If you’re the kind of reader who gets excited at the mention of Lindisfarne, who has opinions about the Danelaw, or who secretly wishes the Norse gods had held out a bit longer against the encroaching tide of Christianity – then Harry Harrison’s The Hammer and the Cross might be exactly your kind of alternate-history fix.
Set in the 9th century during the height of Viking raids on Anglo-Saxon England, this book is the first in a trilogy that asks a bold, deliciously provocative question: what if the Norse had fought back against Christianization with more coordination – and more firepower?
But fair warning: this isn’t your typical historical fiction. This is alternate history with a vengeance. Harrison blends real-world history with speculative “what ifs” in a world where Norsemen don’t just raid monasteries – they challenge the entire Christian order of Europe. If you’re coming from the Bernard Cornwell camp, be prepared to suspend a bit more disbelief – but if you’re willing to go along for the ride, there’s plenty to enjoy.
Meet Shef Sigvarthsson: The Pagan Revolutionary
Our protagonist is Shef, a half-English, half-Danish slave with a mind for invention and a bone-deep hatred of authority – whether it comes robed in bishop’s finery or wrapped in a jarl’s furs. Shef isn’t your standard sword-swinging Viking hero. He’s something of a Norse Da Vinci – an engineer, tinkerer, and reluctant warrior who rises from obscurity to become the central figure in a rebellion not just against political tyranny, but against the religious monopoly of the Christian Church.
What makes Shef stand out is his refusal to accept the world as it is. Whether he’s building war machines, debating theology, or organizing commoners against the elite, he’s always questioning, experimenting, and pushing boundaries. Harrison clearly uses Shef as a vehicle for exploring broader themes – technology versus superstition, decentralized belief versus institutional power, and the birth of ideas that feel anachronistically modern in a medieval setting.
Some readers might find Shef’s scientific insight a little too modern, but it’s part of the speculative fun. This is less “pure history” and more “medieval punk” – an alternate timeline where Viking ingenuity threatens to rewrite the future.
The World Reimagined
Harrison does a solid job grounding the world in real events and people – from the Saxon kings and the Viking jarls to the Carolingian Empire – but he remixes the elements to create a parallel universe. The Norse religion in The Hammer and the Cross isn’t just background color. It’s a living, breathing worldview in conflict with Christianity. Shef’s growing leadership among the pagan factions isn’t just political – it’s spiritual.
The series treats Norse mythology seriously, even respectfully, as a legitimate alternative to Christianity, not just a fading superstition. The old gods may not literally walk the earth, but their presence is felt through dreams, omens, and cultural momentum. The result is a version of the Viking world where Odin’s wisdom and Thor’s strength are more than metaphor – they’re rallying points for resistance.
And while Harrison takes clear liberties with history, they’re done in service of exploring a powerful counterfactual: what if the old gods had been given one last, solid chance to fight for the soul of Europe?
Politics, Warfare, and War Machines
One of the coolest parts of the book (and the series as a whole) is its treatment of early technology. Shef isn’t just a thinker—he’s a builder. From Greek fire to catapults, the series plays with the idea that technological innovation could shift the balance of power during the early medieval period. It’s speculative, yes, but also grounded enough in plausibility to be fascinating.
The military strategy is also thoughtfully constructed. Harrison doesn’t just throw armies together for spectacle – there’s a real interest in tactics, siege warfare, and how belief systems shape the conduct of war. At times, the battles feel like chess games with gods hovering over the board.
Why You Should You Read It
If you’re just curious about how alternate history can bring new perspectives to familiar eras, Harrison’s work is worth a read. It challenges assumptions, takes risks, and – most importantly – makes the dark ages period feel dangerous, alive, and full of untaken paths.
This book doesn’t just ask “what happened?” – it asks “what could have happened if things had gone just a little differently?” If you want scrupulous historical accuracy, this isn’t your book.
The Hammer and the Cross is a bold interesting take on the Viking Age. If you like your historical fiction with a dash of sci-fi sensibility and a deep respect for Norse mythology, it’s well worth your time.
