AshehougAgency

The King's Mark

During his travels in Norway in 1599 the young King Christian IV arrives in Vardø. There he rapes the sorceress Aona – an incident which will pursue him.

Aona escapes southwards and gives birth to her daughter in the Lofoten islands. The little girl is left to herself, but she has inherited her father’s physical strength and her mother’. . . s powers of enchantment and manages to survive againt all odds. By chance she ends up in Romsdal, when she is taken care of by the law-abiding farmer and landowner Peder Klungnæs. Both are to play an important part when Sinclair and his Scottish mercenaries appear on the scene.

We also follow the story of the king himself, his involvement in major political issues and everyday affairs, his fear of sorcery and his hatred of Catholicism. Most prominent, however, is the conflict with Sweden.

This is a novel about war and the persecution of those who think differently, and a journey through Norway at the beginning of the 17th century. But most of all it is a novel about a poor girl’s longing for her mother. And eventually they are reunited – chained together in the deepest dungeon of the Akershus fortress.

Praise for The Mark of the King:

"... With his novel ”The King’s Mark”, Erling Pedersen has created a magnificent portrait of Norway in the beginning of the 17th century, mixing historical facts with fiction. In addition to telling a thrilling story, he gives us insight into the life of the different social classes in the Norwegian society under King Christian the fourth, as well as into the common history of the Scandinavian countries. Elements of mystique and superstition are woven into the story, enriching the story further. And who knows, maybe there were fairies, trolls and witches who were shape shifters in the old days? You might start wondering after having read this colourful novel"
(Cappelens Bokklubb)

"... great entertainment and a cornucopia of a novel. There is every reason to wait in suspense for the next volume. The author has found interesting material from a step-mum-like treated period of Norwegian history, writes damn well and has over all delivered an impressive literary handicraft..."
(Østlandsposten)

First published: 2006, Aschehoug

Erling Pedersen: Biography and bibliography

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