Lords of the North (The Saxon Stories, #3)

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Lords of the North (The Saxon Stories #3)

4.23 of 5 stars 4.23 · rating details · 7,555 ratings · 273 reviews

From Bernard Cornwell, the undisputed master of historical fiction, hailed as "the direct heir to Patrick O'Brien,"* comes the third volume in the exhilarating Saxon Chronicles: the story of the birth of England as the Saxons struggle to repel the Danish invaders.

The year is 878, and as "Lords of the North" begins, the Saxons of Wessex, under King Alfred, have defeated the...more

Hardcover, 336 pages

Published January 23rd 2007 by Harper (first published January 1st 2006)

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Sep 22, 2008 Darkpool rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: historical, audiobook, fiction, read-in-2008

I enjoyed this very much, although I wonder just how wise it is to drive suburban streets while listening to graphic descriptions of people hitting each other with sharp swords. Having listened to the previous book in this series, it was very interesting to hear differences in the styles of the two readers - having become used to Tom Sellwood's more restrained style for The Pale Horseman, it took me a little time to get used to Richard Armitage's more vigorous narration for this book (ah, but he...more

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Oct 01, 2007 Shane rated it 4 of 5 stars Recommends it for: Cornwell fans

Shelves: historical, readin2007, audio

Cornwell does it again. I keep thinking after reading so many of his books of the same genre I should be feeling guilty like I'm reading Star Trek or romance novels or something... but they're just so damn good.

Not every one is great, and none of them have lived up to the Warlord trilogy but this series is pretty spectacular and the narrator's voice is perfect for the story. Hearing it is like visiting an old friend. I thought that this would be the last book of Utred because in the middle somew...more

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Apr 20, 2010 Joyce Lagow rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Third in the Saxon Tales series.[return][return]In 878, Uhtred the dispossessed heir of Bebbbanberg, has been rewarded by Alfred, King of Wessex, for Uhtred� s critical role in winning the battle of Ethandun against a Danish army--with a miserable little holding that was barely able to support the three slave families that worked it. Alfred is by nature a miser and his dislike of Uhtred, who refuses to become a Christian, only adds to the insult.[return][return]Uhtred has had enough of Alfred wh...more

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Dec 28, 2012 Iceman rated it 4 of 5 stars

“Os Senhores do Norte” é o 3º volume da saga “Saxónica” e, à semelhança dos antecessores, o autor desenha-nos todo um cenário violento e cruel onde a lei se fazia pela espada e pela honra.

Embora romanceado, sabemos que esta história é fortemente baseada em factos verídicos, aliás, o segredo de Cornwell é precisamente o de saber conjugar ficção com realidade, fundindo-a, confundindo o leitor que fica sem saber onde começa uma e acaba outra tal o realismo das suas narrativas.

Mas convenhamos, não é...more “Os Senhores do Norte” é o 3º volume da saga “Saxónica” e, à semelhança dos antecessores, o autor desenha-nos todo um cenário violento e cruel onde a lei se fazia pela espada e pela honra.

Embora romanceado, sabemos que esta história é fortemente baseada em factos verídicos, aliás, o segredo de Cornwell é precisamente o de saber conjugar ficção com realidade, fundindo-a, confundindo o leitor que fica sem saber onde começa uma e acaba outra tal o realismo das suas narrativas.

Mas convenhamos, não é nada fácil escrever uma obra destas. Sendo eu um leitor de quase todas as suas obras, constato que ele sabe descrever épocas e acontecimentos através dos poucos documentos, sabe pesquisar, procurar na arqueologia dados que fundamentem as obras, dando vida a épocas cuja memória se perdeu no tempo, reconstrói essas épocas e é sublime na forma como transporta o leitor para esses cenários fazendo-os parte integrante. Bernard Cornwell é mestre nessa fusão, um exímio contador de histórias que utiliza um estilo cinematográfico que emociona, cativa e excita.

