Saxon times were not called the Dark Ages for nothing. It was a violent, unrecognizable world of kill or be killed.

In seventh century England, tribes and so-called kings vie for power and blood flows throughout the land. Aethelred – ruler of Mercia – is being pressed from all sides, and his wife Osthryth dies under unknown circumstances. Osthryth’s ring falls into the hands of warrior noble Aethelbald, who is accused of her murder and forced to leave Mercia by his conniving cousin Coeolred, who has eyes on the throne. When Aethelred abdicates and the weakling Cenred assumes power, Coelred sees a path to become the king.

With a court rife with would-be successors, can Aethelbald survive and become Bretwaldas – the ‘Britain-ruler’ – and sweep aside the underkings to unite the land?

Based on true stories, John Broughton’s Saints and Sinners shines a light on the murky Dark Ages, and recreates a Britain on the cusp of momentous change.