The Last Kingdom

by Bernard Cornwell

333 pgs  (The Saxon Chronicles series #1)

The Last Kingdom is the first book in Bernard Cromwell's The Saxon Chronicles series, and the inspiration for the Netflix series of the same name. It's set in the ninth century in what would eventually become England, but what was then the kingdoms of Wessex, Mercia, and East Anglia. Alfred, the son of Aethelwulf, King of Wessex, will soon become king and will be instrumental in laying the groundwork for a united England, but will spend most of his life defending Wessex against Viking attacks.

The book begins in the year 866 A.D. and centers on the life of a Saxon named Uhtred, son of Uhtred, Lord of Bebbanburg in Northumbria. At the age of nine, Uhtred is captured by the Danish Earl Ragnar the Fearless during a raid in which his father was killed. He's now the rightful heir of Bebbanburg, but instead, spends his formative years being raised as a Dane.

Eventually Uhtred finds favor with Ragnar, and as he grows up, is taught to become a skilled warrior. As a young man, he accompanies Ragnar during the conquests of Mercia and East Anglia, but during the battle for Wessex, Uhtred is once again taken captive, but this time, it's by the Saxons, bringing him back to where they believe he belongs.

The Last Kingdom is by itself a great story, but it also sets the stage for the rest of the series that follows. Uhtred, born a Saxon and raised a Dane, seems destined to play a pivotal role in the struggle to unite England and defend it from the conquering Danes.

Years ago, I watched the first season of the series when it originally aired on BBC America. I remember enjoying it but forgetting about it when it moved over to Netflix. Reading this first book in the series has piqued my interest in revisiting the series there, while continuing to read Cornwell's books.

★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