Tag: Danes

Book Review: “The Empty Throne” (Book 8 of the Saxon Stories Series) by Bernard Cornwell

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There’s nothing like a quest to keep a man going, even on the brink of death, but in the case of Uhtred of Bebbanburg, he has several quests. His main goal is to reclaim his birthright, Bebbanburg, but he also wants to help fulfill Alfred’s dream of uniting the kingdoms to create England. However, life can present even more challenges, and Uhtred knows this all too well. Uhtred not only has to save a royal heir and his daughter, but he also must find the sword that wounded him and place a woman on a throne to rule in a time when women were seen rather than heard. It’s a lot to do, but if anyone is up to the task, it is Uhtred of Bebbanburg. The question is, will he survive? Bernard Cornwell brings us another action-packed novel full of adventures in book 8 of the Saxon Stories series, “The Empty Throne.”

Cornwell begins with Uhtred, the young Uhtred, who is serving Lady Aethelflaed as she fights against the Danes. Their enemies believe the elder Uhtred is dead, but he is far from it. Unfortunately, Uhtred the elder was injured during his fight with Cnut, and the injury is causing him pain. But a little pain is not going to stop Uhtred from fulfilling his oaths. He finds out that Lord Aethelhelm is after Aethelstan, the illegitimate son of King Edward, who actually might be legitimate. Aethelstan is staying safe with Uhtred’s daughter Stiorra, but when Uhtred realizes they are in danger, he rushes to their aid. What Uhtred does not realize is that his daughter Stiorra is a pagan and is stronger than he thinks.

Once things are settled with his family, Uhtred receives word that Lady Aethelflaed will be fighting for the throne of Mercia as her husband Aethelred is dying. It’s a risky endeavor, as women did not rule during this time, but Uhtred the Elder comes up with a plan to make sure she becomes Aethelflaed, Lady of the Mercians. Finally, Uhtred must find Cnut’s sword Ice-Spite, and the journey will lead him to Wales, a great battle, and one of Uhtred’s children leaving on their own adventure.

This is so far my favorite book in the series. The fact that we got to see Aethelflaed become the Lady of the Mercians while Uhtred stood by her side. We got to see Uhtred the Younger and Stiorra grow up in this book and start on their own paths. And of course, we get to see Uhtred of Bebbanburg and his men being badasses in battle. Such a fun and thrilling novel, and I can’t wait to see where Cornwell takes this series. If you are a fan of the first seven books in the Saxon Stories series, you will love “The Empty Throne” by Bernard Cornwell.

Book Review: “The Pagan Lord”(Book 7 of the Saxon Stories Series) by Bernard Cornwell

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The island we know as England is on the cusp of the 10th century. King Alfred is dead, and his son Edward now rules. The kingdom of Wessex is still standing strong, and it looks like the Danes are behaving themselves and keeping the peace, for now. Unfortunately, things are not going smoothly for Uhtred of Bebbanburg. He gets into a bit of mischief and becomes a target of Cnut Longsword, the Viking leader, all while trying to fight for his right to rule his beloved Bebbanburg. Can Lord Uhtred survive his latest adventure, or will his Saxon allies save him in the nick of time? This is the premise of Uhtred’s latest adventure, “The Pagan Lord,” Book 7 in the Saxon Stories series by Bernard Cornwell.

We reunite with our ruffian hero Uhtred of Bebbanburg on a dark, stormy night, when he is riding through a town with his second son Osbert and Aethelstan, the illegitimate son of Alfred. They are then accosted by a gaggle of priests, which includes his eldest son, Uhtred, soon to become a Christian priest, and Abbot Wihtred. This one encounter will alter how the Saxons will view Uhtred because not only does he disinherit his eldest son, but kills Abbot Wihtred, which makes him an outlaw in the eyes of the Saxons. Osbert is renamed Uhtred Uhtredson, and the group moves on like nothing happened, but the damage is already done.

