Guest Post from Christine Hancock, Author of Bright Helm: The Inspiration Behind the Novel

Publication Date: 15th October 2020
Publisher: Madder Press
Series: The Byrhtnoth Chronicles: Book 4
Genre: Historical Fiction

Synopsis

Separated by anger and unanswered questions, Byrhtnoth and Saewynn are brought together by a tragic death.

Re-united, they set out on an epic voyage to discover the final truth about his father.

The journey takes them far to the north, to Orkney, swathed in the mists of treachery, and to Dublin’s slave markets where Byrhtnoth faces a fateful decision.

How far will he go, to save those he cares for? 

Guest Post

What inspired me to write Bright Helm?

The short answer is that I had already written three books of the Byrhtnoth Chronicles and the story of Byrhtnoth’s search for his father was unresolved.

So, I suppose the question should be: Why did I start writing about Byrhtnoth in the first place? Unlike many authors, I have never felt the compulsion to write. I think I was put off as a child, my bad spelling always got in the way. I did read, though – a lot! I went through various phases, but eventually historical fiction became my favourite.

A family story about the origin of my surname started a lifelong interest in family history, and eventually I started a blog about my research. I joined a family history society and wrote articles for their magazine. They started a competition for the best article and a couple of years I won.

Then, just before Christmas 2012, I decided to write a story to entertain the followers of my blog – a meeting between a genealogist and one of her ancestors. I found it almost impossible and wondered what was so different about writing fiction. The following January I was browsing though the brochure of the local adult education centre; there was a class called “Writing Fiction”. I signed up for it.

Each week we had a different writing exercise and one was the standard – think of somewhere you know well, describe it from a distance, then closer, then close up. I picked a statue of Byrhtnoth which stands beside the river at Maldon, in Essex.

Byrhtnoth is famous for dying in a battle against invading Vikings in AD 991 – there is a famous Anglo-Saxon poem, The Battle of Maldon, about his death, full of stirring speeches. The next week, in class we had to take a character from a famous book and write something about them. I picked Byrhtnoth and imagined him on the eve of battle, knowing he was about to die.

The tutor of the course encouraged everyone to start writing a book. Had I found my character? I started to research Byrhtnoth. How had he become the hero of the Battle of Maldon? Little is known of him apart from his death in his sixties, so there was plenty of scope for invention. Better still, I couldn’t find another fiction book about him. Most authors stick to the earlier Anglo-Saxon period, King Arthur fighting the arrival of the Anglo-Saxons, or Northumbria when Christianity was taking over from paganism. Then there was King Alfred – Bernard Cornwell had cornered the ninth century. Then a big gap before 1066 and the Battle of Hastings.

I had my character, but where to start? Another exercise in class. Imagine a door, describe it. Have your character open the door, what does he see?

I saw a small boy, cold and alone, standing outside the door of a hall, inside it is warm, warriors are feasting. Another boy arrives, together they enter and the story begins.

Where to Purchase

Amazon AU • Amazon UK • Amazon US

Meet the Author

Christine Hancock was born in Essex and moved to Rugby, Warwickshire when she married. She a husband, two sons and two lovely grandchildren.

She is a long term family historian, leader of the local history group and town guide. Christine had never thought of becoming an author - She just wanted to write about some her ancestors. In 2013 she joined a writing class. The class turned out to be about writing fiction. Before she knew it, she was writing a novel.

Byrhtnoth was a real warrior who died in the 991 Battle of Maldon, made famous by the Anglo-Saxon poem of that name. Growing up in Essex, Christine visited Maldon often, and attended the 1000 year anniversary of the battle in 1991.

She wanted to find out what made Byrhtnoth such a famous warrior.

She finished the book but discovered it had become a series - how long, she has yet to find out.

Connect with Christine: Website • Twitter • Facebook

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