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Furor Normannicus
Ende des 9. Jahrhunderts fallen die Wikinger mordend und plündernd in das marode Karolingerreich ein. Vor allem das Rheinland und die Eifel werden aufs Fürchterlichste verwüstet. Der Adel hält sich mit Hilfe von Schutzgeldzahlungen schadlos und rührt kaum einen Finger, dem blutigen Treiben Einhalt zu gebieten. Leidtragende sind die Bauern. Vielerorts beginnen sie, sich zu bewaffnen, um sich ihrem Schicksal nicht kampflos zu ergeben.
Auch Uta, eine junge Frau mit seherischen Gaben, befindet sich auf der Flucht vor den Wikingern. Begleitet wird sie von ihrem kränkelnden Bruder Hugo und dem Knecht Arbo. Zuflucht erhoffen sie sich in der Bischofsstadt Mainz. Doch der Weg dorthin gerät zu einer Odyssee voller Gefahren. Uta geht es nicht nur um den Schutz hinter den wehrhaften Stadtmauern. In Mainz hält sich der Mörder ihres Vaters auf, der seiner Strafe nicht entgehen darf.
Auch Uta, eine junge Frau mit seherischen Gaben, befindet sich auf der Flucht vor den Wikingern. Begleitet wird sie von ihrem kränkelnden Bruder Hugo und dem Knecht Arbo. Zuflucht erhoffen sie sich in der Bischofsstadt Mainz. Doch der Weg dorthin gerät zu einer Odyssee voller Gefahren. Uta geht es nicht nur um den Schutz hinter den wehrhaften Stadtmauern. In Mainz hält sich der Mörder ihres Vaters auf, der seiner Strafe nicht entgehen darf.
242 pages, Perfect Paperback
Published January 1, 2022
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June 16, 2025
"Furor Normannicus" (2022) is a reworked version of the novel "Drachensturm" (2002) by the German historical fiction author Günter Krieger. The man has written quite a few novels, mostly set in Aachen or its neighbourhood. My first and only encounter with his writings had been "Die Tage der Sintflut" (2017 - review), set in 1248 and part of a trilogy about historical events in Aachen. All three books are stand-alone. I have also read (see here) Josef Ponten's reissued "Die Bockreiter" (1919), which was reworked here and there (modernise the language a bit for reasons of comprehension) by Günter Krieger.
As I liked that one, and saw he had also written a story set during the Viking era, I was curious to know what he had made of it. Still on my TBR-pile is the third novel in the trilogy about Aachen: "Das Untier von Aachen". The first volume, "Flammen über Aachen", is sadly sold out, so I'll have to hope for a reissue.
"Furor Normannicus" is divided into three parts, each containing three chapters, each of which is preceded by the account of the monk Theodorus, living (after having escaped) in Stavelot, Belgium. The story is set in Stavelot (Belgium), Aachen and other German cities (Mainz and surroundings) in the ninth century and in particular the years 875, 880 and 881 AD. The Vikings have travelled to this region to also occupy and settle there. Of course, they're depicted here as the cruel creatures they have always been depicted as: killing, raping, pillaging, ...
Around the same time, the story also mentions a Hungarian invasion at the time, though I've yet to look up this information, unless it was a fictional event added by Mr Krieger. The scene is set, revolves around farmers, monks, and of course the richer classes like that of the local count, who runs the place with an iron fist. Married, though without children, he's also a womaniser and hungry for power. Yet, his father hasn't passed to the other side yet and the count (Roland) can't wait for the official procedure to set in motion, which also means the king has to appoint the new count.
So Roland helps fate a little to obtain what he so madly desires. He also desires the subjugation of certain women (i.e. concubines), to please his (sexual) desires. But there's one young girl who will oppose him from the start. Said girl, Uta, lives on a farm with her father (Wernar), her brother (Hugo), their dog (Firo), and their slave (Arbo). Brave as she is, she has also a dark gift/talent: see who will soon die. A gift or curse that makes it hard to live with, to talk about with one's family, and especially when one's dearest are concerned.
And yet, it will not deter her from her plans, from her goals, her desires. As Roland will have a hand in the Vikings' invasion or conquering (corrupt and power-hungry as he is), so will Uta have one in countering it or creating balance. She's a fierce and proud girl who would hide or suppress her tears and sadness, when the time had come to flee the approaching Vikings. Meanwhile, she would take care of her brother, who was suffering from a terrible cough, despite all the hardship they would go through.
In the end, both characters who had, on their respective sides, a hand in the invasion or countering, would meet. While Roland thought he had found a new refuge and role through which he would prove himself to his new master, Uta would carry out - with some indirect help - what she had planned to do ever since she had had to flee, along the road learning about what truly happened back then to the local army/militia, which her father belonged to.
