The Last KingdomFrom Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The Last Kingdom

Cover to the UK first edition

Author(s) Bernard Cornwell

Country United Kingdom

Language English

Series The Saxon Stories

Genre(s) Historical novel

Publisher HarperCollins

Publication date 4 October 2004

Media type Print (Hardback &Paperback)

Pages 400 pp (hardback edition) & 384 pp (paperback

edition)

ISBN ISBN 0-00-714990-5(hardback edition) &ISBN

0-06-053280-7(paperback edition)

OCLC Number 56647847

Followed by The Pale Horseman

The Last Kingdom is the first book in The Saxon Stories series by Bernard Cornwell. The series follows the

wars between King Alfred the Great and the Danes or Vikings. The Last Kingdomfocuses on Uhtred's

upbringing and early adulthood. The book begins when Uhtred marches with his father to war against the

Danes at the age of ten. He links his destiny to the Sceadugenga or "Shadow-Walkers".

Contents

  [hide]

1 Plot summary

2 Characters in "The Last Kingdom"

o 2.1 Fictional

o 2.2 Historical

3 Release details

[edit]Plot summary

866 - 876: Osbert is 10 years old and the second son of Ealdorman Uhtred, Lord of Bebbanburg inNorthumbria.

Danes raid Bebbanburg and Ealdorman Uhtred's first son, also called Uhtred, is killed and his body desecrated

after he is sent out to scout the raiders. Osbert is now the oldest son of Ealdorman Uhtred and is re-baptised

Uhtred. Ealdorman Uhtred seeks to avenge his son's death. He is killed during the failed attack on Eoferwic

(York) and Uhtred is captured by Earl Ragnar the Fearless of the Danes during the battle. Ragnar, intrigued

and amused by the boy's attempted attack during the battle, retains him in his household. Uhtred's uncle,

Ælfric, takes Bebbanburg and the title of Ealdorman for himself although Uhtred is the rightful heir.

Uhtred describes his life among the Danes, moving to the country with Ragnar and his men, working like a

slave and fighting with other boys, slaves and Danes alike. Uhtred befriends Ragnar's son Rorik and has many

clashes with one boy in particular, Sven, son of Kjartan, a shipmaster in Ragnar's small fleet. One day,

Ragnar's daughter, Thyra, is kidnapped by Sven out in the woods, and he tries to convince her to touch him

sexually. Uhtred charges Sven from hiding, taking his sword and chopping into his thigh. He then slashes at

Sven's side. Uhtred, Rorik, and Thyra make an escape back to Ragnar's hall where they each recount the tale

to Ragnar. He is offended and deeply angry. He proceeds to Kjartan, and crushes one of Sven's eyes with the

hilt of his sword.

Uhtred then goes Viking across East Anglia, and participates in the conquering of Mercia, East Anglia, and the

invasion of Wessex. He is kidnapped by a priest, Beocca, a family friend. He then escapes from Wessex and

joins Ragnar again.

Uhtred enjoys life with the Danes but flees after Kjartan kills Ragnar in a hall-burning. Uhtred hopes to escape

the assassins of Kjartan by sending out the lie that he died. Uhtred then joins King Alfred in Wessex. There he

learns to read and write, and sails with Alfred's fleet of 12 ships against the Danes. After a battle with the

Danes he again meets Ragnar the younger, son of Earl Ragnar, the man who adopted him and tells him how

his father died. They part but there remains friendship between them. Seeking to take command of the fleet, he

gains it on the condition that he marry the orphaned Wessex girl Mildrith. After doing so, he takes part in a

siege against Guthrum, and is among a group of hostages exchanged when the Danes and Saxons agree on

peace. Staying with the Danes in the city over winter he again meets Ragnar. When Guthrum breaks the peace

and murders the Saxon hostages, Uhtred is saved by Ragnar. He then escapes to find his wife. She was taken

by Odda the Younger, another Wessex ealdorman(earl or noble), to the north. There he fights in the battle

at Cynwit, where Uhtred finds himself fighting against Ubba Lothbrokson's Danes. The book ends with Uhtred

fighting in a shield-wall and killing Ubba.

[edit]Characters in "The Last Kingdom"

Revised cover for the mass-market paperback.

