But an old enemy, the treacherous Earl Eadric, dogs Godwin's footsteps, and as the final battle approaches, around the valiant English the trap begins to close. With epic courage and ferocity, Godwin and Edmund repel the butchering Danes in three great battles. Godwin must traverse the meadows, wintry forests and fogbound marshes of Saxon England, raising armies of monks, ploughmen and shepherds against the Viking invader. When Ethelred's son Edmund takes the throne, determined to succeed where his father failed, he plucks Godwin from domestic peace to be right-hand man in his loyal shield wall. One man lives to bear witness to the upheaval: Godwin, barely out of boyhood and destined to become one of his country's great warriors. King Ethelred lies dying and the England he knew dies with him the warring kingdoms of Mercia, Wessex and Northymbria tremble on the brink of great change.

The year is 1016 and England burns while the Viking armies blockade the great city of London.

superbly evoked the wordplay of the period's poetry as it unfolds a compelling story of Earl Godwin's battles against the Norse'

superbly evoked the wordplay of the period's poetry as it unfolds a compelling story of Earl Godwin's battles against the Norse'The year is 1016 and England burns while the Viking armies blockade the great city of London. But an old enemy, the treacherous Earl Eadric, dogs Godwin's footsteps, and as the final battle approaches, around the valiant English the trap begins to close.A Sunday Times Book of the Year 'Justin Hill's Shieldwall. A Sunday Times Book of the Year 'Justin Hill's Shieldwall. A Sunday Times Book of the Year 'Justin Hill's Shieldwall.

Shieldwall by Justin Hill