
Harold, the Last of the Saxon Kings Book VIII: F
The Normans conquer England and Harold Godwinson is killed at the Battle of Hastings. The Witan elect Edgar Atheling as king, but he is unable to resist the Norman invasion. William, Duke of Normandy, is crowned King of England and begins to consolidate his power. The English nobles are forced to surrender and swear allegiance to him.
By Edward Bulwer-lytton · First published 1848 · Genre: Historical Fiction, Romance, Tragedy · 6 chapters · 12,629 words
First lines
Some days after the tragical event with which the last chapter closed, the ships of the Saxons were assembled in the wide waters of Conway; and on the small fore-deck of the stateliest vessel, stood Harold, bareheaded, before Aldyth, the widowed Queen. For the faithful bard had fallen by the side of his lord; . the dark promise was unfulfilled, and the mangled clay of the jealous Gryffyth slept alone in the narrow bed. A chair of state, with dossel and canopy, was set for the daughter of Algar, and behind stood maidens of Wales, selected in haste for her attendants.
But Aldyth had not seated herself; and, side by side with her dead lord's great victor, thus she spoke:
What this Textopian page supports
Harold, the Last of the Saxon Kings Book VIII: Fate 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, Romance, Tragedy, Adventure, Drama
- Length: 12,629 words
- Structure: 6 chapters, 164 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Difficult (10th-12th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for Harold, the Last of the Saxon Kings Book VIII: Fate 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
Discussion starters
- What should a reader notice first when entering Harold, the Last of the Saxon Kings Book VIII: Fate?
- How does this novel by Edward Bulwer-lytton fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Historical Fiction first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
Genres
- Historical Fiction — The book is set in a historical context, focusing on the life and times of Harold, the last Saxon king, and incorporates real historical events and figures.
- Romance — The narrative includes significant romantic elements, particularly the relationship between Harold and Aldyth, which drives much of the emotional conflict.
- Tragedy — The themes of fate, loss, and the inevitable downfall of characters contribute to a tragic atmosphere throughout the story.
- Adventure — The plot involves journeys, battles, and the pursuit of power, which are characteristic of adventure narratives.
Tags
Historical Fiction · Medieval Period · Saxon Kingdom · English History · Monarchy · Warfare · Battle Scenes · Heroic Protagonist · Tragic Hero · Fate vs Free Will · Drama · Action-Adventure
Contents
More by Edward Bulwer-lytton