Neste 3º volume, Uhtred continua o seu caminho para recuperar as suas terras usurpadas pelo seu tio e vingar a morte do seu pai adoptivo. Nascido saxão, Uhtred foi criado por vikings e encontra-se quase sempre dividido entre a lealdade ao seu rei saxão e a lealdade a um povo que ele tanto gosta, os dinamarqueses. Nessa perspectiva, Bernard Cornwell dá-nos a conhecer o modo de vida dos saxões e dos dinamarqueses.

Parte integrante da obra e como não podia deixar de ser dada a sua influência, a igreja ou o sistema cristão que na época já estendia os seus corruptos tentáculos por toda a ilha,

Cornwell explora esse facto muitíssimo bem, dando-nos uma perspectiva da influência cristã e da sua asfixia ao paganismo que, curiosamente, foi beber tantas das suas crenças sendo isso já perceptível.

A fórmula de Cornwell é a do costume: o narrador, que velho se propõe a narrar os importantes acontecimentos que tomou parte. Muita violência, dados que são lançados nos finais dos capítulos e um ritmo narrativo brutal que, diga-se, é algo que me encanta em Bernard Cornwell.(less)

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Oct 06, 2012 Bill Krieger rated it 3 of 5 stars

Women and war!

This is the third in Cromwell's Viking series. It's (again) really good, light guy reading. There's tons of Viking gore and manly shenanigans. The whole series was definitely worth reading.

Cromwell seemed to enjoy coming up with a lot of creative Viking insults in this book. For example:

+ "He will die like a snake under a hoe!"

+ "I watched a goat vomit yesterday, and what it threw up reminded me of you."

+ "When you're dead, I shall have your skin tanned and made into a saddle so...more

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Jul 05, 2012 Kevin rated it 3 of 5 stars

I've seen great praise for Cornwell as a historical novelist, and so, when I saw this series surrounding the age of Alfred the Great, I was excited and ready to see something good. I found something mediocre. The protagonist is Uthred, a fictional dispossessed Saxon lord, raised by Danes, in the midst of their greatest effort to conquer England. It's a good premise, to give a perspective from both sides of the story. And the story-telling, done by an omniscient, older Uthred, commenting on his m...more

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Jul 04, 2012 Billy rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: favorites

NOOOO!!!!! 6 months wait for the next book. This was GREAT!,

Book three in the Saxon Chronicles is the best book by Bernard Cornwell that I have read. I had read his "Grail Quest Trilogy" before coming to this series, which I thought was a trilogy, but now know could go on much longer (it will be at least 4 books and I certainly hope for more).

"Lords of the North" continues the fantastic, emotional tale of Uhtred, the fictional Saxon-born, Dane-adopted and raised warrior, that is fated to fight f...more NOOOO!!!!! 6 months wait for the next book. This was GREAT!,

Book three in the Saxon Chronicles is the best book by Bernard Cornwell that I have read. I had read his "Grail Quest Trilogy" before coming to this series, which I thought was a trilogy, but now know could go on much longer (it will be at least 4 books and I certainly hope for more).

"Lords of the North" continues the fantastic, emotional tale of Uhtred, the fictional Saxon-born, Dane-adopted and raised warrior, that is fated to fight for England and a king that he does not like, Alfred.

Uhtred lost his family when he was a boy and was adopted by a Danish Viking warrior, Earl Ragnar, who he loved as a father, and from whom he learned of the pagan deities, especially the spinners, the three mythical creatures that weave the fate of every man; hence his repeated statement through the entire series, "Fate is inexorable".

Uhtred, after assisting Alfred the Great with the defense of Wessex against the Danes, marches north to regain his birthright which was taken by his uncle when Uhtred's birth father died in battle. But fate has other plans for Uhtred, including assisting another king, killing priests, killing Saxons, killing Danes, loving a woman who becomes a nun, loving another woman who is betrothed to another, betrayal, slavery and revenge. Not bad for six months in the life of a Saxon/Danish warrior in the ninth century.

