While away from home, castising his son, Uthred's home is attacked by
Cnut Longsword, and his woman, Sigunn, is taken. Cnut demands a
meeting, at which he tells Uthred that men under his banner had raided
into his territory, kidnapping his wife and children. While meeting
with Cnut, his home is once again attacked, and Uthred is forced to
flee.
Uthred decides his only course is to capture Bebbanburg, which is
rightfully his, but for many years held by his uncle. Unfortunately he
is unable to capture the fortress despite avenging its loss. He takes
his cousin's wife and son hostage. But what to do now? His cousin's
wife provides him with information that leads Uthred on a new gambit.
Uthred decides to influence future battles, and to do that he needs to
draw Cnut from the destructive track the Dane is on. Uthred hopes
Edward and Aethelred will join forces the defeat the Danes, thereby
saving England.
Author Bernard Cornwell has written an excellent historical thriller.
His battle scenes are bar none, and the historical events are well
researched. A very good read for fans of historical novels.
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