Garth Petterson on The Atheling Chronicles

January 03, 2026

Garth Petterson on The Atheling Chronicles

Welcome, Garth!

Can you give a short summary of the Atheling Chronicles? The Atheling Chronicles follows the little-known historical figure, Harald Harefoot, second son of King Canute, Viking king of England, Denmark, and Norway, as he carves his own path through his father’s enemies and his own, scorning power and position but finding love and his own integrity. The series begins with Harald accompanying his father on a trip to Rome to attend the coronation of the Holy Roman Emperor (titular leader of certain Christian European countries and territories). The journey proves perilous as new enemies emerge and roadblocks arise. The first book also has Harald meeting Selia, the love of his life. As the series progresses, Harald and Selia try to distance themselves from political intrigues, and they attempt to live as small landowners. By the fourth book, Harld can’t avoid being tasked as his father’s emissary to Viking Dublin, a voyage that ultimately has him leading an invading force against a northern Welsh kingdom. As Harald gains more experience as a leader of men, he becomes stronger and more capable of one day wearing the crown. But is that what he truly wants?
What inspired you to start writing fiction and what inspired this story? I am and have always been primarily a story guy. Though I sometimes read non-fiction, it is the story that grips me and refuses to let go. When I retired from teaching and had the time to devote to exploring the craft of writing, I started writing a middle-grade novel along the lines of The Hardy Boys but using locations and adventures my brother and I had experienced—embellished, of course. Then I wrote short stories—mostly speculative fiction. A few dozen of these were picked up for publication, which greatly encouraged me to continue. I started writing a fictional account of Harald Harefoot as part of a writing challenge from a friend and mentor. He loved the first chapter and helped me craft an outline for a book. One book grew to a sequel and then to a series. I am currently working on book #6 which may or may not be the final one.
What motivates you to keep writing, even on tough days? I’m an avid reader and writing for me means entering another, more wondrous world. Reading and writing are parts of the same thing. I don’t think I have the will power to write on the tough days, but I keep showing up when the storm passes.
Like you, I live on a farm and that sometimes gets in the way of my planned writing. Do you manage to keep a strict writing schedule and if so, how?

I wish I could say I adhere to a strict writing schedule, getting up at the crack of dawn and not emerging from my study until I have written 10,000 words, but that’s definitely not me. I find all sorts of excuses not to write, or I keep moving my writing down toward the bottom of my to-do list. When I’m in the creative ‘zone’ I’m fine. I can write for a couple of hours, but outside the zone, I listen to a voice that says I don’t know what I’m doing or where I’m going. As someone who does minimal outlining and writes mostly by the ‘seat of their pants,’ it’s true--I often don’t know where the story is going. The trick is for me to tell the negative voice, “Of course I don’t know where I’m going. That’s how I write!”

How did your degrees impact your Atheling Chronicles? I have a bachelor’s degree in history, and I think my studies helped to expand my historical knowledge generally. It was a long time ago. I have found writing historical fiction to be a process of extensive researching combined with drawing from every book I’ve ever read, every film I’ve ever watched, every play, every experience, every relationship I’ve had.
What are some little known historical facts about eleventh century England that might surprise most people? There are so many. I’m constantly trying to break down stereotypes by setting the record straight. (1.) In England or Engla-lond as it was called in the eleventh century, dwellings were made of wood and organic materials; there were no castles until the Normans took over in 1066. Churches were stone, built practically and symbolically to last. (2.) Another perhaps surprising thing is that Vikings never wore horned helmets. Why would one want protuberances sticking out from your head that could be grabbed by an enemy? Horned helmets were invented for Wagnerian operas in the 19th century. (3.) Because folk lived together with little privacy, bodily functions and love-making were often observable, so words for body parts and physical love were not considered obscene—just part of everyday life. Swear words didn’t include most of our modern favourites. Eleventh century swearing would involve calling on God in a non-reverential manner—"by God’s wounds, I’ll blacken your eyes, you maggoty pig.”
Are there certain themes or ideas that you consistently explore? I have made Harald a reluctant hero. He doesn’t strive for the throne and just wants to live a quiet life with Selia, his wife. He is constantly struggling with duty to his father the king, and to the kingdom, vs a peaceful life of hard work on the land. This leads to considerations not only of duty, but of free will, good vs evil, and the role of fate.
Research becomes more difficult the farther back we go in time. In my own time, the early fourteenth century, I can find a fair amount of chronicles that detail those days. How accurately can the eleventh century be researched and known vs how much do you need to fill in the gaps of what we don't know? One thing I appreciate about using Harald Harefoot as my protagonist, is that little is known about him. The main source was commissioned by his stepmother, Emma of Normandy, who wished to destroy Harald’s play for the throne, and it can’t be trusted as factual. This gives me the freedom to create his character, and as you say ‘fill in the gaps.’ Regarding the eleventh century, there is extensive archeological information, as well as documents such as wills, charters, decrees, etc. Not as extensive as in later centuries, for sure. I use an Old English translator as well. I like to add OE words to flavour the pot, as it were, but also for quick checking. If they had a word for something, then it existed at the time, e.g. an auger (post-hole digger).
What does your research involve? I read books on my main characters and articles that delve into every aspect of life in the early eleventh. With England a mix of Anglo-Saxon and Danish (Viking) cultures, there is much to explore. I keep thick binders of information on everything: Food, Clothing, Housing, Warfare, Ships, Medicine, Law, Landholding, Villages, Industry & Commerce, Old gods vs One God, Monasteries and Convents, etc.
What do you do when you're not writing? When I’m not writing, doing promotions, or making my quirky monthly newsletter interesting (Subscription | Garth Pettersen), I work here on our acreage (Chilliwack, British Columbia). My wife and I board horses and keep chickens for eggs. There’s always work to do, things to maintain, build, or fix. I have a riding ring which I just re-built, and I ride occasionally. I had a bad riding accident a few years ago, so I only ride horses I trust will not do something insane, but I do enjoy riding. I don’t hike or canoe as much as I used to, but short hikes in the woods I’ll always enjoy.
What's next for you? I think when I finish The Atheling Chronicles, I may write a spin-off or perhaps move ahead into Norman England—there’s lots of potential there—or I may write another mystery, perhaps in a different period. I do have a sea-faring novel set in the early 19th century that is unpublished. Perhaps I’ll work on getting that published. There are lots of possibilities.