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Earls of Northumbria #1
Uhtred the Bold: Earls of Northumbria Book 1
RECENT REVIEWS ON AMAZON
Records of this time in English history are sketchy, but Mr. Culley does an artful job of piecing together a story line that parallels what is known. Strong writing of the characters and a good dose of action and intrigue make a worthy read.
H A Culley has long been a favourite of mine and this book does not disappoint.
Really enjoyed this series. The books skip along at a good pace. The characters both real and fictional are brought to life in medieval Britain.
ABOUT THE BOOK
This novel follows on from H A Culley's successful series about the Anglo-Saxon Kings of Northumbria
Many will have heard of Bernard Cornwall’s hero, Uhtred of Bebbanburg, but what of the real Uhtred? He was an Anglo-Saxon noble of the tenth and eleventh century who became Earl of Northumbria. This novel is based on Uhtred’s life.
In the late tenth century Northumbria was surrounded by potential enemies: the Scots to the North, the Danes in the South of the region and Viking raiders from across the North Sea. Uhtred, the elder son of the Earl of Bernicia, fights and wins his first battle against a horde of Norsemen when he is fourteen and continues to face external enemies throughout his life.
However, he has to contend with enemies within his own family as well. His father is jealous of his success and disowns him and his younger brother wants him dead so that he can succeed to the earldom. He survives several attempts on his life but then the Scots invade and besiege Durham, where Uhtred has left his wife and child believing it to be a place of safety. He must unite the disparate parts of Northumbria under his leadership if he is to stand any chance of defeating the Scots invaders and so save his family. Meanwhile, across the sea Sweyn Forkbeard, King of Denmark and Norway, and his son Cnut make plans to invade Northumbria as a prelude to seizing the English throne.
Records of this time in English history are sketchy, but Mr. Culley does an artful job of piecing together a story line that parallels what is known. Strong writing of the characters and a good dose of action and intrigue make a worthy read.
H A Culley has long been a favourite of mine and this book does not disappoint.
Really enjoyed this series. The books skip along at a good pace. The characters both real and fictional are brought to life in medieval Britain.
ABOUT THE BOOK
This novel follows on from H A Culley's successful series about the Anglo-Saxon Kings of Northumbria
Many will have heard of Bernard Cornwall’s hero, Uhtred of Bebbanburg, but what of the real Uhtred? He was an Anglo-Saxon noble of the tenth and eleventh century who became Earl of Northumbria. This novel is based on Uhtred’s life.
In the late tenth century Northumbria was surrounded by potential enemies: the Scots to the North, the Danes in the South of the region and Viking raiders from across the North Sea. Uhtred, the elder son of the Earl of Bernicia, fights and wins his first battle against a horde of Norsemen when he is fourteen and continues to face external enemies throughout his life.
However, he has to contend with enemies within his own family as well. His father is jealous of his success and disowns him and his younger brother wants him dead so that he can succeed to the earldom. He survives several attempts on his life but then the Scots invade and besiege Durham, where Uhtred has left his wife and child believing it to be a place of safety. He must unite the disparate parts of Northumbria under his leadership if he is to stand any chance of defeating the Scots invaders and so save his family. Meanwhile, across the sea Sweyn Forkbeard, King of Denmark and Norway, and his son Cnut make plans to invade Northumbria as a prelude to seizing the English throne.
307 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 8, 2019
233 people are currently reading
83 people want to read
About the author
H.A. Culley
42 books31 followersH.A. Culley served in the Army for twenty four years during which time he had a variety of unusual jobs. These included commanding an Arab unit in the desert for three years and a tour as the military attaché in Beirut in the late seventies.
After leaving the Army he became the business manager of a large independent school for twenty years before moving into marketing and fundraising. He has also been involved in two major historical projects and now works for an educational charity.
He has given talks on historical subjects for several years and the research involved provided his inspiration for writing historical fiction.
He has three adult children and lives near Holy Island in Northumberland with his wife and two Bernese Mountain Dogs.
After leaving the Army he became the business manager of a large independent school for twenty years before moving into marketing and fundraising. He has also been involved in two major historical projects and now works for an educational charity.
He has given talks on historical subjects for several years and the research involved provided his inspiration for writing historical fiction.
He has three adult children and lives near Holy Island in Northumberland with his wife and two Bernese Mountain Dogs.
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
February 14, 2019
Well written but...
Bullet writes a good exciting novel but having read the Cornwall books and those of other writers like Hosker and Harffy they offer much of a muchness. Still kept me interested whilst on holiday.
Bullet writes a good exciting novel but having read the Cornwall books and those of other writers like Hosker and Harffy they offer much of a muchness. Still kept me interested whilst on holiday.
February 11, 2019
A very interesting tale
It's always interesting to read a new take on historical figures, and the story of Uhtred the Bold as told here is very engaging. This is a very good book and I am looking forward to the next book in the series.
It's always interesting to read a new take on historical figures, and the story of Uhtred the Bold as told here is very engaging. This is a very good book and I am looking forward to the next book in the series.
March 6, 2019
Good story
Really good read, good balance with action and story line. Some quite nice character development as well, overall I thought this book was well worth the time and money invested in it.
Really good read, good balance with action and story line. Some quite nice character development as well, overall I thought this book was well worth the time and money invested in it.
August 28, 2019
This is a good story but the writing is clumsy. Sometimes I felt that I was reading a book of lists. This happened, then this, then this. It can be a little tedious. Also, the battles are confusing. I found myself having to reread them several times. Otherwise, it’s not bad.
September 15, 2019
Great
Sorry that Uhtred was killed in book one. Even though he has descendents I wish he could have been around longer to see justice done too spine deserving individuals.
Sorry that Uhtred was killed in book one. Even though he has descendents I wish he could have been around longer to see justice done too spine deserving individuals.
September 17, 2020
Good
When I first started read I thought it was good. The promo said it was the real story of Uhtred of Northumbria. It was set in the 10th and 11 th centuries. Even though it was good I still prefer Bernard Cornwell version of the story.
When I first started read I thought it was good. The promo said it was the real story of Uhtred of Northumbria. It was set in the 10th and 11 th centuries. Even though it was good I still prefer Bernard Cornwell version of the story.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews