The Heathen Horde – History… the interesting bits!

Book Corner: King of Wessex by Steven A. McKay

21/02/202520/02/2025Sharon Bennett Connolly4 Comments

His reign must come to an end. But his legacy will live on forever.

After thwarting the scourge of the Viking hordes that had decimated Britain for decades, King Alfred assured a period of peace and prosperity for the kingdom of Wessex. The dream of uniting all Anglo-Saxons under one, noble banner seems closer than ever before.

But his enemies are not ones to be taken lightly. For even as Alfred works to ensure the fate of his descendants for centuries to come, a fearsome warlord, Haesten, gathers his warriors for a brutal assault upon the shores of Alfred’s territories.

As the battle lines are drawn, as the true power of this new and terrifying threat comes into its own, the ageing king knows in his heart that things will be different this time round. For as strong as his land, his birthright, his Wessex, has become, the consequences of defeat have never been more terrible.

For one who has gained everything… has everything to lose.

What an incredible adventure it has been!

In his Alfred the Great trilogy, Steven A. McKay has brought the late 9th century to life, retelling the story of Wessex’s stand against the constant incursions of the Norse and the Danes, known collectively as the Vikings. Many fans of Bernard Cornwell will recognise the great enemy of King of Wessex as having been a regular character in his The Last Kingdom series: Haesten. Haesten was the last great enemy that Alfred faced before his death, in a four-year war that ravaged Wessex.

But in King of Wessex, Alfred is no longer fighting alone. He has the help of his daughter, Æthelflæd, now Lady of Mercia, and her husband, Æthelred. His son, Edward, no longer a child, is leading armies of his own. This family affair allows Alfred to defend his kingdom from all sides at once, moving armies to face new threats, knowing his back is covered.

What sets this series apart, however, is the relationships of the characters and King of Wessex shows just how far these relationships have developed. Alfred’s friend and captain Wulfric is a constant by his side. His wife, Ealhswith, gives wise counsel and overlooks his flaws (I am not sure I could overlook the womanising!) And having watched his children mature, Alfred now has to trust them to be his captains and his allies. But Alfred, though getting older and still suffering from the same health issues that would often see him doubled over in pain, is still the man in command. And the man to be beaten.

There were men in Mercia’s Witan who offered, or perhaps demanded would be more accurate, to take control while Aethelred was unwell, but Aethelflaed was not having that.

‘You?’ The thane who asked the question gaped at her incredulously. ‘But you’re a woman!’

Aethelflaed’s lip curled, and she rolled her eyes at him. He was a tall man, very broad of shoulder with a thick, dark beard and hard eyes. She knew she had to deal with him in the right way, or the rest of the gathered Witan would never take her seriously. So much was riding on these next few moments. ‘I am indeed a woman, Morcar. Well spotted. Not much gets past you I see.’

Some of the other council members sniggered and Aethelflaed took note of them. She’d been taught that such information, the dynamics of the Witan such as who liked who and who would like to murder whom, was always useful to know. Similarly, Morcar’s reaction to her gentle but very public insult would also be worth noting.

‘No need to be glib, my lady,’ the big man replied dryly, rather surprising Aethelflaed for she’d half expected him to grow angry at her. That he didn’t was definitely a point in his favour and belied his fierce looks. ‘You know what I mean,’ he went on. ‘Women don’t usually rule in Mercia.’

‘It would only be temporary,’ Aerthelflaed replied, standing up and walking around the hall, eyeing the mostly middle-aged men who formed the Witan. ‘Until my husband is over his illness.’

‘And what if he does not get over it?’ a red-faced, bulbous-nosed man asked bluntly.

‘Then we’d need to look at the matter again, Edgar,’ Aethelflaed barked, annoyed at the question for she’d grown close to Aethelred in the relatively short time they’d been married. ‘But, for now,’ she stopped walking right behind Edgar who was forced to turn in his chair and crane his neck upwards to see her, ‘my husband is alive, and I shall take his place as head of the Witan.’

‘But you’re not even Mercian,’ Edgar argued.

‘I am Mercian now,’ Aethelflaed retorted, her patience growing thin with the dense thane who had actually got to his feet, forcing her to look up at him now. ‘I married your ealdorman, Aethelred, didn’t I? Or does marriage not count for anything these days?’

