Sword Song (novel)

Infobox Book |
name = Sword Song
title_orig =
translator =


image_caption = The Sword Song 1st edition cover
author = Bernard Cornwell
illustrator =
cover_artist = Larry Rostant
country = United Kingdom
language = English
series = The Saxon Stories
genre = Historical Novel
publisher = HarperCollins
release_date = September 2007
english_release_date =
media_type = Print (Hardback & Paperback)
pages = 366 pp (first edition, hardback)
isbn = ISBN 978-0007219711 (first edition, hardback)
oclc =
preceded_by = The Lords of the North
followed_by = TBA

"Sword Song", is the fourth in the bestselling Saxon Stories series from historical novelist, Bernard Cornwell. The protagonist, Uhtred, holds the fate of Wessex in his sword again and the book follows Alfred's efforts to protect Wessex and unite England. The book was released on September 3rd 2007. [cite news | author = Amazon | title = Alfred the Great 4 | publisher = Amazon | date = 2007-06-13 | url = http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/0007219717/ref=nosim/authordatabase | accessdate=2007-06-13]

Plot summary

Uhtred is still trapped by his oaths to Alfred, however his old 'friend' Haesten sends him a message that the dead have a message for Uhtred. Sceptical, Uhtred goes to consult this messenger from beyond the grave, who tells him he will be King of Mercia. Torn between his oaths to a King he dislikes and the Fates that tell him he will be King, he allows Haesten to introduce his Norse allies Sigefrid and his brother Eric.

It is only when a priest is about to be crucified that fate take a different turn. Uhtred recognises his old comrade at arms, the Welshman Father Pyrlig. After tricking Sigefrid into fighting the priest who is a fearsome fighter himself, Uhtred and Pyrlig leave with Uhtred promising to return. However he knows his oaths hold him and is called on by Alfred to take back London for Earl Aethelred of Mercia from Sigefrid and those with him who have gathered as a horde, desiring to gather fighters and strike into Wessex.

By stealth Uhtred's seaborne assault works and the defenders of London are caught out in the open as they sally forth to confront Aethelred larger attacking army. Wedged between what was their safe London refuge and the Saxons in front of them and Uhtred force behind, the Norse are defeated. A particularly cruel blow is struck by Osferth (Alfred's son) who leaps from the walls onto Sigefrid and injures him in such a way as to leave him crippled.

Sigefrid, Eric, and Haesten retire to East Anglia and fortune smiles on them again when Aethelred mounts a seaborne raid on their hurt forces. However they stay too long amongst their enemies after initial success and in the process, Aethelred manages to lose his wife, Aethelflaed.

Alfred is distraught at the threat to his daughter and is willing the ransom her from his foes. Uhtred is sent to negotiate the price and terms with Sigefrid. Whilst in their camp he learns that Eric and Aethelflaed have fallen in love, whereupon Eric and he plot to spirit her away from her captors; all without either of their leaders knowing what they plan.

The battle in the mouth for the inlet where the vikings have holed up is as desperate as they come, with it often being none too clear who is fighting for whom. This climax to the narrative is fought over marshland, waterside, on ship and across ships. It remains to be seen if victory is achieved by the result gained.

Characters in "Sword Song"

*Uhtred - the Protagonist, narrator [http://bernardcornwell.net/index2.cfm?page=3&BookId=47 Sword Song] ]
*Gisela - Uhtred's wife
*Stiorra - Uhtred's baby daughter
*Uhtred Uhtredson - Uhtred's son
*King Alfred of Wessex - the King of Wessex
*Aethelflaed - King Alfred's daughter and wife to Athelred
*Aethelred - Ealdorman of Mercia and Alfred's son in law
*Steapa Snotor - A fierce saxon warrior, captain of Alfred's house troops
*Father Pyrlig - A British priest and warrior who is a close friend of Uhtred
*Sihtric Kjartanson - Kjartan's illegitimate son sworn to Uhtred
*Father Beocca - Uhtred's friend and teacher
*Thyra Ragnarsdottir - Father Beocca's wife
*Osferth - Leofric's nephew and Alfred's illegitimate son
*Ralla - Uthred's new shipmaster
*Finan (the Agile) - Irish ex-slave and captain of Uhtred's household troops
*Rypiere - a Saxon, one of Uhtred's household troops and oath-men
*Clapa - One of Uhtred's household troops and oath-men
*Cerdic - One of Uhtred's household troops and oath-men
*Sigefrid - A Norse warlord antagonist with an ambition to conquer Wessex
*Erik - Sigefrid's brother
*Earl Haesten - A prisoner who broke a life-oath to Uhtred who is now a powerful enemy (seemingly based on a Viking leader of the same name recorded in the Anglo Saxon Chronicle)

Publication history

*2007, UK, [HarperCollins (ISBN 978-0007219711), pub date 3rd September 2007, hardback (first edition)
*The US release was published in January 2008.

Notes