The Pagan Lord is the seventh book in The Last Kingdom Series written by Bernard Cornwell. This historical fiction novel continues the story of Uhtred of Bebbanburg, a Saxon warrior who finds himself torn between his loyalty to the Saxons and his Danish heritage during the time of the Viking invasions in England.

The story takes place in the 9th century, when England is divided into several kingdoms, with the Danes ruling over a significant portion of the country. Uhtred, who was born a Saxon but raised by Danes, has become a formidable warrior and leader. In this installment, he faces new challenges as he tries to reclaim his ancestral home of Bebbanburg from his treacherous uncle.

The book begins with Uhtred’s return to Wessex after a period of absence. He finds that King Alfred, his former ally, is dying and that his son Edward will soon take the throne. Uhtred is torn between his loyalty to Alfred’s vision of a united England and his desire to regain Bebbanburg. He also faces internal conflicts as he struggles with his own identity and where he truly belongs.

As Uhtred becomes involved in the political intrigues of Wessex, he must navigate through treacherous alliances and face formidable enemies. He forms an uneasy alliance with Edward, who promises to help him reclaim Bebbanburg in exchange for Uhtred’s support in securing Edward’s claim to the throne. Uhtred also reunites with old friends and enemies, including his former lover Gisela and his nemesis Skade.

Throughout the book, Uhtred engages in numerous battles and skirmishes against both Danes and rival Saxons. His military prowess and strategic thinking are put to the test as he fights to protect Wessex from Viking invasions while also pursuing his personal goals. Along the way, he faces betrayal, loss, and difficult choices that shape his destiny.

As the story unfolds, Uhtred’s quest to reclaim Bebbanburg becomes intertwined with the larger struggle for power in England. He must confront his own past and make sacrifices for the greater good. The Pagan Lord is a tale of war, honor, and the complexities of identity set against the backdrop of a turbulent period in English history.

• The Pagan Lord

• Series: The Last Kingdom Series, Book 7
• By: Bernard Cornwell
• Narrated by: Matt Bates

New York Times bestselling author Bernard Cornwell returns to his Saxon Tales with The Pagan Lord, a dramatic tale of divided loyalties, bloody battles and the struggle to unify England.

At the beginning of the tenth century, England fell into turmoil. Alfred the Great died and his son Edward became king. Wessex exists but peace cannot hold: the Danes to the north, led by the Viking Cnut Longsword, are ready to invade and will never rest until the emerald crown is theirs.

Uhtred, once Alfred’s great warrior but now unpopular with the new king, must lead a band of outcasts in the north to retake his family’s old home, the great Northumbrian fortress, Bebbanburg.

In The Pagan Lord, loyalty will be divided and men will fall, for every Saxon kingdom is embroiled in the bloodiest battle with the Danes; a war that will decide the fate of every king and the entire nation of England.

Here’s another great story from Bernard Cornwell. The main characters from previous books in the series return and Uhtred, now older, is just as violent and bloodthirsty as ever. Uhtred went to Bebbanburg to claim the inheritance and wage war on Cnut. I came across this book and in the end I still want more. I hope we get more!

Mates Bates’ narration is very capable and a huge improvement over the last book in the series.

This book series is excellent. I have read all the printed books before. This one is great, but not as good as the others in the series. Is it because of the audio format? Not sure. Not only do I sympathize with Uhtred’s difficulties in this part, but I still quite enjoyed it.

If I could meet any fictional character, it would be Uhtred. He fascinates me and he gets better and better with age.
I love how BC can continue his story in more interesting ways but not less and change Uhtred as I expect him to change as he gets older as well as his experiences and priorities change. This set stands above all others in that respect.
Great performance though my favorite narrator is still Jamie Glover. He was the first person I heard and the voice I heard in my head. Read these books!

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