Edgar shook his head, clearly annoyed. He was only a little taller than her, with thinning white hair, and he ground his teeth as he glared at her, almost as if he wanted to take her over his knee and smack her backside like a naughty child. ‘You might have married Aethelred,’ he growled, ‘but you are your father’s daughter first and foremost. Your loyalty lies with Wessex, not Mercia.’

‘Surely it’s the same thing?’ Aethelflaed asked in a low voice, her steely eyes boring into his.

‘What? Because Alfred has declared himself king of all the Angles and Saxons?’ Edgar asked. His breath was sour and Aethelflaed realised he was drunk.

‘Yes,’ she replied, as if it was obvious. ‘My father is the only king Mercia has, since Aethelred is but an ealdorman. I would remind you, Edgar, that King Alfred, and his fyrd, are the only things standing in the way of the Danes overrunning Mercia completely.’

‘Are you calling us cowards now?’ the inebriated thane demanded, his flushed features contrasting deeply with his white hair. ‘You’re lucky you’re not a man, or I’d show you the men of Mercia are not afraid of anything.’

He was so angry at her that flecks of spittle struck her face as he ranted. And, as he went on, he actually reached out and grasped her sleeve, digging his fingers into her bicep.

Instinctively, Aethelflaed grabbed his hand, twisting his wrist and forcing him to spin around so he was facing the table again. Despite knowing she’d done enough, she could not keep her temper in check and thrust her knee into the back of his, making him stumble and, as he went down, she pushed his face, hard, into the trencher of meat and cheese that he’d been eating from.

I love Aethelflaed!

After three books, Steven A. McKay’s characters are so well developed that you know how they will react to certain situations. Alfred is thoughtful and looks for advice from his captains and churchmen. Edward is still learning, and looks to his father as an example. Aethelflaed is feisty whereas her mother is calm and dependable. Wulfric, the loyal captain, is good in a fight but has his own axe to grind and looks for ways to give Alfred the advantage.

Haesten and his wife, Ulfhild, are bloodthirsty, ruthless and, apparently, unstoppable.

It makes for a fascinating novel, with father, son, daughter and son-in-law each having a role to play in starting the fight back that would lead to a united England. Thanks to the legacy of The Last Kingdom, the story is familiar to many, but Steven A. McKay has made it all his own. King of Wessex, like The Heathen Horde before it and Sword of the Saxons before that, is a fabulously absorbing read. You can practically smell the blood and hear the noise of battle; the clash of swords, the screams of the dying and the shouted orders of Alfred and his captains.

My only regret is that the series is now over. I would have loved to see it continue to the reign of Athelstan and the Battle of Brunanburh – but then, I suppose, it wouldn’t be the story of King Alfred, would it?

As it is, Steven A. McKay has all the ingredients for a riveting good read and he uses them to his best advantage, to create a story that grabs the reader from the very first page. Itis exciting, thought-provoking and will bring a tear to your eye at the end. It is well worth the journey. King of Wessex is a novel that is not to be missed!

Buy the book!

About the author:

Steven A. McKay was born in Scotland in 1977. He is the author of two previous series of historical fiction, following Robin Hood and the warrior-druid Bellicus in post-Roman Britain. He plays the guitar, is the co-host of historical adventure podcast Rock, Paper, Swords! along with author Matthew Harffy, and lives just outside Glasgow with his wife and children.

My books

Signed, dedicated copies of all my books are available through my online store.

Out now: Scotland’s Medieval Queens

Scotland’s history is dramatic, violent and bloody. Being England’s northern neighbour has never been easy. Scotland’s queens have had to deal with war, murder, imprisonment, political rivalries and open betrayal. They have loved and lost, raised kings and queens, ruled and died for Scotland. From St Margaret, who became one of the patron saints of Scotland, to Elizabeth de Burgh and the dramatic story of the Scottish Wars of Independence, to the love story and tragedy of Joan Beaufort, to Margaret of Denmark and the dawn of the Renaissance, Scotland’s Medieval Queens have seen it all. This is the story of Scotland through their eyes.

