Customer Reviews

Gildenford

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I find it difficult to locate books on the era of English history between the 9th and 11th centuries. I've read some good ones but Gildenford was exceptional. The story is based on the ruling family of England and the changing succession during the early 11th century prior to William the Conqueror taking the throne in 1066. It also deals heavily with the rise of the Earl of Wessex and his contribution to the unease surrounding the throne. Told primarily from the view of Brand Woodcutter - a peasant pulled into the controversy by serving in the Earl's household - it also includes great glimpses into the lives of the ruling families, a local merchant family and members of the religious community. They were turbulent times where nothing was simple - a concept Brand wrestles with having come from a simple farm life and now being embroiled quite directly in the intrigues of court life and the oath of loyalty he has sworn.

I can't tell you how well-written this book is. Pick it up at your first opportunity - even decent used copies are getting harder to find. While you're at it, get the 2nd and 3rd books in the series as well - I did and have no regrets!!!

This is a first novel by Valerie Anand concerning the period shortly before the Norman Conquest of 1066. It is an extraordinary read! A little known period in England history is unveiled here. In 1036 one of the most hideous, bloody massacres that ever took place was in Gildenford, England, now known as Guildford. Six hundred followers of Alfred Atheling, the younger brother of Edward the Confessor were slaughtered near the town of Gildenford. What is not commonly known, however, is that Earl Godwin of Wessex was thought to be involved.

The period covered here is mainly the reign of Edward the Confessor, not of Cnut, nor of Harold, son of Godwin. They are major characters in their own right, however, not in this novel, but are still background players to Brand Woodcutter who serves Earl Godwin and later on Edward. All of this is seen through his eyes, from belonging to a larger than life family of the Godwins, to realizing his part in the betrayal of Alfred Atheling, to his service of Edward, and finally his becoming William, Duke of Normandy's man. William's part is just beginning in this book but will continue in later novels.

This was one of the best books I have read! I never even realized that this period in history existed. I still like Earl Godwin, however, I can see that he is not perfect and by no means a saint as many other novels I have read would make you believe. It was a real eye-opener to a obscure time in history. This book stands well on its own, but I can hardly wait to read "Norman Pretender" and "The Disputed Crown" by Valerie Anand. Sadly, they are all out of print but are well the search!

Valerie Anand's debut novel "Gildenford" explores a horrific atrocity committed nearly a thousand years ago, and it looks into the character of kings and earls and their followers. Brand is the main character, who joined to serve his King, Harold Harefoot, only to be handed off to another, Earl Godwin. Godwin is a highly sympathetic, if complex character( He is complicent in the killing of Alfred Atherling and the slaughter of 600). Some character have good points, but are throughly unsympathetic(William, Duke of Normandy; Emma). Others are good, but do bad things in order to serve a higher purpose(Godwin; ultimately Brand). Edward the Confessor is seen as a decent man, but mediocre leader, and Harold Godwinson is seen as a good man too. The only truly evil character is Harefoot. Years pass in this novel, as alliances are formed and broken, and Brand loses ones he loves because of one of Godwin's sons. And events point forward to William's invasion in 1066. A very good read.

This book is the first of a trilogy written by Anand about the Norman Conquest of England and begins in 1036 when Alfred Atheling and 600 of his party were betrayed and massacred at Gildenford by Harold Harefoot, one of the claimants for the English throne. But, did Harefoot have help in the plot to betray the Atheling and lead him to believe he would be safe entering England? His mother Emma? Godwin, the Earl of Wessex? Brand the Woodcutter is innocently drawn into the plot and thus begins his years of service to the very powerful Earl of Wessex as the story then focuses on the reign of Edward the Confessor (Alfred's older brother), Godwin's great secret about the massacre at Gildenford and the events that eventually lead England toward it's destiny with Duke William of Normandy.

Since this is the first of a trilogy, William is a very minor character until the very end and I suspect the second book will have a lot more WOW factor as the story of Duke William and the 1066 Conquest of England unfolds. The ending of this book fell a bit flat for this reader and if one is only planning on reading this book it's not the greatest stand alone book on this period, I would recommend Helen Hollick's A Hollow Crown for a more thorough look at the era. While I very much enjoyed this book, and learning more about this lesser known period, I have to call this one good but not great, and definitely not worth the exorbitant prices being asked for the used copies of this book. Four stars.

**Edited** I did not realize when I first read this that is was a trilogy that takes the reader through the Conquest and into William's reign. The next two books in order are:

The Norman Pretender
The Disputed Crown

This is such a great wonderful book. It is about the regins of King Cnut, Harold I, Hardicanute, and Edward the Confessor. At the center of all the action is Earl Godwin and his fascinating, well-fleshed family members: Gytha, Harold, Swegyn, and Edith. A must-read for anyone interested in pre-Conquest England.

This is probably the best fictional account I have read of pre-Conquest England. From the early scenes of King Cnut and Emma, to the heart of the action with Earl Godwin, Harold Harefoot, and Harold Godwinson, this story unfolds with immense impact and action.

In 1036, a brutal massacre took place at Gildford, of Alfred the Atheling and his followers by Harold Harefoot, soon after to become King of England. That event, and the events of the thirty years following it, would lead up to one of the seminal moments of English history: the invasion of England by William of Normandy and his followers, in 1066. Gildenford is the story of both sides of the conflict over possession of the crown, with Brand Woodcutter, a retainer of Earl Godwin of Wessex, caught in the crossfire.


This novel is a very strong, real depiction of England in the years leading up to the conquest. Brand is a character to whom I became strongly attached: honorable yet conflicted over the decision he must make. As the novel mentions towards the end, Brand is the kind of person who wants to live his life with a worthy purpose, but nonetheless destined to behave deceptively. It'll be interesting to see where the Conquest and Duke William take him.


Brand has every reason to hate and enact revenge upon Godwin and the Godwinssons, but he doesn't, which I think says a lot about the quality of his character. I've not read a lot of fiction set in this period, apart from Helen Hollick's portrayal of Emma in A Hollow Crown, so I was intrigued by this more rounded-out look of the period. In A Hollow Crown, Emma's the protagonist, and obviously portrayed sympathetically; and she comes off less well in this novel, at least at first.


This is a very strong novel about the effects one person's (or many people's) actions have upon many, even many years after the fact. The characters in this novel are very real and believable (Anand toned down Edward the Confessor's piousness a bit, however). It'll be interesting to see how the story continues in the next book in the trilogy, The Norman Pretender (in some ways I already know, but that won't stop me from reading the book). This book is rare and rather hard to find at a reasonable price, but well worth buying if you do.

This is one of the best-written stories of pre-Conquest England.
Anand's characterizations of the Godwin family really brought them to life! Everyone should read this!

This is one of my favorite books written about pre-conquest England. The characters of Earl Godwin, Queen Emma, and all the Godwin children are really brought to life. You should also read the books that follow this one: The Norman Pretender and The Disputed Crown. However, this book is the best in the trilogy.