A tired Uhtred comes home to burning buildings, dead comrades, a blind father Cuthbert, and Uhtred’s woman Sigunn kidnapped. Uhtred begins to wonder which one of his numerous enemies kidnapped Sigunn. Turns out this is revenge from Cnut Longsword, who believes that Uhtred kidnapped his children and his wife. Obviously, Uhtred knows nothing about it, but decides to work with Cnut to clear his name, at least for the time being. Uhtred’s journey to save Cnut’s family will see him in his beloved Bebbanburg and reunited with his lovers Sigunn and Lady Aetheflaed. While Uhtred is considered an outlaw to the Saxons, he still chooses to side with them at the battle of Tettenhall, where he clashes with Cnut Longsword one final time in a fight to the death.

I have been loving this series so far because of how dynamic the characters are, especially Uhtred of Bebbanburg. He gets into so many scraps, but he keeps his home, his family, and his allies in mind whenever he fights. I am always excited to read a new Saxon Stories novel, but I am also a bit sad because I know it’s one book closer to finishing this fantastic series. If you are like me and have finished the first six books in the Saxon Stories, I highly recommend that you read book seven in the series, “The Pagan Lord” by Bernard Cornwell.

Book Review: “The Burning Land”(Book Five of the Saxon Stories series) by Bernard Cornwell

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the burThe ninth century is coming to a close. King Alfred is dying, and his young son Edward is untested on the battlefield. Alfred wants Uhtred to swear his loyalty to his son Edward, but Uhtred wants to be free to recapture his beloved Bebbanburg. The Danes, led by the warrior Harald Bloodhair are on the warpath—just a typical mission for our intrepid Saxon lord who was raised by Danes warrior Uhtred of Bebbanburg. However, there is always a catch, and the major obstacle in his path is a fair woman with a fiery temper named Skade. How can one woman and her plans make Uhtred of Bebbanburg quake in his boots? Book number 5 in the Saxon Stories, “The Burning Land” by Bernard Cornwell, holds all the answers in the next adventure for Uhtred and his men.

We begin our latest adventure with Uhtred as he embarks on a journey in his ship Seolferwulf to make a deal with Jarl Haesten in Alfred’s name. There, we first hear the names Harald Bloodhair and Skade as Haesten warns our hero to be wary of what they will do. As Uhtred and his men raid another town, they come across the sorceress Skade and bring her to the court of Alfred to lure Harald out of hiding to have one epic battle to protect Wessex.

Uhtred’s plan works well, and he does secure a significant victory, but success comes with a heavy price. Skade is furious and curses Uhtred, which he laughs off until he discovers that his wife, Gisela, and their third child died during childbirth. We have seen Uhtred go through so many moments of grief and loss, but this moment pushes him over the edge and causes him to lose control. Uhtred’s actions are so deplorable in front of King Alfred and his court that he is banished, and his children are taken away from his care to be raised as Christians, against Uhtred’s wishes.

Here, Uhtred’s loyalty to Alfred and his family is tested as he is reunited with his friends Ragnar and Brida. He is given a choice on whether to stay loyal to the king he has served for years or to join his Danish family once again. I wouldn’t have blamed him if he abandoned Alfred and Edward to join Ragnar and Brida. Still, an unexpected person calls for his aid, that person being Aethelflaed, the one person in Alfred’s family that he cares about. The final battle in this book cements where Uhtred’s loyalty will remain, but it will also be challenging for Uhtred.

Cornwell continues to weave a fascinating tale of sorrow, woe, and triumphs for the fearless Uhtred of Bebbanburg. Another delightful adventure with Uhtred of Bebbanburg; if you have been reading the Saxon Stories, I recommend you read book 5, “The Burning Land” by Bernard Cornwell.

Book Review: “Sword Song”(Book Four of the Saxon Stories series) by Bernard Cornwell

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sword songThe year is 855, and the country that one day will be known as England is relatively peaceful. The Danes have their kingdom in the north, while the Saxons, under King Alfred, rule Wessex in the south. Uhtred of Bebbanburg, a Saxon man raised by Danish warriors, lives with his wife Gisela and his children in Wessex, where he is sworn to protect Alfred and his family. It is a touchy alliance, but when rumors about a dead man speaking reach Uhtred’s home, he knows that he must pick up Serpent-Breath once again and make a choice that could change the direction of England as a whole. What do the dead man and new Viking invaders have in plan for Uhtred, and how will it affect Wessex and the rule of King Alfred? Another engaging adventure for Uhtred of Bebbanburg is book four of The Saxon Tales, “Sword Song” by Bernard Cornwell.

