was the beginning of a successful career in television. He has won a BAFTA, a Grierson, an RTS and a Peabody for his documentaries. Stewart's passion is English history, especially its origins and folklore. Conquest is his first novel.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 58 reviews
June 9, 2021
'Conquest' is set either side of 1066, a pivotal year in England's history. King Edward the Confessor is growing old and without an heir. England is a rich nation that is widely coveted. Edward has promised the throne to William the Bastard, Duke of Normandy, but will the English nobles accept him as their King? Two other contenders, Harold Godwinsson, King of England and Harald Hardrada, King of Norway will also vie for the throne but William prevails at Senlac Ridge in what later became known as the 'Battle of Hastings'.
The battle is hard fought and bloody but Anglo-Saxons will not submit meekly. One man unites a resistance to Norman rule. His name is Hereward of Bourne, whose bravery and skill at arms will change the future of England becoming a figure of folklore and a symbol of stubborn English independent spirit.
Hereward is a powerfully built son of the thegn of Bourne, of mixed Anglo-Saxon and Scandinavian blood. Wild and hot-headed, he is banished from England in 1053 by King Edward as an eighteen-year-old. On his way in to exile Hereward, meets the wise and beautiful Torfida who gives him a mysterious talisman. Together they will travel around Europe in search of his destiny.
The story opens with an elderly Hereward recalling the events of his youth, which are narrated in a measured third-person prose.
'Conquest' is a compelling story and a gripping page-turner, that mixes historical detail with fanciful flights of fiction that leads you on a journey of adventure and an education of a dramatic time period. The author paints vivid pictures that share many of the same characteristics as Bernard Cornwell's Arthurian series and its obvious that he has done his research. I am a fan of historical fiction so this book is right up my street and Hereward, a real if sketchy person, was someone whom I previously knew nothing about. An engrossing and enjoyable read, however one that is overshadowed by Julian Rathbone's 'The Last English King' which covers similar historical events.
The battle is hard fought and bloody but Anglo-Saxons will not submit meekly. One man unites a resistance to Norman rule. His name is Hereward of Bourne, whose bravery and skill at arms will change the future of England becoming a figure of folklore and a symbol of stubborn English independent spirit.
Hereward is a powerfully built son of the thegn of Bourne, of mixed Anglo-Saxon and Scandinavian blood. Wild and hot-headed, he is banished from England in 1053 by King Edward as an eighteen-year-old. On his way in to exile Hereward, meets the wise and beautiful Torfida who gives him a mysterious talisman. Together they will travel around Europe in search of his destiny.
The story opens with an elderly Hereward recalling the events of his youth, which are narrated in a measured third-person prose.
'Conquest' is a compelling story and a gripping page-turner, that mixes historical detail with fanciful flights of fiction that leads you on a journey of adventure and an education of a dramatic time period. The author paints vivid pictures that share many of the same characteristics as Bernard Cornwell's Arthurian series and its obvious that he has done his research. I am a fan of historical fiction so this book is right up my street and Hereward, a real if sketchy person, was someone whom I previously knew nothing about. An engrossing and enjoyable read, however one that is overshadowed by Julian Rathbone's 'The Last English King' which covers similar historical events.
October 16, 2016
Absolutely dreadful. I know it is about the Dark Ages (just) but it's simply fantasy. Please be honest, as an author, if you made it up. No part of this struck me as historical, much seemed rather hysterical (and not in the funny ha ha way!)
If you enjoy the era covered - don't read this it will just make you feel somewhere between angry and peevish :)
If you enjoy the era covered - don't read this it will just make you feel somewhere between angry and peevish :)
July 15, 2014
This is probably going to be seen as a guilty pleasure and I have glanced at reviews which would suggest it is quite possibly not all that cool to say (a bit like admitting to thinking ‘The Da Vinci Code’ was one hell of a rollicking good and enjoyable read, which is was, you know it), but … I thoroughly enjoyed this one. Yes, I can see what is wrong with it, but as a whole, it holds together nicely, and with a relatively unobtrusive style and is an all round rattling good tale.
Of course, I’ve come across Hereward a fair few times. Several recent book series have featured the 11th Century Fenland Terror. James Aitcheson has had him in his tale. James Wilde has written three, soon to be four, excellent novels based on him and his exploits, real or imagined. The brilliant Marc Morris, in his ’The Norman Conquest’ non-fiction look at the people who brought you 1066 and all that, mentions Hereward several times and provides a good look at all the facts, the few there are, about him, as well as mentioning some of the more speculative stories. Whether you come from other books to Marc’s book, or go from there to other Herward stories, you can see that (amongst others) the two James’ do at least touch base with what is ‘known.’ As does Stewart Binns here. However, and perhaps even more than James Wilde (at least until I’ve slapped some peepers on #4 ‘The Wolves of New Rome’), he picks up the Hereward ball and runs more than a little further with it. Wilde and Binns both seem to agree on Hereward’s struggle with his anger issues, but they solve them in different ways. I don’t think James Wilde has his Hereward at Senlac Hill, nor does James Aitcheson. Their Herewards only really come front of stage in the period after Hastings. I think both Binns and Wilde are also implying that Hereward, real person or not, is possibly the source for the later development of the Robin Hood myth. Something that possibly Robert Holdstock might like to comment on (if he hasn’t already done so and quite honestly, after struggling through the stream of consciousness nonsense that was most of ‘Gate of Horn, Gate of Ivory’, I finally let him go his own way) in a ‘Mythago Wood’ novel. I don't know.
The story begins, perhaps surprisingly, in the mountains of Greece. To where the heir to the Eastern Roman Empire, travels in search of enlightenment from a legendary old warrior, now turned hermit. Turns out, the old warrior knew the Prince’s father, fought for him in the Varangian Guard. The warrior is now 82, but instead of giving the Prince the One to Ten of what to do, tells him a story, from which he can draw his own lessons from. It is the warrior’s life story.
