War of the Wolf

Uthred is securely ensconced in his castle at Bebbanburg.  At sixty, why would he want to involve himself in the troubles of England?  However, when Ceaster in Mercia calls for his help he responds with ninety knights.  After getting inside the walls of Ceaster, Uthred finds out from Prince Aethelstan that he had not been summoned.  Had he walked into a trap?

Uthred decides to take his men to the north and attack Arnborg, a man who may have been behind the deception.  He easily takes Arnborg’s fort because Arnborg was elsewhere.  There he finds that Arnborg and his lord, Skoll Grimmarson, have marched on Eoferwic, where Uthred’s daughter and son-in-law rule.

Uthred and his men head towards Eiferwic.  On the way, he runs into Skoll’s army.  The hunter is now the hunted.  Fortunately for Uthred, he runs into Osferth and his army.  Together they are able stand off Skoll.  However, Uthred has vowed to kill Skoll.  Before he can do that he must attend the Easter Witan.  There Sygtrygger, King of Northumbria, is forced to swear allegiance to King Edward.

Having done that, Uthred and Sygtrygger must now focus on bringing Skoll to justice.  It will not be easy, and author Bernard Cornwell brilliantly describes the battle that follows.  This historical novel is a very entertaining read, and hard to put down.