The Saxon Stories

Bernard Cornwell

In the turbulent 9th century, as Danish Vikings threaten to conquer all of England, a dispossessed Saxon nobleman named Uhtred finds himself caught between two worlds—raised by the very Norsemen who destroyed his family, yet destined to fight for the kingdom that cast him out. When King Alfred the Great makes his legendary stand against the Viking invasion, Uhtred must choose between his adopted Danish culture and his Saxon birthright, all while pursuing his ultimate goal: reclaiming his ancestral fortress of Bebbanburg. Bernard Cornwell brings this pivotal moment in English history to vivid life through the eyes of a conflicted warrior trained in the brutal art of shield wall combat, weaving together themes of loyalty, identity, and the violent birth of a nation. Based on the author's own ancestral records, this thrilling epic captures the desperate struggle between pagan invaders and Christian England during the years that would ultimately determine the fate of an entire kingdom. A masterful blend of historical detail and gripping adventure, The Last Kingdom immerses readers in a world where honor, warfare, and the forging of nations hang in the balance.

Bernard Cornwell

In this thrilling second installment of Bernard Cornwell's bestselling Saxon Stories, England teeters on the brink of annihilation as Danish Vikings seize three of the four kingdoms, forcing King Alfred and his remaining forces into a desperate refuge in the marshlands. Uhtred, a dispossessed English nobleman raised by the Danes, finds himself torn between his Viking heritage and an unexpected awakening of loyalty to his native land, a conflict that intensifies when the mysterious sorceress Iseult enters his life. As Alfred struggles to preserve the last fragment of English independence, Uhtred must confront the deepest questions of identity, honor, and belonging in an age of conquest and bloodshed. Cornwell masterfully weaves historical epic with intimate character drama, capturing the brutal reality of the Viking invasions that would ultimately shape the birth of a nation. This is the little-known story of how England was forged in fire and steel during its darkest hour.

Bernard Cornwell

In the tumultuous landscape of 9th-century England, Uhtred of Bebbanburg finds himself at a crossroads after a hard-won victory against the Danes. Disillusioned by King Alfred's perceived stinginess, Uhtred journeys north, driven by a personal quest to rescue his captive stepsister from the clutches of the ruthless Kjartan the Cruel. Upon arrival, he discovers a region rife with rebellion and fear, forcing him to forge an unlikely alliance with a charismatic slave who claims kingship. Together, they must rally a desperate coalition of Christians and Danes to challenge the oppressive Viking lords and shape the very future of England.

Bernard Cornwell

In the year 885, England stands divided, a fragile peace holding between Danish and Saxon kingdoms. Uhtred, a warrior of Viking heart and Saxon duty, finds himself bound to King Alfred's service, defending the Thames frontier. However, the arrival of new invaders in London shatters this uneasy calm, forcing Uhtred into a perilous conflict. He must navigate treacherous alliances and power struggles, deciding whether to uphold his oath or follow the shifting tides of war, a choice that will shape the destiny of England.

Bernard Cornwell

In the fifth installment of this epic saga, Uhtred of Bebbanburg, the renowned "lord of battles," finds himself caught between personal vengeance and the fate of a kingdom. Despite his triumphs and loyalties, betrayal and tragedy continue to shadow his path as the ailing King Alfred demands his service. Uhtred must defend the nascent Christian kingdom against the formidable Danes, a task that pits him against a woman more dangerous than any warrior, the enigmatic Skade. Torn between his Viking upbringing and his Saxon allegiances, Uhtred's sharp mind and sharper sword are tested as he navigates a treacherous landscape of faith, power, and love.

Bernard Cornwell

In a fractured Britain teetering on the brink of renewed war, the legendary warrior Uhtred faces his most profound test. As King Alfred nears his end, the succession is thrown into turmoil, with rival Saxon claimants and ambitious Viking forces poised to exploit the ensuing chaos. Torn between his sworn loyalty to Alfred and his own deep-seated desire to reclaim his ancestral lands, Uhtred must navigate a treacherous path.

Bernard Cornwell

In the tumultuous aftermath of Alfred the Great's death, Uhtred of Bebbanburg finds himself out of favor with the new king, Edward. As Viking forces under Cnut Longsword threaten to engulf Wessex, Uhtred must rally a band of outcasts for a perilous journey north to reclaim his ancestral home, Bebbanburg. This epic saga plunges into the heart of a brutal conflict that will determine the fate of Saxon kingdoms and the very soul of England.