The Earls of Mercia Series by M.J. Porter

Librarian's note: An alternate cover edition can be found here The epic Earls of Mercia series continues in book 3 of the main series. Northman, eldest son of Ealdorman Leofwine, fostered, at the King’s insistence, by Eadric of Mercia, finds himself caught between loyalty to his father and his foster father... moreLibrarian's note: An alternate cover edition can be found here The epic Earls of Mercia series continues in book 3 of the main series. Northman, eldest son of Ealdorman Leofwine, fostered, at the King’s insistence, by Eadric of Mercia, finds himself caught between loyalty to his father and his foster father. Fighting for his own sense of self, whilst Viking raiders vie for the English King’s land, he must chose his own path, and hold true to his own belief’s amongst murky Court politics and bitter pitched battles. Leofwine, Ealdorman of the Hwicce, must accept his King’s wishes with regards to his eldest son, even though he finds them abhorrent. Simultaneously he must continue to act in the best interests of his King as the English people face their direst threat yet, the raiding of Thorkell the Tall, the King of Denmark’s own Commander, trusted friend and foster-father of his son, Cnut. And when events become even more dire, will father and son act as one, or will they be torn apart by the machinations of the man who plots to undermine every action the King takes, Ealdorman Eadric? Covering the year 1007-1013, Northman is the third part of the Earls of Mercia Series. The books can be read either as part of the sequence, or as stand alone novels. less

Northman, eldest son of Ealdorman Leofwine, husband, father and brother almost snatched a moment of peace when King Swein of Denmark helped himself to the English throne, and Aethelred removed himself to the Court of Duke Richard II of Normandy, his brother by marriage... moreNorthman, eldest son of Ealdorman Leofwine, husband, father and brother almost snatched a moment of peace when King Swein of Denmark helped himself to the English throne, and Aethelred removed himself to the Court of Duke Richard II of Normandy, his brother by marriage. But when Swein unexpectedly dies weeks after his coronation, England is once more plunged into strife and war, for who will succeed to the throne now? Leofwine, ex-enemy and sometime friend of Swein of Denmark, is given an unenviable task on the short-lived King’s deathbed, one he will struggle to accomplish without compromising himself, his family, and oaths already given. Northman, son of Leofwine, and foster son of Eadric, Ealdorman of Mercia must once more tread carefully as he tries to navigate the twists and turns of the conflicted Witan, and the men who believe that they should rule England, Aethelred the usurped King, Cnut the son of Swein and the sons of Aethelred, Athelstan, Edmund and his younger sons, Edward and Alfred from his second wife. As external enemies try to exploit internal divisions, a disunited England becomes a real possibility and one that Leofwine, Northman and Leofric must combat at all odds. Covering the year 1013-1017, Northman Part 2 is the fourth part of the Earls of Mercia Series and can best be appreciated after reading Northman Part 1 (although not necessarily Ealdorman and Ealdormen if you’re a little impatient). It continues the story of Leofwine, Ealdorman of the Hwicce, Northman, his eldest son and Leofwine’s second son, Leofric. less