You’ve guessed by this point, that the old hermit, is Hereward, though he does seem to have the name Godwin for some reason. He begins telling his story from his wild childhood days, through his rebellious youth, to adulthood and maturity, through many of the period’s historic milestones his lifespan has encompassed. He was, of course, at Hastings and tried to rally the English forces thereafter, but had to, in the end, leave and travel abroad.
There are several nice touches. Here, Hereward has to persuade a reluctant Harold to take the throne. Where Harold actually sympathises with Edward’s position and therefore, William’s claims. You can see, with some of the incidents that go on in Harold and Hereward’s time in Normandy, where some of the tactics they would later use against William, come from, for instance. There doesn’t seem to be any evidence for any of the above, though if I remember rightly, James Wilde does have Hereward on the continent before Hastings. Here, Edward, on his deathbed, makes Harold his successor. Again found in other books and history. After the rebellion dies out, Hereward agrees to go abroad (James Wilde has his Hereward meeting William, but only after the battle, Morris says there is a legend that they met), to save England from further turmoil and anguish at William’s hands, but that could be blamed on Hereward.
As a whirlwind tour of the period’s hotspots and big names, in Britain and (the rest of) Europe, it is undoubtably a great read. Some of the people he meets, may be stretching it a little, but then I don’t know enough about (for instance) Spanish folk-law to comment with any certainty. In that respect, it read a little like Tim Severin’s ‘Viking’ trilogy, just crammed into one book. Severin has one Viking journeying to all the places associated with the Vikings’ history, meeting most of the big players and generally living the fullest life imaginable (another excellent read/guilty pleasure if you’re one of the costumes and corset Ancient and Medieval Historical Fiction lilly-livers elsewhere on Goodreads). Maybe this is like that but on steroids, having to pack it all into one book and all. And it can feel a bit mechanical for that. Like he had to check all the names and places of his list and he was damned if he wasn’t going to get them all in! The stuff about a mystical talisman too, I could have done without. Never liked fantasy elements creeping in to what essentially wants to be read like a true story. Takes it all on a bit of a seers and sages trip. It’s better when it has even its tenuous grip on reality. But, people of the time believed in all that and the One God to rule them all hadn’t replaced the touching of wood to ask for the help of the spirit who lived in that wood … still hasn’t really, has it?
So, it gets a solid three stars from me. However, it gets a fourth star solely for mentioning, on several occasions (starting on page 385) the Bishop of Aarhus. Why? Well, that’s the town in Denmark where I now live! Cool, eh? It is Scandinavian’s oldest town, I read today, though in Viking times, was called ‘Aros.’ However, I haven’t checked when the name changed, so I can’t call young Stewart B. on it. Not that anyone would know where a town called ‘Aros’ was…hmm…not that namy people know where Aarhus is, so much of a muchness.
Leave your ego at the front cover and enjoy a good romping read. I for one will certainly be getting hold of the next in what I think is a trilogy. These sort of things usually are.
Oh yeah, read the dedication at the start. A very interesting, quite possibly unique, sentiment. I’ve not come across its like before. Proves his heart’s in the right place, whatever you think of the rest of the book.
Of course, I’ve come across Hereward a fair few times. Several recent book series have featured the 11th Century Fenland Terror. James Aitcheson has had him in his tale. James Wilde has written three, soon to be four, excellent novels based on him and his exploits, real or imagined. The brilliant Marc Morris, in his ’The Norman Conquest’ non-fiction look at the people who brought you 1066 and all that, mentions Hereward several times and provides a good look at all the facts, the few there are, about him, as well as mentioning some of the more speculative stories. Whether you come from other books to Marc’s book, or go from there to other Herward stories, you can see that (amongst others) the two James’ do at least touch base with what is ‘known.’ As does Stewart Binns here. However, and perhaps even more than James Wilde (at least until I’ve slapped some peepers on #4 ‘The Wolves of New Rome’), he picks up the Hereward ball and runs more than a little further with it. Wilde and Binns both seem to agree on Hereward’s struggle with his anger issues, but they solve them in different ways. I don’t think James Wilde has his Hereward at Senlac Hill, nor does James Aitcheson. Their Herewards only really come front of stage in the period after Hastings. I think both Binns and Wilde are also implying that Hereward, real person or not, is possibly the source for the later development of the Robin Hood myth. Something that possibly Robert Holdstock might like to comment on (if he hasn’t already done so and quite honestly, after struggling through the stream of consciousness nonsense that was most of ‘Gate of Horn, Gate of Ivory’, I finally let him go his own way) in a ‘Mythago Wood’ novel. I don't know.
The story begins, perhaps surprisingly, in the mountains of Greece. To where the heir to the Eastern Roman Empire, travels in search of enlightenment from a legendary old warrior, now turned hermit. Turns out, the old warrior knew the Prince’s father, fought for him in the Varangian Guard. The warrior is now 82, but instead of giving the Prince the One to Ten of what to do, tells him a story, from which he can draw his own lessons from. It is the warrior’s life story.
You’ve guessed by this point, that the old hermit, is Hereward, though he does seem to have the name Godwin for some reason. He begins telling his story from his wild childhood days, through his rebellious youth, to adulthood and maturity, through many of the period’s historic milestones his lifespan has encompassed. He was, of course, at Hastings and tried to rally the English forces thereafter, but had to, in the end, leave and travel abroad.
There are several nice touches. Here, Hereward has to persuade a reluctant Harold to take the throne. Where Harold actually sympathises with Edward’s position and therefore, William’s claims. You can see, with some of the incidents that go on in Harold and Hereward’s time in Normandy, where some of the tactics they would later use against William, come from, for instance. There doesn’t seem to be any evidence for any of the above, though if I remember rightly, James Wilde does have Hereward on the continent before Hastings. Here, Edward, on his deathbed, makes Harold his successor. Again found in other books and history. After the rebellion dies out, Hereward agrees to go abroad (James Wilde has his Hereward meeting William, but only after the battle, Morris says there is a legend that they met), to save England from further turmoil and anguish at William’s hands, but that could be blamed on Hereward.