The author admits in his historical note at the end of the book that this tale is more fiction than fact, mainly because not much is known about the history of the Northumbria, the northern Saxon province. Using the name of the king, Guthred, and the characters he created in books 1 & 2,(which I highly recommend you read before coming to this; not because you need to in order to understand this book, but because the entire series is fabulous and why skip the salad and appetizer to get to the main course when the entire meal should be savored?) to weave a more fictional tale that is still most definitely anchored in fact, so far as the customs, trials, dangers, life, religions and battles would have been in the ninth century; that is to say that, despite the fact that none of the characters are real (except Guthred of whom not much is known) the entire story is told in accordance with the period and should be taken as an authentic description of fictional people. The world which Cornwell writes is wonderful, historically accurate and vivid.

This book is the best of the "Saxon Chronicles" by far and I eagerly await the release of book 4, "Sword Song" which is slated for release early 2008.(less)

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Jun 03, 2011 Sharon Essex rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Lords of the North is the third volume of Bernard Cornwell's Saxon Tales, set in ninth-century England, and is every bit as enjoyable as the preceding books in the series.

In this entry, Uhtred goes north to settle a long-standing bloodfeud. With his customary flair for the dramatic, he disguises himself as the Dead Swordsman and heads toward Dunholm, the fortress of his enemy, Kjartan the Cruel.

Along the way he frees a slave who turns out to be Guthred, king of Northumbria. Uhtred swears loyal...more

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Oct 26, 2010 Jim rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: historical-novels

Lords of the North is the middle novel of Bernard Cornwell's excellent Saxon Tales series of five novels set in the 9th century. Alfred is King of Wessex, but the series' point of view character is Uhtred of Bebbanburg (Bamburg), a Saxon of noble birth who is brought up by Vikings. The central point of the whole series is the tug between a newly confident Christianity and the old gods of Asatru. As Uhtred says at one point:

I remember blind Ravn, Ragnar's grandfather, telling me that the gods lik

...more

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Sep 16, 2012 Marcus Speh rated it 4 of 5 stars

I'm enjoying another part of the Saxon Saga by Bernard Cornwell: haven't found another book that gets me back into the first century A.D. as effectively. The writing is adequately terse and sharp (for a warrior's tale), centered on characters and relationship thereby avoiding many of the traps of historical fiction (such as lush sprawling boring descriptions). The books are also about the conflict between paganism and Christianity (or, for that matter, between any two conflicting worlds of belie...more

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Feb 11, 2010 Graham rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: anglo-saxon, historical, war, viking

In LORDS OF THE NORTH, the third in Bernard Cornwell's Saxon Stories concerning the lives of Uhtred and Alfred the Great in the late 9th century, the author takes us away from the familiar trappings of Wessex into a whole new territory: the wild Northumbrian north. I think it was a good call, because it breathes new life into the series.

At first, though, I thought this was the weakest of the series so far. The first third seems very...irrelevant. We're introduced to a whole new cast of character...more In LORDS OF THE NORTH, the third in Bernard Cornwell's Saxon Stories concerning the lives of Uhtred and Alfred the Great in the late 9th century, the author takes us away from the familiar trappings of Wessex into a whole new territory: the wild Northumbrian north. I think it was a good call, because it breathes new life into the series.

At first, though, I thought this was the weakest of the series so far. The first third seems very...irrelevant. We're introduced to a whole new cast of characters, and learn plenty of detail about their lives, but they're difficult to care about. Description of the northern politics and struggles between Saxon and Dane are spot on, and religion plays a more important part here than ever before. But I still didn't really care.

Then Cornwell pulls a master stroke with the biggest twist of the books yet. This leads us into the strong second third, which offers us a seafaring backdrop that the author is very much at home with. I've read this book twice now, and both times I flew through this third in one sitting, it's that lively.

