If you’ve spent any time watching The Last Kingdom on Netflix and thought, "I should probably read the books," you’re about to realize just how massive this world actually is. Bernard Cornwell didn't just write a trilogy. He wrote thirteen novels over sixteen years.
Honestly? It's a lot.
Getting the saxon stories in order isn't just about grabbing Book 1 and Book 2. It’s about tracking the evolution of England from a collection of squabbling kingdoms into a single nation. It’s also about watching a protagonist, Uhtred of Bebbanburg, grow from a snot-nosed kid into an old man who can still outfight men half his age.
Let's break down the list so you don't end up starting in the middle of a shield wall without a sword.
The Saxon Stories in Order: The Definitive List
You’ve probably seen these books referred to as The Last Kingdom series because of the TV show. Originally, they were The Saxon Stories (or The Saxon Tales in the US). Whatever you call them, here is the chronological sequence:
- The Last Kingdom (2004)
- The Pale Horseman (2005)
- The Lords of the North (2006)
- Sword Song (2007)
- The Burning Land (2009)
- Death of Kings (2011)
- The Pagan Lord (2013)
- The Empty Throne (2014)
- Warriors of the Storm (2015)
- The Flame Bearer (2016)
- War of the Wolf (2018)
- Sword of Kings (2019)
- War Lord (2020)
There is also a companion book released in 2023 called Uhtred's Feast. It’s not a novel. It’s a mix of historical recipes and three short stories that fit into different parts of Uhtred's life. If you’re a completionist, you’ll want it, but it’s not essential for the main plot.
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Why the order matters more than you think
Cornwell is a master of the "long game." Unlike some series where you can hop in at book four and catch up via a few pages of exposition, Uhtred’s life is a straight line. If you skip The Pale Horseman, you miss the Battle of Ethandun. That battle is basically the reason England exists today.
Basically, don't skip.
The first book starts in 866. By the time you hit the final book, War Lord, the year is 937. That is seventy-one years of history packed into thirteen books. You’re literally reading the biography of a country through the eyes of a man who hates most of the people running it.
What Most People Get Wrong About Uhtred and Alfred
A common mistake new readers make is assuming Uhtred and King Alfred are best friends. If you've seen the show, you know they have a "complicated" relationship. In the books? It’s even grittier.
Uhtred is a pagan. Alfred is a hyper-devout Christian who thinks Uhtred is a necessary evil. Cornwell does a brilliant job showing the friction between Uhtred’s Viking-influenced worldview and Alfred’s vision of a "pious" England.
It's sorta funny, actually. Uhtred spends half his time saving Alfred's kingdom and the other half complaining about how much he hates the church.
Fact vs. Fiction: Is any of this real?
Bernard Cornwell is famous for his historical notes at the back of each book. He’s very honest about where he tweaked the timeline.
- Uhtred of Bebbanburg: The character is fictional, but he’s based on a real Uhtred who ruled Bebbanburg (Bamburgh Castle) much later in history. Cornwell just "borrowed" him and moved him back a few centuries to give us a protagonist.
- The Battles: Most of the major battles—Cynwit, Ethandun, Tettenhall, Brunanburh—actually happened. Cornwell uses the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle as his primary source.
- The Shield Wall: Historians like Ryan Lavelle have noted that while Cornwell’s depictions are legendary, we don't actually know exactly how the shield wall felt. But Cornwell’s version—the smell of sweat, the breaking of bones, the sheer terror—is about as close to "real" as fiction gets.
Tips for Navigating the Later Books
Around book seven or eight, some readers feel a bit of "battle fatigue." It’s understandable. There are only so many ways to describe a spear through a neck.
However, The Empty Throne and Warriors of the Storm are crucial because the focus shifts slightly to Alfred’s children, specifically Æthelflæd, the Lady of the Mercians. She is one of the most badass women in British history. Cornwell treats her with immense respect, showing her as a brilliant strategist who was often smarter than the men around her.
If you find yourself slowing down, keep pushing toward The Flame Bearer. That’s the book where Uhtred finally goes back for Bebbanburg. It’s the payoff you’ve been waiting for since page one of book one.
Practical Steps for Your Reading Journey
If you're ready to dive in, don't just buy the whole set at once. It’s a commitment.
- Start with "The Last Kingdom": Read the first book as a standalone. If you don't like Uhtred's voice by the end of it, the next twelve books won't change your mind.
- Check the Author's Notes: Always read the historical note at the end. It’s where Cornwell explains which characters were real and which ones he made up to make the story more interesting.
- Don't worry about the TV show: The show compresses two books into every season. The books have way more depth, especially regarding the internal politics of the Viking leaders like Ubba and Guthrum.
- Audiobook it: If 13 books feel daunting, the audiobooks (narrated by Jonathan Keeble for the early ones) are fantastic. They make the Old English names much easier to digest.
England wasn't built in a day. It took a lot of blood, a few burnt cakes, and thirteen very long books.