I am Uhtred, son of Uhtred.
I was born a Saxon Lord, but raised as a Dane,
until the eve of my sister's wedding, when my family were murdered.
Fire.
I am a warrior.
But when the Danes attacked Alfred's stronghold of Winchester,
all a man could do was run.
Some faster than others,
including my enemy, Young Odda.
And so, Guthrum took Winchester.
Aethelwold pledged his allegiance to the Danes,
though Guthrum still feared Alfred's God,
I could only hope my now distant wife and child would be safe.
We had no choice but to hide.
And pray for a miracle.
Iseult, my virgin queen saved the King's son,
but at a cost only she could see.
She gave Alfred strength.
With the king alive and well, there is hope for Wessex.
Destiny is all.
(THEME MUSIC PLAYING)
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Agreed we have fired a good number of ships.
Fleet.
A fleet.
But in the meantime,
we have left hundreds of Danes stranded in Wessex
with no means of leaving.
Wulfhere, I do not believe their intention was to ever leave.
And in a few months they'll be more ships, more men.
Now is the time to fight.
To fight with what?
We're without an army and the Danes will number thousands.
Men are out there Wulfhere, and they're waiting,
- what they need is the call. - Indeed, but...
Lord, what if I suggest we escort you to Frankia...
That will not happen. I will not hide.
Not here, nor in Frankia.
- But my... - I have prayed.
Daily, for guidance.
The only way I see to save Wessex,
is with what we have begun.
One defining battle.
We shall be leaving the marshes.
Courage and faith.
- Amen. - Amen.
Amen.
(BABY CRYING)
It will not be recorded that King Alfred was a weak, frail man,
in mind body and soul.
Unfit to be called King.
Nothing of what you say is true.
But it would become true.
Never.
And you, my love, will remain here.
If I fail, you must go to Frankia.
Not without you.
You must save and protect our children.
For me,
there can be no other country but England.
No other wife but Aelswith.
Father Beocca?
Father,
I'm not saying I know everything,
but the king must continue to trust me.
The arrival of Asser may change him.
The arrival of Brother Asser has given him strength.
Brother is not a warrior.
Now's the time for warriors.
Though I never thought I'd say it, we need Odda the younger.
He commands the largest fyrd.
He's the beginning of our army.
That is where we are headed.
Uhtred, I will do everything I can to help.
I will be at your side.
I'll be a flea in Alfred's ear.
Thank you.
Your father would be a proud man,
as am I.
I shall ready my men, and by tomorrow have horses waiting.
Uhtred.
Do you believe the Danes can be defeated?
Let's see you cross the water Ealdorman Wulfhere.
Well.
(ARGUING)
(CLEARS THROAT)
Aethelcard, Aethelcard my friend.
A man who would be King of Wessex.
Thank you, thank you for coming to see me.
It is Aethelwold.
Yes please sit down, sit down.
So...
I want you
to tell me everything you know about Alfred.
I've told you Lord, he thinks with his dick.
(LAUGHS)
He can barely keep his britches on.
Hear the question boy.
Not everybody enjoys a fool.
Alfred,
though he may be afflicted by pain, he's as strong a man as you will find.
He's also as clever a man as you will find.
I was ready to have him as my advisor, but he stole my crown.
His strength, Lord, I believe comes from... his faith.
(SNICKERS)
From God.
(CHUCKLES)
Do you believe
in this God?
I believe in myself.
Ah.
Why did Alfred steal the crown?
For silver, or to be a stronger king to the people?
No, um...
Y..Yes, in part.
Which is it?
Unfailing, I was not seen as a man to follow, by some.
I was not a man to fight Danes, it was said,
and which is true, because I know the Danes will win.
Yes.
Whereas Alfred, Alfred believes... that he can win.
- Even now? - Yes.
And he's wrong, of course.
But, but, but, his faith...
You know, that God will not desert him,
will make him believe that he will win.
(CHUCKLES)
Then you have to kill him.
I must kill him?
Who else
then King Aethelcard,
can walk in to Alfred's camp,
and be welcomed as a friend?
♪
Wulfhere and his men.
God save us.
Stay away!
I have skills.
Put that piece of tin away, boy.
