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James Wilde on the secrets of Camelot

(Dark Age Book 2)

Dark Age

The bestselling author of the Hereward novels continues his epic telling of the story of the origins of the Pendragon bloodline and what would become the most enduring of all legends - of Arthur, King of the Britons...

James Wilde is a Man of Mercia. Raised in a world of books, the author studied economic history at university before travelling the world in search of adventure. He first encountered the great English warrior, Hereward, in the pages of a comic. It was while visiting the haunted fenlands of Eastern England, Hereward's ancestral home, that he became convinced that this legendary figure should be the subject of his first novel. The 'Hereward' series now runs to six novels, the most recent of which is Hereward - The Bloody Crown. 
James Wilde divides his time between London and the family home in Derbyshire.

Bridging the gap between 'Game of Thrones' and Bernard Cornwell comes the second chapter in James Wilde's epic adventure of betrayal, battle and bloodshed . . . 
 
It is AD 367, and Roman Britain has fallen to the vast barbarian horde which has invaded from the north. Towns burn, the land is ravaged and the few survivors flee. The army of Rome - once the most effective fighting force in the world - has been broken, its spirit lost and its remaining troops shattered. 
 
Yet for all the darkness, there is hope. And it rests with one man. His name is Lucanus who they call the Wolf. He is a warrior, and he wears the ancient crown of the great war leader, Pendragon, and he wields a sword bestowed upon him by the druids. With a small band of trusted followers, Lucanus ventures south to Londinium where he hopes to bring together an army and make a defiant stand against the invader. 
 
But within the walls of that great city there are others waiting on his arrival - hidden enemies who want more than anything to possess the great secret that has been entrusted to his care. To seize it would give them power beyond imagining. To protect it will require bravery and sacrifice beyond measure. And to lose it would mean the end of everything worth fighting for. 
 
Before Camelot. Before Excalibur. Before all you know of King Arthur. Here is the beginning of that legend . . .

A Novel of the Dark Age

Pendragon

From the bestselling author of the Hereward novels comes an epic new adventure of betrayal, battle and bloodshed set during the darkest of times - a time when civilisation itself was foundering, when Britain was facing a Dark Age and in desperate need of a hero...

Pendragon has all the hallmarks of a traditional historical adventure story — there are battles, swords and the bantering of violent men — and these are all are done with style. However, there is also intellectual heft to this story, with its themes of myth-making and the nature of power.

On the shadowed frontier between myth and half-imagined history, James Wilde paints a vivid and gritty picture of the genesis of one of the greatest legends of all time.

MATTHEW HARFFY, author of The Bernicia Chronicles

Not since Bernard Cornwell took on the Arthur myth has a writer provided such a new and innovative view of the Arthurian story . . . a fast-paced, action-packed book . . . a wonderful tale.

Skillfully deconstructs the myths of Arthur and Camelot but creates a stunning prequel.

"Pendragon has all the hallmarks of a traditional historical adventure story . . . However, there is also intellectual heft to this story, with its themes of myth-making and the nature of power." Antonia Senior THE TIMES 
 
Here is the beginning of a legend. Long before Camelot rose, a hundred years before the myth of King Arthur was half-formed, at the start of the Red Century, the world was slipping into a Dark Age… 
 
It is AD 367. In a frozen forest beyond Hadrian’s Wall, six scouts of the Roman army are found murdered. For Lucanus, known as the Wolf and leader of elite unit called the Arcani, this chilling ritual killing is a sign of a greater threat. 
 
But to the Wolf the far north is a foreign land, a place where daemons and witches and the old gods live on. Only when the child of a friend is snatched will he venture alone into this treacherous world - a territory ruled over by a barbarian horde - in order to bring the boy back home. What he finds there beyond the wall will echo down the years. 
 
A secret game with hidden factions is unfolding in the shadows: cabals from the edge of Empire to the eternal city of Rome itself, from the great pagan monument of Stonehenge to the warrior kingdoms of Gaul will go to any length to find and possess what is believed to be a source of great power, signified by the mark of the Dragon. 
 
