Bretwalda, Part 1

 

cover art by G.J. Rozen

Read/Watch 'em In Order #134

Beginning in the February 25, 1939 issue of Argosy Weekly, writer Philip Ketchum began a really nifty series with a unique idea. The main "character" appearing throughout the series would not be a person, but a weapon. The axe Bretwalda (which means "Ruler of Briton") would be featured in a multi-generational saga.

It begins with "The Axe Bites Deep." It's set in 9th Century England and things are not going well for the Britons. The south of England has been overrun by Danes. King Alfred, King of the Britons, is hiding in the forest ever since losing a battle. He's still popular and there's a chance he can put an army together again and drive out the Danes, but he has to stay free and alive in the meantime.

In a small village, a blacksmith named Caedmon has forged a huge axe--with both blade and handle made of shining steel--after being told to do so in a vision. The axe is named Bretwalda and soon after he finished it, a stranger arrives in the village.

This guy, named Winton, is dressed as a Dane, but claims to be a Briton. He was captured as a youth, but his captor took a liking to him and made him a warrior instead of a slave. But now Winton has escaped and returned to England, along with really, really important information that he needs to pass on to Alfred.

But is he telling the truth? Or is he a spy trying to trick the locals into giving away Alfred's location? 

Ethelda, the village leader's daughter, trusts him, but no one else does. Soon, Winton finds himself on the run. In the meantime, a large Danish force has landed and captured the village, gathering up the villagers as slaves. One of those slaves, it turns out, is Alfred in disguise. 

Winton is between a rock and a hard place. He needs to run away from men who should be his allies and save the king against overwhelming odds.

But there's that axe. Winton gets hold of it and that evens the odds a little. But even this amazing weapon isn't enough. It was prophesized that Winton would come to a great victory, a great defeat, s great sorrow and a great joy. In the end, it's Winton's willingness to make a significant sacrifice that brings all this to fruition, thus ensuring Alfred's freedom. A few years later, Alfred would win a battle and free England from the Danish invaders. 

It's a great story. The axe has a slight supernatural veneer to it, but the tale depends on strong characters who, in the end, make difficult but morally correct decisions to win out.

Bretwalda has twelve jewels imbedded in it. At the end of this story, one of them falls out. That effectively foreshadows that there are eleven more tales in the cycle. 

The stories have been recently collected into a single volume, including an inexpensive ebook version. You can also access this issue of Argosy online HERE.