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Aelfraed #1
Housecarl
From the ashes of Saxon England rises a hero for the ages. Book One in the Aelfraed Trilogy Set in the years before the Battle of Hastings the story follows the trials and tribulations of Aelfraed, a young boy who aspires to be a warrior. When his uncle, Aethelward, takes him to join the warriors of Harold Godwinson, his life is irrevocably changed. Fighting the Welsh brings him great honour and when he saves the life of Edward the Confessor, he becomes a man of great reputation. The novel culminates in the battle of Stamford Bridge when the Housecarls defeated the last of the Vikings, Harald Hadrada.
218 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 3, 2012
161 people are currently reading
113 people want to read
About the author
Griff Hosker
305 books419 followersI was born in 1950 in Lancashire and attended a boy’s grammar school. After qualifying as an English and Drama teacher in 1972, I worked in the North East of England for the next 35 years. During that time I did write, mainly plays, pantos and musicals for the students at the three schools in which I worked.
When I stopped teaching I set up my own consultancy firm and worked as an adviser in schools and colleges in the North East of England. The new Conservative Government ended that avenue of work and in 2010 I found that I had time on my hands; having started work at the age of 15 I found the lack of work not to my liking and used the time to research the Roman invasion of Britain and begin to create a novel. The result was The Sword of Cartimandua.
My decision to begin writing was one of the best I have ever taken.
griff-signature-360x57
When I stopped teaching I set up my own consultancy firm and worked as an adviser in schools and colleges in the North East of England. The new Conservative Government ended that avenue of work and in 2010 I found that I had time on my hands; having started work at the age of 15 I found the lack of work not to my liking and used the time to research the Roman invasion of Britain and begin to create a novel. The result was The Sword of Cartimandua.
My decision to begin writing was one of the best I have ever taken.
griff-signature-360x57
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
April 26, 2023
Wow that was damn ass good!!!! Hop the next is as good.
May 11, 2024
4.5 stars
January 21, 2016
Excellent book, a good insite into life pre 1066 battle of Hastings.
Book 1 was very unputdownable!
Book 1 was very unputdownable!
March 9, 2021
I have a strong emotional tie to the events around the Norman Conquest, and even wrote my own novel on the topic (https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B...).
I like Griff Hosker’s books and his style of writing, From Page One you get sucked into the story and identify with the main character, which the story being in the first person helps. I also like the way Hosker sets himself a strategic problem and then sets about coming up with a logical solution. This often comes out in the battle scenes which, fortunately, are not overly gruesome in the manner favoured by some authors. There is also the understanding of the culture of the time and I was especially pleased that the fact that a man’s closest relative was that of sister’s son.
The story is the first of a trilogy covering the fate of Æfræd, the youngest son of a widowed Thegn in Northumberland. The youngest and the different one, despised by all bar his grandmother, even his looks and green eye colouring follow that of his late mother, and his name begins with “Æ” as with his mother’s family, rather than “E” and blue eyes of his father and elder brothers. With the death of his grandmother he is raised and trained to be a warrior by his mother’s brother and, in time, becomes one of Harold, Earl of Wessex’s Housecarls. Starting with the combined ops of Harold and his brother and fellow Earl, Tostig, against Gruffyd, who had welded all Wales into a single kingdom the action moves to Winchester and an attempt on the life of King Edward the Confessor to Yorkshire, the ousting of Earl Tostig and the Battles of Fullford and Stamford Bridge.
The period covered is rarely touched by other authors and that is what makes this book such an important one in my collection
There are a couple of points I would make: the first is just an amusement that makes me smile – rabbits. Hosker has them being hunted for food when the vermin only arrived with the Normans and even then it was some years before those that escaped the managed warrens managed to acclimatise. The second point is of a similar bent to those shiftings of historical accuracy that Mr. Shakespeare indulged in to make things more dramatic. The villainous character of William of Jumieges, Archbishop of Canterbury, lears and lurkes at King Edward’s court at a time when he was in fact back in Normandy having fled England when Godwin and his sons made their military invasion, taking Godwin’s son, Wulfnoth, and Godwin’s nephew, Hakon, with him as hostages. Jumieges was stripped of his office and his replacement was Stigand, an Englishman. It has been argued that if Harold of Wessex did in fact go to Normandy, where he ended up hostage to William the Bastard, Duke of Normandy, and no English source mentions this, it was to try and gain the release of the two boys.
This book is highly recommended, though I must admit I am not looking forward to reading the next one in the series as I always get so depressed when reading of the rape of England by the voracious wolves of Normandy.