As a whirlwind tour of the period’s hotspots and big names, in Britain and (the rest of) Europe, it is undoubtably a great read. Some of the people he meets, may be stretching it a little, but then I don’t know enough about (for instance) Spanish folk-law to comment with any certainty. In that respect, it read a little like Tim Severin’s ‘Viking’ trilogy, just crammed into one book. Severin has one Viking journeying to all the places associated with the Vikings’ history, meeting most of the big players and generally living the fullest life imaginable (another excellent read/guilty pleasure if you’re one of the costumes and corset Ancient and Medieval Historical Fiction lilly-livers elsewhere on Goodreads). Maybe this is like that but on steroids, having to pack it all into one book and all. And it can feel a bit mechanical for that. Like he had to check all the names and places of his list and he was damned if he wasn’t going to get them all in! The stuff about a mystical talisman too, I could have done without. Never liked fantasy elements creeping in to what essentially wants to be read like a true story. Takes it all on a bit of a seers and sages trip. It’s better when it has even its tenuous grip on reality. But, people of the time believed in all that and the One God to rule them all hadn’t replaced the touching of wood to ask for the help of the spirit who lived in that wood … still hasn’t really, has it?
So, it gets a solid three stars from me. However, it gets a fourth star solely for mentioning, on several occasions (starting on page 385) the Bishop of Aarhus. Why? Well, that’s the town in Denmark where I now live! Cool, eh? It is Scandinavian’s oldest town, I read today, though in Viking times, was called ‘Aros.’ However, I haven’t checked when the name changed, so I can’t call young Stewart B. on it. Not that anyone would know where a town called ‘Aros’ was…hmm…not that namy people know where Aarhus is, so much of a muchness.
Leave your ego at the front cover and enjoy a good romping read. I for one will certainly be getting hold of the next in what I think is a trilogy. These sort of things usually are.
Oh yeah, read the dedication at the start. A very interesting, quite possibly unique, sentiment. I’ve not come across its like before. Proves his heart’s in the right place, whatever you think of the rest of the book.
February 19, 2015
This novel has a magnificent cover. After that, it is a massive disappointment.
Historically little is known of the outlawed resistance leader Hereward and so there is a lot of latitude to develop his character. We know that the man was aggressive enough in his youth to merit outlawry and exile from Anglo-Saxon England and we know he returned as a man to lead a revolt against William the Conqueror with considerable skill, cunning and determination. Binns, however, transforms Hereward into a ditherer who could never have earned the respect of warriors much less his readers. Despite having done nothing in the text of the novel to earn anyone's respect, somehow every great leader in Europe (William himself, El Cid, MacBeth, God knows who else) vie to earn his respect and his service while Hereward waits for signs from magic amulets to let him know if he stumbles onto anyone worthy of commanding his allegiance.
Ugh.
If you want to read a good version of Hereward's story,I recommend you read the trilogy by Marcus Pitcaithly instead.
Historically little is known of the outlawed resistance leader Hereward and so there is a lot of latitude to develop his character. We know that the man was aggressive enough in his youth to merit outlawry and exile from Anglo-Saxon England and we know he returned as a man to lead a revolt against William the Conqueror with considerable skill, cunning and determination. Binns, however, transforms Hereward into a ditherer who could never have earned the respect of warriors much less his readers. Despite having done nothing in the text of the novel to earn anyone's respect, somehow every great leader in Europe (William himself, El Cid, MacBeth, God knows who else) vie to earn his respect and his service while Hereward waits for signs from magic amulets to let him know if he stumbles onto anyone worthy of commanding his allegiance.
Ugh.
If you want to read a good version of Hereward's story,I recommend you read the trilogy by Marcus Pitcaithly instead.
December 23, 2015
It was ok. I like, read (and write) historical text books and novels. This book could not make up its mind what it was, and it takes a writer more skilled than this to blend the two without losing the characterisation. One thing I did learn from reading this was where that line was and I hope (on re-edit) that I haven't done the same in my stuff; and if I have, to sort it out. This as a real historical account has so much meat it seems a shame that the beginning and end were so hackneyed (I won't do spoilers here but believe me, Cliché City.) This is one of my favourite time periods but rarely connected to the characters, which was a shame. It is clear this guy can write. Maybe he needs a new editor. So yeah; not bad, but not great.
March 8, 2023
This is the most exhausting novel I have read in the last year. Not emotionally, but mentally.
I will start with its merits.
Binns' research was excellent. A Historian who specialises in the era or figures may find a fault, but most readers will not.
The introduction of young Hereward is captivating. While the character has unlikeable qualities, I was intrigued to see his journey from a irresponsible, promiscuous, hopeless young man to a great a man.
His parter, Tofida, is also an interesting character.
Many readers haven't enjoyed this novel due to the fantasy aspect. I have no issue with this at all and the inclusion of a talisman was a fun. I do not expect all historical fiction to be entirely accurate.
But here's the faults.
TIME
The majority of the book is a flashback and occasionally we return to the present. This is jarring and the present day scenes are boring. If more frequent, I may have been more curious about the mysteries they hint to, but they're so infrequent that I forgot about them.
CHARACTERS
The description of 16 year old Torfida's nipples was vile and unneeded.
Many characters have intriguing introductions but become go on to have present, barely speaking roles in the rest of the book. They are ghosts on the pages and are of little interest. If not ghosts, they are just instruments brought out for Herewards convenience and then forgotten.
Most characters just fly in and out have little personality.
There's also the matter of character death. Many deaths are bland and unseen. I felt completely cheated by the death of a certain character. I was sad, indeed, but it was unexpected and dissatisfying.
TELLING NOT SHOWN
The majority of the information we recieve is told to us and not shown. We are told the charactes are respected, but see little proof of this nor why.
