Hidden within the ancient pages of The Anglo-Saxon Chronicle is the most piteous tale of the fall of Aethelweard, a noble Theign much blighted by the arrival of the accursed Vikings. Upon translation, many respected scholars (and not the odd upstart who liked to jump on the bandwagon in the hope of currying the favour of the establishment) have since sought to dismiss the validity of the tale, often describing it as "spurious drivel," or, "The worst prose in all the kingdoms." One even went so far as to call it "Bottom Gravy of the Worst Order," but we'll ignore such inflammatory remarks.
What is harder to ignore is the comments of one scholar who went on to say, and I quote, "Not even the venerable Bede himself would have allowed such blatant fabrication to grace the pages of his Historia."
However, with much deferential respect to Messrs Craig Cartmell and Charles Murton of The Ministry of Gentlemanly Warfare, I am proud to be able to present you with a full account of The Doom of Aethelweard." And if there be any doubt of the benefits of lifting this document from between the ten stanza epic 'Bede's On The Mead' and 'Ye Barde Played Beleive It If Ye Like' then I direct the esteemed gentle reader to Mr Cartmell himself, who was the first to encourage me to tell this tale.
So for your delight and edification, I present an overview with clicky things that will take you to each thrilling installment...!
Where it all begins on one early and misty morning, as fell invaders threaten the safety of some innocent piglets, and the proud Anglo-Saxons burst into a manly rendition of the 151st Psalm...
Join our intrepid Anglo-Saxon hero Theign Aethelweard as he dashes across the moor after his sheep. Although, come to think of it, the word 'dash' might be taking things a little too far...!
Okay, so two sheep wasn't much of a prize. But now Aethelweard realises he needs to get a monk back home to the church in time for Evensong...
We catch up with our intrepid hero at St. Stephens in the Weald in a desperate attempt to defend that most sacred Banner of Owain. Could Aethelward's Fate be about to change...?
Wherein Aethelweard hears rumours of a mythical beast residing in the ruins of a once mighty empire, he determines to destroy it, lest the fell Draugr claim it for some dark ritual and taint the land.
The Draugr had been spotted approaching the ancient henge known as Rollbad. (This is not to be confused with the Rollright Stones, three Neolithic and Bronze Age megalithic monuments located near the village of Long Compton on the borders of Oxfordshire and Warwickshire. No one has a clue how, or indeed when, this lot of stones appeared.) Aethelweard there fore has no choice but to rally his men once more and set out to Stop the Ritual! Will he succeed? Read on to find out!
Prepare yourself for the final, climactic conclusion to this epic Saga. And have your hankies ready for this one, because you're going to need it before it's all over...
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