'Harold' The Last of The Saxon Kings [Illustrated]

by Edward Bulwer-Lytton

Harold Godwinson, (1022 – October 14, 1066 A.D.) also known as Harold II, is widely regarded as the last Anglo-Saxon King of England before the Norman Conquest. Harold reigned from January 5 1066 until his death at the Battle of Hastings on 14 October of that same year, fighting the Norman invaders, led by William the Conqueror.

Genres: History, Nonfiction, Classics, Biography, Classic Literature

750 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 1848

About the author

Edward George Earle Lytton Bulwer-Lytton, 1st Baron Lytton PC, was an English novelist, poet, playwright, and politician. Lord Lytton was a florid, popular writer of his day, who coined such phrases as "the great unwashed", "pursuit of the almighty dollar", "the pen is mightier than the sword", and the infamous incipit "It was a dark and stormy night."

He was the youngest son of General William Earle Bulwer of Heydon Hall and Wood Dalling, Norfolk and Elizabeth Barbara Lytton, daughter of Richard Warburton Lytton of Knebworth, Hertfordshire. He had two brothers, William Earle Lytton Bulwer (1799–1877) and Henry, afterwards Lord Dalling and Bulwer.

Lord Lytton's original surname was Bulwer, the names 'Earle' and 'Lytton' were middle names. On 20 February 1844 he assumed the name and arms of Lytton by royal licence and his surname then became 'Bulwer-Lytton'. His widowed mother had done the same in 1811. His brothers were always simply surnamed 'Bulwer'.

Reviews

[Jose · Rating 4 out of 5]

A bit hard to read, with the old English and French mixed into it but you get use to it. Of course being written in 1848, it is a book of its time. quite descriptive and very detailed.

I came into this book knowing the outcome from the start, which makes for a different reading than it would for people not familiar with the history of that time.

Actually, the old English and old French does give the book a lot of authenticity. Plus it is full of notes that i found insightful (especially compared to the ones found in regular 'History' books). It makes you feel like you are looking at the actors through a window in time.

I'm reluctant to give it a five stars, honestly i'm not sure why, it's just not a book that changed my life. But it is a very strong four starts! I highly recommend it to whomever is interested in English history or just stories about men greater than themselves.

Cheers!

[Preetam Chatterjee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Based on the career of Harold, the last Saxon king of England 'who was killed at Hastings in 1066, the novel relates the tragic romance of Harold's love for Edith 'the fair'.

[James Churchill · Rating 1 out of 5]

Do not touch with a bargepole. Abolutely horrendous and old fashioned in terms of writing style anyway, but even for the time it is atrociously written.

[Victoria · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fascinating story, very well written, but not an easy read...

[Kaye Ogram · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting book.