There is very little descriptions of scenes and settings. Sometimes we don't even know where they are, other than the name of the city. Are they in a building? Outside? Who knows.
STRONGEST MAN OVER NIGHT
With many of the warriors in the story having trained to excellency since childhood, it is insulting and unbelievable that Hereward became so great in so little time, despite the author allowing him to fail a few times. It feels like Hereward was partly based on Thor- so strong only he can lift his weapon (well, with one hand. Every other character needs two.)
BLAND BATTLE
How can a battle scene be dull? The premise of the scenes is riveting but the writing doesn't do it justice. Long sentences with so much detail slows what should be quick action, plus the use of unneeded adverbs. It really is clear someone is reciting the incident, and seemingly thoroughly without enthusiasm.
I definitely do not recommended reading this novel after you've just finished Sharp or the Warlord Chronicles, or in my case, The Wolf of Wessex.
I will start with its merits.
Binns' research was excellent. A Historian who specialises in the era or figures may find a fault, but most readers will not.
The introduction of young Hereward is captivating. While the character has unlikeable qualities, I was intrigued to see his journey from a irresponsible, promiscuous, hopeless young man to a great a man.
His parter, Tofida, is also an interesting character.
Many readers haven't enjoyed this novel due to the fantasy aspect. I have no issue with this at all and the inclusion of a talisman was a fun. I do not expect all historical fiction to be entirely accurate.
But here's the faults.
TIME
The majority of the book is a flashback and occasionally we return to the present. This is jarring and the present day scenes are boring. If more frequent, I may have been more curious about the mysteries they hint to, but they're so infrequent that I forgot about them.
CHARACTERS
The description of 16 year old Torfida's nipples was vile and unneeded.
Many characters have intriguing introductions but become go on to have present, barely speaking roles in the rest of the book. They are ghosts on the pages and are of little interest. If not ghosts, they are just instruments brought out for Herewards convenience and then forgotten.
Most characters just fly in and out have little personality.
There's also the matter of character death. Many deaths are bland and unseen. I felt completely cheated by the death of a certain character. I was sad, indeed, but it was unexpected and dissatisfying.
TELLING NOT SHOWN
The majority of the information we recieve is told to us and not shown. We are told the charactes are respected, but see little proof of this nor why.
There is very little descriptions of scenes and settings. Sometimes we don't even know where they are, other than the name of the city. Are they in a building? Outside? Who knows.
STRONGEST MAN OVER NIGHT
With many of the warriors in the story having trained to excellency since childhood, it is insulting and unbelievable that Hereward became so great in so little time, despite the author allowing him to fail a few times. It feels like Hereward was partly based on Thor- so strong only he can lift his weapon (well, with one hand. Every other character needs two.)
BLAND BATTLE
How can a battle scene be dull? The premise of the scenes is riveting but the writing doesn't do it justice. Long sentences with so much detail slows what should be quick action, plus the use of unneeded adverbs. It really is clear someone is reciting the incident, and seemingly thoroughly without enthusiasm.
I definitely do not recommended reading this novel after you've just finished Sharp or the Warlord Chronicles, or in my case, The Wolf of Wessex.
November 11, 2017
*SPOILER FREE*
I virtually never leave reviews for books here, but in this case I feel I have to justify listing this one as 'read' where in fact I slogged 100 pages in over a period of a few weeks of apathetic reading and then abandoned it on the train; may it find a happier reader. I have back-buttoned on a few tremendously crappy stories before, but I think this might be the first case in which I've abandoned a physical book like this, other than obligatory school reading.
See, I enjoy properly terrible fiction; stuff that really scrapes the barrel. And I like historical fiction, or even historical fantasy; but the problem for me with Conquest is that it somehow hits the wrong tone on every single note.
See, I can read longer, better, more nuanced and more original fiction for free on the internet, and the online community has evolved to a place now where it is almost rare to meet a genuine Mary Sue in the flesh. But Hereward in this novel is exactly that. It's actually difficult to define what exactly is so flawed with the text, but at a minimum, there is a failure follow any show-don't-tell rules and you get wads of this history book 101 exposition that takes all of the teeth out of the drama. Moreover, in this day and age there are ways to package up historical objectification of women or other inequality that rings true to the era portrayed, yet Conquest uses all but the main character cheaply, while neglecting to give Hereward any real depth either so for me it was just plain uncomfortable to read. I suppose the book is 6 years old now, but even so. 2011 was hardly a spit ago, while this reads more like something written in Different Times.
I think for me the main issue is this feels like a very surface-level story. It tells you a lot about action, but not a lot about people, and that's not really enough for me. Hereward's ultimate glory is a given even when the story is trying to show you he is growing and so you don't get any real sense of actual progress. He's impressive because the blank verse tells you so, but there's no evidence, and so it's difficult to grasp why everyone else in the story is convinced. The villains are shallow and the women fall around the story, convenient but needlessly naked purveyors of motivation and McGuffins. At least they are in the first 100 pages, but there's nothing, really nothing, to convince me it gets better further in. More to the point, why should I have to persevere for better?
It should be good from the start, bad enough to be funny, or at least just tolerably average. I don't know what this is, but there's a copy rattling around the Jubilee line for free if you want it.
I virtually never leave reviews for books here, but in this case I feel I have to justify listing this one as 'read' where in fact I slogged 100 pages in over a period of a few weeks of apathetic reading and then abandoned it on the train; may it find a happier reader. I have back-buttoned on a few tremendously crappy stories before, but I think this might be the first case in which I've abandoned a physical book like this, other than obligatory school reading.
See, I enjoy properly terrible fiction; stuff that really scrapes the barrel. And I like historical fiction, or even historical fantasy; but the problem for me with Conquest is that it somehow hits the wrong tone on every single note.
See, I can read longer, better, more nuanced and more original fiction for free on the internet, and the online community has evolved to a place now where it is almost rare to meet a genuine Mary Sue in the flesh. But Hereward in this novel is exactly that. It's actually difficult to define what exactly is so flawed with the text, but at a minimum, there is a failure follow any show-don't-tell rules and you get wads of this history book 101 exposition that takes all of the teeth out of the drama. Moreover, in this day and age there are ways to package up historical objectification of women or other inequality that rings true to the era portrayed, yet Conquest uses all but the main character cheaply, while neglecting to give Hereward any real depth either so for me it was just plain uncomfortable to read. I suppose the book is 6 years old now, but even so. 2011 was hardly a spit ago, while this reads more like something written in Different Times.
I think for me the main issue is this feels like a very surface-level story. It tells you a lot about action, but not a lot about people, and that's not really enough for me. Hereward's ultimate glory is a given even when the story is trying to show you he is growing and so you don't get any real sense of actual progress. He's impressive because the blank verse tells you so, but there's no evidence, and so it's difficult to grasp why everyone else in the story is convinced. The villains are shallow and the women fall around the story, convenient but needlessly naked purveyors of motivation and McGuffins. At least they are in the first 100 pages, but there's nothing, really nothing, to convince me it gets better further in. More to the point, why should I have to persevere for better?
It should be good from the start, bad enough to be funny, or at least just tolerably average. I don't know what this is, but there's a copy rattling around the Jubilee line for free if you want it.
September 12, 2013
It is 1066 and England is about to undergo the most cataclysmic change of history since the arrival of the Roman legions. On one side, the last Saxon king Harold II. On the other side, William – Duke of Normandy, William the Bastard, William the Conqueror. The story is recreated on the Bayeux Tapestry which despite being a pro-English piece of propaganda, sites in a museum in Normandy. Harold would be killed at that battle and England would once again be ruled by those of Norse descent. The period of Norman Conquest would see a time of bloody battles but also an immense building programme of castles, towns and cities and
In the middle of the two men is a third – Hereward the Bourne. What? Never heard of him? Neither had I and I hang my head in shame – not just at this gap in my own knowledge but also at his omission from the history books. Actually, some people doubt his existence but regardless of this, his story is no less impressive and if he did exist, no less important.
This is the first in a series of novels charting the history of England (I believe the final part is about Magna Carta). This book is a fictionalised biography of Hereward as he and his armies retreat to the Fens and the Isle of Ely to resist the Norman advance. An outlaw in life – a proclamation made by Edward the Confessor – for killing a Priest (in this book – the sources say it was for civil and familial disobedience), he goes to Wales and then Scotland on various quests and errands. He meets Macbeth, helps him to train his army and eventually returns home to take up arms.
The writing style is easy on the eye; it is not a heavy read by any stretch of the imagination and it is an easy book to absorb yourself into. But there is a lot of explanation, almost too much (within the dialogue and the narrative) and at times I find myself willing the pages on so the story can move go somewhere. I’m not a great fan of exposition and here there’s just too much – but at least it doesn’t come in lumps as so many other books that fall into the trap do. The narrative also reads like narration at times, as though Simon Schama himself is reading it aloud.
When writing historical fiction, it is important to get the environment right. That is, it must feel that you are in the right time and place. Binns certainly manages that. Though he doesn't go into the same intricate depth as Jean M. Auel in her Earth’s Children series, there is enough there for it to feel satisfyingly medieval. The petty politics and power struggles that are going on around the Saxons and their would be Norman conquerors is also satisfyingly handled.
William the Conqueror is satisfyingly depicted, a mean and shrewd warlord who loves war as much as he loves his god. In contrast, I had mixed feelings about Hereward. He was almost too much the knight in shining armour, travelling the British Isles putting right the wrongs like a medieval Sam Beckett.
I’m sorry to say that the battle – when it comes – is stodgy and passionless, lacking the pace of Cornwell’s Saxon Stories and the finesse and technical detail of Sidebottom’s Warrior of Rome series. I felt let down, especially with such a big build up.
Good book, but flawed.
See more book reviews at my blog
In the middle of the two men is a third – Hereward the Bourne. What? Never heard of him? Neither had I and I hang my head in shame – not just at this gap in my own knowledge but also at his omission from the history books. Actually, some people doubt his existence but regardless of this, his story is no less impressive and if he did exist, no less important.
This is the first in a series of novels charting the history of England (I believe the final part is about Magna Carta). This book is a fictionalised biography of Hereward as he and his armies retreat to the Fens and the Isle of Ely to resist the Norman advance. An outlaw in life – a proclamation made by Edward the Confessor – for killing a Priest (in this book – the sources say it was for civil and familial disobedience), he goes to Wales and then Scotland on various quests and errands. He meets Macbeth, helps him to train his army and eventually returns home to take up arms.
The writing style is easy on the eye; it is not a heavy read by any stretch of the imagination and it is an easy book to absorb yourself into. But there is a lot of explanation, almost too much (within the dialogue and the narrative) and at times I find myself willing the pages on so the story can move go somewhere. I’m not a great fan of exposition and here there’s just too much – but at least it doesn’t come in lumps as so many other books that fall into the trap do. The narrative also reads like narration at times, as though Simon Schama himself is reading it aloud.
When writing historical fiction, it is important to get the environment right. That is, it must feel that you are in the right time and place. Binns certainly manages that. Though he doesn't go into the same intricate depth as Jean M. Auel in her Earth’s Children series, there is enough there for it to feel satisfyingly medieval. The petty politics and power struggles that are going on around the Saxons and their would be Norman conquerors is also satisfyingly handled.
William the Conqueror is satisfyingly depicted, a mean and shrewd warlord who loves war as much as he loves his god. In contrast, I had mixed feelings about Hereward. He was almost too much the knight in shining armour, travelling the British Isles putting right the wrongs like a medieval Sam Beckett.
I’m sorry to say that the battle – when it comes – is stodgy and passionless, lacking the pace of Cornwell’s Saxon Stories and the finesse and technical detail of Sidebottom’s Warrior of Rome series. I felt let down, especially with such a big build up.
