Uhthred of Bebbanburg will leave to fight another day, and eventually even claim back his ancestral seat in Nortumberland.

Alfred wants his son, Edward, to succeed him but there are other Saxon claimants to the throne as well as ambitious pagan Vikings to the north. To illustrate: the Danes know that people in tenth century Britain were a superstitious lot (Uhtred included) and they set up and pay a witch to prophesize the doom of Alfred’s allies and the victory of their own side. That isn't to say this book comes to an abrupt ending, but much is left unresolved, and I suspect The Pagan Lord will continue right where things left off here much like The Pale Horseman.He has a modest estate for his service, but little income or honor because of his troublesome heathen ways and antagonism to the church hierarchy that Alfred lets influence his governance. The execution of Charles I is remembered every year on 30 January with a service in the Banqueting House.

I thought I had run out of steam with Uthred and King Alfred and their wars against the Danes in 9th century England. though as that often does the aforementioned groin thing I think that might be a bit of an understatement and his Sword is the wondrous 'Serpent breath' but did Saxons really say things like 'they only come here when they get their arse kicked in Frankia' or other such modern day stuff. He is, by his lights, a man of integrity and loyalty, he recognizes his faults (though doesn't seem to want to do anything to address them which somehow makes him more attractively honest)and he has the great fortune to gather around himself some very quick witted and funny comrades.Uhtred begs King Edward to come and attack, but Edward instead commands Uhtred to bring his men to Lundene, where his army is gathering. A strong chapter in the tales of Uhtred, though I have to wonder if he's ever going to go north and retake his castle as he's been threatening since Book 1? However, Cornwell has stated that it will not be about Thomas of Hookton from The Grail Quest or any of his relatives.

Alfred was dying and his death would surely bring the pagan swords and hearth fire to Mercia and Wessex.

He was a visionary and a wise man, who saw the value of having around him powerful battle lords, and the wisdom of fortifying the burghs of his kingdom againt frequent, but hasty raiders. Discover the joy of reading with us, your trusted source for affordable books that do not compromise on quality. It was exciting, it was brilliantly atmospheric and the stench and sounds and hardness of the 9th Century were, as far as i can imagine, powerfully captured. It is a cleverly written account of an incredibly violent period in british history known as the Dark Ages when the safety and security of the Roman ascendancy had long passed and the harsh moulding of the Norman Conquest or the glory of the Plantagenets was a still a long way in the future. Uhtred, a Saxon who has been raised by a Danish warlord, wants more than anything else to go and reclaim his stolen Northumbrian inheritance.

I have learned not to trust those times, because if the world is at peace then it means someone is planning wars.Alfred the Great is on his death bed, his long illness progressing despite fervent prayers from his priests, and his dream of uniting all Saxon kingdoms under one rule is about to die with him. I just go out into the street and say 'Nathan, time for bed' or 'Nathan, time for supper' and in they come. Alfred gives Uhtred a rich estate in Mercia at Fagranforda, finally rewarding him for his many invaluable services, but presses Uhtred into swearing an oath of loyalty to his son and heir, Edward, before dying. But he knows that if he deserts the King’s cause, Alfred’s dream – and indeed the very future of the English nation – will very likely vanish.