Irish Viking king Anlaf arrives in Northumbria with his army after learning that the Anglo-Saxon King Edward is gravely ill. Edward dies, leaving behind three sons, but none were named as his heir. Lady Eadgifu and the youngest son Edmund flee to Bebbanburg where Uhtred, a former ally of Edward, resides. Uhtred learns that Edward's eldest son Aethelstan will likely attack his younger brother Aelfweard and makes plans to stop him. Aethelstan kills Aelfweard and is crowned king of the Saxons. He demands tribute or conquest and forced baptism from foreign kings. Uhtred witnesses the destruction of Pagan monuments and discovers Aethelstan's secret relationship with his advisor Ingilmundr. Ingilmundr plans to have Uhtred killed, and he flees back to Bebbanburg. Ingilmundr arrives at Bebbanburg to take the castle but is captured. He later massacres the Saxons at Thelwael, and Uhtred arrives to discover that Osbert and Edmund had managed to survive. Aethelstan refuses Uhtred's help against Anlaf's invasion. At the Battle of Brunanburh, Uhtred and Aethelstan's forces are heavily outnumbered and make a tactical withdrawal. Domnal and the heirs of other kings are killed, and Uhtred is gravely wounded. In the aftermath of the battle, Aethelstan agrees to make Edmund his sole heir, making him the first king of a united England. Uhtred experiences a vision of Valhalla, where he sees his deceased allies waiting for him.—Frank Liesenborgs