Peter David Richards

Peter Richards has a home in Normandy, France. He is a dedicated historian who, after a visit to Hambye Abbey, close to his home, was inspired to investigate the possibility of studying medieval history at university as a mature student. The available syllabuses did not match his requirements, so he decided to create his own; one that focussed on medieval history in Normandy. After a great deal of research and library time, he discovered that despite being an interesting subject to study, not everything was 'going in and staying in' and so he decided to write a historical novel or rather a series of them. The more he researched, the more he discovered that Normandy was a treasure trove of historical fact and a perfect setting for his series of historical fiction, "The Leopards of Normandie". The series focuses on the formative years of the Duchy of Normandy seen through the collective eyes of many generations of a local family. Starting with the colonisation of the region by Viking invaders through to the Norman invasion of Saxon England and beyond, the series covers centuries of the family's odyssey over many generations.

The author is also a keen cyclist and the region provides memorable cycle routes along which he takes groups of touring riders to and from the objects of his research.

"I have always been fascinated by medieval history and when I started to study it and specifically in Normandy, I discovered that the region was a rich source of historical fact. It has made a significant contribution to world history in each century since Rollo the Walker and his Viking raiders settled in 911 AD. I decided to write the first book in the series "Flight of the Ravens" which was published in January 2020" he said.

​

The series 'The Leopards of Normandie" was conceived as a work of 'factional fiction' in which two fictional characters, 10th-century Norwegian Vikings create a dynasty after travelling through the medieval landscape of Northern Europe in pursuit of their destiny. The three hundred years of the 'Viking Age' are drawing to a close and they take to the sea to escape the dark forces that are threatening to envelop them at home. Their story is set against real events and milestones and the writer strives to make his characters and their stories as authentic and accurate as his extensive research has allowed. The events, journeys and (most of) the characters are all real and the saga of the 'Wandering Warriors' was one which many young men, over a thousand years ago, might have undertaken. The Seeds of Odin, Dangerous Companions and (now) the Shieldmaiden's Curse continue the series at pace as one generation takes over from the next in a fast-moving saga.

The main protagonists travel thousands of miles in search of reputation and silver which they find in abundance, at least when either Odin (or the White Christ) is smiling upon them. The road they travel is a rocky one and they are forced to fight every inch of the way for what they must take and hold by force. As Torstein, the Warrior Skald, one of the main characters, once said: "When you tell Odin your plans, you realise that he has a sense of humour."

​

"Many years ago when I lived on the rocky west coast of Norway I often wondered what it must have been like for the Vikings to leave their homes in seemingly frail craft to see what was on the other side of the ocean. Now, I think I am a little closer to their truth," Peter Richards.