[edit]Fictional

Uhtred  - the Protagonist, narrator, dispossessed Ealdorman of Bebbanburg originally called Osbert

Earl Ragnar the Fearless - Danish warlord who adopts Uhtred

Ragnar Ragnarsson (Ragnar the Younger) - Ragnar's son, Uhtred's foster brother and close friend

Rorik Ragnarsson - Ragnar's younger son and Uhtred's childhood friend

Thyra Ragnarsdottir - Ragnar's daughter kidnapped by Kjartan

Brida - East Anglian Saxon girl, Uhtred's lover and friend

Sigrid - Earl Ragnar's wife and mother to Ragnar the Younger, Rorik and Thyra

Ravn - blind skald and Earl Ragnar's father

Sven Kjartansson - Uhtred's sworn enemy and Kjartan's son

Kjartan - Danish shipmaster who destroys Uhtred's future

Father Beocca - Alfred's priest and Uhtred's family friend

Mildrith - Uhtred's pious West Saxon wife

Leofric - Uhtred's friend, warrior and shipmaster

Odda the Younger - Ealdorman Odda's son and Uhtred's enemy

Ælfric - Uhtred's uncle and usurper of the throne of Bebbanburg

Lord Uhtred of Bebbanburg - Uhtred's father

Gytha - Uhtred's stepmother

[edit]Historical

King Alfred of Wessex (Alfred the Great) - the King of Wessex

Guthrum the Unlucky  - Danish warlord called the unlucky

Ubba Lothbroksson  - Danish warlord feared by many, older brother to Ivar and Halfdan

Ivar Lothbroksson  (Ivar the Boneless) - Danish warlord feared by many, brother to Ubba and Halfdan

Halfdan Lothbroksson  - Danish warlord and younger brother of Ubba and Ivar

Ælswith  - Alfred's wife who dislikes Uhtred

Æthelwold  - Alfred's nephew and friend of Uhtred

Ealdorman Odda  - Earldorman of Wessex

King Edmund  of East Anglia

King Osbert  of Northumbria

The Pale HorsemanFrom Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The Pale Horseman

Cover to the UK first edition

Author(s) Bernard Cornwell

Country United Kingdom

Language English

Series The Saxon Stories

Genre(s) Historical novel

Publisher HarperCollins

Publication date 3 October 2005

Media type Print (Hardback &Paperback) and Audio book

Pages 400 pp (hardback edition) & 432 pp (paperback

edition)

ISBN ISBN 0-00-714992-1(hardback edition) &ISBN 0-

00-714993-X(paperback edition)

OCLC Number 60667779

Preceded by The Last Kingdom

Followed by The Lords of the North

The Pale Horseman is a novel by Bernard Cornwell, based in 9th Century Wessex and Cornwall, and is the

second book in his The Saxon Stories series. The book is the sequel to The Last Kingdom, and starts where

that tale left off. Lord Uhtred of Bebbanburg arrives at King Alfred of Wessex's court to proclaim his victory over

the Danish Chieftain, Ubba Lothbrokson, only to find that Ealdorman Odda the Younger of Defnascir has taken

the glory for himself and been named leader of Alfred's bodyguard.

The Lords of the NorthFrom Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The Lords of the North

Cover to the first edition

Author(s) Bernard Cornwell

Country United Kingdom

Language English

Series The Saxon Stories

Genre(s) Historical novel

Publisher HarperCollins

Publication date 22 May 2006

Media type Print (Hardback)

Pages 366 pp (hardback edition)

ISBN ISBN 0-00-721968-7(hardback edition)

OCLC Number 224807788

Preceded by The Pale Horseman

Followed by Sword Song

The Lords of the North is a novel based in 9th Century Anglo-Saxon kingdoms Wessex andNorthumbria. The

book starts where The Pale Horseman left off. It is the third book in Bernard Cornwell's Saxon Stories.

[edit]Plot summary

878 - 881: Uhtred of Bebbanburg makes his way back to his native Northumbria seeking revenge against his

uncle Ælfric and childhood enemies Sven the One-Eyed and Kjartan the Cruel. He travels by ship with his

friend and lover, Hild. They make landfall near Eoferwic (York) to find the region in disarray. Lord Ivarr Ivarsson

and his army are engaged with the Scots in the north. The formerly Danish-held Eoferwic has been conquered

by Saxons. The central lands of Dunholm are ravaged by Kjartan and Sven, and Bebbanburg remains under

the control of Ælfric. Uhtred is hired to escort a Danish merchant's family north, through Dunholm, to safety.

As they travel and attempt to avoid the Dunholm fortress and Kjartan's troops, they are unsuccessful and are

led into a slave trading camp led by Sven. Uhtred disguises himself as Thorguild the Leper, Dark Swordsman

of Niffelheim, and convinces Sven he is sent from the dead to haunt him. He frees Danish King Guthred of

Cumbraland from the slave pens.

In Cumbraland, Uhtred becomes the commander of Guthred's household troops and adviser. He trains a band

of thirty new warriors and stops an attempt by Kjartan to capture him and Guthred. Uhtred supports Guthred's

bid for power against the rival factions of Northumbria, including his uncle Ælfric who now rules Bebbanburg.

