Discover new kitchen selections
Add Prime to get Fast, Free delivery
Amazon prime logo
$12.68
Get Fast, Free Shipping with Amazon Prime
FREE delivery Monday, April 21 on orders shipped by Amazon over $35
Or fastest delivery Saturday, April 19. Order within 23 hrs 2 mins
In Stock
$$12.68 () Includes selected options. Includes initial monthly payment and selected options. Details
Price
Subtotal
$$12.68
Subtotal
Initial payment breakdown
Shipping cost, delivery date, and order total (including tax) shown at checkout.
Ships from
Amazon.com
Amazon.com
Ships from
Amazon.com
Sold by
Amazon.com
Amazon.com
Sold by
Amazon.com
Returns
30-day refund/replacement
30-day refund/replacement
This item can be returned in its original condition for a full refund or replacement within 30 days of receipt.
Read full return policy
Payment
Secure transaction
Your transaction is secure
We work hard to protect your security and privacy. Our payment security system encrypts your information during transmission. We don’t share your credit card details with third-party sellers, and we don’t sell your information to others. Learn more
Kindle app logo image

Download the free Kindle app and start reading Kindle books instantly on your smartphone, tablet, or computer - no Kindle device required.

Read instantly on your browser with Kindle for Web.

Using your mobile phone camera - scan the code below and download the Kindle app.

QR code to download the Kindle App

Follow the author

Edward Cartwright Beard
Follow
Something went wrong. Please try your request again later.

THE TESTAMENT OF LEOFRIC THE BLACK: VOLUME ONE ( 1040-57 ) Paperback – January 28, 2019

4.5 out of 5 stars 81 ratings
{"desktop_buybox_group_1":[{"displayPrice":"$12.68","priceAmount":12.68,"currencySymbol":"$","integerValue":"12","decimalSeparator":".","fractionalValue":"68","symbolPosition":"left","hasSpace":false,"showFractionalPartIfEmpty":true,"offerListingId":"KymCicriRKL2N%2FYGDas1yBiNDiQi4%2Bai4GJMfgQoHXsmYkimdghHplC4qo312HYayTHKT8aGbSr%2F9stn%2BSUAYpdh0XzhuvbbaaHW0nP%2Bu8LmAO3VtflLDKK%2FPl2xKobzjppNQtl72oDIXvyV3HDtBA%3D%3D","locale":"en-US","buyingOptionType":"NEW","aapiBuyingOptionIndex":0}]}

Purchase options and add-ons

If you like books about Saxons and Vikings you should love this.
1066 Arguably the most famous date in English history. The Norman conquest of England.
How did it happen?
What were the circumstances that led to such events?
How did around seven thousand Normans and their allies conquer a nation of over two million people?
Leofric knows. He was there.
The year is AD 1071.
William the Conqueror and his Norman army have taken the Isle of Elig. After eighteen months of bloody siege, someone showed them the way through the secret paths of the treacherous marshes. Leofric the Black, one of a few who have escaped, has been accused of being that traitor. He writes this account to prove his innocence. The son of a Saxon thegn, Leofric is born with a club foot. He is a disappointment to his father who yearns for a strong warrior son to become the heir of his estates. On hearing his father tell someone that he thinks he was given the wrong son, Leofric vows to become the man his father yearns for and not the priest most say is his destiny. The fractured English Church is at loggerheads with Rome, and jealous earls and ambitious thegns are vying for control of England with the most powerful family in the land, the Godwins. Watching these divisive events unravel are power hungry rulers from the west and north of Britain, Norway and Normandy, eager to seize the English crown.
Once linked with the Scandinavian countries, Europe now beckons.
Previous slide of product details
  1. Book 1 of 2
    THE TESTAMENT OF LEOFRIC THE BLACK
  2. Print length
    463 pages
  3. Language
    English
  4. Publication date
    January 28, 2019
  5. Dimensions
    6 x 1.16 x 9 inches
  6. ISBN-10
    1999360737
  7. ISBN-13
    978-1999360733
Next slide of product details
Books%20with%20Buzz
Books with Buzz
Discover the latest buzz-worthy books, from mysteries and romance to humor and nonfiction. Explore more

Editorial Reviews

Review

This first volume of the testamentspans 1040 to 1057. Beard spins a poignant tale that tugs at the heart strings,eliciting a wide gamut of emotions with which readers will identify. Heseductively weaves history with fiction to craft a gripping tale of intrigue,war, perfidy, and love. His vivid descriptions of characters and places makethe latter days of the Dark Ages seem all too real, yet Leofric's honesttelling of events compels readers to return for the next book.
Historical novel society
Through Leofric's eyes theauthor paints a vivid, often cruel and vicious, but also emotional andcompelling, picture of eleventh century England. This is a debut novel, Ibelieve, and the first of a trilogy - comparable, I would say to any of BernardCornwall's novels, or Helen Hollick's acclaimed novels of the same pre-1066period.
DiscoveringDiamonds

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ HOLT&DEAN PUBLISHERS (January 28, 2019)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 463 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1999360737
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1999360733
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 1.71 pounds
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 6 x 1.16 x 9 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.5 out of 5 stars 81 ratings

About the author

Follow authors to get new release updates, plus improved recommendations.
Edward Cartwright Beard

Edward Cartwright Beard

Brief content visible, double tap to read full content.
Full content visible, double tap to read brief content.

