In a fitting debut, the first book of the Forerunner Saga, ‘Thorfinn and the Witch’s Curse’ has been released in the United Kingdom. This is most fitting because the story takes place in the year 888 in Jorvik, the medieval town we know today as York. This first story is a coming of age tale that introduces the Agneson clan and their freehold, and establishes their style of life in the relatively calm period between 880 and 890, a time when the Danish had conquered and settled in a vast section of England.
Started generations earlier by Viking marauders, the Danish and Scandinavian invaders took control of the petty kingdoms such as Northumbria and Mercia, and propped up puppet kings they could control, ruling the land under their “Danelaw.” Men and women from the east–only the Saxons called them North or Norse men–where rocky farm land, harsh winters and warring Jarls destined them to a hard and often short life, soon followed their warriors over the sea to the fair English lands, building homesteads and trade routes, and overall a better life.
Jorvik was a grand city, built on the ruins of a roman town and known as a major trading post. Called by the locals “Fishergate,” this medieval town hosted people from all over Europe and became a stronghold for the Danish settlers in Yorkshire.
Today you can tour the archeological digs in York that allow scientists to study life in the Danelaw. This was my initial inspiration for the lives of the Agneson clan. I am pleased to release my first novel in a UK English version in England!