In the bitter winter of ad 875 the kingdoms of Albion are weak and divided. When a fleet of Viking longboats, under the banner of the Raven, is spotted in the Humber estuary, most presume they are just another raiding party. But this is no ordinary group of barbarians. Led by Guthrum, a huge one-eyed warrior king, the Norsemen have come to stay. For, beneath his terrifying appearance, Guthrum is a brilliant military strategist with a mind of almost infinite cunning. Who can oppose the Viking King's awesome and mighty will? Who among the Saxons will stand and fight? Who will live and who will die? The fate of all England lies in the balance: now is the time to let battle commence.