WMG / The Saxon Stories

Uhtred will die at the Battle of Brunanburh

The great English victory over the combined Scots and Vikings took place in 937, when Uhtred would be 80 years old, at an unknown location. Uhtred has mentioned in his narration being close to 80, eager to die in battle, and having trouble down the line with King Constantine (who commanded the Scots at Brunanburh).

Further to this, the unknown location of Brunanburh is actually a corruption of early writers referring to it as the last battle of Uhtred of Bebbanburg.

Jossed: He survives the final book.

Berg Skallagrimmrson will either save Æthelstan's life, or play a key role in winning the Battle of Brunanburh

When Uhtred first takes the young Norse warrior Berg Skallagrimmrson into his service, his narration notes: "I was not to know it, but I had just made Alfred's dream of Englaland come true". Thus far, Berg has mostly been a tertiary character, but it's clear that he will eventually do something that will alter the course of history in England's favor.

Enter Æthelstan. Readers who are familiar with the historical events surrounding the series will know that he is fated to become the first king to rule over all the English-speaking lands; the culmination of Alfred's vision. His victory at Burnanburh is ultimately what made that possible. Egil's Saga relates that the famous Norse warrior Egil Skallagrimsson, his brother Thorolf, and their company of warriors fought on the side of Æthelstan at Brunanburh, and were personally rewarded by the king for their service. It's very possible that Cornwell's character Berg is either a kinsman of Egil, or else is somehow based on him. At Brunanburh, Berg will either do something that directly results in a Saxon victory, save the king's life, or both.

• Alternately, Berg's death will motivate Egil to join forces with the English to avenge his kinsman's death.
• It's now confirmed that Berg is Egil's baby brother, and he has persuaded Egil and Thorolf to betray their previous master and enter Uhtred's service.