The Burning Land (2009) (edit title/settings)

Ridiculously Simplified Synopsis edit

Write a ridiculously simplified synopsis.

Characters/People edit see section history

• Uhtred of Bebbanburg: Born a Christian, raised by Danes and a true Viking at heart, Uhtred has lived his entire life in conflict with the two sides. Now, a great warlord and the the top military defender of the English kingdom under Kind Alfred, despite his conflicting beliefs.
• King Alfred: Alfred the Great is recognized as the first king of unified England, or at least the one who set all the pieces into motion to defeat and remove the Danes and bring Christianity to the forefront as the premier religion. A sickly, frail man, yet very wise. He believed in education and the value of written histories and surrounded himself with a flock of priests to continually document everything. Being a devout leader of Christianity, his views often clashed with those of Uhtred.
• Ǽthelflæd: Daughter to King Alfred, and dear friend of Uhtred, Ǽthelflæd is intelligent, strong and presents as a leader and motivator of her countrymen, while her brother, the future king does not. She is unhappily married to Uhtred's cousin Ǽthelred.
• Skade: The striking, attractive and captivating spouse of the Dane warlord, Harald Bloodhair. Many consider her to be a witch, and she is quite venomous.
• Steapa: The leader of Kind Alfred's personal guard. A mighty, yet not to bright, warrior. He and Uhtred have mutual respect for each other.
• Finan: Irishman, warrior, second in command to Uhtred.
• Father Willibald: Priest, friendly with Uhtred.
• Jarl Haesten: Dane, once rescued by Uhtred, now his enemy.

Quotes edit see section history

• “What kind of perverted religion makes pleasures into sins? The old gods, even though they never deny us pleasure, fade these days. Folk abandon them, preferring the whip and bridle of the Christians' nailed god.”

  Uhtred

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• The way to wealth is to become a Christian bishop or a monastery’s abbot and thus be imbued with heaven’s permission to lie, cheat, and steal your way to luxury.

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• Wyrd bið ful ãræd, it says. Fate is inexorable. And wyn eal gedreas. All the joy has died.

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• Thou shalt not kill, they preached, then screamed at us warriors to slaughter the pagans. Thou shalt not steal, they preached, and forged charters to take men’s lands. Thou shalt not commit adultery, they preached, and rutted other men’s wives like besotted hares in springtime.

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• He wanted to improve the world, while I did not believe and never have believed that we can improve the world, just merely survive as it slides into chaos.

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• The Warlord Part Two Viking

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• He was not a natural fighter, not like Finan, but he brought a keen intelligence to the business of war, and intelligence is a weapon that has a sharp edge and a long reach.

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• Battle's Edge Historical Note

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• Wyrd bið ful ãræd, we say, and it is true. Fate is inexorable.

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• Place-Names Part One

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• Children are easily swayed by religion, which is why it is a good thing that most eventually grow into sense.

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Setting & Locations edit see section history

• London: Mentioned in the book with the 9th century name of Lundene

First Sentence edit see section history

Series & Lists edit see section history

Preceded by Sword Song, and followed by Death of Kings.

Authors & Contributors edit see section history

1. Bernard Cornwell (Author)

First Edition edit see section history

Classification edit see section history

• Library of Congress: Add the Library of Congress Classification.
• Dewey: 823.914

Subjects edit see section history

• Books › Literature & Fiction › World Literature › British › Historical
• Books › Literature & Fiction › Genre Fiction › Historical