Britain, early-10th century AD. Edward, King of Wessex, Mercia and East Anglia has died, creating a power vacuum in the kingdom. Vying to be king are Aethelstan and Aelfweard, both sons of Edward but with the claim of Aethelstan, the eldest, in dispute. Aethelstan has fallen under the influence of Ingilmundr, a half-Dane, half-Saxon, who appears to have prophetic powers. The Saxons' enemies - the Danes, Scots and some smaller kingdoms - see Edward's death as a chance to invade. Sitting between the two forces is Northumbria, ruled by Uhtred of Bebbanburg..