Death of Kings

It's 899. Alfred is dying, and rivals want to carve up the kingdom. Uhtred survives an assassination attempt and an ambush, and beats a larger Danish army by burning a bridge behind it. At Ceaster he is drugged by the prophetess Aelfadell, who is paid by Jarl Sigurd; he escapes and burns Sigurd's ships. On his deathbed, Alfred grants Uhtred land and makes him swear to Edward. Three years later the Danes invade. Uhtred unmasks Sigelf, a Kentish traitor, and wins over his men. In the final battle he is surrounded until Steapa arrives. No one truly wins, but Æthelwold and King Eohric die, and the Danes pull back.

1. ChangeWho kills Æthelwold

   In the book, Æthelwold dies in the final battle among several fallen leaders. On the show, Uhtred is the one who kills him.

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2. Behind the scenesFake angels versus prophecy

   To undercut the prophecies of Aelfadell, who is paid by the Danes, Uhtred stages fake angels. Classic Uhtred: he doesn't believe in Christian miracles, but he knows how to use one.

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3. ReferenceThe battle of the Holme

   The climax is the battle of the Holme, in 902. With no clear winner, it killed Æthelwold and Eohric, king of East Anglia, just as in the book.

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