This is my personal workspace for historical short stories, the Saxon series, and other short stories. Please see below for some of the stories I’ve written and I’ve included sections on system architecture for my professional work in IT.
Saxon series blog
These short stories are about an Anglo Saxon housecarl named Sigeric. The housecarls were the professional bodyguard of Saxon Kings and I wanted to tell a story from there point of view. 22/10/2026 - Writing ‘Settled in truth’ came quite easy to me, it took me one evening as I knew in my own mind that I wanted to capture what Sigeric might have been thinking just after the battle and the devestation he might have been thinking. I also wanted to look at his next move and leaving England. ...
Settled in truth is fate - Number two in the Saxon series
Sigeric was panting hard, he was running through woods and out into meadows then back into ancient forests. He was losing track of time as the night arrived to cover the land. They had been running since leaving the field of battle, some of their number who were injured had to be left behind and, in the distance, they could hear the pounding of hooves and the screams of Saxons cut down as they fled. In the space of a few hours his whole world had changed. The events on Senlac Hill had changed his life and that of England forever. With King Harold gone there was nothing between the Normans and London. ...
The Iron Ridge - Number one in the Saxon series
07:00 14th October 1066 – Caldbec Hill, Hastings. The air was cool and crisp but the sky was clear and the sun rose majestic to herald the new day as the army rose from its slumber. Sigeric stepped out from the tent he shared with his brother Godric, all around him his fellow housecarls were emerging from their tents, their movement quiet but determined. He lifted his iron helmet, settling it over his brow and adjusting the heavy nasal guard so it sat straight between his eyes. In his left hand he gripped his kite shield by the strap. Shaped in the new European fashion, it was longer than the standard round shields, offering better protection. In his right hand his Danish battleaxe hung low at his side, the cutting blade freshly sharpened overnight. A moment later Godric joined him, no words were spoken as the housecarls were unusually quiet, the forced march from the North and the battle of Stamford Bridge had sapped their strength. They now faced the deadliest cavalry in Western Europe – the Normans. ...
A Bucket of Instant Sunshine
13:00 hrs 27th October 1962 - RAF High Wycombe. “Yes I understand, we’ll be ready” He replaced the phone on the receiver. Air Marshall Kenneth ‘Bing’ Cross AOC Bomber Command surveyed his operations room, a hushed silence as the assembled staff eyed their veteran commander with apprehension. Bing closed his eyes, still fighting a sore head from the night before. “Right, give me my options” Instantly the room sprang into action, staff officers calling out the status of the V-force order of battle. “Waddington wing, 44, 50 and 101 squadrons prepared and awaiting dispersal” “Coningsby wing - 9, 12 and 35 squadrons prepared and awaiting dispersal” “Scampton wing - 617, 83 and 27 squadrons prepared and awaiting dispersal” ...