Oh thank Christ you're English.
I thought you were one of them.
What with the hair...
Where's the Ealdorman Wulfhere?
Gone, Lord.
I am Halig.
- I take care of the horses. - Gone where?
Now I'm thinking on it Lord, he did not say.
I thought you would know.
Wulfhere, where is he?
He's gone, Lord.
Lord.
He has gone where?
He didn't say.
He has left you horses, Lord.
We keep moving.
Without Wulfhere?
Our plan doesn't change.
We make our way to Odda's estate.
We cannot use the Roman roads.
We can make our way to my farmstead.
And from there cross covered ground to Odda's.
And that is the safest pass, Leofric?
It is Lord.
Let's return to the others.
There is pain here for you, my love.
Do you know them?
Tenants.
(CHICKENS SQUAWKING)
No.
No, no!
(SOBS)
♪
(SOBBING)
No...
(SOBBING)
No!
We shall bury the dead.
Pray for their souls.
When you are ready,
(SOBBING)
I would like to say a prayer for Uhtred, son of Uhtred.
(BREATHING HEAVILY)
I must search for Mildrith.
She may be dead and unburied.
Uhtred, no, no.
She has buried your son with care.
And she has left this place.
It was no longer home for her anymore.
Believe me.
(CRYING)
Your tears on the earth will show him that you loved him.
(SOBBING)
Lord, may I ask for your writing?
The first of many letters.
Each will say the same.
The men of Wessex and beyond shall gather at Egbert's Stone,
and together we will fight.
When you send out your messengers Lord,
might I suggest that you hand them the letters personally,
perhaps place a hand on their shoulder?
It will embolden them for sure.
Thank you, Beocca.
I will do that.
You know I did this to you,
when I saved the King's son?
You did not.
I knew an innocent would die.
I'm tired of being like this.
I've seen too much.
And know too much.
I want to see no more.
Mildrith.
Mildrith!
Lord, you should be resting.
- We should all be resting. - I'm tired of resting.
I've spent too many days doing nothing.
Then at least sit, before you become unsteady.
Where's my wife?
She's resting Lord.
My son?
He's away Lord.
Still?
Important business demands time.
(SIGHS)
It is not a betrayal?
No, it is not Lord.
Look what I've done to you, child.
- I'm content enough, Lord. - Look what God has done to you.
You deserve so much more than,
than the clothes of a nun.
I have purpose Lord.
My child is with God.
And I am close to God.
There is joy in my days, at times.
Do not fear the Danes.
You will be protected.
My son will ensure that.
You are Earl Skorpa.
You are here to surrender, and not waste my time.
I'm here to negotiate.
Surrender and you will live.
Talk too much and I will kill you.
Of all the Ealdorman of Wessex,
I am the man who can assemble the greatest fyrd.
The greatest army.
I now have to make a choice,
whether to side with Guthrum, or with Skorpa.
One Dane looks much like the other to me.
I am occupying your land.
Why should I not simply crush you?
Accept my invitation.
Eat with myself and with my father.
And I will tell you all about my land.
The range of my influence.
I am sure an agreement can be reached.
Neither of us need lose any men.
Neither of us need be weakened.
Eat and drink.
At my hall.
I assure you this is no trap.
I will arrive at your hall.
After the new moon.
I shall expect you.
Then we have peace, at least for a time?
Oh we do.
You have lost much.
Fathers, mothers,
a son.
Lovers.
I have you.
I have a brother.
Ragnar?
Yes.
And your sister, Thyra.
Yes.
She is alive.
No, she's dead.
In the fire.
Mildrith, she lives,
and is being held in the North.
It is the truth.
Skorpa told me.
I thought at first it could be a lie to torment you.
Hearing it from me would have made it true.
But now I know that it is true.
She lives.
You've seen it?
Yes.
I've seen her.
But I will see her no more, the gift is fading.
When this battle is done, your true path leads North.
It will be time to face your past.
And you'll be with me?
Always.
Lord.
If God's help is required,
how could He look favorably upon Uhtred?
A non-believer.
God is good.
Yes, Lord, but in following the heathen, what does that say about our beliefs?
Death could be waiting over the very next hill.
And it will be Uhtred who stands in its way.
