Wulf the Saxon: A Story of the Norman Conquest was published by Blackie and Son in 1895. Wulf, a young thane in the service of King Harold Godwinson, navigates the political complexities of the last years of Anglo-Saxon England — the rivalry between the Godwin family and the Norman-influenced court, the oath (genuine or coerced) that Harold swore to William of Normandy, and the succession crisis that followed the death of Edward the Confessor. The climactic battle is Hastings (October 14, 1066), where the Anglo-Saxon shield-wall held for most of the day before collapsing under Norman cavalry charges.
Henty’s sympathy in this novel lies with the Saxons — a departure from his usual identification with the winning side. Harold is presented as a legitimate king defending his realm against foreign invasion, and the Norman victory, while acknowledged as historically transformative, is portrayed as a conquest, not a liberation.
Collecting Wulf the Saxon
First edition (Blackie and Son, London, 1895): Pictorial cloth.
Market values:
- Fine condition: $150–$400
- Very good: $60–$150
- Good: $20–$60
Projected values (2026–2036): Moderate appreciation.
The Norman Conquest
Set in 1066, the novel follows a young Saxon thane through the events leading to the Battle of Hastings — the death of Edward the Confessor, Harold Godwinson’s claim to the throne, and William of Normandy’s invasion. Henty’s sympathies are again with the defenders (as in In Freedom’s Cause), and the novel’s depiction of Hastings — the shield wall, the feigned retreats, Harold’s death — draws on the Bayeux Tapestry and the primary chronicle sources.
Frequently Asked Questions
How should I start collecting Henty? Begin with the major titles in the best condition you can afford. The most collected novels include Under Drake’s Flag, With Clive in India, With Lee in Virginia, In Freedom’s Cause, and Beric the Briton. Blackie first editions in original cloth with intact spines and clear gilt are the standard collectible format.