Available now from Amazon and Pen and Sword Books

Also by Sharon Bennett Connolly:

Heroines of the Tudor World tells the stories of the most remarkable women from European history in the time of the Tudor dynasty, 1485-1603. These are the women who ruled, the women who founded dynasties, the women who fought for religious freedom, their families and love. Heroines of the Tudor World is now available for pre-order from Amberley Publishing and Amazon UK. Women of the Anarchy demonstrates how Empress Matilda and Matilda of Boulogne, unable to wield a sword themselves, were prime movers in this time of conflict and lawlessness. It shows how their strengths, weaknesses, and personal ambitions swung the fortunes of war one way – and then the other. Available from Bookshop.org, Amberley Publishing and Amazon UK. King John’s Right-Hand Lady: The Story of Nicholaa de la Haye is the story of a truly remarkable lady, the hereditary constable of Lincoln Castle and the first woman in England to be appointed sheriff in her own right. Available from all good bookshops Pen & Sword Books, bookshop.org and Amazon.

Defenders of the Norman Crown: The Rise and Fall of the Warenne Earls of Surrey tells the fascinating story of the Warenne dynasty, from its origins in Normandy, through the Conquest, Magna Carta, the wars and marriages that led to its ultimate demise in the reign of Edward III. Available from Pen & Sword Books, Amazon in the UK and US, and Bookshop.org. Ladies of Magna Carta: Women of Influence in Thirteenth Century England looks into the relationships of the various noble families of the 13th century, and how they were affected by the Barons’ Wars, Magna Carta and its aftermath; the bonds that were formed and those that were broken. It is now available in paperback and hardback from Pen & Sword, Amazon, and Bookshop.org. Heroines of the Medieval World tells the stories of some of the most remarkable women from Medieval history, from Eleanor of Aquitaine to Julian of Norwich. Available now from Amberley Publishing and Amazon, and Bookshop.org. Silk and the Sword: The Women of the Norman Conquest traces the fortunes of the women who had a significant role to play in the momentous events of 1066. Available now from Amazon, Amberley Publishing, and Bookshop.org.

Alternate Endings: An anthology of historical fiction short stories including Long Live the King… which is my take what might have happened had King John not died in October 1216. Available in paperback and kindle from Amazon.

Podcast:

Have a listen to the A Slice of Medieval podcast, which I co-host with Historical fiction novelist Derek Birks. Derek and I welcome guests, such as Bernard Cornwell and Michael Jecks, and discuss a wide range of topics in medieval history, from significant events to the personalities involved. Every episode is also now available on YouTube.

Don’t forget! Signed and dedicated copies of all my books are available through my online store.

For forthcoming online and in-person talks, please check out my Events Page.

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Book Corner: Sword of the Saxons by Steven A. McKay

07/08/202406/08/2024Sharon Bennett ConnollyLeave a comment

A war to shape the future of a nation.

Betrayed by his kinsmen, his forces overrun by Danes, King Alfred of Wessex has retreated deep into the marshes of his homeland, lying in wait for his chance at redemption.

The scourge of the heathen horde that has ravaged the kingdom for decades is at its peak. Led by the fearsome Viking warlord Guthrum, the fate of the men, women, and children at their mercy appears all but sealed. But underestimate the great king at your peril…

Gathering allies and bannermen to his cause, and building a strategy that will hopefully ensure victory, Alfred sets out to undermine the strength of the complacent invaders, and establish Wessex as the greatest territory in the British Isles.

A final showdown awaits. Not only with Guthrum and his savage warriors, but with destiny. As the battle lines are drawn, the destiny of not just Wessex, but of every Anglo-Saxon in Britain, rests firmly on Alfred’s shoulders.

An utterly ferocious and gripping adventure, covering the fascinating middle years of Alfred the Great’s reign, one of Britain’s most influential monarchs.

War is coming!

At last! the second book in Steven A McKay’s new Alfred the Great series has arrived. To be fair to Steven, we haven’t had long to wait, even though it felt like an age. The problem was, we left King Alfred at the end of The Heathen Horde, rather down on his luck and looking like things could only get even worse. So it has been agony, waiting for Sword of the Saxons, to see how Steven would get Alfred out of it. We all know the history, Alfred is defeated and seeks shelter in the marshes of Athelney, burns some cakes in order to learn patience and then comes back with a vengeance. So we did know that Alfred’s defeat was not the end of the matter. However, when you get caught up in the story, you need more!

And leaving Alfred, defeated and a fugitive, was a difficult pill to swallow.

King Alfred is the hero who fought to defeat the Danish and Norse invaders – collectively known as the Vikings by many – and unite the disparate kingdoms of England under one king. The kingdom of England would not come to pass in his lifetime, but he started the fight that would be continued by his son and daughter – Edward the Elder and Æthelflæd, Lady of the Mercians – and completed by his grandson, Athelstan, the first King of England.