I like Griff Hosker’s books and his style of writing, From Page One you get sucked into the story and identify with the main character, which the story being in the first person helps. I also like the way Hosker sets himself a strategic problem and then sets about coming up with a logical solution. This often comes out in the battle scenes which, fortunately, are not overly gruesome in the manner favoured by some authors. There is also the understanding of the culture of the time and I was especially pleased that the fact that a man’s closest relative was that of sister’s son.
The story is the first of a trilogy covering the fate of Æfræd, the youngest son of a widowed Thegn in Northumberland. The youngest and the different one, despised by all bar his grandmother, even his looks and green eye colouring follow that of his late mother, and his name begins with “Æ” as with his mother’s family, rather than “E” and blue eyes of his father and elder brothers. With the death of his grandmother he is raised and trained to be a warrior by his mother’s brother and, in time, becomes one of Harold, Earl of Wessex’s Housecarls. Starting with the combined ops of Harold and his brother and fellow Earl, Tostig, against Gruffyd, who had welded all Wales into a single kingdom the action moves to Winchester and an attempt on the life of King Edward the Confessor to Yorkshire, the ousting of Earl Tostig and the Battles of Fullford and Stamford Bridge.
The period covered is rarely touched by other authors and that is what makes this book such an important one in my collection
There are a couple of points I would make: the first is just an amusement that makes me smile – rabbits. Hosker has them being hunted for food when the vermin only arrived with the Normans and even then it was some years before those that escaped the managed warrens managed to acclimatise. The second point is of a similar bent to those shiftings of historical accuracy that Mr. Shakespeare indulged in to make things more dramatic. The villainous character of William of Jumieges, Archbishop of Canterbury, lears and lurkes at King Edward’s court at a time when he was in fact back in Normandy having fled England when Godwin and his sons made their military invasion, taking Godwin’s son, Wulfnoth, and Godwin’s nephew, Hakon, with him as hostages. Jumieges was stripped of his office and his replacement was Stigand, an Englishman. It has been argued that if Harold of Wessex did in fact go to Normandy, where he ended up hostage to William the Bastard, Duke of Normandy, and no English source mentions this, it was to try and gain the release of the two boys.
This book is highly recommended, though I must admit I am not looking forward to reading the next one in the series as I always get so depressed when reading of the rape of England by the voracious wolves of Normandy.
April 8, 2023
An Uncharacteristic Miss.
I first came to know this author’s work two years ago and since then I have been enthralled by the half dozen series I have followed through euphoric highs and heartrending lows. Frankly, there had not been a foot put wrong. Sadly, I did not feel the same here but, I hasten to add, I do not feel this is the author’s fault; hence my decision to write this review. The characters are as engaging as any in the Hosker pantheon, the historical accuracy is excellent, the period ethos is superbly maintained and the battle scenes are powerfully written without being enough to cause the reader to part company with their last meal. Sadly, the fault lies with me; I know the history too well so I know the cause of the hero is ultimately lost and while, since I have read the Border Knight series, I know the future for the lead character is less than completely disastrous, I still found it too much of a challenge to completely emerge myself in this chronicle, hence the three star review. However, please do not let me discourage any potential reader; the failure to connect here lies at my feet and not at Mr Hosker’s who remains a consummate storyteller.
I first came to know this author’s work two years ago and since then I have been enthralled by the half dozen series I have followed through euphoric highs and heartrending lows. Frankly, there had not been a foot put wrong. Sadly, I did not feel the same here but, I hasten to add, I do not feel this is the author’s fault; hence my decision to write this review. The characters are as engaging as any in the Hosker pantheon, the historical accuracy is excellent, the period ethos is superbly maintained and the battle scenes are powerfully written without being enough to cause the reader to part company with their last meal. Sadly, the fault lies with me; I know the history too well so I know the cause of the hero is ultimately lost and while, since I have read the Border Knight series, I know the future for the lead character is less than completely disastrous, I still found it too much of a challenge to completely emerge myself in this chronicle, hence the three star review. However, please do not let me discourage any potential reader; the failure to connect here lies at my feet and not at Mr Hosker’s who remains a consummate storyteller.
April 21, 2020
I’ve already bought book 2! I just loved this. Very similar to the Archer series but so what. Ok. We have the runt of the family alfraed who ends up training to be a warrior in Harold Godwinson’s army. He gains influence and stature through his endeavours, luck and charm. Because he is involved in another battle, he misses out on the Battle of Hastings and here the book ends. It’s a quick and easy read, lots of interesting facts (but not too heavy) great characters that you can relate to. It just great when you find an author who has written so many books! Oh and it was free on kindle unlimited.