The Earls of Mercia (main series) Book 5 (or Book 8 if reading the side-stories as well - Wulfstan, Swein and Cnut). The story of the Ealdorman of the Hwicce, Leofwine, continues in book 5 of the Earls of Mercia series. Ealdorman Leofwine, bereaved and betrayed by the new Danish King of England, hides away from the politics of the Witan, desperate to forget his past links with Cnut and his father Swein only Cnut won’t let his most trusted ealdorman go quite so easily... moreThe Earls of Mercia (main series) Book 5 (or Book 8 if reading the side-stories as well - Wulfstan, Swein and Cnut). The story of the Ealdorman of the Hwicce, Leofwine, continues in book 5 of the Earls of Mercia series. Ealdorman Leofwine, bereaved and betrayed by the new Danish King of England, hides away from the politics of the Witan, desperate to forget his past links with Cnut and his father Swein only Cnut won’t let his most trusted ealdorman go quite so easily. He knows that for his fledgeling kingship to survive, he needs the old guard from the previous king’s reign to add legitimacy to his own. His new men, the men who’ve followed him from Denmark, know how to rule, but not how to rule the English. And Cnut has his eye on an even bigger prize than England alone. Leofric, left reeling by the murder of his older brother and with an ageing father, and dying mother, tries to hold onto his family’s position against the sudden and magnificent rise of Earl Godwin, the newly promoted Earl of Wessex. As much as he despises the new King, he knows his family’s position needs to be upheld. His father has sacrificed too much to allow a usurper to claim the position that is rightfully his. With Cnut’s view increasingly focused on conquering and ruling the Scandinavian lands, with bloody arguments between the Scandinavian men threatening the stability of the Crown, can the House of Leofwine survive the kingship of the new Danish king and keep their place at the heart of early eleventh-century politics whether they want it or not? Covering the years from 1017-1025, The King's Earl is the fifth novel in the (main) Earls of Mercia series. Recommended reading order Viking Sword (AKA Ealdorman) Viking Enemy (AKA Ealdormen0 Swein: The Danish King (side-story) Northman Part 1 Wulfstan: An Anglo-Saxon Thegn (side-story) Northman Part 2 The King's Earl Cnut: The Conqueror (side-story) The Earl of Mercia The English Earl (coming 2018) less

The new book in the epic Earls of Mercia Series. Leofric, eldest son of Earl Leofwine, thought he’d done enough to assure himself of his father’s position when he died. But events outside England constantly distract King Cnut, and instead of his prized earldom, Leofric finds himself as Sheriff of Worcester, a position of strength and power, but heaped with the responsibilities of his father without the title to go with it... moreThe new book in the epic Earls of Mercia Series. Leofric, eldest son of Earl Leofwine, thought he’d done enough to assure himself of his father’s position when he died. But events outside England constantly distract King Cnut, and instead of his prized earldom, Leofric finds himself as Sheriff of Worcester, a position of strength and power, but heaped with the responsibilities of his father without the title to go with it. Admired by many, his advice is sought by the king, queen, and would-be-queen, whilst he’s despised by Earl Godwine; the king’s greatest English ally, related to King Cnut by a tenuous family relationship. As events force Cnut ever further away from England, and his own ambitions grow so that he sees himself as more emperor than king, Leofric must find his own path through the intrigue of the court, through the murky relationship between Cnut’s two wives, three sons and daughter, as he tries to determine just what it is his king wants from him before he’ll grant him the title of earl and how, if he gains it, he’ll keep it in the face of the ambitions of Earl Godwine. Only as Cnut turns his attention back to Leofric’s beloved England, threatened by internal discord, does Leofric understand how much his king truly needs his support, and find a way to achieve his life-long ambition, to become, just as his father was, The Earl of Mercia. Covering the period from 1026-1031, The Earl of Mercia is the sixth (main series) full-length novel in the epic Earls of Mercia, charting the House of Leofwine from its humble beginnings in 991 throughout the final years of Anglo-Saxon England. less

Before his encounter with Ealdorman Leofwine on his fateful trip to Shetland, King Swein first had to wrestle Denmark from an overmighty father and make his own name as a warrior of great renown. This side story to the Earls of Mercia series tells of the early years of King Swein’s reign, his first raid on England, his unfortunate encounter with Ealdorman Leofwine and his desire to once and for all kill Olaf of Norway, culminating in the mighty sea battle of Svolder in 999... moreBefore his encounter with Ealdorman Leofwine on his fateful trip to Shetland, King Swein first had to wrestle Denmark from an overmighty father and make his own name as a warrior of great renown. This side story to the Earls of Mercia series tells of the early years of King Swein’s reign, his first raid on England, his unfortunate encounter with Ealdorman Leofwine and his desire to once and for all kill Olaf of Norway, culminating in the mighty sea battle of Svolder in 999. Swein, the Danish King is a companion novella to the epic Earls of Mercia series and should perhaps be read following Ealdormen, Book 2 of the (main) Earls of Mercia series. less

Wulfstan, the Ealdorman of the Hwicce's most trusted advisor, mentor and friend, has a few secrets of his own to tell in this side story to the epic Earls of Mercia Series that returns to the beginning of the reign of King Aethelred II, the child-king who must spend his early years over-coming the feuds that threaten to rip the Kingdom of England apart. Spanning the years from 978 to 1013, Wulfstan is a companion novella to the Earls of Mercia series.

