The ninth installment in the New York Times
bestselling Saxon Tales, the epic saga of the making of England,
magnificently brought to life by “the reigning king of historical
fiction” (USA Today).
A fragile peace reigns in Wessex,
Mercia and East Anglia. King Alfred’s son Edward and formidable
daughter, Aethelflaed, rule the kingdoms. But all around the restless
Northmen, eyeing the rich lands and wealthy churches, are mounting
raids.
Uhtred of Bebbanburg, the kingdoms’ greatest warrior,
controls northern Mercia from the strongly fortified city of Chester.
But forces are gathering against him. Northmen allied to the Irish, led
by the fierce warrior Ragnall Ivarson, are soon joined by the
Northumbrians, and their strength could prove overwhelming. Despite the
gathering threat, both Edward and Aethelflaed are reluctant to move out
of the safety of their fortifications. But with Uhtred’s own daughter
married to Ivarson’s brother, who can be trusted?
In the struggle
between family and loyalty, between personal ambition and political
commitment, there will be no easy path. But a man with a warrior’s
courage may be able to find it. Such a man is Uhtred, and this may be
his finest hour.