I have no doubt.
The Dane will always protect his plunder.
The King is of value.
He is here to protect the King.
Something neither you or I can do.
He is a man without a soul.
Then I will be his soul, Lord, I will pray for him.
I will ride beside him always, and into battle.
- I will be his conduit to God. - And if you fall, in battle?
With the help of your prayers Brother, I shall become invincible, I'm sure.
Brother Asser,
I should like you to be the first of my messengers.
(HORSES NEIGHING)
Morning.
Sleep well?
He means, did you hump well?
I know what he means.
Sleep well, Lady?
ALFRED: If I may speak to you all?
Though we are yet to complete the first segment of our journey to Odda's estate,
it is important that we begin the second.
Word of our army's gathering point must be dispatched
to the further reaches of our land.
Brother Asser here will be my first messenger.
Halig?
Yes Lord.
You, will also be my voice.
I will Lord.
And me Lord.
Hild?
Lord.
She is a woman.
I'm as good a horseman as anyone here.
If it means more Danes will die, then I'll do it.
Yes Hild.
You will.
♪
LEOFRIC: Your horses.
Belong to him.
The Lord Odda.
You'll let us pass.
You selling or buying?
Selling.
To the Danes.
There is a peace.
Did you not know?
Odda has made a peace?
No, I did not.
Odda is loyal.
We shall see for ourselves what is true.
Follow.
Lord.
You should remain out of sight until we can be sure of your safety.
Odda is not a danger.
But who sits with Odda?
I will not hide.
Lord, please.
Hear the advice.
You are a symbol of Wessex.
You are the standard around which our army will gather.
You cannot be put at risk.
Very well.
I must see this with my own eyes.
- Lord that is not a good... - I've made up my mind.
If there is treachery, it is something I must witness.
- Then I will go with you. - I do not require a nursemaid.
- I am a priest. - And I, a king!
You will wait here with Iseult.
I am aware of the care I need to take.
(INDISTINCT CONVERSATIONS)
Nuns should not be so pretty, nor have lips that demand to be kissed.
I see you agree.
Things'll get even.
But I'm rested, Lord.
GUARD: Lord?
ODDA: What is it?
Have the Danes arrived?
Leofric.
He's outside.
Then bring him inside, he's our man.
He's with Uhtred.
Bring them both to me.
Leofric...
Uhtred, my prayers have been answered.
God is good.
Lords.
It is good to see you both, safe and well.
Leofric.
You are home.
Where in God's name have you been?
Hiding Lord, and killing Danes.
Hopefully not on my land.
UHTRED: We've been sent by the King.
We bring orders from the King.
What King is that?
King Alfred?
Who else, Lord?
Wessex it seems, is full of kings.
There is Guthrum, who is King of East Anglia,
and now sits in Winchester.
There is Aethelwold here,
who will tell anyone who cares to listen that he is king.
Where will it end?
I have Alfred's written order.
It means nothing.
- You are to raise the fyrd. - It is over for Alfred!
Alfred gave up on Wessex.
He decided to save himself!
No man has been more loyal to Alfred than my father and I!
But he has failed us!
Danes surround us, and he is hiding!
Alfred is king of the eels, slippery and elusive!
You see it's true?
You have sided with the Danes.
What has Skorpa promised you?
Are you to be King, Odda?
- Leofric, are you still my man? - Am I right?
I asked you a question Leofric.
I am still your man, Lord.
Then you will finish the business you have with this Dane, and kill him.
You have my order! Kill him!
Lord, I cannot do that.
- I stand here as Alfred's messenger. - I will not tell you again Leofric.
If any man tried to kill me, then that man is a traitor to the King.
Leofric, you will kill him!
- Alfred is no longer my king! - I will not do it, Lord.
- My son... - Father you will not interfere.
(GRUNTS)
May your mother forgive me.
And may you be forgiven for your treason.
(SURPRISED GASPS/MURMURS)
Lord.
Forgive him.
Let him die noble.
Forgive him.
I ask you this as your servant.
Odda.
You will do as I command.
You will raise the Somerset fyrd.
Lord.
Forgive my son!
Please!
I will not forgive what I have seen.
You will raise the fyrd.
