The Evening and the Morning - Kingsbridge #4 by Ken Follett

 Following the phenomenally successful Pillars of the Earth series, Follett returns with a prequel to the series. Right from the beginning, Follett proves his mastery at story telling.

After a devastating attack by Vikings, a young boatbuilder and his family must start again after losing their father. In Normandy, a young noblewoman falls for a dashing Englishman but finds that there is a huge difference in customs. During a lawless period of time, events try the most loyal against tyrants and swindlers, and only their ingenuity and bravery stand a chance at salvation.

This story is like a time capsule that brings early English history alive and allows us a glimpse of that brutal, yet innocent time.