A soldier and a thief, a cut-throat, courtesan and a druid, even the Emperor Valentinian himself - each of these has a part to play in the beginnings of this legend…the rise of the House of Pendragon.

(The Hereward Chronicles: book 6): The climactic final novel in the James Wilde’s bestselling historical series

Hereward: The Bloody Crown

To some a brilliant warrior, to others a devil in human form; Hereward is as adept in the art of slaughter as the enemies that gather to claim England's throne. With King Edward heirless and ailing, Hereward has been declared an outlaw. What is he willing to risk in order to save the land he loves? 
 
Hereward's tales are of heroism, treachery, rebellion and bloody battles, with William the Bastard never too far away.

The concluding novel in James Wilde's bestselling historical series chronicling the life and adventures of that near-forgotten English hero, the warrior Hereward the Wake.

Hereward's story concludes in this brutal, bloody and thrilling page-turner - perfect for fans of Bernard Cornwell and Conn Iggulden. 
 
"With great gusto...James Wilde has succeeded in giving new and convincing life to a half-forgotten English hero." -- BBC HISTORY MAGAZINE 
 
"Vividly describes those turbulent, dismal years...this is a masterful tale, graphic and gory, and loaded with medieval history." -- PUBLISHERS WEEKLY 
 
"A truly spell-binding series...masterfully done." -- PARMENIAN BOOKS 
 
"Loved every minute." -- ***** Reader review 
 
"Wonderful storytelling" -- ***** Reader review 
 
"Full of twists and turns, aside factual events, recommended to all readers who enjoy battles and honour seeped in last events" -- ***** Reader review 
 
*************************************************************** 
 
BLADES ARE SHARPENED, BATTLE LINES DRAWN. NOW IS THE TIME FOR HEROES... 
 
1081: The bloody battle for the crown of the Holy Roman Empire begins. 
 
Within the city of Constantinople itself, three mercenary factions will go to any lengths, including murder, to seize the throne. 
 
And outside the city's walls, twin powers threaten a siege that will crush the once-mighty empire forever: to the west, the voracious forces of the most feared Norman warlord are gathering, while in the east, the Turkish hordes are massing - theirs is a lust for slaughter. 
 
And in the midst of this maelstrom of brutality and betrayal, Hereward and his English spear-brothers prepare to make what could be their final stand . . . 
 
Hereward: The Bloody Crown is the final book in James Wilde's six book Hereward series. Have you read Hereward, Hereward: The Devil's Army, Hereward: End of Days, Hereward: Wolves of New Rome andHereward: The Immortals- the first five books in the series?

(The Hereward Chronicles: book 5): An adrenalin-fuelled, gripping and bloodthirsty historical adventure set in Norman England you won’t be able to put down

Hereward: The Immortals

The exiled Hereward and his band of mercenary warriors find themselves fighting for their Byzantine masters and their survival in this action-packed new chapter in James Wilde's bestselling series about one of English history's near-forgotten heroes.

The story of Hereward continues in this fast-paced page-turner full of treachery, camaraderie, sword- play and honour - the perfect read for fans of Bernard Cornwell and Conn Iggulden. 
 
"Hereward is back and every year he gets better and better...a unique, immersive, truly historic experience." -- PARMENION BOOKS 
"Wilde has a keen eye for action matched with a talent for plotting that makes each new Hereward adventure a joy to read" -- THE ELOQUENT PAGE 
"With great gusto...James Wilde has succeeded in giving new and convincing life to a half-forgotten English hero." -- BBC HISTORY MAGAZINE 
"Another page-turner, edge-of-seat read with more cliffhanging action, drama and battles than Game of Thrones and The Bourgois put together!" -- ***** Reader review 
"Outstanding battle scenes, character development, and a feeling of you-are-there. Highly recommended." -- ***** Reader review 
 
***************************************************** 
 
IT IS ON THE FIELD OF BATTLE THAT HEROES ARE MADE...AND LEGENDS BORN 
 
1073: Under the merciless sun of the East, a dark force has risen - a Norman adventurer with intensely bloody ambition. He has conquered his land, he has built his fortress and he has amassed his army. And now he has taken Constantinople's ruler as his prisoner... 
 
It falls to Hereward to rescue this precious captive. For this great English warrior-in-exile and his spear-brothers, it will mean mounting a raid that could prove the most dangerous of their lives. 
 
Assisting them in their task will be an elite and legendary band of fighters, the Immortals - so-called because they believe they cannot die in battle. 
 
But it will not be enough - for enemies hide within the jewelled heart of Byzantium who want to see the English dead at any cost. They will transform a mission that was at best dangerous into an adventure that is now suicidal. . . 
 
Hereward: The Immortals is the fifth book in James Wilde's six book Hereward series. His story continues in Hereward: The Bloody Crown. Have you read Hereward, Hereward: The Devil's Army, Hereward: End of Days and Hereward: Wolves of New Rome- the first four books in the series?

(The Hereward Chronicles: book 4): A gritty, action-packed historical adventure set in Norman England that will keep you gripped

Hereward: Wolves of New Rome

Hereward, near-forgotten hero of British history, returns to the fray in the fourth novel in James Wilde's gritty, action-packed and bestselling series.

The story of Hereward continues in this brutal and bloody novel full of betrayal and murder - a must read for fans of Bernard Cornwell and Conn Iggulden. 
 
"Dramatic, bloody and fast paced...I enjoyed every moment." -- PARMENION BOOKS 
"A CRACKING TALE...British heroism at its best. Magic" -- FALCATA TIMES 
"A real page-turner" -- ***** Reader review 
"Great characters, great plot-read it in two days!" -- ***** Reader review 
 
******************************************** 
 
ONCE A REBEL. NOW IN EXILE. ALWAYS A WARRIOR... 
 
1072 - The battle has been lost and King William stands victorious. For the betrayed and abandoned English rebels, the price of their crushing defeat is exile. 
 
Their hopes of survival lie with one man, their leader Hereward. Can he navigate a safe course across a world torn by war? Their ultimate destination is the jewelled heart of the Christian emperor in the East, the New Rome - Byzantium. Here they hope to join those pledged to protect the emperor, the elite and savage Varangian Guard. 
But this once-mighty empire is far from stable. Turkish hordes plan for an attack that could come at any moment. And within the sprawling city itself, rival factions threaten bloody mayhem as they scheme to seize the crown. 
 
To stay alive in this cauldron of plot, betrayal and murder, Hereward and the English must fight as never before... 
 
Hereward: Wolves of New Rome is the fourth book in James Wilde's six book Hereward series. His story continues in Hereward: The Immortals. Have you read Hereward, Hereward: The Devil's Army andHereward: End of Days - the first three books in the series?

(The Hereward Chronicles: book 3): An epic, fast-paced historical adventure set in Norman England you won’t be able to put down

Hereward: End of Days

James Wilde's retelling of the story of England's forgotten hero - Hereward the Wake - continues in this new brutal and bloodily exciting novel - a must-read for historical fiction fans!

he story of Hereward continues in this high-octane novel full of heroism and treachery - a must read for fans of Bernard Cornwell and Conn Iggulden. 
 
"With great gusto...James Wilde has succeeded in giving new and convincing life to a half-forgotten English hero." -- BBC HISTORY MAGAZINE 
 
"An author who really does deliver the goods...I've relished every page so far and I am left hungry for more. If you're a fan of historical fiction... you need to be reading James Wilde." -- THE ELOQUENT PAGE 
 
"Truly, honestly, cross my heart MIND GRIPPING and EDGE OF YOUR SEAT reading - guaranteed 100%!" - ***** Reader review 
"James Wilde has a style of writing which makes you just not want to put the book down..." - ***** Reader review 
 
******************************************** 
 
BLADES ARE SHARPENED, BATTLE LINES DRAWN AND THE RAVENS GATHER. FOR JUDGEMENT DAY IS COME... 
 
England, 1071. Five years since the crushing Norman victory at the Battle of Hastings, the country is reeling under the savage rule of the new king - 'the Bastard'. The North has been left a wasteland - no atrocity is too great to ensure William's grip upon the crown. 
 