Finally, there's the last third, the conclusion of a bloodfeud that's been running since the first novel. Without a doubt this is the best part of the series yet, and sets a high standard that I hope SWORD SONG will continue. Suddenly all of the characterisation and politics of the first third pay off, and I'll be sad to leave the Northumbrian world behind.

If anything, this is even more gritty than the first two books. Every character seems foul-mouthed, ill-mannered and deeply unpleasant - and that includes Uhtred. That's part of the appeal. The violence here is even more grisly than we've seen before. The battle scenes are limited to single combat and skirmishes for the most part, but I've always personally enjoyed these more than the big showdowns. The stealthy antics of the climax are my favourite moment of the series yet, a masterful set-piece full of suspense, tension, bloodshed and sudden horror.

This doesn't have quite the depth of THE PALE HORSEMAN, but it comes a close second.(less)

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Apr 28, 2009 Erika rated it 4 of 5 stars

It’s the late 9th Century and Uhtred Ragnarson of Bebbanburg is back and ready for more sword-waving, shield-bearing, and brute force honesty. Lords of the North opens with Uhtred and Hild immediately after the events of the third Saxon Chronicle book The Pale Horseman. Uhtred, the protagonist of the series, is our narrator again and brings a blunt, rough, and for lack of a better word, stereotypically male point of view to real historical events revolving around certain real historical figures...more It’s the late 9th Century and Uhtred Ragnarson of Bebbanburg is back and ready for more sword-waving, shield-bearing, and brute force honesty. Lords of the North opens with Uhtred and Hild immediately after the events of the third Saxon Chronicle book The Pale Horseman. Uhtred, the protagonist of the series, is our narrator again and brings a blunt, rough, and for lack of a better word, stereotypically male point of view to real historical events revolving around certain real historical figures like the much hated (by Uhtred) King Alfred. At first Kjartan, Ivarr, and Sven appear to be the titular lords of the northern future England, warring with each other and the Scots in a battle for land and power. Already angered by all three men and his usurping uncle in Bebbanburg, Uhtred supports King Alfred seeking to resolve his personal feuds in the process. But fate, and as he constantly reminds us, the three spinners, has a different plan in mind for meeting Uhtred’s needs.

From King Alfred’s man to slave and back, Uhtred journeys the length of Northumbria and Wessex by land and by sea, experiencing war, Christianity, lice, revenge, and even romance. Lords of the North is a bloody tale of revenge and fate, the three spinners of the Norse religion that Uhtred tempts often throughout the novel despite his constant proclamation that “fate is inorexable” (I’ve tried looking that words up in a few locations--can’t find it and am convinced it’s not a real word). By the end of the book I hope he’s learned that while he may get what he wants, it may not be the way he wants it, but it makes for good, solid, and straightforward story-telling from an author I’ve come to enjoy and respect.

Bernard Cornwell infuses his books with a studied understanding of religion, mythology, history, and geography that create such varied personalities and dynamic, even humorous relationships. One of the entertaining aspects of the Saxon Chronicles is reading the conflicting religious convictions and superstitions of Christianity and Norse mythology. The juxtaposition makes for interesting and funny conclusions that underly the machinations of powerful warriors and doting clergy.

I haven’t read any of Cornwell’s other books and can’t determine if his writing style differs for the Saxon Chronicles than another series or stand alone book he’s written. Whether different or the same, he has a gift for writing with exactly the type of open and honest approach to familiar topics to make his characters appear to grapple with each other’s foreign dilemmas of culture, religion, and loyalty with believable confusion, disbelief, and horror that fits perfectly with these books.

I always enjoy reading the latest Saxon Chronicle book. They’re fun, action-packed historical fiction with a protagonist that’s all testosterone and superstitious about things like the number 13. While the Danes run circles around Saxon priests and their silly traditions, as readers we can do the same for Norse practices that may appear, in comparison, just as irrational. But I like the educational value as much as the entertainment factor and get a lot more out of these books than I may be projecting.

