After seeing his father getting killed on the battlefield, Uhtred is enslaved by the Danes, who soon make him one of their own after he saves their Earl's daughter. When the Earl is killed, Uhtred makes his way home to take back his rightful inheritance from his uncle.
Uhtred is forced to flee with Brida after he gets accused of the Earl's murder. As they make it to the last Saxon kingdom, they try to warn them about the impending attack from the Danes.
Uhtred helps Alfred come up with a plan to buy time for Wessex. Earl Ragnar's son tries to find out the truth about his father's murder.
Uhtred's trust in Alfred takes a hit after the latter manipulates him into a marriage. As Uhtred reunites with Ragnar the Younger and Brida, he scrambles to warn Wessex of an impending attack.
Uhtred shows great courage in the confrontation with Ubba and the Danes, but his efforts go unrecognized and another takes all the credit, prompting Uhtred to leave with his wife and son.
Uhtred resorts to desperate measures to pay off his debt to the church, but his actions incur Alfred's wrath, leaving Uhtred's life hanging in the balance.
With Uhtred and Leofric forced to fight to the death, an unexpected reprieve arrives in the form of an attack from the Danes. Uhtred and Alfred reach an accord.
Alfred and Uhtred rally the Saxon troops to make a stand against the Danes. A tragic murder sends Uhtred into a murderous rage on the battlefield.