The narrative unfolds against a backdrop of a pivotal moment in history, exploring themes of conflict, resolution, and the human experience during times of change. Characters navigate personal and collective struggles, revealing deep emotional arcs and moral dilemmas. Richly detailed, the story invites readers to reflect on the impact of decisions made in critical situations, ultimately leading to transformative outcomes.
A major new title in the Penguin Monarchs series In his fascinating new book in the Penguin Monarchs series, Richard Abels examines the long and troubled reign of Aethelred II the 'Unraed', the 'Ill-Advised'. It is characteristic of Aethelred's reign that its greatest surviving work of literature, the poem The Battle of Maldon, should be a record of heroic defeat. Perhaps no ruler could have stemmed the encroachment of wave upon wave of Viking raiders, but Aethelred will always be associated with that failure.