Tag Archives: Aethelred
From my blog...
A Story in Three Parts
My current work in progress is the third book of a trilogy about the 11th century queen of England, Emma of Normandy. Why write a trilogy, you may wonder. Why not put the entire story into one book? Maybe, you … Read More
Vikings 5 Recap, Episode 9: A SIMPLE STORY
The first half of this episode rockets around from Lagertha’s camp to Vestfold to Floki’s Iceland settlement and back around again. We’re all used to this by now, right? The episode begins with the aftermath of last week’s battle, … Read More
Vikings 5 Recap, Episode 6: THE MESSAGE
The opening scene of this episode made me think of novelist Dorothy Dunnett’s description of the African desert: There are few water holes, and the way hidden by sandstorms. One mistake in the desert and whole caravans can perish. The … Read More
THE LAST KINGDOM 2, Episode 7
THE KING’S DAUGHTER Warning: Spoilers ahead. In the opening scene, Uhtred and his companions arrive at the Saxon camp to find no one left alive. It is heartrending to watch Beocca calling Thyra’s name over and over and getting no … Read More
THE LAST KINGDOM 2, Episode 6
ARE YOU SAXON OR DANE? There are numerous plot lines weaving through this series now, and here’s a look at how they develop in this episode. ÆTHELRED vs UHTRED: There is never going to be a bromance between these two. Æthelred … Read More
THE LAST KINGDOM 2, Episode 5
THE DEAD SPEAK Three years have passed since the rescue of Thyra and the banishing of Sigefrid and Erik. Ragnar and Brida are in Dunholm (Durham), Guthred rules at Eoferwic (Jorvik/York), Guthrum/Athelstan) is sitting like an old hen in East … Read More
THE LAST KINGDOM 2, Episode 3
PULL, YOU BASTARDS! Beware! Spoilers ahead, big time. DO NOT read this if you have not seen Episode 3 of Season 2. Even if you’ve read the book, this episode differs enough from the novel that I don’t want to … Read More
What Happened at Corfe in 978?
Today, the chalk hill of Corfe on the Isle of Purbeck in Dorset is crowned by the ruins of, for the most part, a 12th century Norman castle. But in Anglo-Saxon times a hunting lodge stood on the hill, and … Read More
Review: The Ceremony of Innocence, a play written in 1968 by Ronald Ribman
It is Christmas Eve in the year 1013. The king of England, Ethelred, has retired to a cell in a monastery on the Isle of Wight. He is mournful, despairing, and self-exiled from his court and kingdom due to remorse … Read More
Æthelred II – the Haunted King
On 23 April 1016, King Æthelred II died in London. He was about 50 years old, and he’d ruled England for 38 years. At his death he’d not yet been given the byname, Unræd, (ill-counseled, a play on the Old … Read More