Good book, but flawed.
See more book reviews at my blog
September 19, 2025
Can't believe the negative reviews this book has had. Binns is a good writer, he's done his research (as much as you can considering how little we know of the period) and his background detail is spot on. So then he elaborates and creates his story, as all good historical novelists do. The BBC and its co-funders would have been far better off making this rather than the execrable 'King & Conqueror' they're currently inflicting on us. But there you go. It's a fine novel, full of juicy background detail and memorable characters and it certainly added to my knowledge of the period.
January 19, 2016
This book left me with mixed feelings.
I bought it on the basis of seeing Nick Hyam interview the multi-award-winning author on the BBC. It is the first book in a series of four that starts before the Battle of Hastings (the Battle of Senlac Ridge) and goes through to the signing of the Magna Carta.
On the plus side, the books reveals a lot of historical detail and gives the readers a sense of the political and military turmoil in England both before and after the famous battle. I found it illuminating to learn of the almost chance nature of the famous defeat, and of the brutality that William demonstrated both before, and in the years after the battle. The book ends just after the Siege of Ely in 1071.
However, despite reading it to the end, I did struggle with it for several reasons. First, on a minor note, although it is based round a real historical character (Hereward of Bourne - known in legend as Hereward the Wake), I was never quite sure how much was fact and how much of his story was fiction. At least with Dan Brown or Scott Mariani they always tell you at the end which bits of the plot are factual and which are made up. There was no final note from the author to inform me.
Secondly, the quasi-evangelical moralistic tone started to annoy me. Throughout the novel Hereward is fighting to defend England and we hear speeches and see his thoughts about this worthy purpose. And as well as the nationalism, there are also worthy thoughts about leadership. It started to have the feel of a medieval hagiography. There's nothing wrong with that. It just didn't appeal to me.
Thirdly, the writing didn't do it for me. The structural device is that the old warrior is describing his life to some youngsters, and perhaps, because of that, the narrative tends to be linear. As an ex-English teacher I have marked thousands of compositions that read, "And then we did this ... and then we did that .., and then we did this ..." I'm afraid I found parts of it boring. I wanted more conflict-tension-resolution. I also found the style to be almost romantic and lyrical. This suited a hagiography, but it didn't create a page that drew me in and made me want to read.
I won't be buying the other three books. In his interview with Nick Hyam the author admitted that telling a story in prose rather than on TV proved to be harder than he had expected. On the basis of this book I don't think the author has quite succeeded in overcoming the difficulties he faced.
I bought it on the basis of seeing Nick Hyam interview the multi-award-winning author on the BBC. It is the first book in a series of four that starts before the Battle of Hastings (the Battle of Senlac Ridge) and goes through to the signing of the Magna Carta.
On the plus side, the books reveals a lot of historical detail and gives the readers a sense of the political and military turmoil in England both before and after the famous battle. I found it illuminating to learn of the almost chance nature of the famous defeat, and of the brutality that William demonstrated both before, and in the years after the battle. The book ends just after the Siege of Ely in 1071.
However, despite reading it to the end, I did struggle with it for several reasons. First, on a minor note, although it is based round a real historical character (Hereward of Bourne - known in legend as Hereward the Wake), I was never quite sure how much was fact and how much of his story was fiction. At least with Dan Brown or Scott Mariani they always tell you at the end which bits of the plot are factual and which are made up. There was no final note from the author to inform me.
Secondly, the quasi-evangelical moralistic tone started to annoy me. Throughout the novel Hereward is fighting to defend England and we hear speeches and see his thoughts about this worthy purpose. And as well as the nationalism, there are also worthy thoughts about leadership. It started to have the feel of a medieval hagiography. There's nothing wrong with that. It just didn't appeal to me.
Thirdly, the writing didn't do it for me. The structural device is that the old warrior is describing his life to some youngsters, and perhaps, because of that, the narrative tends to be linear. As an ex-English teacher I have marked thousands of compositions that read, "And then we did this ... and then we did that .., and then we did this ..." I'm afraid I found parts of it boring. I wanted more conflict-tension-resolution. I also found the style to be almost romantic and lyrical. This suited a hagiography, but it didn't create a page that drew me in and made me want to read.
I won't be buying the other three books. In his interview with Nick Hyam the author admitted that telling a story in prose rather than on TV proved to be harder than he had expected. On the basis of this book I don't think the author has quite succeeded in overcoming the difficulties he faced.
August 17, 2014
I'm going to break my unofficial golden rule of not reviewing a book before I've read it all the way through as I'm pretty confident that I've got the measure of this read.
This is the second interpretation of the legend of Hereward of Bourne - aka Hereward The Wake - that I've come into contact with and to say it differs from the first, namely James Wilde's version, is putting it mildly.
Where Wilde's story was a far more visceral, gritty and evocative a story, Binns take is a far tamer, almost safer interpretation.
If they were movies, Wilde's would probably be a Quentin Tarantino movie - hard, brutal & dynamic - where this interpretation would be far more in the style of a 1950s MGM style epic (think The Robe).
The tales also vary rather widely too. For example, in the Wilde interpretation Hereward only leaves England briefly when he is exiled and makes a name for himself as a mercenary in Northern Europe. The Hereward of Binns' novel travels the rim of the known world at the time taking in Dublin, Norway, Kievan Rus, Constantinople, southern Italy and up to Normandy, even offering his services as a knight to William the Bastard himself, putting him almost at polar opposite to his character in the other book.
To put the comparisons aside, the writing style is quite reminiscent of Tim Severin's in his Viking trilogy in that it feels more like it's been written by a historian than by a novellist. To give Binns some credit though the writing style in this book is a lot warmer and in keeping with the tale rather than feeling like an endless parroting of well-worn sagas. The only slight gripe is that with the character travelling as wide as he does there's barely any depth to his experiences in most of the places he visits beyond a sentance or two at most. I suppose this is designed to not distract from the greater arc but it just winds up leaving you feel like you're fast-forwarding through a story.