He falls in love with Gisela, Guthred's sister, before being betrayed by Guhtred and cast into slavery.

During two years spent chained to the oar of a Danish trading ship, Uhtred befriends Finan the Agile, a former

warrior. Uhtred is rescued by Steapa and Ragnar who pursued the trading ship in their Red Ship on the orders

of King Alfred. Uhtred returns to Wessex to learn that it was Hild who convinced Alfred to send Steapa and

Ragnar to his rescue. Hild had promised to Alfred that she would use Uhtred's hoard of silver to build an abbey

and recommit herself to Christ, and in return Alfred agreed to rescue Uhtred.

Uhtred, Father Beocca, Steappa and Ragnar are sent on embassy to Guthred with a message to make peace

in Northumbria. They arrive in Guthred's court to find that Gisela was married to Ælfric via proxy in return for

support against Kjartan. Uhtred is certain his uncle will send no men to support Guthred. He chases off Ælfric's

men without allowing them to take Gisela, kills Ælfric's monk Jænberht and leads Guthred's men against

Dunholm himself.

Uhtred's plan to take Dunholm is to once again become a sceadugengan. In the darkness, he along with

eleven of his best men climb the hill upon which Dunholm sits and sneak into the fort through a gate used to

fetch well water. Although they are discovered, they are assisted by Ragnar's sister Thyra, who has been held

by Sven and Kjartan since the events of "The Last Kingdom". Her assistance allows Uhtred to open the gate for

Ragnar with the main forces of Guthred's army to enter the stronghold. Kjartan and Sven are killed and

Guthred transfers control of Dunholm to Ragnar.

Guthred's claim to the throne of Northumbria is not complete yet. Guthred's army meets Ivarr's stronger force in

the field. Uhtred provokes Ivarr into single combat and the novel ends with Uhtred winning the duel against

Ivarr.

[edit]Characters in "Lords of the North"

Uhtred  - the Protagonist, narrator, dispossessed Ealdorman of Bebbanburg

King Alfred of Wessex  - The King of Wessex

Guthrum/King Aethelstan  - Danish and Christian King of East Anglia

Guthred - Danish slave rescued by Uhtred and proclaimed King of Northumbria

Gisela - Danish woman, sister of Guthred

Hild - Saxon woman, a former nun who becomes Uhtred's companion

Ragnar Ragnarsson - Danish Warlord, son of Earl Ragnar, and Uhtred's foster brother and close friend

Ælfric - Uhtred's uncle and usurper of the throne of Bebbanburg

Father Beocca - Alfred's priest and Uhtred's family friend

Kjartan the Cruel - Master of Dunholm, killer of Earl Ragnar the Fearless

Sven the One-Eyed - One-eyed son of Kjartan, enemy of Uhtred

Thyra Ragnarsdottir - Sister of Ragnar, kidnapped by Sven

Ivarr Ivarsson - Danish Warlord, son of Ivar the Boneless

Rypere - Saxon boy Uhtred trains

Clapa - Danish boy Uhtred trains

Sihtric Kjartansson - Kjartan's illegitimate son sworn to Uhtred

Jænberht and Ida - Monks in the employ of Ælfric

Abbot Eadred - Guthred's chief supporter and possessor of Saint Cuthbert's corpse

Father Hrothweard - Priest in Eoferwic

Tekil - Warrior employed by Kjartan

Sverri Ravnsson - Danish trader from Jutland who buys Uhtred as a slave from

Hakka - Sverri's Frisian right-hand man

Finan the Agile - Irish slave and warrior Uhtred befriends

Sword Song (novel)From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Sword Song

The Sword Song 1st edition cover

Author(s) Bernard Cornwell

Cover artist Larry Rostant

Country United Kingdom

Language English

Series The Saxon Stories

Genre(s) Historical Novel

Publisher HarperCollins

Publication date September 2007

Media type Print (Hardback &Paperback)

Pages 366 pp (first edition, hardback)

ISBN ISBN 978-0007219711(first edition, hardback)

OCLC Number 123796905

Preceded by The Lords of the North

Followed by The Burning Land

Sword Song is the fourth in the bestselling Saxon Stories series from historical novelist Bernard Cornwell. The

protagonist, Uhtred, holds the fate of Wessex in his sword again and the book follows Alfred's efforts to protect

Wessex and unite England. The book was released on September 3 2007.[1]

Contents

  [hide]

1 Plot summary

2 Characters in "Sword Song"

3 Publication history

4 Notes

[edit]Plot summary

Uhtred is serving Alfred, King of Wessex, by building one of the fortified towns that will make up Alfred's system

of defense against attacks by the Danes when he learns that two powerful Norse leaders have occupied nearby

London, giving them the ability to interfere with traffic on the Thames to and from Wessex. He is contacted by

his former friend, Danish chieftain Haesten, who invites him to a meeting across the Thames in Mercia.

