18 Nov Bright Helm by Christine Hancock Coffee Pot Book Club Blog Tour

Introduction

It is my pleasure to feature the author, Christine Hancock, as part of The Coffee Pot Book Club Blog Tour being held between October 22nd – 24th December 2020. She is the author of the historical fiction novel, Bright Helm (The Byrhtnoth Chronicles: Book 4), that was released on 15th October 2020 by Madder Press.

Below you will find highlights about Bright Helm, Christine Hancock’s biography, and her interview with me.

Bright Helm

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? 

Buy Links:

Amazon UK

Amazon US

Author Bio: Christine Hancock

Christine Hancock was born in Essex and moved to Rugby, Warwickshire when she married. She and her husband have 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 of 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

INTERVIEW CHRISTINE HANCOCK:

Would you provide an overview of the books you’ve published in The Byrhtnoth Chronicles?

The story starts with Byrhtnoth at the age of seven, being sent to the royal court to be trained as a warrior. His mother is dead and his father disappeared when he was a baby.  Later he is shown his father’s sword and told it will be his when he has earned it and become a man. By the end of the first book (Bright Sword) he has received the sword, but lost it. He realizes that it is not the sword that is important, but finding out what happened to his father. He discovers clues, encounters obstacles and finds love, but still his father remains elusive.

Please tell us more about your most recently released book, Bright Helm: The Byrhtnoth Chronicles: Book 4.

After recovering from the after affects of a bad injury Byrhtnoth sails north to find the ex-king of Scots who has news of his father’s fate. The information sends him to Orkney, and in a raid, his ship and crew are captured and taken to Dublin to be sold as slaves. He must rescue his men, as well as finally discovering the truth about his father.

What inspired you to write about the legendary history figure, Byrhtnoth, from tenth century England and his conflicts with the Vikings?

The series is inspired by a real person, Byrhtnoth, Ealdorman of Essex who died in the Battle of Maldon in AD 991. (I used to live in Essex, not far from Maldon). The event was immortalized in the famous Anglo-Saxon poem of the same name. He was in his sixties when he died and otherwise little mentioned in history. I started wondering how he became this renowned warrior. It is a period not much written about: after King Alfred’s battles against the Danes and before King Harold and his defeat at Hastings.

How much research was involved in writing your books? How did you go ABOUT researching the history, myths, language, and culture of the Britons and Vikings in the 10^th Century?

Basically, reading books; non-fiction for the basic facts and fiction to discover what other authors have said about the period. There are few definite facts about my main character, which enables me to say whatever I want, so long as I get the right king on the throne and know who they were fighting at the time. I know the name of Byrhtnoth’s father but nothing else, which allows me to “make it all up”.

I start with the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle. For example, for AD 949 (which is when Bright Helm is set) it just says: “King Anlaf Sihtricsson comes to Northumbria”.

Now, King Anlaf was the Viking king of Dublin. In books two and three Byrhtnoth has been helping King Eadred of England to rid Northumbria of Erik Bloodaxe. I ask how can I use this in the story and take it from there.

Is there any sub-character in The Byrhtnoth Chronicles who is your favorite? Explain why.

I suppose my favourite has to be Saewynn. When I started the series, I gave Byrhtnoth a best friend, Wulfstan and then brought in a girl to add a bit of romance. She starts as a young servant girl, in love with Byrhtnoth, and has grown into a major character in her own right. I suppose she is my representative in the story – aren’t all authors a bit in love with their main character? She also gives a woman’s point of view in what is often portrayed as a very male-orientated society.

How often do your characters surprise you by doing or saying something totally unexpected?

All the time. I can sit down knowing exactly what is going to happen in a scene and discover different words coming out if someone’s mouth, or a character refusing to do what I tell them.

Have you received reactions/feedback to your work that has surprised you? In what way?

Readers have said that I write a good fight scene, which always surprises me. Perhaps, because I don’t have a big interest in weapons and fighting and find big battles boring, I tend to keep them short, so maybe they have a bigger impact.

What’s the best gift you’ve ever received?

When I was a child, I was given a book token – I don’t remember who by. I have a vivid memory of the long time I spent in the book shop, trying to decide which “Famous Five” book to choose.

What are the most important traits you look for in a friend?

Patience, loyalty, and a sense of humour.

If you could have one skill that you don’t currently have, what would it be?

To be able to touch type, so that my fingers could keep up with my ideas.

What might we be surprised to learn about you?

I was once the clerk in a court, telling everyone to rise when the judge entered.

What makes you laugh?

Practically anything – I’d rather laugh than cry.

What simple pleasure makes you smile?

A bluebell wood in spring.