Harold The King: 1066: the story of the events that led to the most famous date in English History

According to what many of us remember from school, English history began in 1066. Well, it didn't!The later Saxon kingdom was a vibrant and cultured world, unlike the Duchy of Normandy that was soon to destroy it. And it's a period that really created our English identity: the people of this country have largely inherited the Anglo-Saxon background, even though the Normans imposed their language and political systems.Helen Hollick has created a brilliant portrayal of this important but neglected period of history, with a cast of charismatic characters set in a convincing landscape and timescape. As well as Harold himself, we meet his wayward brothers, Swein and Tostig, his sister and his brother-in-law King Edward (later known as the Confessor), and his two 'wives' Edyth and Alditha. And Hollick also takes us across the Channel to see behind the scenes of the Norman court, and into the mind of Duke William - who will become the Conqueror.In advance of the 900th anniversary of the Battle of Hastings - recounted in vivid and gory detail in these pages - I thoroughly recommend 'Harold the King as an essential and enjoyable primer!

Despite its title, this novel covers the whole quarter century from just after the accession of King Edward (later called the Confessor) until Harold's short reign culminates at Hastings. The author is a very good describer of landscapes and setting a mood of a place or situation. I am a bit less sure about her handling of characters, many of them come across as being a bit two-dimensional, either wholly positive or wholly negative. She is particularly down on King Edward until he is on his deathbed. But overall an engaging read and the final battle description is excellent.

What a beautiful, lyrical piece of writing about the lost and greatly lamented King of the English, Harold Godwinson.If the King's shadow still flickers over this land, then his soul will surely be upraised by remembrances tendered more than 900 years after his passing by several great authors, especially Helen Hollick.Comfort too may be taken by the knowledge that the English today are still essentially his kindred in their language, bloodline and in their moderate instincts.Added to that, yet more heirs of the Old English flourish within the four other Anglo-Saxon countries of our own time: USA, Canada, Australia and New Zealand.Normandy itself is dwarfed by the scale of this achievement.There is simply no other English King (or Queen, or Prince) whose heroic fight against two major invasions over just three weeks, is still a cause of so much sadness, even after the passage of nine and a half centuries.Lovers of this book should read 'The Saxon Tapestry' by Sile Rice which is also an aching lament for what was lost when 'our King Harold' (a quote from the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle) failed utterly, yet only just, to save the English people from Duke William and the paid hirelings of fear who followed in his wake.

I read this straight after reading A Hollow Crown. In A Hollow Crown, I was disappointed not to have a likeable female lead, but in this book I found one with Edyth. Like A Hollow Crown, this book really picks up in the second half, and I think some of the earlier stuff could have been cut.My copy was a large paperback, which I find irritating, especially as the book is long. It's clumsy to hold in bed. There were a few minor typo errors.My only quibble with Ms Hollick's writing is that she has a tendency to change POV from one paragraph to the next with no gap lines to warn us of this viewpoint change. Sometimes it's a change in location too (person A in the abbey, then the next line is person B in the inn and so on).Having said all this I enjoyed the book very much, especially the second half. Reading these two books has got me interested in this period and I want to find more novels set at this time.

I love historical novels, although my fabourite perios is the Wars of the Roses. However, I am also fascinated by the story of Harold, our last Anglo-Saxon king, who died fighting for his country, very similar to Richard III. Helen Hollick brings the era to life and her characters are interesting and rounded. The whole story of Harold is told from when he became Earl of East Anglia at a young age to his sad death at Hastings. The whole plot sticks closely to the known facts and any gaps are filled logically and plausibly, such as why he went to Normandy.I knew I would enjoy this book when I discovered Helen had used my favourite word - spindrift! Thanks for an excellent time travel trip to the 1000s.

A well written - and well researched - story of the last Saxon king, Harold II. I really enjoyed this book.

Interesting but long.

Helen Hollick's Harold the King is the first historical fiction book I have read in a long time. I much prefer factual history books as a rule, but thanks to the author Helen Hollick this wont be the last historical fiction I read.Helen Hollick in my opinion is a pure genius in her method of retelling the 1066 story. Keeping the facts in focus and pulling the whole story line together to keep the reader flipping the pages over and over again.The author puts flesh on the bones of the many characters caught up in this tragic yet fascinating period of English history.Although the ending of this story was written into history in a field in East Sussex over a thousand years ago, you kind of wish in the back of your mind that somehow the ending of 1066 could have been so different as you finish Helens book.........................but we know how it ends!...I give this book 10/10

Kept me reading. Entertainment.

