The Burning Land

About “The Burning Land”

In The Burning Land, Bernard Cornwell recounts the story of Uhtred, a reluctant warlord serving King Alfred of Wessex in the ninth century. As Alfred's health declines and the Danes, led by the warrior Harald Bloodhair, threaten the kingdom, Uhtred defeats the Vikings, securing a hard-earned victory. However, his triumph is short-lived, as he later betrays Alfred, joining the Vikings to reclaim his ancestral lands. With allies and enemies alike, he plans to invade Wessex but is drawn back into conflict when Alfred's daughter asks for his help. Uhtred leads a struggling Mercian army in a crucial battle near the Thames. Published in 2009, the novel is part of Cornwell's Saxon Tales and portrays the early struggles that shaped England.