If you like historical fiction and want to read about the rise of Alfred the Great or can’t get enough to read about Vikings, I’d pick up this series. They read fast and by this point in the game, have characters with entangled relationships I couldn’t help but become invested in.(less)

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Jun 13, 2010 Patrick rated it 3 of 5 stars

In this next installment of the brillant warrior, Uhtred, and his service to the King Alfred, the tale is very satisfying and we meet all people from his early days to his adult days, most of them enemies and he wouldn't have it another way.

I wish I can be fearless as he is and be able to be cunning against hordes of enemies. The story is getting more and more complicated as Uhtred is wavering between his loyalty to a king he does not like but starts to admire and to his homefolkes, the Danish....more

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Aug 08, 2012 Nate rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: middle-ages

I've heard a lot of people gripe about the fact that Cornwell sticks to a somewhat formulaic pattern with his books; a lot of people don't like it, but I do. I do enjoy when authors have a lot of dynamics and changing styles, ideas, plots etc. from book to book, but I also sometimes just want to read something where I know what I'm gonna get and I don't have to adapt or really face any challenge with new facets of an author's work. That's not to say that it's boring or stale, though; he's great...more I've heard a lot of people gripe about the fact that Cornwell sticks to a somewhat formulaic pattern with his books; a lot of people don't like it, but I do. I do enjoy when authors have a lot of dynamics and changing styles, ideas, plots etc. from book to book, but I also sometimes just want to read something where I know what I'm gonna get and I don't have to adapt or really face any challenge with new facets of an author's work. That's not to say that it's boring or stale, though; he's great at coming up with new places and plights to stick Uhtred in.

Although I haven't read that much of his stuff when I opened this one I had a hunch I was gonna get a lot of his stuff he does so well; vivid and immersive setting, entertaining characters, and gruesome, gripping battles. Within the first few chapters I knew I was right. The best part with Cornwell is that I don't put down the book having been only entertained and not educated; my knowledge of this part of the dark ages has seriously increased since I got into this series.

The one thing I did notice about this entry in the series is that the actual historical events take a backseat in favor of advancing the stories of the fictional characters. I was a little disappointed by this, but this period of time was apparently somewhat of a lull in the intense struggling between the different factions that were fighting over Britain so Cornwell had to fill it with something interesting. He did that admirably well and the story is so entertaining that I can't bring myself to deduct that precious star.

I also have to say I was pretty pleased with how much Uhtred is reigning in his douchey, selfish, macho murderous impulses. There were a couple of his actions in The Pale Horseman that really made me bummed out and disturbed at the fact that I was rooting for this person, and his moral code is still kinda fluid in this one but I can really see him slowly turning to being an honorable, honest person and I dig it. I do like some good anti-hero action but I don't wanna hang out with a guy for 6+ books who's prone to doing that kind of stuff.

Lords of the North was another great entry in this series and I didn't hesitate to order Sword Song from Amazon. My Cornwell addiction is blossoming so much that I'm probably gonna start on Agincourt tonight. Usually after a few books in a row from an author I'll start to get a burned out feeling that forces me to pick someone else up until I feel refreshed enough to come back, but that's not the case so far.(less)

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Mar 23, 2011 Mark rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: fiction, historical-fiction

In this third volume of the Saxon series, Cornwell shows us that Uhtred's path towards his unknown destiny will not be smooth. Coming off his victory over the Danes in a critical battle, he heads north toward his homeland, where he was captured as a boy and raised by the Danes. In an encounter with an old enemy, he frees a group of people about to be sold into slavery, and one of them turns out to be a Dane who announces he is a king, named Guthred. Uhtred finds Guthred immediately likeable and...more

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Jun 28, 2009 Rita rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: the-saxon-stories

The 3rd book in the series about King Alfred.

I thought I'd struggle because I read The Pale Horseman 3 years ago but it didn't matter. There are references to the previous books but it doesn't rely on the reader remembering the details. Lots of battles, new characters & Uhtred's fate alters dramatically but his Gods are with him. Great stuff.

