Blurb
The Norman conquerors are tightening their grip upon England. Only one person stands in the way of their final triumph. Edgar Atheling continues to battle for his lost throne, doggedly refusing to bend the knee. Having survived an attempt upon his life he now prepares to journey south to continue the conflict against the Norman heartlands. Yet when his fleet is shipwrecked and his friends are captured by the Normans he faces a desperate decision. He finally submits to William and returns to England where he is given a derisory amount of land and wealth. Despite this he decides not to support the ill-fated Revolt of the Earls and endeavours to settle into his new existence. Yet he still desires the throne and glory. The people he loves are in conflict over the future, his wealth is slowly but surely taken from him, he begins to doubt his destiny. Yet when he hears that his old friend Cnut, now King of the Danes, plans to invade England, Edgar once more takes up the sword. The invasion fails but Edgar will not be daunted. He makes a momentous decision which will change his life and those of his friends forever.
My Review
Book four in “The Last King” series gives us an Edgar Atheling who is frustrated, guilt-ridden, discouraged, but not entirely beaten by William the Conqueror. Why is he guilt-ridden? He takes every man who was killed defending his right to the crown very personally;
‘What have I done? Caused misery and death, strained the patience and loyalty of my friends to breaking point, promised Malcolm and Philippe of France that I would do great deeds and win back the throne. And every time I’ve failed; every time I have fallen short.’
She reached out and squeezed my hand.
‘All those people dead, Anna.’ I glanced up to the skies. ‘Do you know, I’ve lost count. Lost count not only of the dead but of all the battles, all the skirmishes, all the dispossessed and wounded, all the burnt and ravaged villages.’
When is enough, enough? Edgar’s love interest, the faithful and patient Anna, is one reason he has decided to call it quits. She deserves a real life, and reminds him that he has done all he could to uphold the Saxon claim to the throne. Resigned, he takes the land offered by William, even though the pitiful parcels come with a set of Norman guards. And even then, King William just can’t let him go, for Edgar is a constant reminder that rebellion is only a heartbeat away. William feels the need to test Edgar’s loyalty again and again, almost hoping the Atheling will fall into a trap that would justify his execution—and on occasion Edgar is sorely tempted. It seems like he’s always on the verge of destruction, and yet, he never gives up that thread of hope. Very good reading.
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