Sword of Kings

by Bernard Cornwell Book 12 in the The Last Kingdom series.

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4.7(18,122)

Uhtred is compelled to honour an oath that draws him south after the death of Edward the Elder. Rival claimants and powerful nobles compete for the English throne, while Uhtred attempts to protect the young Æthelstan and prevent the kingdom from fragmenting.

The struggle takes him through naval action, ambush and court intrigue as succession replaces Danish invasion as the central threat. Uhtred’s support may determine whether Alfred’s descendants preserve the emerging kingdom of England.

The succession after Edward the Elder is crucial to the emergence of a single English kingdom. Æthelstan’s authority is not guaranteed by birth alone, and support from Mercian and West Saxon elites must be secured against rival claims. Uhtred’s oath places the fictional warrior inside that transition, where choosing one prince can help determine whether decades of consolidation survive a disputed succession.