Bibliography

Date first published	8 October 2016
ISBN Number	978 000750421 3
Page Count	284 h/b
h/b= hardback : p/b= paperback

Storyline

Britain is in a state of uneasy peace. Northumbria's Viking ruler, Sigtryggr and Mercia's Saxon Queen Aethelflaed have agreed a truce. And so England's greatest warrior, Uhtred of Bebbanburg at last has the chance to take back the home from his traitorous uncle stole from him so many years ago - and which his scheming cousin still occupies.

But fate is inexorable and the enemies Uhtred has made and the oaths he has sworn combine to distract him from his dream of recapturing Bebbanburg. New enemies entre into the fight for Englands kingdoms : the redoubtable Constantin of Scotland seizes an opportunity for conquest and leads his armies south. Britains precarious peace threatens to turn into a war of annihilation.

But Uhtred is determined that nothing, neither the new enemies nor the old foes who combine against him, will keep him from his birthright. He is the Lord of Bebbanburg, but he will need all his skills he has learned in a lifetime of war to make his drean come true.

Review

This story unlike the previous one which was fighting off the Viking hordes, is centralised around Uhtred and his long running feud with the relatives who have stolen his inheritance. The story opens with Uhtred scouting the walls of Bebbanburg, only to find that his cousin has hired mercenaries to bolster his forces. Uhtred is also being plagued by another force of scouts whom he does not recognise. The matter is made worse when Uhtred finds the Scots have also decided to try and force Bebbanburg into surrender.

Uhtred travels south to try and find further men and resources, only to find his son in law on the brink of war after a group of Saxons have invaded his territory. Uhtred sets off to find out what is happening, and discovers a plot lead by the Kentish Leader Aethelhelm to bring about war, in order to enrich himself. Uhtred foils the plan and forces Aethelhelm to back down with some point blank blablackmail.

Having settled matters Uhtred pretends to head off to find new lands in Frisia, but secretly heads back to Bebbanburg under the guise of an expected relief force. The battle for the castle does not go according to plan, as Uhtred has not made any clear plans for the capture of it, but with a large dose of luck manages to defeat his cousins forces.

With the winning of Bebbanburg, this could have been the end for Uhtred, however he still has a role to play in the future development of England, and still has the oaths that he has given, which mean that he is not able to retire to the quiet life.

The book has it's moments of hgh drama and action, along with quieter sections - particuarly at the beginning, when he is trying to work out why Saxon forces have decided to build a Church on Northumbrian territory.

Another ripping yarn, which sees the appearance of Ethelstan as a man and warrior, and one destined to be King, if Uhtred gets his way.

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