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Bretwalda
’Twas the mightiest weapon the eyes of man had ever beheld; its mystic name meant “Ruler of Briton.” And from over the Northern Sea came a Viking’s thrall—the only man in the world who could wield that fearsome steel—to save good King Alfred and the homeland he scarce remembered. Collecting—for the first time—all 12 stories of the Bretwalda saga. Volume #8 in The Argosy Library.
480 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 2, 2015
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About the author
Philip Ketchum
109 books3 followersGraduated from the University of Denver and also studied at Long Beach State College and New York University.
A one-time social worker, he served during World War II as Pacific Coast Director of the United States Seamen's Service and after that devoted full time to his writing.
He is the author of more than 1,000 short stories as well as many successful western novels.
A one-time social worker, he served during World War II as Pacific Coast Director of the United States Seamen's Service and after that devoted full time to his writing.
He is the author of more than 1,000 short stories as well as many successful western novels.
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September 22, 2022
In the 9th Century, an axe named Bretwalda (which means "Ruler of Britain") is forged. It belongs to the Wilton family and is said to be destined to save England.
Bretwalda is an anthology of 12 stories, all originally published in Argosy Magazine in 1939, traces the history of the Wilton family and the titular axe over the course of 1100 years. Every few generations, a Wilton must wield the axe in a situation in which the fate of Britain is at stake. In the first tale, for instance, it is used to prevent the Vikings from kidnapping King Alfred. Later, it is used to prevent a coup that would have disposed a pro-British Viking king. It was employed in the First Crusade to help capture and later hold onto the city of Antioch. It was a part of the fighting that led to the signing of the Magna Carta. It prevented an evil noble from using the chaos of the Black Plague to take over the country. It was used on behalf of Oliver Cromwell in a story that examined the nature of loyalty to both causes and friends.
Each story is full of great action scenes and relatable characters, with endings running the gamut from happy to bittersweet to downright tragic.
The last story--arguably the best--is set in World War One, with a Wilton serving along side Lawrence of Arabia in the Middle East campaigning. This story justifies why a soldier is carrying an outdated weapon with him, weaves together several character arcs involving men who need to redeem themselves, and takes a look at aspects of duty and self-sacrifice. It also ends in an incredible last-stand fight that leads to a dramatically and emotionally perfect conclusion of the Bretwalda saga.
Bretwalda is an anthology of 12 stories, all originally published in Argosy Magazine in 1939, traces the history of the Wilton family and the titular axe over the course of 1100 years. Every few generations, a Wilton must wield the axe in a situation in which the fate of Britain is at stake. In the first tale, for instance, it is used to prevent the Vikings from kidnapping King Alfred. Later, it is used to prevent a coup that would have disposed a pro-British Viking king. It was employed in the First Crusade to help capture and later hold onto the city of Antioch. It was a part of the fighting that led to the signing of the Magna Carta. It prevented an evil noble from using the chaos of the Black Plague to take over the country. It was used on behalf of Oliver Cromwell in a story that examined the nature of loyalty to both causes and friends.
Each story is full of great action scenes and relatable characters, with endings running the gamut from happy to bittersweet to downright tragic.
The last story--arguably the best--is set in World War One, with a Wilton serving along side Lawrence of Arabia in the Middle East campaigning. This story justifies why a soldier is carrying an outdated weapon with him, weaves together several character arcs involving men who need to redeem themselves, and takes a look at aspects of duty and self-sacrifice. It also ends in an incredible last-stand fight that leads to a dramatically and emotionally perfect conclusion of the Bretwalda saga.
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