September 5, 2024
Pretty good stuff! Hosker has written about a million books so I'll be sure to continue this series and check out more by him. With a bit more narrative focus this would have been excellent. Unfortunately, as is common in this genre, the woman love interest is as uninteresting and as flat as a character as you'd expect. However the main characters were all very likable, itputs you in the setting well, and has very good description.
December 12, 2020
A totally enthralling adventure yarn as you always expect to get from Griff Hosker. I found this a very interesting read covering the period of time around the battle of Hastings. It came across as really well written and well researched and you could never call it boring. I just hope that the other two books in the series are as good.
June 30, 2019
Great story loved it
I loved the ending! I cannot think of anything in this book that I didn't like. It was a well told story and I can't wait to read the next book in this series.
I loved the ending! I cannot think of anything in this book that I didn't like. It was a well told story and I can't wait to read the next book in this series.
October 1, 2019
Excellent read
I have thoroughly enjoyed this book. The only exception was giving a Welsh woman and place Scottish names in the first part. The storytelling was otherwise very good and kept my interest.
I have thoroughly enjoyed this book. The only exception was giving a Welsh woman and place Scottish names in the first part. The storytelling was otherwise very good and kept my interest.
October 25, 2019
I so enjoy Griff Hosker’s books
I’ve read many of Griff’s series and I love them all.
He makes his story so close and personal, and at the same time I learn more about the history of our world
Well done, Griff
I’ve read many of Griff’s series and I love them all.
He makes his story so close and personal, and at the same time I learn more about the history of our world
Well done, Griff
November 5, 2018
A spellbinding story delivered by a true master.
I eagerly devoured the trilogy and wished it had twice as many volumes to reveal much more about those times.
I eagerly devoured the trilogy and wished it had twice as many volumes to reveal much more about those times.
June 1, 2019
Great book! I enjoyed the little historical note at the end.
October 4, 2019
Really well written book, difficult to put down and a great start for the trilogy.
November 6, 2019
Engrossing read of the Anglo-Saxon Housecarls and introduction of the local hero Aethelfread struggling to maintain an English identity in the squeeze of the Norman and Danish powers. Good read. !
May 21, 2023
DNF
What can I say except that the writing style was not for me at all. It didn't flow in a way that I enjoy.
What can I say except that the writing style was not for me at all. It didn't flow in a way that I enjoy.
April 10, 2024
Good story
May 31, 2015
A great tale well told. Good historic detail and the author moves the story along well.
Rating of 4 stars rather than 5 is only due to the spotty editing - and this may be limited to the Kindle edition.
All the way through the book, and getting more frequent toward the end, there are occasional omitted words and, less frequently, incorrect words ("then" instead of 'the" for instance). None of the missing words are critical, usually modifiers or such, and none of this really detracts from the story, but it does occasionally cause one to stumble and say "Huh?"
Rating of 4 stars rather than 5 is only due to the spotty editing - and this may be limited to the Kindle edition.
All the way through the book, and getting more frequent toward the end, there are occasional omitted words and, less frequently, incorrect words ("then" instead of 'the" for instance). None of the missing words are critical, usually modifiers or such, and none of this really detracts from the story, but it does occasionally cause one to stumble and say "Huh?"
February 20, 2018
This book is the first in a great series set in medieval England and Europe after William the Conquer through the tales of former Housecarls of the defeated English king. The writer follows the style of Bernard Cornwell's series of Saxon knights in northern England during the same period of time and in the same style of writing. Both display keen knowledge and insight into warfare and weapons, their actual use is woven into factual history that is informatively educational, historically accurate and exciting to any reader. A great series I found thoroughly enjoyable and engaging!
September 21, 2014
A very good read...
truly a wonderful read, and I can't wait to begin the next book in the Aelfraed series. The battles, the intrigue and the warrior-comradery are all written completely credible.
truly a wonderful read, and I can't wait to begin the next book in the Aelfraed series. The battles, the intrigue and the warrior-comradery are all written completely credible.
April 26, 2015
Battles!
A great hero to get behind. Battle scenes are well described, and the scenes describing the homes and lifestyles of the thegns and Ford men seem historically accurate.
A great hero to get behind. Battle scenes are well described, and the scenes describing the homes and lifestyles of the thegns and Ford men seem historically accurate.
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews