The story details Guilhem’s consolidation of power and his persistent courtship of Matilda of Flanders , whom he eventually marries despite papal opposition.
Schiewe uses the present tense throughout the novel to create a sense of immediacy and "closeness" to the historical figures. Schiewe, Ulf - Der eiserne Herzog.epub
Harold Godwinson , the powerful Earl of Wessex and Guilhem’s rival for the English throne. The story details Guilhem’s consolidation of power and
When King Edward the Confessor (Eadweard) of England—Guilhem’s uncle—allegedly names Guilhem as his heir, it sets him on a collision course with the English nobility. After Edward's death, Harold Godwinson is crowned king,
Begins in AD 1049 and culminates with the Battle of Hastings in October 1066.
Unlike many traditional historical war novels, Schiewe gives significant agency and internal depth to female characters like Matilda (Guilhem's wife) and Ealdgyth (Harold's wife), depicting them as strategic partners rather than background figures.
After Edward's death, Harold Godwinson is crowned king, leading Guilhem to launch a massive, logistically complex invasion of England. The story concludes with the decisive Battle of Hastings. Key Themes and Style