Harold, the Last of the Saxon Kings Book II: Lan
The novel revolves around the character of Lanfranc, an Italian scholar who becomes a powerful advisor to William the Conqueror. The story explores Lanfranc's rise to prominence, his influence on William, and his role in shaping the course of English history. Through Lanfranc's character, the novel examines the complexities of medieval politics, the tensions between church and state, and the consequences of the Norman Conquest of England.
By Edward Bulwer-lytton · First published 1848 · Genre: Historical Fiction, Literary Fiction, Adventure · 3 chapters · 12,287 words
First lines
Four meals a day, nor those sparing, were not deemed too extravagant an interpretation of the daily bread for which the Saxon prayed. Four meals a day, from earl to ceorl! "Happy times! " may sigh the descendant of the last, if he read these pages; partly so they were for the ceorl, but not in all things, for never sweet is the food, and never gladdening is the drink, of servitude. Inebriety, the vice of the warlike nations of the North, had not, perhaps, been the pre- eminent excess of the earlier Saxons, while yet the active and fiery Britons, and the subsequent petty wars between the kings of the Heptarchy, enforced on hardy warriors the safety of temperance; but the example of the Danes had been fatal. Those giants of the sea, like all who pass from great vicissitudes of toil and repose, from the tempest to the haven, snatched with full hands every pleasure in their reach.
What this Textopian page supports
Harold, the Last of the Saxon Kings Book II: Lanfranc the Scholar is listed on Textopian as a novel by Edward Bulwer-lytton, dated 1848 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Novel
- Author: Edward Bulwer-lytton
- Date: 1848 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Historical Fiction, Literary Fiction, Adventure, Political Drama, Romance
- Length: 12,287 words
- Structure: 3 chapters, 178 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Standard (8th-9th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for Harold, the Last of the Saxon Kings Book II: Lanfranc the Scholar by Edward Bulwer-lytton
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
- Readability and classroom-planning context
- Passage-specific claims should cite the exact /read/ URL for the relevant chapter or paragraph
Similar titles
- Harold The Last Of The Saxon Kings Book Xi The Norman Schemer And The Norwegian Sea King by Edward Bulwer Lytton
- Harold The Last Of The Saxon Kings Book I The Norman Visitor The Saxon King And The Danish Prophetess by Edward Bulwer Lytton
- Harold The Last Of The Saxon Kings Book Vii The Welch King by Edward Bulwer Lytton
- Harold The Last Of The Saxon Kings Book Iii The House Of Godwin by Edward Bulwer Lytton
- Harold The Last Of The Saxon Kings Book Ix The Bones Of The Dead by Edward Bulwer Lytton
- Ram Das Of Cawnpore by Grant Allen
Genres
- Historical Fiction — The book is set in a historical context, focusing on the events and characters from the Saxon period, particularly around the time of King Edward and Duke William.
- Literary Fiction — The writing style is rich and complex, emphasizing character development and thematic depth, typical of literary fiction.
- Adventure — The narrative includes elements of conflict, intrigue, and the personal journeys of characters, which are hallmarks of adventure stories.
- Political Drama — The plot involves political maneuvering, power struggles, and the impact of leadership decisions on society, characteristic of political drama.
Tags
historical fiction · Saxon history · medieval · scholarship · political intrigue · religion · Norman conquest · character development · cultural conflict · leadership · education · loyalty