Eric Bloodaxe the Viking - by John Sadler (Hardcover)

About the Book

Eric Bloodaxe embodies the savagery of Norse legend, a life of struggle and murderous violence. This, the first biography, explores the legend and the reality.

Book Synopsis

Eric Bloodaxe (or Brother-Slayer) might well claim to be the last of the Vikings. His career a real-life episode of Game of Thrones. His life a true Norse saga, realities being teased out by the author from sparse chronicle sources, enigmatic and often contradictory sagas. But the whole picture encapsulates the very tenor, essence and history of the Viking Age. Saga sources tell us that by the age of 12, Eric was already a warrior and a fearsome one, leading terrible raids against the Balts and Scots, building his reputation and harvesting resources to pay his hird. He'd be needing both if he was to rule. In a bloody civil war with several of his half-brothers, he defeated and killed them to rule Norway, but his personal rule became increasingly oppressive and despotic. Forced into exile in Orkney, he became an overlord there- and pirate. As ruler of Northumbria he would die at the battle of Stainmore in 954, at the incredible age of 69.

Review Quotes

'Eric Bloodaxe could well claim to be the last of the Vikings, as well as one of the most violent. John Sadler provides a new non-fiction account of the life of this notorious despot.'--Military History Matters Magazine, April/ May 2025

About the Author

John Sadler has had a lifelong interest in military history. He now combines writing with lecturing in History at Newcastle University and working as a battlefield tour guide, living history interpreter, and heritage consultant. He has travelled extensively in Scandinavia and is thus familiar with all of the principal sites and saga/literary sources and is an acknowledged expert on the Viking art of war. He is the author of more than 40 books.