I completed the first draft of my historical novel this week.
The novel was was inspired by the many historians, re-enactors, museum curators and archaeologists I’ve met over the years in my work for Dalesman Magazine. They told me of the Viking city of Jorvik, now York, and how it was a thriving, internationally connected metropolis, before William the Conqueror came.
William, frustrated that York folk weren’t too keen on him being king, burned down the city, and embarked upon a genocide of the people who lived north of the Humber.
In my novel, I imagine what it might be like to be an ordinary woman, living in the city, at this time.
11th century re enactors
Completing the draft a big step completed, but the job far from finished. It’s like a rough piece of furniture. It has legs, but needs a lot of polishing.
It’s been a lot of work – repopulating the City of York before the Norman Conquest.
I quite like the place. The food’s good, the parties great.
How different things might have been…..