Sword of the Saxons picks up where The Heathen Horde left off and takes us on Alfred’s journey to not only survive in the marshes, but rebuild his army, renew alliances and begin the fight back. In Sword of the Saxons, King Alfred becomes the leader that England needed, and demonstrates the abilities, both martial and political, that justify his epithet of ‘the Great’.

‘I can almost – almost! – understand Ealdorman Wealdmar giving in to the Danes without a fight,’ Wulfric said to Alfred as they rode towards the little coastal village of Bryn on the outskirts of the Somerset marshes. ‘But his son, Diuma? Refusing to let us into the town when he knew the Danes were hunting us? Gods, I was starting to like the an, and I believed he was a fiercely loyal thane to you, my lord.’

Alfred cleared his throat and spat into the bushes on the side of the road, disgust twisting his features at the memory of the night Wulfric was referring to. ‘So did I,’ he growled. ‘But it seems Diuma was only ever loyal to himself.’ He shook his head and made a cutting motion with his hand. ‘I might possibly be able to forgive some of the men who’ve betrayed me, like Ealdorman Wulfhere. Perhaps they felt like they had no choice. But Diuma? I treated him like a friend. And Brycgstow? That was far enough away from any of Guthrum’s forces to be a target for them! No, Diuma has no excuse for what he’s done. I hope the sea-wolves bleed him and his father dry, and then, eventually, I’ll come face to face with them and hear their excuses before…’ He trailed off, jaw clenched, knuckles white as he gripped his horse’s reins.

There were only two other men with them that morning, for they were merely riding to collect a few supplies but, more importantly, to make sure the good people of Bryn knew that Alfred was still very much alive and hadn’t abandoned his kingdom despite Guthrum’s invasion. The king believed it did the people good to see him in person, rather than his hearth-warriors simply carrying word of his survival to the towns and villages located around Athelney’s marshes. He was a man, after all, not a myth.

‘When are we going to send out word to gather the fyrd, lord?’ The question came from one of the other riders who’d accompanied them, a small but sturdily built warrior called Dunstan. He’d been thane of a village in the north of Wessex which had been utterly destroyed six years earlier, by a party of Northmen led by Jarl Ubba. After that, Dunstan pledged himself to Alfred and now served as one of his fiercest hearth-warriors.

The fourth man in the small group was the sentry from the previous night, Aedan, and he too looked with interest at Alfred, wondering what his reply would be to Dunstan’s question.

The king shook his head slowly. ‘In truth, I don’t know,’ he admitted. ‘I’d like to make sure we have the support of as many people as possible in these nearby settlements. We need to know we can call upon a decent sized fyrd from the lands around Athelney before we look at enlisting people in towns further away.’ He noticed Dunstan and Aedan sharing uncertain glances. ‘I know you two are desperate to take the fight to Guthrum, but we can’t afford to act rashly. First, we build our foundation here in Sumosaete, and then we move on from there.’

With The Heathen Horde, it took me a few chapters to get into the story, to stop comparing Steven A. McKay’s version of King Alfred with the Alfred of Bernard Cornwell – and it took me a while to stop expected Uhtred of Bebbanburg to turn up and save the day, but in Sword of the Saxons Steven has made King Alfred his own. He portrays the great battles his way, has created a hero in Alfred that the reader can get behind wholeheartedly. He is much more likeable than Bernard Cornwell’s King Alfred! Less judgmental…

Alongside Alfred the Great and his family, Steven A. McKay has created a wealth of characters with varying degrees of loyalty to the king. All must be moulded together to fight Guthrum and his men. I have to admit, I love the portrayal of Æthelflæd, Alfred’s oldest daughter and soon to be the Lady of the Mercians. She is a young woman who knows her duty – but also knows her worth and her abilities. She is very much the Æthelflæd I imagine.

Sword of the Saxons is the beginning of the fight back against the invaders. It shows King Alfred coming into his own, becoming the great leader who we know today. He has setbacks, he has doubts, and he has to overcome illness. But this is the Alfred who will lead the reconquest of England that will be completed by his grandson. Steven A. Mckay achieves a wonderful balance, between telling the personal stories of his characters and presenting the great history that they are living through.

It is a gripping read. The fast-paced story leaves the reader breathless – and reading into the early hours! I have no hesitation in recommending Sword of the Saxons to anyone and everyone. Read it! you will not be disappointed.

Buy Sword of the Saxons