Sword of Kings

It's 924. Uhtred looks into the murder of fishermen under his protection and finds the hand of Waormund, a warrior working for Aethelhelm. King Edward is dying, and Queen Eadgifu asks Uhtred for help, so he rides south, bound by his oath to kill Aethelhelm. Edward dies, and his will splits the kingdoms among his sons. In Lundene, Waormund's men open a gate and take the city. Uhtred escapes, is caught, surrenders to save his companions and is freed. Disguised as Aethelhelm's allies, his men seize a gate for Æthelstan's army. Uhtred kills Waormund, Aethelhelm dies fleeing, and Æthelstan executes Ælfweard. But up north, a plague has killed Uhtred's family.

1. ChangeThe film borrows

   Seven Kings Must Die is mostly based on War Lord and uses only pieces of this book, such as the feud between Edward's sons.

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2. ReferenceEadgifu was real

   The queen who asks Uhtred for help is Eadgifu of Kent, Edward's third wife. She was the mother of Edmund, who would later be king too.

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3. ReferenceÆlfweard, king for days

   In real history, Ælfweard outlived his father Edward by only about 16 days. His quick death cleared the way for Æthelstan.

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