Yes, Lord.
(FIRE CRACKLING)
I will need twenty horsemen.
To take word
to all men
able to carry sword, hook, or spear.
The word is... that Alfred is king.
(MEN CHEERING)
And will fight alongside the swords of Wessex,
to his dying breath.
Come on!
(MEN CHEERING)
Come on!
(CHEERING/CHANTING)
May we speak?
About our son?
You know?
Then there's nothing left to say.
I'm sorry that his death was something that you had to face alone.
(SCOFFS)
I was not alone.
Being without a husband does not mean that I am alone.
Then I'm sorry for the life that I've given you.
I've found peace.
If you can do the same.
Was there sickness?
- I would like to understand. - Children are frail.
You will have other sons.
I'm sure.
With your queen.
Is she here?
Yes.
I would like you to leave me alone.
Never speak to me again.
We have nothing that binds us, nothing.
Avoid me.
Please.
Uhtred Ragnarson.
Should I be pleased to see you?
Skorpa of the white horse.
I am expected,
by the Lord Odda.
The Lord Odda is in the ground, buried as a traitor.
So what now?
Do I speak with you?
Does the truce stand?
For today it stands.
Tomorrow we'll kill you.
You will kill me, with what?
I have almost 1,000 men to call upon.
Your ships have been burned Skorpa.
By Alfred.
He's gathering a great Saxon army.
I am aware my ships are gone.
And I will have my revenge.
You should return to Guthrum, and prepare to die.
Did your queen tell you,
that your sister is being humped in the ass
each and every night by one-eyed Sven?
Did your mother tell you that she should have kept her legs closed?
I will look for you first!
Across the battlefield.
I will be there!
And I will not be difficult to find.
ALFRED: He will go to Guthrum?
I believe he will, Lord.
Then the battle is one step nearer.
Beocca.
You should wash out your mouth.
Yes Lord, I will...
prevail.
How many men?
400.
No more.
And this is the great Saxon army?
Their numbers will grow.
We need to march.
There needs to be a story of a slaughter.
Only days ago, Ragnar was asking if the war was over.
Skorpa is right, there must be a slaughter.
We must take the fight to Alfred.
And his God.
And you are ready
to kill your brother?
If it comes to that.
Yes.
Then we shall face one great army with another.
Once the armies are assembled,
I shall speak to them as one.
Each man should know
this war is not only about land.
Should the heathens win,
then Christ is defeated.
When you speak to the men Lord,
you cannot make it a sermon.
Then what do you suggest I say?
Tell them that you'll die for them.
That's good.
Tell them that we'll make the Danes pay in blood.
And that they'll be rewarded in plunder.
I am to talk of revenge and greed?
They're men Lord, not angels.
We shall stop for a moment.
Halt!
We halt!
Lord?
It is Egbert's Stone.
Within these next few yards,
we will know if we have an army,
of angels, or otherwise.
I will go alone.
If no one is there, what then?
I see.
Not a single one.
Not a single man has answered my call.
Then we wait.
We must wait, Lord.
A fine knife.
Dane's knife.
This thing?
Yes, I took it from a Dane.
- A Dane I killed. - Where?
Winchester.
This was before you groveled on your ass to Guthrum?
Before I presented myself to him.
Yes.
I was not, however, treated in a kingly manner,
and decided to escape.
A king under the Danes is no king.
Uhtred, I do like you, but I rather tire of your preaching.
Have you ever thought of becoming a priest?
- Ever since I was a boy. - That's a lie.
I've baptised him twice.
He's still not a Christian.
For luck.
Now I'll need a lock from you.
Where's Alfred?
Watching.
Waiting for his army.
I think I shall go and sit with him a while.
You are fond of him now?
For luck.
(BREATHING HEAVILY)
Lord.
I thought you would like company.
What do you see?
What do you hear?
- I hear nothing Lord. - No. No.
There is a... change in the shadows,
in the air.
They're out there.
I see nothing but grass, Lord.
- Beyond the grass, trees... - There, there.
It's men.
Mo... more men, there.
They have answered the call.
The swords of England, they're coming.
(LAUGHS)
It's the swords of Wessex.
The swords of England.
