Six Weeks to Mastering the History Behind The Saga of Hasting the Avenger
If you've been waiting for the historical companion to my book series, this is the course for you.
For dedicated readers of The Saga of Hasting the Avenger, specifically those who engaged with the historical notes in The Kings of the Sea, I am pleased to announce the fulfillment of a long-standing commitment. The extensive historical research underpinning the narrative of my fictional series is now available to you in a formal academic setting.
This course is the definitive expansion of the historical context that provides the essential foundation for understanding the forces at play in my novels. For readers who wish to move beyond fiction and gain mastery of the primary source material and scholarly debates, this six-week online course is an ideal companion.
I have partnered with Medievalists.net to offer Early Medieval Brittany A.D. 800–1100.
The Course Overview
This curriculum is designed to provide a systematic and rigorous examination of the region’s history during its formative period. Participants will trace the geopolitical and cultural evolution of Brittany, beginning with the transition following the Roman withdrawal and concluding with the region’s integration into the feudal system of the High Middle Ages.
The course structure enables a comprehensive exploration of key historical dynamics, including the Breton rebellions, the establishment of the kingdom’s independence from the Frankish Empire, the catastrophic period of Viking occupation, and the subsequent efforts toward reconquest and political reconstruction.
The six sessions are organized chronologically to build a robust understanding of the period:
Inheritors of Rome: Establishing the post-Roman context and Celtic continuity.
The Breton March and the Indominable Celts: Analyzing the borderlands and early conflicts with the Franks.
Nominoë, king of the Bretons!: Examining the rise of the autonomous Breton kingdom and the historical figure who founded it.
Diwall, Breizh! (Beware, Brittany!): Reviewing the emergence of internal conflicts and the first incursions by Scandinavian forces.
Under the Viking Yoke: Studying the period of Viking settlement and the collapse of the Breton administration.
Reconstruction and Rapprochement: Detailing the successful reconquest and the re-establishment of political order.
Scholarly Engagement and Direct Access
This course offers a unique opportunity for direct intellectual engagement with the material and the researcher. Each of the six weekly sessions will be conducted live, concluding with an extended question-and-answer period. This interactive format allows participants to pose direct questions regarding the primary evidence, the challenges of historical interpretation, and the methodological decisions involved in adapting complex history for historical fiction. Your participation ensures direct access to my expertise on this specialized subject. For those whose schedules conflict with the live lectures, all sessions will be recorded and made available to every participant.
This is your chance to acquire a sophisticated, scholarly understanding of the historical reality that serves as the backdrop to the events in The Saga of Hasting the Avenger.