The seventh book in the (main) Earls of Mercia series. England, November 1035. Cnut, the Danish king of England, is dead, his son and chosen heir, Harthacnut, fighting for the survival of Denmark against Magnus, usurper of Cnut’s eldest son’s rule of Norway. Cnut’s Northern Empire of England, Denmark, Norway and Sweden is fragmented and in turmoil, and that’s before news of his death even spreads... moreThe seventh book in the (main) Earls of Mercia series. England, November 1035. Cnut, the Danish king of England, is dead, his son and chosen heir, Harthacnut, fighting for the survival of Denmark against Magnus, usurper of Cnut’s eldest son’s rule of Norway. Cnut’s Northern Empire of England, Denmark, Norway and Sweden is fragmented and in turmoil, and that’s before news of his death even spreads. The queen dowager, Lady Emma, has the support of Earl Godwine to rule until her son, Harthacnut, can come to England to claim his inheritance. But there are problems. No one knows how long it will take Harthacnut to regain control of his father’s Viking Empire, and the English will not allow themselves to be left abandoned in the meantime. Earl Leofric of Mercia, has long been an ally of Cnut’s, but not always an ally of his wife, the queen dowager. And more, Cnut made concessions for his other surviving son, the result of his union with Lady Ælfgifu of Northampton in Mercia, and Earl Leofric must honour those, despite the queen dowager’s determination to ignore the son’s existence. As England once more faces the threat of external attack, should Magnus prevail in Denmark, Earl Leofric has important decisions to make. He has a long held grudge to settle with Earl Godwine of Wessex, Cnut’s much-favoured earl, while ensuring his own family’s survival. Earl Leofric is the only truly English Earl within England and Mercia is his to command. And the queen dowager should never be overlooked. In power for her entire adult life, she is desperate to retain her hold on the network of prestige she controls, little caring who she endangers along the way. The queen dowager has twice been England’s queen. She has always had more than the one son she shared with Cnut, and her older sons are keen to exercise their own claim to wear England’s crown. Harald, son of Cnut and Ælfgifu, Harthacnut, son of Cnut and Lady Emma, Edward and Alfred, sons of Lady Emma and King Æthelred II; four men with an equal, and valid claim to the English kingdom, but there is only one kingdom available. Who will prevail? This is the seventh book in the Earls of Mercia series (main series), charting the history of the House of Leofwine, the only noble family to hold power for over a century in the turbulent final years of Anglo-Saxon England, a feat not even accomplished by the ruling English House of Wessex or the ruling Danish/English House of Swein Forkbeard. The Earls of Mercia Series Reading Order Viking Sword Viking Enemy Northman Part 1 Swein: The Danish King (side story) Northman Part 2 Wulfstan: An Anglo-Saxon Thegn (side story) The King's Earl Cnut: The Conqueror (side story) The Earl of Mercia The English Earl less

