The Pagan Lord – Bernard Cornwell

Read mostly on the train travelling up to Edinburgh – passing close to Bebbanburg (Bamburgh Castle) en route – and finished off by the light of our Premier Inn room…

In a daring seaborne raid, Uhtred tries to regain Bebbanburg – his home and birthright – but finds the Fates against him. Fleeing south he finds himself embroiled (willingly, of course) in the resumption of the war between the Saxons and Danes, with Æthelred of Mercia tempted to extend his power into East Anglia, only to find that it’s all a cunning plan by Cnut Longsword and Haesten of Chester. Lots of fighting, lots of familiar figures from Uhtred’s long life – 50 years is an old age for a pagan warrior – but most of all, The Pagan Lord is a book about family.

Author’s webpage: The Pagan Lord – Bernard Cornwell