Edward Cartwright Beard was born on the Wirral in 1948. He attended St. Aidan's Private school in Wallasey until he was eleven. A casualty of the 'eleven plus exam syndrome, he finished a somewhat sketchy education at a secondary modern school. He has been married to his wife Susan for fifty years. They have four sons, seven grandchildren and live in the Isle of Man.

He gained his love of history after reading A Childs History of England by Charles Dickens. Since then he has read many non-fiction books on Anglo Saxon history. His favourite authors range from Tolkien to Bernard Cornwell and Thomas Hardy.

The Testament of Leofric the Black Volume one and Volume two are the first two books of a trilogy set in Dark Age Britain.

Customer reviews

4.5 out of 5 stars
81 global ratings

Review this product

Share your thoughts with other customers
Write a customer review

Top reviews from the United States

  • Lynn H. Beam
    5.0 out of 5 stars A complicated warrior.
    Reviewed in the United States on March 8, 2020
    Verified Purchase
    The eventual metamorphosis of the placid yet brilliant youth of Leofric to his being a competent (and more) and champion warrior is aided by adept strangers, the supernatural , and his own inner-power. As well, he is an artist of illuminated manuscripts. There are many who are jealous and have a murderous plan for him. Early on he was kidnapped and drugged and a imprisoned under false charges. He is also aided by devoted colleagues. He and Earl Godwin’s son, Harold, are friends, and that duo plays in and out of the plot over time. There is magic and enchantment around a jeweled scepter that is a recurring motif. And so much more. I was fixated on this exciting plot and recommend it to anyone fascinated by this time and setting before 1066.
    Helpful
     Report
  • T
    5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent read if you like medieval historical fiction
    Reviewed in the United States on August 29, 2019
    Verified Purchase
    I have been reading historical fiction of this genre for years, consuming everything by Bernard Cornwall, Griff Hosker and Patrick O’Brien I could find. Leofric the Black is as entertaining as anything I’ve read from Cornwell, with excellent character development of the lead, and real storytelling chops. Just surprised I can’t find anything else from Beard. Hard to believe this is his first book; writing was very good and I strongly recommend if you like this type of literature. Now just have to wait for part two...
    2 people found this helpful
    Helpful
     Report
  • Jill Stoehr
    5.0 out of 5 stars Great viking read.
    Reviewed in the United States on January 1, 2020
    Verified Purchase
    This is a very well written book. I enjoyed reading it.
    One person found this helpful
    Helpful
     Report
  • Frank
    5.0 out of 5 stars Good book
    Reviewed in the United States on August 30, 2019
    Verified Purchase
    Interesting
    One person found this helpful
    Helpful
     Report

Top reviews from other countries

  • Kindle Customer
    5.0 out of 5 stars Enjoyable & engrossing read
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on May 8, 2023
    Verified Purchase
    A well written book, with a cast of believable characters set in a turbulent time.

    Thoroughly enjoyable, and highly recommended to those who like historical action reads.
    Report
  • Maureen Brown
    5.0 out of 5 stars Although historical it will appeal to both women and men alike!
    Reviewed in Canada on April 4, 2019
    Verified Purchase
    I liked everything about this book. For me, it was hard to put down. Although there were many names it helped to go through the back glossary first. It was factual, but very readable. I was hooked and I'm looking forward to Volume 2.
    Report
  • D. Murphy
    5.0 out of 5 stars Great history, great characters and very well told story.
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on January 20, 2020
    Verified Purchase
    Really is an excellent novel that bis hard to out down. The characters are interesting and well described through their actions rather than long-winded exposition. A good balance of flat and well rounded. The story is carefully developed, again via the action rather than in your face exposition.

    The story has many twists and turns and some very unusual plotting.

    Many of the novels written about Anglo-Saxon England are likened to Bernard Cornwell, but this is the first I have come across that is genuinely comparable. I really enjoyed it and look forward to the next in the series.
    Report
  • Colin Burke, Milner Boardman
    5.0 out of 5 stars A great read
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on December 11, 2020
    Verified Purchase
    For me, historical fiction is not just about the tale that is told, however interesting that may be, but also about allowing us to experience what life was actually like in the period, with the clothes, the smells, the food and even the horrors. This Testament spins a fine tale, whilst fulfilling that essential insight into life at the time. A great read.
    I look forward to the next two books in the trilogy.
    Report
  • m
    5.0 out of 5 stars A great story
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on April 3, 2020
    Verified Purchase
    Searching for new historical fiction writers I came across this book and for a first one this is a cracking read, well developed characters, a good story line and the 'hero' isn't a huge bear of a man but club footed and to have a main character physically impaired is a refreshing change. My only criticism is that, for me, there is too much sorcery which detracts from the plot too often but I am looking forward to the next chapter in Leofric's life.
    Report