Eric's Invasion

Museum Catalog Entry "Eric's Invasion" by Eleanor M. Ingram is a historical romance set during Viking-Saxon conflict. A Norse sea-king, Earl Eric, arrives at a Saxon castle expecting to find the Thane Alred but instead encounters the castle's sole female inhabitants—Alred's orphaned niece Lady Elfrida and her maidens. Elfrida cleverly admits the castle's defenselessness to forestall destruction. Eric is immediately entranced by her exotic beauty but becomes furious upon learning she is betrothed to the elderly nobleman Wulfred. Offering marriage, he is coldly refused. Departing, Eric announces to his men that Elfrida is his future wife, thereby protecting the castle. The narrative follows Elfrida's growing regret at rejecting him and her mounting distaste for her aged betrothed, while Eric is reported gravely wounded in battle. The story concludes with Elfrida's emotional deterioration as winter approaches.