As someone who has grown to love the adventures of Uhtred of Bebbanburg, first from the TV show “The Last Kingdom” and now through the books, I wanted to continue the journey through the books. There is something so compelling about this Saxon world that Bernard Cornwell crafted with love and attention.

We join Uhtred and his men, Sihtric and Finan, on a night raid where they come across a brand new batch of Vikings. When Uhtred returns home, Aethelwold tells him how a dead man was brought back to life and says that he would be the King of Wessex and Uhtred would become King of Mercia. A far-fetched tale, but Uhtred decides that he must check it out, even if that means breaking his oath to Alfred. It is when he hears the dead man speak himself that he meets Haesten, and he hears about the Viking brothers Siegfried and Erik, who have lofty ambitions.

Meanwhile, in Alfred’s court, Alfred’s daughter Aethelflaed marries Aethelred of Mercia to form a strong alliance. It looks like it is a perfect match. Behind closed doors, Aethelred is abusive to Aethelflaed when Siegfried and Erik attack. Uhtred and Aethelred must reluctantly work together for the survival of Wessex and England as a whole.

Epic battles, twisted political ploys, and romance all intertwine in this novel as Uhtred works hard to fulfill his oath to Alfred. “Sword Song” is a bit slower in pace compared to the first three books in the series, but I see it as Cornwell showing that not every adventure with Uhtred is going to be fast-paced. There will be times when he has to negotiate and think methodically to ensure his mission is complete and no one he cares about will be harmed. It is a different side to Uhtred of Bebbanburg’s story, but it is one that I appreciate. If you have enjoyed the first three books in the Saxon Tales series, you need to read “Sword Song” by Bernard Cornwell.

Guest Post: “Viking England during the life of Earl Godwine” by Mercedes Rochelle

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The Last Great Earls Tour Banner 1I am pleased to welcome Mercedes Rochelle to my blog today to discuss Viking England during the life of Earl Godwine, as part of the blog tour for her novel, “Godwine Kingmaker” of The Last Great Saxon Earls series. I would like to thank Mercedes Rochelle and The Coffer Pot Book Club, for allowing me to be part of this tour.

During Godwine’s rise to power, England lived under Danish rule from 1016-1042, though for some reason we rarely talk about it. That’s a whole generation! Sweyn Forkbeard conquered England in 1013 and was declared king, sending Aethelred the Unready into exile to Normandy along with his sons Edward and Alfred. But mysteriously, Sweyn died after only five weeks on the throne, and the Danelaw immediately declared his second son Canute king of England. However, the southerners had other ideas and recalled Aethelred, who gladly returned and drove the usurper out. This didn’t last long!

By late 1015, Canute came back with a large mercenary army and Wessex submitted to him, although Aethelred was still alive and sulking in London, leaving his son Edmund Ironside to fight his battles. This, too, didn’t last long; King Aethelred took his last breath on 23 April 1016, and London declared Edmund king. Now England had two kings, and so began a treacherous struggle marked by five major battles, men changing sides, a siege of London—where Canute was said to have dug a trench around the city—and many, many dead warriors.

Although Edmund stoutly aided London in its defense against the Danes, he frequently left the city in order to draw Canute away from his siege. It is said Ironside raised five armies that year–one for each battle. The last and most important, the Battle of Assandun took place on October 18 and ended in disaster for the Saxons because of the treachery of Eadric Streona, who took to flight with his forces and turned the tide against Edmund.

This time Canute was determined to end the conflicts. The Saxons withdrew but the Danes followed them up the Severn River into Gloucestershire, finally stopping at an island called Olney (or Alney). There, in deference to the chieftains of the land who had had enough (led by Eadric Streona, who somehow retained the goodwill of Edmund Ironside), the two Kings decided to solve the issue by single combat. This legend comes down to us through the chroniclers, as unlikely as it sounds.

canute the dane
Combat between Canute the Dane and Edmund Ironside, Matthew Paris, Chronica Maiora, Cambridge, Corpus Christi, 26, f. 160 (Wikipedia)

The Saxon King was said to have been the stronger fighter and soon hammered the Dane, breaking his shield and beating him down when Canute called a stop to the fight. “Bravest of youths,” he cried out, “why should either of us risk his life for the sake of a crown?” Edmund paused, considering. “Let us be brothers by adoption,” the Dane continued, “and divide the kingdom, governing so that I may rule your affairs, and you mine.” (Florence of Worcester). 

