In a time of chaos and Viking onslaught, Alfred, the untested Saxon king, must fight to save his ravished land. The tale unfurls through the eyes of a young thane, Edmond, who becomes Alfred's friend and mightiest warrior. When Danes over run the land and the Saxons capitulate, this young knight trains and leads a devoted corps of pike-men to recapture the kingdom.

On his adventures Edmond is captured by the Pagan Danes, raises the siege of Paris, meets the Pope and still finds time to fall in love. Henty successfully weaves this plot of intrigue and suspense into the fabric of true history.