I Am England: An epic novel of passion, hardship and bravery through 1500 years of English history

by Patricia Wright

Winner of the Georgette Heyer Historical Novel Prize Sweeping through fifteen centuries of life in the heart of southern England, this epic novel records the lives of the ordinary folk of Britain from the end of the Roman occupation through to the late 16th century. The author has brought to life a colourful range of characters, from serfs to kings, from slave girls to bishops and from honest working families to murderers, to illustrate what it must have been like to live through some of the most challenging periods of English history, including the attacks of the hated Viking marauders, the French defeat of the English at Hastings, the arrival of the despised Norman invaders and the dissolution of the monasteries. The hardship and terrible cruelty our ancestors had to endure are vividly described.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Fiction, Historical

470 pages, Kindle Edition

First published June 18, 1987

Reviews

[Gary · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you are a fan of Edward Rutherford's wonderful epics, this novel should be right up your ally.
Intriguing and engaging journey set on the Sussex Weald and surrounding areas, from 70 AD to 1589. Five interconnected chapters take us Through the generations and with passion, and a talent for capturing the circle of life we meet Brac the Iron-smith during the period of the Roman conquest , Edred the savage Saxon warrior and the fiery Danish slave girl he takes as his concubine, Robert the Falconer, Bendict the Priestly Knight and the Elizabethan yeoman Francis Wyse and his love.
Passionately written and well researched, it evocatively captures English history through the times it covers. If you are a fan of Edward Rutherford's wonderful epics, this novel should be right up your ally.
Intriguing and engaging journey set on the Sussex Weald and surrounding areas, from 70 AD to 1589. Five interconnected chapters take us Through the generations and with passion, and a talent for capturing the circle of life we meet Brac the Iron-smith during the period of the Roman conquest , Edred the savage Saxon warrior and the fiery Danish slave girl he takes as his concubine, Robert the Falconer, Bendict the Priestly Knight and the Elizabethan yeoman Francis Wyse and his love.
Passionately written and well researched, it evocatively captures English history through the times it covers.

Merged review:

If you are a fan of Edward Rutherford's wonderful epics, this novel should be right up your ally.
Intriguing and engaging journey set on the Sussex Weald and surrounding areas, from 70 AD to 1589. Five interconnected chapters take us Through the generations and with passion, and a talent for capturing the circle of life we meet Brac the Iron-smith during the period of the Roman conquest , Edred the savage Saxon warrior and the fiery Danish slave girl he takes as his concubine, Robert the Falconer, Bendict the Priestly Knight and the Elizabethan yeoman Francis Wyse and his love.
Passionately written and well researched, it evocatively captures English history through the times it covers. If you are a fan of Edward Rutherford's wonderful epics, this novel should be right up your ally.

[Heather Morrison · Rating 4 out of 5]

When I first picked up this book, I wasn't sure if I would finish it. I usually enjoy reading history based books but I couldn't connect to the stories or the characters in the early chapters. As the book continued, the character became more well rounded. I am glad I stayed with it.

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

"In this remarkable epic, which spans fifteen centuries from AD 70 to 1589, Furnace Green in the Weald of Sussex is England." - The story is about the people who live there over the centuries and is fascinating.

[Louise Smethurst · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cracking trip through time. Some great characters with proper nuance instead of just hero or villain

[Johanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good old fashioned saga, the inspiration for Edward Rutherfurd and the rest!

[Alison · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent fictional narrative of England's history, set in the region of Wessex from the time of Alfred the Great to just after Bloody Mary's brutal reign. Loved it.