This was the first book written by Helen Hollick that I've read. It certainly will not be my last! Ms. Hollick is a truly magnificent author! She brings to life all of the characters of that turbulent time in a way that's absolutely spellbinding. And, she writes us a very telling account of Harold Godwinesson, his lifelong love for his "hand-fast" wife Edith Swannhaels and their children. She tells us in vivid terms of the self centered egotism and lust for power of Harold's sister Edith (Queen by marriage to Edward) and brother Tostig. Her description of Edward (like Helen, I refuse to add the title "the Confessor" to his name seeing as how that term was coined upon his politically inspired canonization in 1161,long after his reign and death) is SPOT ON, in my opinion. A weak man and king, much like his father Aethelred who was known as "the Unready", Edward had no sense of kingship. He actually would've been happier to have been a monk, Abbot, or Bishop. Ms. Hollick also paints a vivid portrait of William the Bastard of Normandy, his ruthless ambition, cruelty, avarice, and desire to obtain the throne of England at whatever cost. This outstanding work gives us a very good insight into the greed, treachery, and overweening ambition that all too often drives human beings, both then, at this crucial milestone in England's history and still present today. But the main thing is that Helen Hollick is able to bring to vivid life the personages and times of the period 1043-1066.This book is truly a MUST READ for those who would better understand the history of England. It's a definite page turner, I could NOT put it down and found myself reading into the wee hours of the morning until my eyes were so strained I could no longer focus on the words. Would that I could give this book TEN stars, I would certainly award them to this masterpiece and to Helen Hollick, a truly magnificent writer! I highly recommend this work and the other works that Ms. Hollick has produced. She is right up there in the same league with Sharon Penman, Rosemary Sutcliff, and Morgan Llewelyn as a great writer who can bring history to life! And, as a lifelong reader and student of history, I dearly love good historical novels that stick to the historical facts and bring the characters to vivid life. Ms. Hollick does this as well as any writer I've ever read! Thank you Helen, please give us more! :)

This is a long book but is very readable and I love the strong characters.The author obviously did a lot of research and brings this era to life. Truly enjoyable read!

This is a wonderfully complex and engaging novel of the characters and events that led up to what is perhaps the most famous date in English history - the Battle of Hastings in 1066, where William the Conquerer won the battle that handed the rule of England to his descendants to this day.Whereas most school children are aware of this date, and many wonderful novels have been written about the times after these events, the life and times of the kings and earls who ruled England prior to the conquest have been relatively unexplored. Helen Hollick has waded into the history of this era with great panache, making the people of the time both vivid and real, with their strengths and weaknesses, ambitions and loves.If you are a lover of books by Sharon Penman and Elizabeth Chadwick, you will love this too. Not only is there attention to detail and historical accuracy (historical inaccuracy being my number 1 pet peeve), it will give you the historical framework to venture further along the English family tree and wonder at the ascent of the Normans afresh.Highly recommended.

As Hollick explains at the end of this novel, history is written by the victors. Consequently, what we know about Harold II is subject to interpretation and debate.Hollick portrays an interesting and detailed account of Harold's life, ambitions and loves as they might have been. The story starts when he is about 20 and his father is exiled by King Edward. It ends with his death during the Battle of Hastings in 1066.Throughout, Hollick recreates the reign of Edward the Confessor, including the relationship with his mother, the former Queen Emma. She imagines him as a pious, devout but ultimately weak king.Early in the book, she also introduces William, the future king who would win the Battle of Hastings. She imagines him as a self-centered callous ambitious man.I had previously read the much shorter book, THE WIND FROM HASTINGS, by Morgan Llywelyn, which I thoroughly enjoyed. Hollick provides another perspective. Whereas in Llywelyn's novel, the story centers around - and in fact is told from - Alditha's point of view. It covers an earlier time because it includes her marriage to Gruffudd ap Llywelyn in some detail.I highly recommend both books to anyone who enjoys historical fiction, especially that which focuses on the people of the times.