The History of an Historical Novel. Harold The King By Helen Hollick

Many years ago – early 1997 to be precise – I had written my Arthurian Trilogy, published, then, by William Heinemann (Random House UK) but needed something to follow. I had a few ideas (none of which were backed by my now ex-agent, who turned out to be as useless as a chocolate fireguard) (wish I’d realised that at the time!) Came up with the thought of 1066, probably the most famous date in English History. The Battle of Hastings. I had this small lightbulb moment while in Waltham Abbey, Essex, a town near where I lived back then. It occurred to me that King Harold II, he who died at the Battle and thus followed The Norman Conquest, was connected to Waltham Abbey, although back then I was not certain why or how. Given that, he was therefore somewhat a local hero... or a villain? Which one, I was wasn’t sure of, I decided to find out a little more...

Waltham Abbey (Wikipedia)

I discovered a few things fairly quickly:

• unless you were specifically looking for information about the Anglo-Saxons, most history text books started at 1066.

• Even books about the Anglo-Saxons had very little to say about 1066 and Harold. (Plenty about Vikings, Bede and King Alfred, though.)

• General opinion was that Harold was a poor leader and Duke William was England’s saviour from the primitive ‘Dark Ages’

• Thanks to the Norman Conquest England grew rich, built magnificent cathedrals, established good laws, military excellence and created the Domesday Book (another good thing.)

Do you detect a large hint of sarcasm on my part?

Shortly after almost deciding on writing something about 1066 my mother organised a Townswomen’s Guild coach outing to Hastings, to include a visit to Battle Abbey. Reaching Battle, all the ladies went straight to the tea rooms and cafes ... I headed for the Abbey intent on walking round the battle site. It was drizzling with rain – which meant I had the place to myself.

Here comes the spooky bit:

Walking down the hill on the right-hand side (back to the Abbey ruins) the hairs on the back of my neck lifted and I had the very distinctive feeling that if I turned round, I’d see the English arrayed as the Shield Wall along the ridge. I’m ashamed to say that I didn’t have the courage to turn round, something I regret to this day.

The ridge where the shield wall would have stood

Anyway, on returning home I’d made up my mind. I’d write the story of the events that led to the B.O.H. in 1066. All I had to do was research the details. 

It took me a year to gather enough information. 

Initially I had intended to write the story from both men’s point of view, and leave it up to the reader to decide who should have won. (Which, as I understand it, was the intention of this recent TV Drama King and Conqueror – except that attempt was utter rubbish as none of it followed any known facts, so it’s ‘history’ was 100% badly researched garbage.)

My personal remit was to be as accurate as I could with the known ‘facts’ but fill in the great gaps in between with logic and common sense. So, yes, my novel is fiction, but careful, plausible fiction. With the facts following documented facts.

My problem: the first chapter where I introduced Duke William, I realised that I hated the man. I tried (I really did try!) to overcome my obvious prejudice but gave up. No way could I even tolerate him, let alone like him.

My dear friend (sadly now gone to the Great Library In The Sky) Sharon Penman, advised, ‘Think of his assets. Something good about him!”

All these years later, I still haven’t thought of anything useful!

So, I changed tack and decided to write the book from the English point of view. And I’m so glad I did, because, with all my research I very soon realised that those textbooks, and all we were taught at school were wrong.

Earl Harold Godwineson (as he was before he became King) was a very competent commander. The Anglo-Saxons were a very civilised and capable people. They already had a tax system with almost all the detail that is in the Domesday Book already in place (except not in one combined ‘book’). They were already starting to build grand cathedrals (in line with those which were being built in 11th century Normandy and France.) Westminster Abbey, for instance, was consecrated on 5th January 1066. And no, William was NOT the first king to be crowned there on Christmas Day 1066. Harold was crowned in the Abbey on 6th January 1066. Another fact which is so often conveniently ignored.

I came across comments that the Anglo-Saxons were 'backward' because they didn't build stone castles. Well, no, they didn't, but they did have wooden fortified 'castles' which they only needed in certain areas (like along the Welsh border) because they did not need stone-built castles to protect themselves. More-or-less during Edward the Confessor's reign (1042-1066) England had no need of defence because there was very little need to defend. Not quite that simple, as there was disagreement with Wales, for instance, but none of the serious Viking raiding of earlier years. It was the Duke of Normandy who caused all the trouble.

Harold knew what he was doing. He knew that William intended to claim the English throne for himself (and no, he had no right to it whatsoever). Harold knew it would take guts and experience to stand against William. And he very nearly succeeded. The Battle of Hastings was unique for its time – it lasted all day. And if only it had rained, we would have won. 

I also discovered that contrary to legend, Harold was not buried in his abbey at Waltham (though his head and heart might have been taken there.) He was, so evidence indicates, buried beneath the chancel arch in Holy Trinity Church, Bosham, where his family manor was situation, on the South Coast.

Heineman published the book in 2000, 25 years ago. I received some superb reviews and marketing, was invited to various radio stations  - even a Sunday morning religious programme on BBC Radio 4 to talk about the building of Westminster Abbey. Sadly my useless agent let me down big time, and Heinemann dropped me on 2005.

That didn’t stop me though, I got the rights back and self-published, with, shortly after, a USA company commissioning the book (now called I Am The Chosen King in the US – same book, different title.)

I was also approached by a potential film producer several years ago now, who wanted to make a good movie of 1066. I ended up as co-scriptwriter. We never found a financial backer, alas BUT the producer hasn’t given up, he’s still trying.

And I can add one thing: my novel is a damn good novel, and if ever the movie gets made it’ll be miles and miles better than that recent TV rubbish!

I’m proud of my Harold The King, and I still think he should have won that day on October 14th, 1066. 

Of course, though, if you think the same, try this one: 1066 Turned Upside Down. Short stories by various authors that go through the year 1066 month by month with alternative scenarios! A ‘What If’ version of history. 

  https://viewauthor.at/HelenHollick

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