Utred of Bebbanburg

The Last Kingdom by Bernard Cornwell
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Made famous by the Netflix series of the same name. This great work of historical tells the story of England before it became the England as we know it today. Back in the day like in the 700's or 800's the Island of England had been divided into kingdoms, among them were Northumbria, mercia, East Anglia and finally Wessex. These were mostly Saxon kingdoms. The Danes during this time period were coming over for two purposes one for conquest and rading and other times to do business. If they were coming for conquest they put a dragon head on their prow to pacify the land spirits.
The story starts out with the Danes just arriving at Bebbanburg. Bebbanburg is a fortress set high on a hill overlooking the sea and it is almost impossible to conquer. The Danes at this point are greatly feared. Utred is the warlord of Bebbanburg, and he sends his oldest son and some warriors to check it out. The oldest son gets killed in battle and his head delivered to Utred. This leaves Osbert as the next their in line. Immediately he is baptized by father Beocca and given a new name, utred.
This idyllic scenario does not last long. The Danes attack Eofric and warlords are called in to fight.In the ensuing battle utred of Bebbanburg is killed and his son captured by Ragnar the fearless. First Utred is a slave but then becomes an adopted son. Living among the Danish Viking young Utred picks up their ways and almost becomes like them. The kingdom's one by one Get overthrown by the Danes. Whilst growing up under Ragnar , the fearless, Utred is bullied by Sven . Sven is the son of a rival warlord. Sven bullying tactics cost him an eye and this sets the stage for vendetta.
The turning point in the story happens when Khirtan, father of Sven massacred Ragnars family. Left to his own devices Utred hires himself out to different warlords and finally ends up in Wessex, the Last Kingdom. From there it is fighting Alfreds wars and commanding his growing Navy. Plenty of intrigue.

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