Shield Maiden
Set in the late 10th century, Shield Maiden is loosely based on the Old English poem Beowulf. Although the poem was not written down until the end of the Viking era, it is believed to have much earlier origins through the oral tradition. Emmerichs has cleverly explored the idea of stories evolving over time by adding new characters, including the heroine of the novel, Fryda. She is the daughter of Lord Weohstan of the Geats, and niece of the now-elderly King Beowulf. A serious injury sustained as a child has left Fryda with a deformed hand and now, aged 20, she has accepted her dreams of becoming a shield maiden will never come true.
In this coming-of-age tale, Fryda starts out as a young naïve girl, controlled by her foolish father and wicked twin brother. As the story progresses, we watch her fall in love with one of her father’s slaves and contend with political corruption, war, bereavement and a shocking betrayal.
Any re-imagining of Beowulf would be sorely lacking without a dragon, and Emmerichs does not disappoint. Her dragon is cursed to sleep for eternity deep beneath the earth, surrounded by glittering treasure. But as the dragon starts to rouse, something stirs within Fryda, too, for they are linked by powerful magic.
By and large, the novel is well-written and immaculately researched, apart from the locusts chirruping in the fields of early medieval Scandinavia. I was also bemused by the ‘foyer’ of a long-house: surely more appropriate for a modern hotel? These small quibbles aside, this is an enjoyable and engaging read which encourages us to question the veracity of ancient stories about extraordinary heroes.