Harald is King of England. Harthacnut still embattled against the pretensions of King Magnus of Norway and, fighting to keep hold of Denmark. Lady Emma, the Queen Dowager, is in exile with Count Baldwin in Bruges, while Earl Godwine has accepted that Harald is the rightful king and England lies peaceful.Or does it?There are persuasive undercurrents in the English Witan... moreHarald is King of England. Harthacnut still embattled against the pretensions of King Magnus of Norway and, fighting to keep hold of Denmark. Lady Emma, the Queen Dowager, is in exile with Count Baldwin in Bruges, while Earl Godwine has accepted that Harald is the rightful king and England lies peaceful.Or does it?There are persuasive undercurrents in the English Witan. Earl Leofric thinks himself safe and secure, his loyalty to the king assured, but Harald is less than pleased with Leofric’s kind treatment of the Queen Dowager. Ever alert to a weakness in his rival, Earl Godwine grows closer to King Harald, while Leofric, vigilant of Earl Godwine’s duplicitous nature, watches from afar, distrusting the supposed discord between him and the Queen Dowager he witnessed when she was banished from England.England too is threatened, by the growing power of Gruffydd Ap Llewelyn on the border with the Welsh kingdoms, and from the North by Donnchaid Mac Crinain of the kingdom of the Scots. But when everything seems to have come undone for Earl Leofric and his son, fate will deal a mighty blow that could save the House of Leofwine.The Earl’s King is the eighth book in the epic Earls of Mercia series.The Earls of Mercia Series The Earl of Mercia's FatherThe Danish King's EnemyNorthman Part 1Northman Part 2The King's EarlThe Earl of MerciaThe English EarlThe Earl's KingViking King PRAISE FOR THE EARLS OF MERCIA SERIES"This is a fantastic series of books, by an author who certainly knows his subject. I was into the Roman invasions but am rapidly converting to the Britons!" Amazon Reviewer"A must-read for fans of Viking age England. This promises to be a very good series of which I can't wait for the next instalment." Amazon Reviewer"Intriguing, well-written stories about the early days of Great Britain between Alfred the Great and William the Conqueror... at the time Athelred was King... the story is written from the perspective of one the emerging Earl's who sits on the Witan (counsel). The time period show the interplay between Great Britain and the Scandinavian countries (Viking raiders) as well." Amazon.com ReviewerABOUT THE AUTHORI'm an author of fantasy (Viking age/dragon-themed) and historical fiction (Anglo-Saxon, Vikings and the British Isles as a whole before the Norman Conquest), born in the old Mercian kingdom at some point since the end of Anglo-Saxon England. Raised in the shadow of a strange little building and told from a very young age that it housed the bones of the long-dead kings of Mercia, it's little wonder that my curiosity in the Anglo-Saxons ran riot. I can only blame my parents!I write A LOT. You've been warned! less

From bestselling author MJ Porter, comes the brand new book in the thrilling Earls of Mercia seriesKing Edward has married into the powerful House of Godwine and made his wife’s brother, Sweyn Godwineson, Earl of Hereford. The House of Leofwine has received nothing, despite their continuing loyalty to the new king... moreFrom bestselling author MJ Porter, comes the brand new book in the thrilling Earls of Mercia seriesKing Edward has married into the powerful House of Godwine and made his wife’s brother, Sweyn Godwineson, Earl of Hereford. The House of Leofwine has received nothing, despite their continuing loyalty to the new king.With the kingdom threatened by the pretensions of King Magnus of Norway, seeking to make good on the claim that he and Harthacnut agreed to inherit each other’s kingdoms should the other die first, King Edward is determined to build a ship army to counter anything his enemy might attempt.But while the king’s eye is on external enemies, there are those closer to home determined to cause the king problems, most notably Sweyn Godwineson, who allies with the Welsh king responsible for the death of Eadwine Leofwineson, and then abducts the abbess of Leominster, refusing to give her up. With his sister as the king’s wife, Sweyn believes he can’t be touched until the church acts against him and he’s excommunicated and outlawed.And Sweyn Godwineson hasn’t finished causing his king problems. When he returns to England without the king’s permission, desperate to recover his landed wealth and possessions, Sweyn finds more than just the House of Leofwine determined against his reinstatement. Desperate men will take desperate actions, even the king’s brother.Can Leofric and Ælfgar weather yet more storms for the House of Leofwine, or will the House of Godwine finally triumph?The King's Brother is the eleventh book in the (main) Earls of Mercia series, retelling the story of the last century of Saxon England through the eyes of the powerful Earls of Mercia, the only noble family, apart from the House of Wessex, to hold their position for nearly a century. less