Haesten takes Uhtred to a graveyard, where a corpse appears to rise from the earth to tell Uhtred that the

Fates have decreed he is to be King of Mercia. Torn between his oath to Alfred, whom he dislikes, and the

temptation to become a king in his own right, he follows Haesten to London, where he meets the Norse leaders

Sigefrid and his brother Erik. Haesten and the Norse brothers have a proposition for Uhtred: if Uhtred

convinces his foster-brother Lord Ragnar of Northumbria to bring Ragnar's men to join them in attacking East

Anglia, Mercia and Wessex, then Uhtred will be given the throne of Mercia while the others rule East Anglia

and Wessex.

Uhtred ponders this offer while Sigefrid invites him to watch the crucifixion of some Christian prisoners. Among

the prisoners Uhtred recognizes his old comrade at arms, the Welshman Father Pyrlig. Uhtred decides to save

Pyrlig (and lose his chance to join Sigefrid's plot). Knowing Pyrlig to be an experienced fighter, Uhtred tricks

Sigefrid into promising the prisoners can go free if Pyrlig beats him in single combat - which he promptly does.

Uhtred, Pyrlig and the prisoners leave London.

Returning to Wessex with Pyrlig, Uhtred is summoned by Alfred and ordered to plan an attack on London to

dislodge the Norse brothers and turn the city over to Alfred's son-in-law and ally Earl Aethelred of Mercia.

By stealth Uhtred's seaborne assault works and the defenders of London are caught out in the open as they

sally forth to confront Aethelred larger attacking army. Wedged between what was their safe London refuge

and the Saxons in front of them and Uhtred force behind, the Norse are defeated. A particularly cruel blow is

struck by Osferth (King Alfred's illegitimate son) who leaps from the walls onto Sigefrid and injures him, leaving

him crippled.

Sigefrid, Erik, and Haesten retire to East Anglia and fortune smiles on them again when Aethelred mounts a

seaborne raid on their hurt forces. However they stay too long amongst their enemies after initial success and

in the process, Aethelred manages to lose his wife, Aethelflaed.

Alfred is distraught at the threat to his daughter and is willing the ransom her from his foes. Uhtred is sent to

negotiate the price and terms with Sigefrid. Whilst in their camp he learns that Erik and Aethelflaed have fallen

in love, whereupon Erik and he plot to spirit her away from her captors; all without either of their leaders

knowing what they plan.

The battle in the mouth for the inlet where the Vikings have holed up is as desperate as they come, with it often

being none too clear who is fighting for whom. This climax to the narrative is fought over marshland, waterside,

on ship and across ships. Erik is killed by Sigefrid, but Uhtred and his crew quickly gain victory over Sigefrid's

own warriors, and Sigefrid himself is killed by Osferth. Aethelflaed is rescued and the story ends with Uhtred

taking her back to her father.

[edit]Characters in "Sword Song"

Uhtred Ragnarsson - the Protagonist, dispossessed Ealdorman of Bebbanburg, narrator[2]

Gisela - Uhtred's wife

Stiorra - Uhtred's baby daughter

Uhtred Uhtredson - Uhtred's son

King Alfred of Wessex  - the King of Wessex

Aethelflaed  - King Alfred's daughter and wife to Athelred

Aethelred  - Ealdorman of Mercia and Alfred's son in law

Aethelwold of Wessex  - Nephew of King Alfred

Steapa Snotor - A fierce Saxon warrior, captain of Alfred's house troops

Father Pyrlig - A British priest and warrior who is a close friend of Uhtred

Sihtric Kjartansson - Kjartan's illegitimate son sworn to Uhtred

Father Beocca - Uhtred's friend and teacher

Father Willibald- West Saxon Priest and good friend of Uhtred.

Thyra Ragnarsdottir - Father Beocca's wife

Osferth - Leofric's nephew and Alfred's illegitimate son

Ralla - Uthred's new shipmaster

Finan (the Agile) - Irish ex-slave and captain of Uhtred's household troops

Rypiere - a Saxon, one of Uhtred's household troops and oath-men

Clapa - One of Uhtred's household troops and oath-men

Cerdic - One of Uhtred's household troops and oath-men

Sigefrid - A Norse warlord antagonist with an ambition to conquer Wessex

Erik - Sigefrid's brother

Earl Haesten - A prisoner who broke a life-oath to Uhtred who is now a powerful enemy (seemingly based

on a Viking leader of the same name recorded in the Anglo Saxon Chronicle)