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Mar 07, 2008 Matthew rated it 5 of 5 stars

Recommended to Matthew by: My brother-in-law Keith

This is the third book of the Saxon series, The last Kindom, The pale horseman, Lords of the North, and Sword Song. The series cronicals the Viking invasion of England and a English boy (prince) who is kidnaped in a riad and raised by a viking war lord. I really enjoyed the first three and have the fourth on hold.
Matt

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Feb 10, 2012 James Knodell rated it 3 of 5 stars

This is the third volume of Cornwell's Saxon stories. While I enjoyed reading this continuation of the saga of Uhtred, Alfred the Great, and the conflicts between Danes and Saxons in 9th century Britain, this volume didn't seem to carry as much historical weight as the two earlier books. Perhaps I need a break from these stories, but I just wasn't as riveted by this installment as I had been in the two preceding books. It seemed to me that more of the storyline in this volume was purely fiction,...more

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Jun 02, 2011 Emma rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: historical-fiction

I am totally hooked by this series and by the fascinating character of Uhtred. I have seen some reviewers don’t like too much Uhtred’s reaction to the Christian religion, but it seems fair to me in the context of the time, and with the struggle with paganism. Plus it is alas historically proved that Christian hierarchs of the time were very far from being great and fair. In this volume, I like how Cornwell manages to get a mix of violence and romance! And always, how Uhtred is torn between diffe...more

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Jan 01, 2012 Meghan Tracy rated it 4 of 5 stars

Upon finishing this story, I realized that I’d read it before, but a sufficient amount of time had passed that the details had become murky in my mind and I found that I enjoyed the book this time just as much as I did the first time. I don’t know what it is about the no nonsense demeanor of Vikings, but I just can’t get enough of it, whether it be Cornwell’s Danes or Flanagan’s Skandians. There’s something about their outlook on life that appeals to the core of me and I eat it up every time. Su...more

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Jun 11, 2012 Barbara rated it 3 of 5 stars

This is the third novel in the Saxon series about Uhtred of Babbenburg and his adventures in 870's Northern England. As with the previous two books, I find it hard to relate to the arrogant and murderous protagonist, but enjoy reading about what was going on in late ninth century England. I especially enjoy the machinations of pious King Alfred the Great in his attempts at unifying the kingdoms of the region through manipulation of Christian beliefs of the time (how does he come up with all thos...more

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Jul 25, 2011 Walt rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: history-fiction

The third book in the series is another quick and exciting read. However, it is not as strong as the first two novels. The primary weakness is that Cornwell strayed away from history when he sends his character back to his homeland in Northumbria. The chronicles and sources are largely quiet on events in the kingdom during that period allowing Cornwell to create almost anything.

The success of the first two books was based on history and archeology. Cornwell made an excellent job of fitting his...more

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Jan 23, 2009 Jeff rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

This book was very exciting and full of interesting characters. It was also gruesome and bloody at times. Also most of the “Christians” are very unlikable and though historically the spread of Christianity was very ruthless it also makes you wonder if the author had a particular axe to grind here. But for the most part I really enjoyed this story and like I said the pace was very intense. I would like to read the other books in this series. It was also helpful for me to go to Wikipedia and read...more

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Apr 04, 2013 Dark-Draco rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: adventure-fiction, historic-fiction

This is the third of a series of books set in Saxon Britain. Uhtred finally travels north to exact revenge on his Uncle and the Danish lord, Kjartan, but finds himself rescuing a slave who thinks himself King. Needing allies, he throws in his lot with the youngster, but soon finds himself betrayed and chained to a slave ship travelling the oceans of Iceland. Only his warrier spirit and hope for rescue keep him going, until he can once again stand on his native soil.

