Lest We Forget Our Moral Compass [GUEST POST]

Some people are born to it. Others learn it along the way. Some never do. That is, compassion, empathy, a moral code or, as some put it, a moral compass. Without it, we have a harder time discerning right from wrong, living in this world, or simply, getting by with our neighbors.

The questions I’ve been asked in today’s post are: “Why should modern audiences look to historical figures like Hakon Haraldsson in today’s uncertain political climate and what makes a Viking like Hakon relatable today?”

Hakon finds himself facing huge challenges when he is fifteen years old. Fatherless and essentially homeless, he must return to this birthplace to carve out his kingdom. Yet, he is young, and he is a Christian hoping to rule a realm filled with people who worship the old gods. Not only must he adapt to his new land—he must try to accept his situation and his people for who they are. Conversely, he also feels it necessary to adhere to his Christian upbringing. Time and time again, this puts him in direct conflict with his people and his allies, and exposes him to violence.

These are not challenges unique to him. Many of us have found ourselves in situations that require adapting, and perhaps even questioned our beliefs as a result. Hakon is the voice of all of those who had the courage to speak and live differently because their moral compass and their internal voice told them it was right to do so. And they listened.

So that brings me to the second question: “what makes a Viking like Hakon relatable?” The short answer to that is his “humanness.” He is not one dimensional. He decides on who he wants to be, and without any support, sticks to it. That said, he is not without his doubts, and is not beyond questioning his path. All of those things combine to create the stew that is life and that is real and relatable. Most of us experience that at some point in our lives.

At some point in history, Hakon is given the byname, “the Good.” It is not clear exactly why. Was it because he brought the law-assemblies back and made them relevant again? Was it because he prevailed as a warrior? Was it because he was well spoken and just? Was it because he was Christian? Perhaps it was all of these things. We will never know. But we do know that Hakon lived by a different code amongst his warriors, and by that very fact, became someone to which we can all relate at some level.

ABOUT RAVEN’S FEAST

Raven’s Feast is the sequel to God’s Hammer, the true story of Hakon Haraldsson and his quest to win and keep the High Seat of Viking Age Norway.

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It is 935 A.D. and Hakon Haraldsson has just wrested the High Seat of the North from his ruthless brother, Erik Bloodaxe. Now, he must fight to keep it.

The land-hungry Danes are pressing from the south to test Hakon before he can solidify his rule. In the east, the Uplanders are making their own plans to seize the throne. It does not help that Hakon is committed to his dream of Christianizing his people – a dream his countrymen do not share and will fight to resist.

As his enemies move in and his realm begins to crumble, Hakon and his band of oath-sworn warriors must make a stand in Raven’s Feast, the riveting sequel to God’s Hammer.

“At its core, Raven’s Feast is more than a story about a young king holding firm to the power he has won in Viking Norway,” said Eric Schumacher, author of Raven’s Feast. “It is the story of a young man holding true to one’s self and convictions in the face of extreme challenges — something to which, I hope, many people can relate.”

This guest post is brought to you in association with Historical Fiction Virtual Book Tours.

Want to learn more about Eric? Visit his home on the Web at EricSchumacher.net, like him on Facebook, and follow him on Twitter, GoodReads, and AUTHORSdb.

Don’t forget to order Raven’s Feast at one of these fine online retailers: Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and IndieBound.

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