It's a short novel, under 240 pages, though reads very smoothly. That's one of Mr Krieger's USP's (unique selling points): his accessible style, allowing for a smooth read and keeping the reader's attention. Adding historical information in the footnotes is an added value, I find, even if it's not that common with historical fiction. It helps, however, to bring the story to life, to help situate where it took place and when, and who played an important role then.
"Furor Normannicus" keeps things direct and simple, yet spiced up a little with historical information. While readable as a stand-alone story, which it currently is, there is room for a sequel, to find out what happened afterwards. How did Uta, her brother, their former slave Arbo (who was released at some point), ... fare? How did the rest of the population fare? Did the Vikings come to rule? What with Erik, who held off a Viking assault to protect Uta and co.?
If you're into a quick historical fiction fix, if you're seeking a story like in Bernard Cornwell's excellent "The Saxon Stories" series (aka "The Last Kingdom") or Guy Gavriel Kay's "The Last Light of the Sun", or similar stories, then "Furor Normannicus" may provide a different take on the matter. The comparison with the aforementioned authors or books is purely about the setting, the historical context, not the style. Cornwell, Kay and Krieger have each quite different styles and approaches.
On a side-note: at the bottom of the pages, there's a little Viking ship that sails from left to right, the length of the book, until it disappears off the last page.
As I liked that one, and saw he had also written a story set during the Viking era, I was curious to know what he had made of it. Still on my TBR-pile is the third novel in the trilogy about Aachen: "Das Untier von Aachen". The first volume, "Flammen über Aachen", is sadly sold out, so I'll have to hope for a reissue.
"Furor Normannicus" is divided into three parts, each containing three chapters, each of which is preceded by the account of the monk Theodorus, living (after having escaped) in Stavelot, Belgium. The story is set in Stavelot (Belgium), Aachen and other German cities (Mainz and surroundings) in the ninth century and in particular the years 875, 880 and 881 AD. The Vikings have travelled to this region to also occupy and settle there. Of course, they're depicted here as the cruel creatures they have always been depicted as: killing, raping, pillaging, ...
Around the same time, the story also mentions a Hungarian invasion at the time, though I've yet to look up this information, unless it was a fictional event added by Mr Krieger. The scene is set, revolves around farmers, monks, and of course the richer classes like that of the local count, who runs the place with an iron fist. Married, though without children, he's also a womaniser and hungry for power. Yet, his father hasn't passed to the other side yet and the count (Roland) can't wait for the official procedure to set in motion, which also means the king has to appoint the new count.
So Roland helps fate a little to obtain what he so madly desires. He also desires the subjugation of certain women (i.e. concubines), to please his (sexual) desires. But there's one young girl who will oppose him from the start. Said girl, Uta, lives on a farm with her father (Wernar), her brother (Hugo), their dog (Firo), and their slave (Arbo). Brave as she is, she has also a dark gift/talent: see who will soon die. A gift or curse that makes it hard to live with, to talk about with one's family, and especially when one's dearest are concerned.
And yet, it will not deter her from her plans, from her goals, her desires. As Roland will have a hand in the Vikings' invasion or conquering (corrupt and power-hungry as he is), so will Uta have one in countering it or creating balance. She's a fierce and proud girl who would hide or suppress her tears and sadness, when the time had come to flee the approaching Vikings. Meanwhile, she would take care of her brother, who was suffering from a terrible cough, despite all the hardship they would go through.
In the end, both characters who had, on their respective sides, a hand in the invasion or countering, would meet. While Roland thought he had found a new refuge and role through which he would prove himself to his new master, Uta would carry out - with some indirect help - what she had planned to do ever since she had had to flee, along the road learning about what truly happened back then to the local army/militia, which her father belonged to.
It's a short novel, under 240 pages, though reads very smoothly. That's one of Mr Krieger's USP's (unique selling points): his accessible style, allowing for a smooth read and keeping the reader's attention. Adding historical information in the footnotes is an added value, I find, even if it's not that common with historical fiction. It helps, however, to bring the story to life, to help situate where it took place and when, and who played an important role then.
"Furor Normannicus" keeps things direct and simple, yet spiced up a little with historical information. While readable as a stand-alone story, which it currently is, there is room for a sequel, to find out what happened afterwards. How did Uta, her brother, their former slave Arbo (who was released at some point), ... fare? How did the rest of the population fare? Did the Vikings come to rule? What with Erik, who held off a Viking assault to protect Uta and co.?
If you're into a quick historical fiction fix, if you're seeking a story like in Bernard Cornwell's excellent "The Saxon Stories" series (aka "The Last Kingdom") or Guy Gavriel Kay's "The Last Light of the Sun", or similar stories, then "Furor Normannicus" may provide a different take on the matter. The comparison with the aforementioned authors or books is purely about the setting, the historical context, not the style. Cornwell, Kay and Krieger have each quite different styles and approaches.
On a side-note: at the bottom of the pages, there's a little Viking ship that sails from left to right, the length of the book, until it disappears off the last page.
Displaying 1 of 1 review