The single combat story is probably apocryphal, but the ensuing treaty is not. According to their agreement, Canute was to rule Northumbria and Danish Mercia, while Edmund was the ruler of Wessex, Essex, East Anglia, and English Mercia. It’s unclear who was supposed to rule London (I found it stated both ways), but in the end, the Londoners were obliged to come up with their own tribute payment to Canute and permit him to anchor his ships in the Thames for the winter, so I guess the result speaks for itself.

Most importantly, it was stated that this treaty excluded brothers and children of the two Kings; if either was to die, all the possessions would revert to the other. And so when Edmund Ironside died suddenly in the winter of 1016, Canute took the crown and made sure to bring the witnesses forward to confirm the terms of the treaty. An exhausted England accepted his claim without demurring. Canute sent Edmund’s children, Edward and Edmund Aetheling, to the King of Sweden in the hopes that they would be murdered, but instead, they were whisked away to Hungary for safekeeping. Then, in a gesture calculated to appease his new countrymen, Canute married Aethelred’s widow, Emma, making a deal with her that their children from previous marriages would be passed over in favor of any issue of their own. This agreement disinherited Edward and Alfred (safely in Normandy) and Canute’s son Harold Harefoot by his handfasted wife Aelfgifu of Northampton. Emma gave birth to Harthacnut, who was sent to Denmark when he was only eight years old as Canute’s representative under a council led by his brother-in-law Ulf. We don’t see him in England again until 1040.

Godwine Kingmaker CoverBlurb:

They showed so much promise. What happened to the Godwines? How did they lose their grip? Who was this Godwine anyway, the first Earl of Wessex and known as the Kingmaker? Was he an unscrupulous schemer, using King and Witan to gain power? Or was he the greatest of all Saxon Earls, protector of the English against the hated Normans? The answer depends on who you ask.

He was befriended by the Danes, raised up by Canute the Great, and given an Earldom and a wife from the highest Danish ranks. He sired nine children, among them four Earls, a Queen, and a future King. Along with his power came a struggle to keep his enemies at bay, and Godwine’s best efforts were brought down by the misdeeds of his eldest son Swegn.

Although he became father-in-law to a reluctant Edward the Confessor, his fortunes dwindled as the Normans gained prominence at court. Driven into exile, Godwine regathered his forces and came back even stronger, only to discover that his second son Harold was destined to surpass him in renown and glory.

Buy Links:

This series is available on Kindle Unlimited

Universal Link: https://books2read.com/u/38VrJZ

Amazon UK:  https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0BRQMHYWB

Amazon US: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BRQMHYWB

Amazon CA:  https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B0BRQMHYWB

Amazon AU:  https://www.amazon.com.au/dp/B0BRQMHYWB

Audio:  https://www.audible.com/pd/Godwine-Kingmaker-Audiobook/B09JFJCY3G

Mercedes RochelleAuthor Bio

Mercedes Rochelle is an ardent lover of medieval history and has channeled this interest into fiction writing. She believes that good Historical Fiction, or Faction as it’s coming to be known, is an excellent way to introduce the subject to curious readers. She also writes a blog: HistoricalBritainBlog.com to explore the history behind the story.

Born in St. Louis, MO, she received her BA in Literature at the Univ. of Missouri St. Louis in 1979 then moved to New York in 1982 while in her mid-20s to “see the world”. The search hasn’t ended!

Today she lives in Sergeantsville, NJ with her husband in a log home they had built themselves.

Social Media Links:

Website: https://mercedesrochelle.com/

Twitter:   https://twitter.com/authorrochelle

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mercedesrochelle.net

Book Bub:   https://www.bookbub.com/authors/mercedes-rochelle

Amazon Author Page:   https://www.amazon.com/stores/Mercedes-Rochelle/author/B001KMG5P6

Goodreads:   https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/1696491.Mercedes_Rochelle

Book Review: “Lords of the North (Book Three of the Saxon Stories series) by Bernard Cornwell

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2679014King Alfred and Uhtred have achieved a massive victory over the Danes, and as a reward, Alfred has allowed Uhtred to be free of his allegiance. Now, Uhtred travels north to his home, yet fate throws this hero another curveball. He encounters an enslaved person who claims to be the King of Northumbria named Guthred. This chance meeting sends Uhtred on a journey across the seas against his will and to finally face off against Kjartan the Cruel, who captured his stepsister Thyra. Bernard Cornwell takes his readers on another whirlwind adventure into 9th century England with Uhtred of Bebbanburg in the third novel of the Saxon Stories series, “Lords of the North.”

