by Griff Hosker
Treffynnon
Holywell (North Wales)
Tuanthal
Leader of Lann’s horse warriors
Vectis
Isle of Wight
Vindonnus
God of hunting
Wachanglen
Wakefield
wapentake
Muster of an army
Wide Water
Windermere
Wyddfa
Snowdon
Wyrd
Fate
Y Fflint
Flint (North Wales)
Ynys Enlli
Bardsey Island
Yr Wyddgrug
Mold (North Wales)
Historical note
I mainly used four books to research the material. The first was the excellent Michael Wood’s book “In Search of the Dark Ages” and the second was “The Middle Ages” Edited by Robert Fossier. The third was the Osprey Book- “Saxon, Viking and Norman” by Terence Wise. I also used Brian Sykes book, “Blood of the Isles” for reference. In addition I searched on line for more obscure information. All the place names are accurate, as far as I know, and I have researched the names of the characters to reflect the period. My apologies if I have made a mistake.
The Saxons and Britons all valued swords and cherished them. They were passed from father to son. The use of rings on the hilts of great swords was a common practice and showed the prowess of the warrior in battle. I do not subscribe to Brian Sykes’ theory that the Saxons merely assimilated into the existing people. One only has to look at the place names and listen to the language of the north and north western part of England. You can still hear anomalies. Perhaps that is because I come from the north but all of my reading leads me to believe that the Anglo-Saxons were intent upon conquest. The Norse invaders were different and they did assimilate but the Saxons were fighting for their lives and it did not pay to be kind. The people of Rheged were the last survivors of Roman Britain and I have given them all of the characteristics they would have had. They were educated and ingenious. The Dark Ages was the time when much knowledge was lost and would not reappear until Constantinople fell. This period was also the time when the old ways changed and Britain became Christian but I have not used this as a source of conflict but rather growth.
Beli ap Rhun was king of Gwynedd at the end of the sixth century. Asaph was the bishop at the monastery of St.Kentigern (Aka St. Mungo) and they named the town after him. Julius Agricola swam horses and men across the straits between Wales and Anglesey four hundred years earlier and I thought that Lann could do the same. There is no evidence that Ywain succumbed to the Saxons but Prince Pasgen did rule, briefly in Rheged. The Bishop of the monastery of St Kentigern was called Asaph and he did become a saint. Bishop Asaph was the second bishop at the monastery and town which now bears his name. He did die at the end of the sixth century as did King Beli who was slain in battle with the Saxons. His monastery did survive quite well against raids by Saxons and the Irish. I have used Lord Lann as the protector of the monastery; it seemed as plausible a story as any.
King Iago did succeed King Beli and his son was Cadfan. I did not learn much about them when I researched other than when they died. I have given them their attributes as they fitted in with my story line. For all that I know King Iago was a good king but I couldn’t resist casting him as the baddie! King Aethelfrith did capture Chester in 613 and King Iago died in the same year; the writings of the time say he was killed in battle. I have used the limited facts available to suit my story. Wales began to become united from the end of the Sixth Century. Eventually what was Gwynedd took over the whole of the lane from the Dee to the Severn and Offa had to build his dyke a century or so later to stop their advances.
Phocas did become Emperor at the end of the Sixth Century and he was an Imperial officer. He was very unpopular and like many military leaders a tyrant but it suited my story to have him making overtures to Lord Lann. He was succeeded by Heraclius who famously led his armies into battle and defeated one enemy general in hand to hand combat. Phocas was one of the low points in the fortunes of the Eastern Empire.
Whilst researching this book I discovered that Constantinople is the anglicised version of the name and the Romans and Greeks would have called it Constantinopolis. This remedies the error in the preceding book, ‘Saxon Blood’. Thank you to my keen eyed readers for spotting that.
Griff Hosker October 2013
Other books by
Griff Hosker
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The Sword of Cartimandua Series (Germania and Britannia 50A.D. – 128 A.D.)
Ulpius Felix- Roman Warrior
Book 1 The Sword of Cartimandua
Book 2 The Horse Warriors
Book 3 Invasion Caledonia
Book 4 Roman Retreat
Book 5 Revolt of the Red Witch
Book 6 Druid’s Gold
Book 7 Trajan’s Hunters
Book 8 The Last Frontier
Book 9 Hero of Rome
Book 10 Roman Hawk
Book 11 Roman Treachery
They are all available in the Kindle format.
The Aelfraed Series (Britain and Byzantium 1050 A.D.- 1085 A.D.)
Book 1 Housecarl
Book 2 Outlaw
Book 3 Varangian
These are available in the Kindle format.
The Wolf Warrior series (Britain in the late 6th Century)
Book 1 Saxon Dawn
Book 2 Saxon Revenge
Book 3 Saxon England
Book 4 Saxon Blood
Book 5 Saxon Slayer
Also available in paperback and Kindle is the book aimed at 12-15 years olds, Great Granny’s Ghost
Carnage at Cannes is a modern thriller and is available in the Kindle format.
Travel
Adventure at 63-Backpacking to Istanbul
The Lucky Jack American Civil War series
Rebel Raiders
Confederate Ranger
For more information on all of the books then please visit the author’s web site at http://www.griffhosker.com where there is a link to contact him.
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[1] Lann means sword in Celtic
Table of Contents
Dedication
Chapter 1 Mona 604 AD
Chapter 2
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Epilogue
Maps
Glossary
Historical note
Other books by Griff Hosker