Reading order · 13 books · 2004 to 2020
Saxon Stories in Order
The Saxon Stories, also called The Last Kingdom, follow Uhtred of Bebbanburg, a Saxon nobleman captured by Danes as a boy and raised by them, who fights for Alfred the Great and his heirs as the kingdoms of England are forged into one.
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Series facts
- Books
- 13
- Published
- 2004 to 2020
- First book
- The Last Kingdom
- Latest
- War Lord (2020)
The reading order
Every Saxon Stories book in publication order. Choose a title for its cast and summary.
13 books
- 1The Last Kingdom2004With Uhtred of BebbanburgIn the ninth century, the Danes overrun the English kingdoms.Buy on Amazon
- 2The Pale Horseman2005With Uhtred of BebbanburgIn 878 the Danes strike Wessex in midwinter, and King Alfred is forced to hide in the marshes of Somerset.Buy on Amazon
- 3The Lords of the North2006With Uhtred of BebbanburgUhtred travels north to Northumbria, seeking revenge for old wrongs, and finds himself caught in a struggle for the throne of York, where he meets the Irish warrior Finan.Buy on Amazon
- 4Sword Song2007With Uhtred of BebbanburgLondon is held by the Danes, and Alfred wants it back.Buy on Amazon
- 5The Burning Land2009With Uhtred of BebbanburgThe Danes invade Wessex under Harald Bloodhair, and Uhtred, after a personal loss, finally breaks with Alfred.Buy on Amazon
- 6Death of Kings2011With Uhtred of BebbanburgAlfred the Great is dying, and the question of who will succeed him threatens to tear Wessex apart, as the Danes see their chance.Buy on Amazon
- 7The Pagan Lord2013With Uhtred of BebbanburgUhtred is cast out by the church and sets out to take back his family fortress of Bebbanburg, while a powerful Danish warlord prepares to invade.Buy on Amazon
- 8The Empty Throne2014With Uhtred of BebbanburgÆthelred, ruler of Mercia, is dying, and no one can agree who should succeed him.Buy on Amazon
- 9Warriors of the Storm2015With Uhtred of BebbanburgA Norse army led by Ragnall Ivarson threatens Mercia and then turns north to seize Northumbria, and Uhtred faces old enemies and divided loyalties within his own family.Buy on Amazon
- 10The Flame Bearer2016With Uhtred of BebbanburgUhtred makes another attempt to recover Bebbanburg, the fortress stolen from him by his uncle when he was a boy.Buy on Amazon
- 11War of the Wolf2018With Uhtred of BebbanburgUhtred, now lord of Bebbanburg, is drawn south again as a new Norse leader threatens, and seeks revenge for a personal loss.Buy on Amazon
- 12Sword of Kings2019With Uhtred of BebbanburgKing Edward of Wessex is dying, and Uhtred must choose between rival claimants to the throne, honouring an oath he swore long ago.Buy on Amazon
- 13War Lord2020With Uhtred of BebbanburgThe final Uhtred book.Buy on Amazon
Do you need to read them in order?
Read the books in order, starting with The Last Kingdom. Uhtred narrates his life as an old man, and the story runs continuously from about 866 to 937.
Who appears in which book
The series’ main characters, book by book. Lead means the book is told around them; minor covers cameos.
| Book | Uhtred of Bebbanburg | Brida | Finan | Sihtric | Father Beocca | Ragnar the Younger |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 The Last Kingdom | LLead | MMajor | ·Minor | MMajor | ||
| 2 The Pale Horseman | LLead | MMajor | ·Minor | ·Minor | ||
| 3 The Lords of the North | LLead | ·Minor | MMajor | ·Minor | ·Minor | MMajor |
| 4 Sword Song | LLead | ·Minor | MMajor | ·Minor | ·Minor | MMajor |
| 5 The Burning Land | LLead | ·Minor | MMajor | ·Minor | ·Minor | |
| 6 Death of Kings | LLead | ·Minor | MMajor | ·Minor | ·Minor | |
| 7 The Pagan Lord | LLead | ·Minor | MMajor | ·Minor | ||
| 8 The Empty Throne | LLead | ·Minor | MMajor | ·Minor | ||
| 9 Warriors of the Storm | LLead | ·Minor | MMajor | ·Minor | ||
| 10 The Flame Bearer | LLead | ·Minor | MMajor | ·Minor | ||
| 11 War of the Wolf | LLead | ·Minor | MMajor | ·Minor | ||
| 12 Sword of Kings | LLead | ·Minor | MMajor | ·Minor | ||
| 13 War Lord | LLead | ·Minor | MMajor | ·Minor |
Characters in the Saxon Stories books
6 characters from Bernard Cornwell’s chart, with the number of Saxon Stories books each appears in.
| Character | Books | First in this series |
|---|---|---|
| Uhtred of BebbanburgSaxon lord raised by Danes | 13 | The Last Kingdom 2004 |
| BridaSaxon girl raised with Uhtred | 13 | The Last Kingdom 2004 |
| FinanIrish warrior, Uhtred's closest friend | 11 | The Lords of the North 2006 |
| SihtricUhtred's loyal warrior | 11 | The Lords of the North 2006 |
| Father BeoccaUhtred's childhood priest | 6 | The Last Kingdom 2004 |
| Ragnar the YoungerUhtred's Danish brother | 4 | The Last Kingdom 2004 |