In fact this narrative would have arguably have been a better result had it been allowed to progress over a couple of installments - say a trilogy - rather than crammed all into one 500page book.
In summary, a good read if you happen to stumble across the book in your library or get given it but not really one which is worth hunting down.
This is the second interpretation of the legend of Hereward of Bourne - aka Hereward The Wake - that I've come into contact with and to say it differs from the first, namely James Wilde's version, is putting it mildly.
Where Wilde's story was a far more visceral, gritty and evocative a story, Binns take is a far tamer, almost safer interpretation.
If they were movies, Wilde's would probably be a Quentin Tarantino movie - hard, brutal & dynamic - where this interpretation would be far more in the style of a 1950s MGM style epic (think The Robe).
The tales also vary rather widely too. For example, in the Wilde interpretation Hereward only leaves England briefly when he is exiled and makes a name for himself as a mercenary in Northern Europe. The Hereward of Binns' novel travels the rim of the known world at the time taking in Dublin, Norway, Kievan Rus, Constantinople, southern Italy and up to Normandy, even offering his services as a knight to William the Bastard himself, putting him almost at polar opposite to his character in the other book.
To put the comparisons aside, the writing style is quite reminiscent of Tim Severin's in his Viking trilogy in that it feels more like it's been written by a historian than by a novellist. To give Binns some credit though the writing style in this book is a lot warmer and in keeping with the tale rather than feeling like an endless parroting of well-worn sagas. The only slight gripe is that with the character travelling as wide as he does there's barely any depth to his experiences in most of the places he visits beyond a sentance or two at most. I suppose this is designed to not distract from the greater arc but it just winds up leaving you feel like you're fast-forwarding through a story.
In fact this narrative would have arguably have been a better result had it been allowed to progress over a couple of installments - say a trilogy - rather than crammed all into one 500page book.
In summary, a good read if you happen to stumble across the book in your library or get given it but not really one which is worth hunting down.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 19, 2011
Sadly this book has a lot of good plots and interesting characters (Harold Godwinson, Harald Hardarada, William Duke of Normandy, El Sid and more) and covers many years worth of history from different countries that the author Stewart Binns really should have slowed the pace down, focused on a few key moments and maybe made this one book into a trilogy at least.
The side effect of cramming so much into one set of book covers made everything seem rather rushed, all the events tended to be almost glimpsted by the reader, the narrator never giving them a chance to settle to experience what the characters were experiencing in such turbulent years. This too also made some events either seem a bit out of place or maybe too set up in order to drag the reader along to the next big event of the characters life and so the reader can never really connect to the full dramaticness of each event occuring, just a mere acceptance is required. A lot of this is signalled by the narrator accounting a lot of stuff in brief details - we never get to encounter many of the great battles this portrayal of Hereward experienced in southern Spain or Normandy, let alone his more peaceful time spent living in Dublin with his new friends and lover Torfida etc, even the great battles of 1066 were over within a chapter or two!
Unfortunately I have recently finished another book focusing on the mysterious character of Hereward the Wake and it does exactly what Stewart Binns should have done, focued on a few select years, a few key events, not travelled so much across the globe and spent enough time showing the reader the depth of the characters lives and the world they lived in. I prefered Jame's Wilde's version to this one.
The side effect of cramming so much into one set of book covers made everything seem rather rushed, all the events tended to be almost glimpsted by the reader, the narrator never giving them a chance to settle to experience what the characters were experiencing in such turbulent years. This too also made some events either seem a bit out of place or maybe too set up in order to drag the reader along to the next big event of the characters life and so the reader can never really connect to the full dramaticness of each event occuring, just a mere acceptance is required. A lot of this is signalled by the narrator accounting a lot of stuff in brief details - we never get to encounter many of the great battles this portrayal of Hereward experienced in southern Spain or Normandy, let alone his more peaceful time spent living in Dublin with his new friends and lover Torfida etc, even the great battles of 1066 were over within a chapter or two!
Unfortunately I have recently finished another book focusing on the mysterious character of Hereward the Wake and it does exactly what Stewart Binns should have done, focued on a few select years, a few key events, not travelled so much across the globe and spent enough time showing the reader the depth of the characters lives and the world they lived in. I prefered Jame's Wilde's version to this one.
March 8, 2013
Set during an interesting period of English history, this book tells the tale of a character called Hereward of Bourne. My main issue with the book is the shallow and featureless characters, in fact probably some of the worst characters I've come across. Despite the book covering a large time span, I never really feel like I got to know the characters, and found myself indifferent to their fate. This isn't helped by the authors insistence to cover large periods of time in a matter of periods, so you get the impression you've missed large aspects of their lives.
The redeeming feature of this book, and the aspect that prevents me scoring it lower, is the fantastic description and detail given during battles and conflict. Whilst the characters are some of the worst I've come across, the battle scenes and the authors ability to bring them to life are some of the best. If Binns can sort out his character writing, he could easily become one of the best historical fiction writers. The knowledge and the potential is definitely there.
The redeeming feature of this book, and the aspect that prevents me scoring it lower, is the fantastic description and detail given during battles and conflict. Whilst the characters are some of the worst I've come across, the battle scenes and the authors ability to bring them to life are some of the best. If Binns can sort out his character writing, he could easily become one of the best historical fiction writers. The knowledge and the potential is definitely there.
June 5, 2018
Unless Stewart Binns got hold of a time machine and traveled back in time to chronicle Hereward's daily life, then I knew this was going to be a work of fiction, and came at it with those expectations. I enjoyed this book, a work of fiction set in a historical situation, and would recommend it to anyone. I knew nothing of Hereward, but afterward wanted to find out about the real person so went on to read histories of the people and events from this novel. I did find the characters to be rather 'clean', and there was lots of optimism with this story and the people - I would term this as the Forest Gump of the dark ages, as the primary characters do seem to end up in all of the important historical happenings of their time, and rubbing shoulders with all the big names of history. Still, it's a good read, with nice development and some good action. I enjoyed it so much, I've re-read this perhaps three times, and would not ignore the possibility of a fourth read.
