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CORNWELL**, BERNARD: : THE PALE HORSEMAN. [2nd novel of The Saxon Stories series.]

LONDON.HARPERCOLLINS PUBLISHERS,2005.

ISBN 0007149921.

UK,8vo HB+dw/dj,1st edn.FINE+/FINE+.No owner inscrptn,and no price-clip to dw/dj.Bright, crisp,clean,matt colour wrap-around photographic illustrated dw/dj with silver gilt+b/w lettering; with negligible shelf-wear and creasing to edges and corners - no nicks or tears present.Top+fore-edges bright and clean; contents bright,tight and pristine - no dog-ear reading creases to any pages' corner tips - possibly unread? Bright,crisp,clean dark/navy blue cloth boards with bright,crisp,blocked silver gilt letters to spine/backstrip,black+ silver headband,and immaculate pale blue illustrated endpapers.UK,8vo HB+dw/dj,1st edn,3-351pp [paginated]includes Pts 1-3 comprising 13 chapters,historical note; plus [unpaginated], half-title - verso has b/w map,3pp place names, title page,a dedication,poem extract,contents list/table,Parts separator pages,double-page aerial scenic b/w illustration (Scene of Battle of Ethandun,878) between pp285/8,and 2pp publisher's advert to rear.Sequel to 'The Last Kingdom'.See also rja465213 for related story/ novel 'Death of Kings'. THE LAST KINGDOM series is an historical novel series about the birth of England in the 9th & 10th Centuries. The protagonist of the series is Uhtred of Bebbanburg,born to a Saxon lord in Northumbria. He is captured as a child and adopted by a Danish warlord.The name of the fictional protagonist comes from the historical Uhtred the Bold,and Cornwell is a descendant of this family. The story begins with the conquest of all but one of the major Saxon kingdoms by the Danes, with Wessex,the last kingdom,nearly overrun. Alfred the Great,King of Wessex,rallies his forces and begins the long struggle to fulfill his ambition of uniting all English speakers in one realm.Uhtred,despite his inclinations otherwise,repeatedly fights and schemes to bring about Alfred's dream over the course of a long life. Uhtred,Northumbrian born,raised a Viking and now married to a Saxon,is already a formidable figure and warrior.But at twenty he is still arrogant,pagan and headstrong,so not a comfortable ally for the thoughtful,pious Alfred.But these two,with Alfred's family and a few of Uhtred's companions,are apparently all that remains truce. It is the lowest time for the Saxons. Defeated comprehensively by the Vikings who now occupy most of England,Alfred and his surviving followers seek refuge in Athelney,a tidal swamp to which Alfred's kingdom has shrunk.There,using the marsh mists for cover,they travel in small boats from one island to another,hoping to regroup and find more strength and support. Uhtred is still attracted to rejoining his Danish foster brother and the victorious Vikings.But he finds a growing respect for the stubborn leadership of Alfred,to whom Uhtred's support is essential if the Saxon strength is to be rebuilt and battle joined with the enemy. 'The Pale Horsemen' is a splendid story of divided loyalties and desperate heroism,with a wonderful range of characters from Vikings to British kings in their Cornish fortresses from political but passionate priests to enduring fishermen and farmers striving to survive as the battle sweeps over them.Uhtred and Alfred, Vikings and Saxons,are a winning combination for Bernard Cornwell. Want more Bernard CORNWELL titles? For similar and other titles,please search my MODERN FIRSTS, MODERN FIRSTS2 and SIGNED catalogues. Please contact seller,for correct,insured shipping/P+p quotes - particularly ALL overseas buyers - BEFORE ordering through the order page! N.B. ALL buyers please note,stocks' actual shipping/P+p costs are adjusted and any difference is refunded,after order's receipt and before the order's despatch,especially if the item(s) are offered either P+p included/FREE. ** N.B. US/Canada customers please be aware: Standard AIRMAIL postage from UK to these destinations can now cost more than the price of the book! If speed is not of the essence,then Economy rate is recommended - at approx. anything from a 1/3rd to 1/2 of the standard US AIR quote/rate - sometimes arriving sooner than the 42 days - but not always. **

UK,8vo HB+dw/dj,1st edn.
Not SIGNED.

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