I have high hopes for the Forest of Foes novel, especially after feeling disappointed by the previous one. In this book, Beobrand is going to Rome with Wilfrid, which means I need to start gathering additional readings about early Medieval Europe. I anticipate encountering many new place names, and I’ll make sure to note them down. I believe I’ll enjoy this book because the French written sources are far more diverse than just one or two texts.
Forest of Foes starts with Beobrand and his Black Shields on the way to Rome with Wilfrid, accompanied by one Balducing and several of his retinue. Their first stop was Quentovic, a Frankish emporium close to the English Channel. Today, it is known as the commune Étaples-sur-Mer, located near the mouth of the River Canche.
Beobrand has all he needs for his trip, including Halinard from Rodomo, who could translate for them on this journey.
The change of scenery in Forest of Foes is very much welcomed. I was repeatedly distracted by beautiful abbeys while doing my reading research. As I entered Chapter 11, it became clear we’re no longer in the dark and cloudy Albion.
The drunken brawl that ended up with Dalfinus punishing one of his men to death proved how different the ways of Continental lives were. I share Beobrand’s slight frustration on getting used to the Frankish tongue. I’m still struggling today.
As their journey progressed, they were met by Queen Bathilde, wife of Clovis II, king of the Franks. I appreciate that Matthew Harffy decided to include the debated origins of Queen Bathilde in the storyline. Indeed, there were questions about whether she indeed was a slave sold to Frankia or whether she had an East Anglian noble heritage.
Towards the End of Forest of Foes
I’m nearing the end of Forest of Foes, and I feel something isn’t right about how the story will go. Once again, I applaud Matthew’s ability to weave all the stories during Wilfrid’s “pilgrimage” to Rome via Lyon.
I remember nearly nothing about the early Medieval period of Continental Europe, so I’ll take the story with a grain of salt. I know Wilfrid was then canonised or venerated, whatever the word is. But I had never read about Annemund and Dalfinus before, although both were real people.
Reading Annemund’s history, it was said that he was a victim of a plot concocted by the Mayor of the Palace, Ebroin, successor of Erchinoald. Perhaps the story was interwoven to match Beobrand’s storyline.
Nevertheless, Wilfrid’s portrayal was as evil as possible. I don’t know if one can hate a saint-to-be, but Wilfrid is—no, I think I’ll commit blasphemy if I say it. In this story, I think Wilfrid was worse than Annemund and his cunning comrades. I sincerely hope this is an imagined story and not a recorded history.
Of course, Matthew Harffy had to kill one more of my favourite characters. in Forest of Foes. Not only that, the ageing mind of Beobrand began to think or rethink how he always led his men to certain adventures of death. He went so far as to tell Cynan that he granted them freedom from their oaths to him.
And here I smell the beginning of an end.
The battle of Winwæd is in two years. I have always imagined Beo’s story would end with this battle. Don’t ask me why. Matthew Harffy has already killed all of my favourite characters save for Bassus. So, I think I’d better prepare for the end of a journey.
I have never seen so much treachery in one sitting. There were moments when I thought to myself that Beo must have regretted stepping away from the shores of Albion. Just as I finished that thought, I read how he mentioned the exact same thing to Cynan.
Reading Forest of Foes, I realised why I had never immediately picked subjects related to early Medieval France or other European mainland countries, but especially France. There were too many intricacies similar to the English Tudor period, which I dislike.
Afterthoughts
Verdict
The change of scenery in Forest of Foes is very much welcomed. I was repeatedly distracted by beautiful abbeys while doing my reading research. As I entered Chapter 11, it became clear we’re no longer in the dark and cloudy Albion.
I still find it hard to relate with Cynan. Why would Beobrand give Stagga Hall to him? He’s just a newcomer to the Black Shields, and I think Elmer or Attor deserves Stagga Hall more than Cynan.
As Forest of Foes crept to its end, there was a lingering discomfort in knowing that this was a beginning to an end. The last chapter revealed that Coenred was also in Paris. Coenred told the Black Shields about a brewing war back home when they met.
I nearly leapt out of my seat—I thought Beo and his Black Shields would forget the mission to take Wilfrid and hop on a ship to return home. But Beobrand claimed they should press on to Rome and get Wilfrid there.
Perhaps that bit of history would be a prologue or flashback scenes in the next book. My premonition still stands that Beobrand’s story will end at the Battle of Winwæd as Penda dies. Or, if Matthew Harffy wills it, he’d write the journey to Rome in detail with Beobrand and the Black Shields causing shenanigans along the way in their usual way.
I hope I’m wrong about the Battle of Winwæd and that there’d be many more of Beobrand’s story in the future.
2 May 2024 update: I just saw on the Bloomsbury website that the tenth book of Bernicia Chronicles will be titled Shadows of the Slain. Reading its official excerpt, I think it’s not time for the Battle of Winwæd yet. The book is scheduled to be released on 5 December 2024. Of course, I will be pre-ordering my copy from any available sources.