Another good story, plenty of...more

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Oct 10, 2012 Jacob rated it 4 of 5 stars

Continuing to enjoy this series immensely. Uthred, the surly pagan protagonist from the first two novels, matures as a fighter and leader, although is still naive in many ways and repulsive in others. All of which makes him a very real character, despite his tiresome bravado. The plot winds and twists through several unexpected adventures and ends on a spectacular note. This isn't necessarily fine literature, but it is a fast-paced sword and sail tale set in a 9th century England, assaulted on a...more

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Sep 24, 2010 Quinn rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2010-books, action, historical-fiction

Simply put this is one of the best series of books that I have read. The battle sequences are crafted as delicately as a conductor of the New York symphony in a kick you in the mouth and knock out all of your teeth sort of way. If you like Braveheart you will love these novels.

"It was shield wall against shield wall. It was the horror of two shield walls fighting. It was the thunder of shields crashing together and the grunts of men stabbing with short swords or twisting spears into enemy bellie...more

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Jan 05, 2012 Carmen rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: historical-fiction

The third book in a continuing series about a man who lived in two worlds. He was born a Saxon, but stolen and then raised as a Dane in the late 800's in England. Set during the beginning of Alfred the Great's rule, he knew them all. This book really brings the time alive. Uthred goes from slave to king in this one. He is sold by a friend, the king, to win allegiance from another king. It doesn't work. Instead Uthred is able to escape after several years and goes back to his home to claim what i...more

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Jul 22, 2010 Benjamin rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: fiction, adventure, saxons, first-edition, edition, vikings, york, 2010-read

The third in Cornwell's Saxon Tales series. Uhtred is back with a vengeance and there is much blood letting. I think I have enjoyed this volume more than the first two. Cornwell seems a bit more free with Uhtred's adventures. Things get a bit weird, and it makes the story a bit spicier. I especially got a tickle out of Uhtred's little side trip to Iceland. I'm interested to see what happens in the next one. Somehow I have a hunch that Uhtred is going to screwed over by Alfred again. I really hav...more

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Mar 20, 2012 Shaun Tennant rated it 4 of 5 stars

In this installment of the wonderful Saxon series, Bernard Cornwell takes his character Uhtred away from Alfred of Wessex for a new adventure in the North. If you've read the first 2 entries in the series you'll have a guess where the story is going, but Cornwell surprises with several compelling twists.

Once again Cornwell's action scenes are vivid and realistic, brutal and exciting. Some long-term plotlines from The Last Kingdom get picked up again, and several new characters and stories are in...more

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Oct 15, 2012 George rated it 4 of 5 stars

When I tried the first of this series by Cornwell, it was because the library was out of anything in his 'Sharpe's' series. And I got hooked on this one too. Whereas Sharpe is set in the late 18th and early 19th Century, and follows all the bloody battles of that time frame, this is set in the 9th century...and is also a tour de force of presentation showing a lot of scholarly application in addition to high drama. Lovers of historical novels should appreciate this as well. It's a follow up to T...more

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About Bernard Cornwell

Cornwell was born in London in 1944. His father was a Canadian airman, and his mother was English, a member of the Women's Auxiliary Air Force. He was adopted and brought up in Essex by the Wiggins family, who were members of the Peculiar People, a strict Protestant sect who banned frivolity of all kinds and even medicine. After he left them, he changed his name to his mother's maiden name, Cornwe...more Cornwell was born in London in 1944. His father was a Canadian airman, and his mother was English, a member of the Women's Auxiliary Air Force. He was adopted and brought up in Essex by the Wiggins family, who were members of the Peculiar People, a strict Protestant sect who banned frivolity of all kinds and even medicine. After he left them, he changed his name to his mother's maiden name, Cornwell.

Cornwell was sent away to Monkton Combe School, attended the University of London, and after graduating, worked as a teacher. He attempted to enlist in the British armed services at least three times, but was rejected on the grounds of myopia.

He then joined BBC's Nationwide and was promoted to become head of current affairs at BBC Northern Ireland. He then joined Thames Television as editor of Thames News. He relocated to the United States in 1980 after marrying an American. Unable to get a Green Card, he started writing novels, as this did not require a work permit.

