Usurper

In 1066, 16-year-old Saxon Cerdic lives with his elder brother, Unferth, and his father, Rothgar, Earl of Ripon, in Swaledale. As the younger brother, he studies for the priesthood while Unferth trains to take on the mantle of earl one day.

When news arrives that the King of Norway, Harald Hardraada, is invading northern England with the treacherous Tostig Godwinson, Earl Rothgar joins the northern nobles to repel them. He takes Unferth with him, their housecarls and the fyrd of Swaledale. Cerdic, keen to go off to war, is left behind, struggling with his anger and shame at not being allowed to fight.

Several days later, a blood-spattered and grimy rider returns from the battlefield. The battle was lost. Earl Rothgar and his men are defeated, and a Viking horde is bearing down on their town. The war has come to Cerdic ...