November 23, 2013
The story gets off to a promising start and as the enigmatic warrior begins to tell his story and sheds lights on the history of the sinister talisman of truth I had high hopes that the story would continue to be a tale of heroic deeds. However, I thought the rest of the story was quite lacking in adventurous appeal, and as I became more and more bored, I started to give up, by half way through the book I had lost all sense of interest. The remarkable story of Hereward the Wake could have been so much more interesting.
I have to say that I was really disappointed with Conquest. Needless to say, I won't be reading the rest of the series, which is a pity as I love historical fiction.
I have to say that I was really disappointed with Conquest. Needless to say, I won't be reading the rest of the series, which is a pity as I love historical fiction.
December 24, 2019
I thoroughly enjoyed Conquest (Making of England). Stewart Binns has made this time in England's history come to life. I realise, however, that the historical accuracy of Hereward, the death and burial of King Harold, as well as other events can be argued. The author has however cleverly used his artistic license to fill in the gaps to make a very exciting and interesting read. I recommend this book to anyone that enjoys historical fiction as Stewart Binns has managed to create an exciting book that also incorporates many interesting historical facts.
June 22, 2021
Chapter 25, the harrying of the north, is the best exemple of a badly written and badly designed history.
One of the most dramatic episodes of the whole England middle ages, with consequences for generations and centuries, described in 10 lines at the end of a useless chapter.
Globally, the whole narratif is totally dreadful, the author just goes on putting a few empty dialogues in some major historical events, told with lesser passion and drama than an history book.
Don't read it
One of the most dramatic episodes of the whole England middle ages, with consequences for generations and centuries, described in 10 lines at the end of a useless chapter.
Globally, the whole narratif is totally dreadful, the author just goes on putting a few empty dialogues in some major historical events, told with lesser passion and drama than an history book.
Don't read it
January 7, 2023
The writing on this book is uncomplicated and easy to read. It is a compelling book made all the more so because I did not realise it is based on a true character. I was only very vaguely aware of this man and so it turned out to be a more exciting read than I first thought. Even though I have given this 3 stars for the writing, I would up that to 4 stars for the research and depths that the author has gone to share this story.
March 8, 2020
Interesting take on a story’s That has been told many times. Historical accuracy probably not all the way is there is little known of Hereward But the story was amazing it crosses over into many realms of Europe. And unlike most books this one had heartbreaking it wasn’t just a happy go lucky hero wins the day story it was a making of England. Highly recommend
March 24, 2020
Enjoyed it for the history and drama. Loved little nuggets like the Green Man story - which is an aside in the book. Didn't know anything about those times in England, so this was a good introduction? Of course, not taking it as history. Liked the image of the stone relic - that taught wisdom.
April 10, 2013
awesome book, and until I manage to get the sequel, I will proceed onto first installment in Witcher series (in czech translations :P)
maybe not the deepest of historical novels, but well written, with a lot of emotions in there... and a real engaging portrayal of the era
maybe not the deepest of historical novels, but well written, with a lot of emotions in there... and a real engaging portrayal of the era
June 2, 2025
I wavered between a 3 & 4. On balance the book is a great story about a momentous period in the history of England that has resulted in the country becoming what it is today. If the battle of Senlac Ridge had resulted in William being defeated England would have been a different place.
For me the excellent story is marred where it drifts into over romanticising the relationship between Harold and Torfida, at times becoming too light and sentimental in the relationships between various groups as Hereward journeys through Europe and the excessive extolling of the virtues of Harald and Hereward.
Having said all that while not feeling that it warrants 5* I am happy giving it 4* and recommending it as a book worth reading for those who love historical novels.
For me the excellent story is marred where it drifts into over romanticising the relationship between Harold and Torfida, at times becoming too light and sentimental in the relationships between various groups as Hereward journeys through Europe and the excessive extolling of the virtues of Harald and Hereward.
Having said all that while not feeling that it warrants 5* I am happy giving it 4* and recommending it as a book worth reading for those who love historical novels.
August 1, 2018
3.5 stars
For a book with the tagline "1066 - The year of Destiny", it's almost halfway through before it reaches that date.
Looking at the people and events leading up to the Battle of Hastings, especially Hereward and William.
It's an engaging story and the characters are well written. When the final battle is reached, things are quite tense and moved at a better pace than the earlier parts.
For a book with the tagline "1066 - The year of Destiny", it's almost halfway through before it reaches that date.
Looking at the people and events leading up to the Battle of Hastings, especially Hereward and William.
It's an engaging story and the characters are well written. When the final battle is reached, things are quite tense and moved at a better pace than the earlier parts.
June 19, 2017
A work of historical fiction; fleshing out an imagination of (some) historical facts. Some of this novel are fantasy, linking various actions/events over a shortish period of English history.
not my cup of tea, but did flow and was quick reading.
not my cup of tea, but did flow and was quick reading.
May 17, 2017
Very interesting and informative
I. Liked it. I found that although fictional Tessa based on historical fact. Every school child has heard of Hereward the Wake.
I. Liked it. I found that although fictional Tessa based on historical fact. Every school child has heard of Hereward the Wake.
September 14, 2017
Not as good as the Lionheart, much preferred the other storyline.
July 17, 2018
Interesting account of Hereward of Bourne. Surprisingly inaccurate for a history teacher author but an enjoyable read none-the-less.
July 26, 2023
Sadly the author has no idea how to write. No atmosphere and clunky prose made this unreadable.
June 16, 2024
Good story, some information was enlightening,but i think the story is what i enjoyed.
January 13, 2024
I'm glad I read this book - but isn't one I will read again. I feel like historical fiction is an area that you need to be factual and I feel like here Steward tried but lost the history in it.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 58 reviews