367 Quotes by Bernard Cornwell

Choose your battles,’ I snarled at Æthelstan. ‘That space between your ears was given so that you can think! If you just charge whenever you see an enemy you’ll earn yourself an early grave.’ Lord Uhtred of Bebbanburg

I hated Alfred. He was a miserable, pious, tight-fisted king who distrusted me because I was no Christian, because I was a northerner, and because I had given him his kingdom back at Ethandun. And as reward he had given me Fifhaden. Bastard.

I could imagine Cnut sitting there and thinking that I must join him soon, and we would raise a horn of ale together. There is no pain in Valhalla, no sadness, no tears, no broken oaths.

You should always plan your battles form the enemy's point of view.

Wyrd bið ful āræd.

The gods are not kind to us, any more than children are kind to their toys. We are here to amuse the gods, and at times it amuses them to be unkind.

Uhtred of Steapa - He might be dumb as a parsnip but he knows how to fight.

Idle men make mischief, especially idle men supplied with ale, whores, and weapons.

We were three ships in a summer's dawn, and we were going to battle.