We are reunited with Uhtred in 878, a few months after the great battle from “The Pale Horseman.” Alfred has given Uhtred freedom from his oath, and he travels north to his home with the former nun Hild. Fate throws Uhted another curveball as when he is on an escort mission; he encounters a young, enslaved man named Guthred, the man who holy men believed would be king of Northumbria because of a message from Saint Cuthbert. Uhtred is made Guthred’s right-hand man, and Uhtred falls in love with the king’s sister Gisela. With Guthred, the audience sees the more extreme side of 9th century Christianity with Christian relics and saints that the young king believes will make him a great king like Alfred.

Fate is inevitable and has a path that Uhtred cannot escape, filled with betrayal and heartache. He is making a name for himself when fortune’s wheel takes another turn, and he is betrayed by Guthred and is sold to Sverri, a Danish trader, who uses Uhtred as an enslaved person. Uhtred spends two years on Sverri’s ship with another man, Finan the Agile, who would become Uhtred’s friend. At the end of the two years, Uhtred and Finan are rescued by Ragnar the Younger and Brida, who are now working with Alfred. This is a blessing in disguise because Alfred has a new mission for Uhtred to work with Father Beocca to make peace with Northumbria and Guthred. During this mission, Uhtred and Ragnar realize they have the opportunity to save Ragnar’s sister Thyra from Sven and Kjartan the Cruel.

The third novel in the Saxon Stories series gives the audience a chance to see Uhtred at the lowest point we have seen him so far, as an enslaved person. It is a story of revenge in multiple ways, and the way each revenge plot is executed is thrilling. I also enjoyed Cornwell’s new characters in this novel; the devout Christian convert King Guthred, the beautiful yet strong-willed Gisela, the survivor Thyra, Uhtred’s best friend, loveable warrior Finan, and Kjartan’s bastard son turned ally Sihtric.

I loved that the narrator of this series is an older Uhtred who is reflecting on his adventures as a younger man. It adds more depth to Cornwell’s tales of the Danes and the Saxons in 9th century England. If you have enjoyed the first two books in the Saxon Stories series, you are in for a treat with “Lords of the North” by Bernard Cornwell.

Book Review: “The Pale Horseman (Book Two of the Saxon Stories series) by Bernard Cornwell

On By hmalagisiIn Book Reviews1 Comment

68528._SY475_England is in danger of falling to its Danish invaders. The kingdoms of East Anglia, Northumbria, and Mercia have already fallen; all that stands in the way of complete Danish domination is Wessex and its king Alfred. Yet this king is more of a saint than a warrior, so Alfred desperately needs a man who knows how to fight. A man like Uhtred of Bebbanburg is a skilled warrior even though he doesn’t always see eye to eye with Alfred on matters of faith. When Alfred and his family become fugitives, he must rely on Uhtred to help restore him and his family to ensure Wessex does not fall. This is the premise of book two of The Saxon Stories series by Bernard Cornwell, “The Pale Horseman.”

Cornwell begins this book where we left off in “The Last Kingdom” after the battle of Cynuit and the death of Ubba by Uhtred. Uhtred believes that he will be treated as a hero by Alfred and will receive rewards, but he is wrong. Instead of going straight to Alfred after the battle, Uhtred dallies to rescue his Christian wife Mildrith and his son Uhtred, which allows his rival Odda the Younger to take credit for Ubba’s death. Furious at his king, Alfred shows how naive he is, forcing Alfred to humiliate Uhtred in front of the entire royal court by penance; Uhtred decides to take his men and his friend Leofric on some raids in the northern part of England.