As a child, Cornwell loved the novels of C.S. Forester, chronicling the adventures of fictional British naval officer Horatio Hornblower during the Napoleonic Wars, and was surprised to find that there were no such novels following Lord Wellington's campaign on land. Motivated by the need to support himself in the U.S. through writing, Cornwell decided to write such a series. He named his chief protagonist Richard Sharpe, a rifleman involved in most major battles of the Peninsular War.

Cornwell wanted to start the series with the Siege of Badajoz but decided instead to start with a couple of "warm-up" novels. These were Sharpe's Eagle and Sharpe's Gold, both published in 1981. Sharpe's Eagle was picked up by a publisher, and Cornwell got a three-book deal. He went on to tell the story of Badajoz in his third Sharpe novel Sharpe's Company published in 1982.

Cornwell and wife Judy co-wrote a series of novels, published under the pseudonym "Susannah Kells". These were A Crowning Mercy, published in 1983, Fallen Angels in 1984, and Coat of Arms (aka The Aristocrats) in 1986. (Cornwell's strict Protestant upbringing informed the background of A Crowning Mercy, which took place during the English Civil War.) He also published Redcoat, an American Revolutionary War novel set in Philadelphia during its 1777 occupation by the British, in 1987.

After publishing 8 books in his ongoing Sharpe series, Cornwell was approached by a production company interested in adapting them for television. The producers asked him to write a prequel to give them a starting point to the series. They also requested that the story feature a large role for Spanish characters to secure co-funding from Spain. The result was Sharpe’s Rifles, published in 1987 and a series of Sharpe television films staring Sean Bean.

A series of contemporary thrillers with sailing as a background and common themes followed: Wildtrack published in 1988, Sea Lord (aka Killer's Wake) in 1989, Crackdown in 1990, Stormchild in 1991, and a political thriller called Scoundrel in 1992.

In June 2006, Cornwell was made an Officer of the Order of the British Empire in the Queen's 80th Birthday Honours List.

Cornwell's latest work is titled Azincourt and was released in the UK in October 2008. The protagonist is an archer who participates in the Battle of Agincourt, another devastating defeat suffered by the French in the Hundred Years War. However Cornwell has stated that it will not be about Thomas of Hookton from The Grail Quest or any of his relatives.(less)

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Books by Bernard Cornwell

The Last Kingdom (The Saxon Stories, #1)

The Winter King (The Warlord Chronicles, #1)

The Pale Horseman (The Saxon Stories, #2)

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Quotes from Lords of the North

“I am no Christian. These days it does no good to confess that, for the bishops and abbots have too much influence and it is easier to pretend to a faith than to fight angry ideas. I was raised a Christian, but at ten years old, when I was taken into Ragnar’s family, I discovered the old Saxon gods who were also the gods of the Danes and of the Norsemen, and their worship has always made more sense to me than bowing down to a god who belongs to a country so far away that I have met no one who has ever been there. Thor and Odin walked our hills, slept in our valleys, loved our women and drank from our streams, and that makes them seem like neighbours. The other thing I like about our gods is that they are not obsessed with us. They have their own squabbles and love affairs and seem to ignore us much of the time, but the Christian god has nothing better to do than to make rules for us. He makes rules, more rules, prohibitions and commandments, and he needs hundreds of black-robed priests and monks to make sure we obey those laws. He strikes me as a very grumpy god, that one, even though his priests are forever claiming that he loves us. I have never been so stupid as to think that Thor or Odin or Hoder loved me, though I hope at times they have thought me worthy of them.” — 3 people liked it

“I hated Alfred. He was a miserable, pious, tight-fisted king who distrusted me because I was no Christian, because I was a northerner, and because I had given him his kingdom back at Ethandun. And as reward he had given me Fifhaden. Bastard.” — 3 people liked it

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Lords of the North (The Saxon Stories #3)

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