Today,
is a day for warriors.
A day to kill your enemies.
A day,
we make the pagan's wish they have never heard of Wessex.
Today,
we fight for Wessex!
(CHEERING)
And not only for Wessex.
We have men here from Northumbria,
from Mercia, from East Anglia.
And why are the pagan's here?
They want your wives for their pleasure.
They want your children as their slaves.
They want your homes as their own.
But they do not know us!
(CHEERING)
They do not know our swords.
They do not know our axes.
Our spears.
They do not know our courage!
And today,
we kill them!
(CHEERING)
We shall make the ground red with their blood.
We shall strip them of what they have plundered.
We shall make them cry out for mercy!
And there will be none!
(CHEERING)
No mercy!
(CONTINUE CHANTING) No mercy!
Should I fall,
you and Hild are to take my horse and ride clear of here.
You will not fall.
- I forbid it. - Everything I have
is packed in my bags, it's yours.
You will not fall.
(CHANTING) No mercy!
I fight for you.
Kill them all!
(CONTINUE CHANTING) No Mercy!
Then no mercy it must be.
Should we meet Uhtred in battle, there can be no doubt.
No mercy.
None.
We should not be holding back, Lord.
We should attack with every man.
I will decide how we fight.
You will follow my orders.
Yes Lord.
No mercy.
Form our lines.
Form our lines!
Shields up!
Advance!
LEOFRIC: Come on!
Forward.
Hold the line.
We work as one.
We do not break!
Shield lock.
Hold the line!
Halt.
Halt!
Wulfhere!
I will have your guts you traitorous bastard!
This is our land!
(CHEERING)
(YELLING)
Second!
Third!
First in line, as you wished.
Hmmm.
(EXHALES)
(YELLING)
Here they come.
Hold.
Hold!
(SWORDS CLANGING)
Ah!
Keep the wall tight!
LEOFRIC: Have that Wulfhere, you bastard!
Hold!
Leofric.
On to your feet.
Leofric!
Leave him.
Leave him!
Close the gaps!
Keep the wall tight!
Three, two, one.
(GRUNTING/GROANING)
No mercy!
Ah!
No more ground should be lost!
(GRUNTING/GROANING)
Follow me!
God have mercy.
(SCREAMING)
♪
(GASPS)
We fall back as one.
Hold.
We hold here.
We go no further.
It's backwards with me and my level.
And...
(SOLDIERS GROAN AS ONE)
Uhtred Ragnarson!
Do you hear me?
I hear you Skorpa.
Do you wish to surrender?
I have a gift for you.
Your queen!
No mercy!
(YELLING)
You will be struck down with my spear!
(YELLS)
And you will spend eternity in the fires of hell!
(YELLING)
Uhtred!
Ah!
(YELLING)
Take the horse.
(SCREAMS)
Lord, what are your orders?
Lord?
Did you see that?
He came as the priest said.
What Lord?
Their God is with them.
So what are your orders?
End it.
♪
No!
♪
No mercy!
His grave is to be marked like that of an Ealdorman.
I shall see to it.
Uhtred.
Iseult is whole.
She has been wrapped and made ready for burial.
(UHTRED SIGHS)
I want her to have a pyre.
Then she shall have it.
Uhtred.
For all that you have done,
for all that you have shown me,
thank you.
You have given everything.
You are the man I always hoped you would become.
♪
UHTRED: In the year 878, at Ethandun,
King Alfred defeated Guthrum of the Danes,
and drove them from Wessex.
ALFRED: I am indebted.
Uhtred of Bebbanburg.
Wessex is indebted.
There can be no negotiation Lord.
Only surrender.
That is your advice?
It is.
I hear you.
Lord.
Peace was secured with hostages.
Including my friend Brida.
And my brother, Young Ragnar.
Peace was further secured by Earl Guthrum's baptism.
And acceptance of the Christian God.
Do you renounce the devil and all his works?
I do.
Let this water cleanse you.
And make you worthy of God's blessing.
Guthrum, you are now a child of God.
- Amen. ALL: Amen.
As for Uhtred the Godless,
my journey continues.
My path leads North,
to blood feuds, to revenge,
and to Bebbanburg.
Destiny is all.
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