Uhtred falls for the beguiling beauty and shadow queen Iseult during this raiding expedition, even though he still has a wife and child at home. Torn between his sworn loyalty to the Saxons through Alfred and the love for the Danes that raised him as a boy and taught him to fight, Uhtred must find his path and follow his destiny wherever it may lead. Unfortunately, destiny’s path for Uhtred and Alfred led to the near-collapse of Wessex when the Danes invaded, forcing Alfred and his family to seek refuge in the most unlikely of locations, in the middle of a swamp. It is here when everything seems so dark, and all hope is lost when Alfred and Uhtred choose to bury the hatchet for the time being and fight for an idea of a united England.

Cornwell expanded the world of Uhtred and Alfred to give us a glimpse of the conflicts that shaped England in the 9th century. With the growing conflicts, Cornwell grows his colorful cast of characters. We are introduced to Aethelwold, the slimy nephew of Alfred who desires the crown., the warrior nun Hild who is willing to fight for what she believes, and the vicious Viking leader Steapa. With new conflicts come new elements of grief, loss, rage, and renewing hope in our characters as they struggle to survive in such a turbulent time.

If you want to embark on another adventure with Uhtred of Bebbanburg after reading “The Last Kingdom,” I recommend reading “The Pale Horseman” by Bernard Cornwell. I enjoyed “The Pale Horseman” just as I did when I read “The Last Kingdom.” Cornwell’s writing style is so engaging that sometimes it didn’t feel like I was reading but watching these stories play out on the page.

Book Review: “The Last Kingdom”(Book One of the Saxon Stories series) by Bernard Cornwell

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68527England in the 9th century was a land full of dangers and was deeply divided in the form of four main kingdoms; Northumbria, East Anglia, Mercia, and Wessex. One by one, the kingdoms began to fall to the Danes until there was only Wessex that stood in the way of complete conquest. There was a young man who became a king who stood in the way of the invaders. His name was King Alfred the Great, but he was not alone in his quest to unite all of England. His right-hand man was a Northumbrian nobleman who lost his birthright, was raised by the Danes, and had to choose a side in this conflict. His name was Uhtred of Bebbanburg, and his story begins in the first novel of The Saxon Stories series by Bernard Cornwell, “The Last Kingdom.”

This is not my first adventure into the world of The Last Kingdom. Like so many others, I have enjoyed the Netflix series based on this book series. Once I finished the television series, I wanted to read the books to see what other adventures Uhtred had during his lifetime.

Uhtred is our narrator throughout this journey in 9th century England, albeit a bit older. He began his tale in 866 when he was Osbert, the second son of Lord Uhtred of Bebbanburg, and the day the Danes attacked his home. When his older brother Uhtred is slain, Osbert takes up the name of Uhtred and is baptized by the priest Beocca. After a fierce battle, Uhtred’s father is killed, and he is adopted by Ragnar, the leader of the same Danes who have taken everything from him. Uhtred is at first treated as a mere enslaved person, but Ragnar and his family begin to treat Uhtred as one of their own as if he was a Dane. During the time with Ragnar, he is introduced to Ragnar the Younger and Brida.

To see how the Danes raised Uhtred and how he learned to fight in the shield wall was spectacular, and it shows why even though he was born in Northumbria, he believes he is a Dane. Uhtred’s relationship with Ragnar and his family is broken when one of Ragnar’s enemies kills Ragnar and his family, except for Ragnar the Younger, and Thyra. Uhtred and Brida flee and are reunited with Beocca, who introduces Uhtred to the young man who will become King Alfred and one of his military men, Leofric. All Uhtred wants to do is recover Bebbanburg, but destiny changes one’s direction in life.

This is the first book that I have read by Bernard Cornwell, and it was brilliant. The way he could craft a remarkable beginning to Uhtred’s epic tale is astounding. The interactions between Uhtred and those who come to shape him into the legendary man are enjoyable and eye-opening. Cornwell was able to weave the differences in the Danish and Saxon cultures to create a diverse world, one that is vibrant as it is deadly.

The battle sequences set this novel and this series apart from other historical fiction series that I have read. From minor skirmishes to savage shield walls and bloody sea battles, Cornwell was able to create some of the most realistic battle sequences I have ever read.

“The Last Kingdom” by Bernard Cornwell is a triumph. An absolute joy to read and one that I cannot recommend enough for anyone who wants a fantastic historical fiction adventure into 9th century England. I look forward to many more adventures with Uhtred of Bebbanburg.