The Saxon Stories

Right.

The article casually notes that the show is based on the Saxon Stories novels by Stephen Butcher.

Yeah.

Well, a commenter named Concerned fiercely jumped into the comments to call out the author of the article.

poor astrid had to fly again deviously to sweden to astland esthonia to russia in astland she was sold as a slave quite parted from her boy who also was sold and again sold but did at last fall in with a kinsman high in the russian service did from him find redemption and help and so rose in a distinguished manner to manhood victorious self-help and recovery of his kingdom at last he even met his mother again he as king of norway she as one wonderfully lifted out of darkness into new life and happiness still in store grown to manhood tryggveson now become acquainted with his birth and with his alas hopeless claims left russia for the one profession opened him-that of sea robbery and did feats without number in that questionable line in many seas and scenes in england latterly and most conspicuously of all in one of his courses thither after long labours in the hebrides man whales and down the western shores to the very land's end and farther he paused at the scilly islands for a little while he was told of a wonderful christian hermit living strangely in these sea solitudes had the curiosity to seek him out examine question and discourse with him and after some reflection accepted christian baptism from the venerable man in snorro the story is involved in miracle rumour and fable but the fact itself seems certain and is very interesting the great wild noble soul of fierce olaf opening to this wonderful gospel of tidings from beyond the world tidings which infinitely transcended all else he had ever heard or dreamt of it seems certain he was baptized here date not fixable shortly before poor heart-broken dunstan's death or shortly after most english churches monasteries especially lying burnt under continual visitation of the danes olaf such baptism notwithstanding did not quit his viking profession indeed what other was there for him in the world as yet we mentioned his occasional copartneries with sveen of the double beard now become king of denmark but the greatest of these and the alone interesting at this time is their joint invasion of england and tryggveson's exploits and fortunes there some years after that adventure of baptism in the scilly isles sveen and he were above a year in england together this time they steered up the thames with three hundred ships and many fighters Siege, or at least furious assault of London, was their first or main enterprise, but it did not succeed.

The Saxon Chronicles gives date to it, A.D. 994, and names expressly, as Svin's car-partner, Olius, King of Norway, which he was as yet far from being, but in regard to the year of grace the Saxon Chronicle is held to be indisputable, and indeed has the field to itself in this matter.

Famed Olaf Tryggvason, seen visibly at the siege of London, year 994, it throws a kind of momentary light to us over all that disastrous whirlpool of miseries and confusions, all dark and painful to the fancy otherwise.

This big voyage and furious siege of London is Fionn Doublebeard's first real attempt to fulfil that vow of his at Father Bluetooth's funeral ale, and conquer England, which it is a pity he could not yet do.