Harold : the Last of the Saxon Kings — Volume 12

"Harold: the Last of the Saxon Kings — Volume 12" by Lytton is set in a historical period around the Battle of Hastings, revealing the struggles of people such as Harold Godwinson, the last Anglo-Saxon king of England, where events showcase fate, loyalty, internal loss, and the growing conflict between different belief systems as they deal with a world about to change. The story starts by introducing Hilda, a seer worried about the fate of her granddaughter and Harold, while tension builds up in the kingdom. As Hilda thinks by a sad pool in a dark forest, an odd witch appears, pushing Hilda to make a special banner for King Harold as a gift for his wedding to Edith. Then, the story moves focus to King Harold and his advisors in Westminster, as they talk about William of Normandy's expected invasion. The different beliefs and arguments among the people show why they do the things they do, their fears, and the political landscape right before the battle, building up to the dramatic clash that will change England's future.