This novel is the dramatic story of the power of tribal commitment and the terrible difficulties of divided loyalties. This is the making of England magnificently brought to life by the master of historical fiction.

gggTHE grand master of historical fiction, Bernard Cornwell, will talk about his latest book at Ely Cathedral on Monday, September 26. Tickets for the event, which has been organised by Topping & Co Bookseller of Ely, are still available, see details below. His latest offering, Death of Kings, presents the iconic story of King Alfred and the making of a nation. As the Ninth Century wanes, England appears about to be plunged into chaos once more. For the Viking-raised, but Saxon-born warrior, Uhtred whose life seems to shadow the making of England this presents him with difficult choices. King Alfred is dying and his passing threatens the island of Britain to renewed warfare. Alfred want his son Edward to succeed him but there are other Saxon claimants to the throne as well as ambitious pagan Vikings to the north. Uhtred’s loyalty and his vows are to Alfred, not to his son and despite long years of service to Alfred he is still not committed to the Saxon cause. His own desire to reclaim his long lost lands and castle to the north. But the challenge to him, as the king’s warrior, is that he knows that he will either be the means of making Alfred’s dream of a united and Christian England come to pass or be responsible for condemning it to oblivion. This novel is the dramatic story of the power of tribal commitment and the terrible difficulties of divided loyalties. This is the making of England magnificently brought to life by the master of historical fiction.

INFO: Tickets are �8/�7 from Topping & Co Booksellers in High Street, and include a free drink and a voucher off the price of the book, or telephone 01353 645005. Time: 6.45pm for a 7.30pm start.