HEROES OF THE WHITE SHIELD

Norway in the tenth century makes a rugged background for the story of Einar, a nobleman's son whose young life bears witness to the warfare within his country and himself, much of it caused by the coming of Christianity. Olav Trygvison has returned from the Mediterranean to become a king who wants to put the Christian religion to practice. Einar, whose father's death is caused by other noblemen- Jarl Eric and his friends- swears revenge by a pagan oath, but at the same time remains loyal to Olay, and is even further torn when he falls in love with Bergliot, Eric's sister. It is this split in loyalties that continues to widen until there is an invasion from Denmark, in which Norway is conquered. There is defeat for Olav, even though the happy outcome is the awareness of Christian principles by both Einar and Eric with the promise of a good future when the conqueror, Sven, leaves them to rule Norway under his tutelage. Rosemary Sprague is a diligent historian and this is in Keeping with the sturdiness of her other work.