In every book where mentioned, I have seen Cerdic Elesing is portrayed as a brutal, merciless warrior. If you have seen the move "King Arthur" starring Clive Owens, Cerdic Elesing is the Saxon invader that Arthur fights at the battle of Mount Badon. In Alfred Duggan's novel, we finally get to hear the voice of Cerdic. It reads like Cerdic's life memoir and while he is no less violent and cruel, Cerdic is able to give his side of the story in a lighthearted and often humorous tale. For history buffs, this is a unique novel and a great way to find out about the life of the man said to be the first of all British monarchs.