Britain, early tenth century AD: a time of change. There are new raids by the Vikings from Ireland, and turmoil among the Saxons over the leadership of Mercia. A younger generation is taking over. Æthelred, the ruler of Mercia, is dying, leaving no legitimate heir. The West Saxons want their king, but Uhtred has long supported Athelflaed, sister to King Edward of Wessex and widow of Aethelred. Widely loved and respected, Athelflaed has all the makings of a leader—but can Saxon warriors ever accept a woman as their ruler? The stage is set for rivals to fight for the empty throne. In the end it is one champion, one hero, who will destroy the new Viking threat to Mercia—and ultimately decide the fate of England.
With this eighth entry in the epic Saxon Tales series, we are reminded once again why New York Times bestselling author Bernard Cornwell is “the most prolific and successful historical novelist in the world today” (Wall Street Journal).
Performed by Matt Bates
Wyrd bið ful aræd “The Empty Throne” wasn’t yet released in the US, picked it up from the UK where it was released in October. It is the 8th book of the Saxon Stories with Uhtred recovering after the battle of Teotanheale where the saxons defeated Cnut. Since Uhtred is not up to his full strength yet and he is also old, we don’t see much fighting out of him and it seems that his son, also named Uhtred, begins to play a more important role, one chapter being narrated from his perspective.
‘My name is Uhtred. I am the son of Uhtred, who was the son of Uhtred, and his father was also called Uhtred.’ This is the eighth instalment in the Saxon Series, set in 10th century Mercia and Northumbria, featuring my hero Uhtred of Bebbanburg. Uhtred, raised by the Danes is a pagan warlord, fighting on the side of the Saxons – especially at the side of King Alfred’s daughter Aethelflaed ‘the Lady of the Mercians’.
Another thundering good yarn, with a few differences… This is instalment eight of the Warrior Chronicles set in the time of King Alfred and his son and successor, Edward the Elder (reigned 899-924), with Uthred, the pagan warlord brought up by the Danes, still fighting on the side of the Saxons, and at the side of Alfred’s daughter, Aethelflaed ,“the Lady of the Mercians”, in particular.