The Pale Horseman

infobox Book |
name = The Pale Horseman
orig title =
translator =


image_caption = Cover to the UK first edition
author = Bernard Cornwell
cover_artist =
country = United Kingdom
language = English
series = The Saxon Stories
genre = Historical novel
publisher = HarperCollins
release_date = 3 October 2005
media_type = Print (Hardback & Paperback) and Audio book
pages = 400 pp (hardback edition) & 432 pp (paperback edition)
isbn = ISBN 0-00-714992-1 (hardback edition) & ISBN 0-00-714993-X (paperback edition)
preceded_by = The Last Kingdom
followed_by = The Lords of the North

"The Pale Horseman" is a novel based in 9th Century Wessex and Cornwall. The book starts where "The Last Kingdom" left off. Lord Uhtred of Bebbanburg arrives at King Alfred of Wessex's court to proclaim his victory over the Danish Chieftain, Ubba Lothbrokson, only to find that Ealdorman Odda the Younger of Defnascir has taken the glory for himself and been named leader of Alfred's bodyguard. It is the second book in Bernard Cornwell's "Saxon Stories". It is the sequel to "The Last Kingdom".

Plot summary

876 - 878: Uhtred, bored with the peace with the Danish King Guthrum, goes off raiding Cornwall, and kills a British king named Peredur, and carries off his wife Iseult. A Monk, by the name of Asser goes to Dyfed in Wales to escape. Uhtred and the ship's crew joins forces with the Danish chieftain Svein of the White Horse. The two of them, along with Uhtred's second-in-command Leofric, sail up the coast to Land's End where they go their own ways. Svein goes to Cynuit, where Ubba was killed previously, and Uhtred to the coast of Wales where he raids a ship laden with treasure. He returns to his estate and pious wife Mildrith, using his hoard of treasure to build a great hall and relieve his debt to the church.

The Witan summons Uhtred to an audience with King Alfred in Cippanhamm, where he is accused of using the king's ship to raid the Britons with whom Wessex is at peace, and wrongfully accused for attacking the Cynuit abbey. To settle the dispute a fight to the death is ordered between Uhtred and Wessex's Goliath, Steapa Snotor, the second-in-command of Odda the Younger. During the duel Uhtred only carries his sword, Serpent-Breath and his shield, whereas Steapa is carrying all his armour. The duel is cut short when Guthrum's Danes attack and the crowd is scattered. Uhtred, Leofric, and Iseult hide in the fields until nightfall when they enter Cippanhamm and free their friend Eanflæd at the Tornake Tavern. The four of them wander for a few weeks until they reach the Swamps of Athelney. As they enter the marsh Guthrum himself attacks Uhtred. As Uhtred gets onto a boat to carry him, Leofric, and another passenger to an island within the swamp, the passenger insists that Uhtred should have left a Danish warrior alive, only to find out that this man is King Alfred. Uthred becomes Alfred's bodyguard and for a few months they hide in the swamp until enough men have joined Alfred's army. They then fight at the Battle of Edington and Alfred takes back Wessex, with Uhtred killing Svein of the White Horse.

Characters in "The Pale Horseman"

*Uhtred - the Protagonist, narrator
*King Alfred of Wessex (Alfred the Great) - the King of Wessex
*Leofric - Captain of the "Heahengel", one of the ships of Wessex
*Iseult - A Briton Shadow Queen from Cornwall
*Father Beocca - priest and family friend
*Guthrum the Unlucky - Danish King
*Svein the White Horse - Danish Chieftain
*Haesten - Captured Dane freed by Uhtred, later joins Guthrum. Haesten is a historical character.
*Earl Ragnar - Uthred's former Master's son, Uthred's Best friend
*Odda the Younger - Son of Odda the Elder, Ealdorman of Defnascir
*Steapa Snotor (the Clever) - Odda the Younger's bodyguard
*Father Pyrlig - British priest and former warrior
*Ælswith - Alfred's wife who dislikes Uhtred
*Eanflæd - whore rescued by Uhtred in Cippanhamm
*Ethelfleda - Alfred's daughter
*Æthelwold - Alfred's nephew and friend of Uhtred
*Hild - Nun rescued by Uhtred in Cippanhamm
*Mildrith - Uhtred's pious West Saxon wife
*Brother Asser - Welsh monk and enemy of Uhtred

Release details

*2005, UK, HarperCollins ISBN 0-00-714992-1, Pub date 3 October 2005, hardback
*2005, UK, HarperCollins ISBN 0-00-721098-1, Pub date 3 October 2005, audio cassette (Kati Nicholl editor, Jamie Glover narrator)
*2005, UK, HarperCollins ISBN 0-00-721099-X, Pub date 3 October 2005, audio CD (Kati Nicholl editor, Jamie Glover narrator)
*2006, UK, HarperLargePrint ISBN 0-06-087892-4, Pub date ? January 2006, paperback (large print)
*2006, UK, HarperCollins ISBN 0-00-714993-X, Pub date 22 May 2006, paperback (forthcoming edition)