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→Main Plot
The main plot of the series in Season 4 differs more substantially from the books (Books 7 and 8) they are based on (<i>The Saxon Stories</i>). The first two episodes concentrate on Uhtred's attempts to reconquer his ancestral lands in Bamburgh (Bebbanburg) in modern Northumberland. By that time, the region was being raided by Scotts, which may have taken a toll on the northern Saxon populations. However, this is a side story as the main events revolve around Viking (Norse and Danish) invasions of western Mercia, while the combined Mercian and West Saxon (Wessex) forces attempted to trap the Vikings. It was during this time period that the Anglo-Saxons attempted to retrieve the relics of Saint Oswald from Northumbria, which was controlled by the Danes. Saint Oswald was believed to be an important saint to the English.
The Danes are shown as successfully sacking and pillaging western Mercia around the year 910. The Anglo-Saxons, which included the Mercians and Wessex, began to forge a plan to trap the Danes while they were in Mercia. The Danes ultimately did become trapped at the Battle of Tettenhall, near modern Wolverhampton in central England. While the Danes were raiding and ravaging the land, the Wessex King Edward and the Lord of the Mercians Aethlred, with his armies largely led by his wife Æthelflæd, came upon the Danes in a valley and area that was difficult to escape. This assault led to a crushing defeat for the Viking force, where ; historically they were never able to threaten any Anglo-Saxon regions until the 11th century , at least to the same extent as they did in the late 9th century.
After the defeat of the Vikings, in 911 Aethelred died, perhaps from wounds in the battle of Tettenhall or other causes, or perhaps only partially based on the battle itselfas the series depicts, although few sources confirm the exact causes. This Nevertheless, this event was important because it led to a power struggle in Mercia, with Æthelflæd ultimately becoming the first well-known English female leader despite never being called Queen. She continued to not only lead the Mercians but because she was Alfred's daughter, she was a natural ally to her brother Edward of Wessex. The brother and sister became a powerful pair against the Vikings for the rest of their rule.
Later, in 914, the Danes and Norse Vikings began to raid and try to take parts of Wales. These attacks also proved unsuccessful. The Norse also become more involved by this time, with Sigtryggr Ivarsson leading his men, possibly from Ireland, into Wales and parts of central England. They are shown as being unsuccessful in their attempts to capture land, but historically we do know Sigtryggr Ivarsson was able to settle near York and eventually become one of its rulers. In fact, he was likely the last significant Norse ruler, in Northumbria before its reconquest by the Anglo-Saxons.
The Anglo-Saxons also begin to take parts of East Anglia. Thus, by the end of this period, the Anglo-Saxons were now emerging as being more on the offensive. By 917, Edward and his sister Æthelflæd were on the offensive, reconquering able to reconquer East Anglia and parts of Mercia, taking most of Englandfor the first time. After that time, the Danish and Norse Vikings only ruled northern Englandand were unable to launch major attacks against the English for many decades after.
====Key Historical Characters====