And now he turns his cold gaze east, towards the last stronghold of the English resistance. After years of struggle, he will brook no further challenge to his power: his vast army masses and his siege machines are readied. 
 
The English have put their faith in the only man who might defeat the murderous invaders: Hereward - warrior and a master tactician. But Hereward is missing. 
 
With their hopes of victory dwindling, can the English rebels find the leader who seems to have abandoned them before William the Bastard begins his final, devastating assault that will truly be the end of days... 
 
Hereward: End of Days is the third book in James Wilde's six book Hereward series. His story continues in Hereward: Wolves of New Rome. Have you read Hereward and Hereward: The Devil's Army - the first two books in the series?

The story of Hereward continues in this high-octane novel full of heroism and treachery - a must read for fans of Bernard Cornwell and Conn Iggulden. 
 
"With great gusto...James Wilde has succeeded in giving new and convincing life to a half-forgotten English hero." -- BBC HISTORY MAGAZINE 
 
"An author who really does deliver the goods...I've relished every page so far and I am left hungry for more. If you're a fan of historical fiction... you need to be reading James Wilde." -- THE ELOQUENT PAGE 
 
"Truly, honestly, cross my heart MIND GRIPPING and EDGE OF YOUR SEAT reading - guaranteed 100%!" - ***** Reader review 
"James Wilde has a style of writing which makes you just not want to put the book down..." - ***** Reader review 
 
******************************************** 
 
BLADES ARE SHARPENED, BATTLE LINES DRAWN AND THE RAVENS GATHER. FOR JUDGEMENT DAY IS COME... 
 
England, 1071. Five years since the crushing Norman victory at the Battle of Hastings, the country is reeling under the savage rule of the new king - 'the Bastard'. The North has been left a wasteland - no atrocity is too great to ensure William's grip upon the crown. 
 
And now he turns his cold gaze east, towards the last stronghold of the English resistance. After years of struggle, he will brook no further challenge to his power: his vast army masses and his siege machines are readied. 
 
The English have put their faith in the only man who might defeat the murderous invaders: Hereward - warrior and a master tactician. But Hereward is missing. 
 
With their hopes of victory dwindling, can the English rebels find the leader who seems to have abandoned them before William the Bastard begins his final, devastating assault that will truly be the end of days... 
 
Hereward: End of Days is the third book in James Wilde's six book Hereward series. His story continues in Hereward: Wolves of New Rome. Have you read Hereward and Hereward: The Devil's Army - the first two books in the series?

James Wilde

I was riveted . . . an excellent tale, one of the best re-imaginings of the iconic Arthur myth out there and, for me, James Wilde's best book to date. Highly recommended.

Bridging the gap between 'Game of Thrones' and Bernard Cornwell comes the third and final chapter in James Wilde's epic adventure of betrayal, battle and bloodshed . . . 
 
AD 375 - The Dark Age is drawing near . . . 
As Rome's legions abandon their forts, chaos grows on the fringes of Britannia. In the far west, the shattered forces of the House of Pendragon huddle together in order to protect the royal heir – their one beacon of hope. 
 
For Lucanus, their great war leader, is missing, presumed dead. And the people are abandoning them. For in this time of crisis, a challenger has arisen, a False King with an army swollen by a horde of bloody-thirsty barbarians desperate for vengeance. 
 
One slim hope remains for Lucanus’ band of warrior-allies, the Grim Wolves. Guided by the druid, Myrrdin, they go in search of a great treasure – a vessel that is supposedly a gift from the gods. Success will mean a war unlike any other, a battle between two kings for a legacy that will echo down the centuries. And should they fail? Well, then all is lost . . . 
 
This is the shattering conclusion to James Wilde’s rousing reimagining of the myth of King Arthur . . .

James Wilde

Praise for The Bear King

I was riveted . . . an excellent tale, one of the best re-imaginings of the iconic Arthur myth out there and, for me, James Wilde's best book to date. Highly recommended.

Books by James Wilde

Series by James Wilde

Dark Age3 Books

Hereward6 Books

Articles featuring James Wilde

James Wilde on the secrets of Camelot

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