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Bernard Cornwell

5 series 52 books in order 1981–2020

Bernard Cornwell (born February 23, 1944) is an English author of historical novels. Born in London, England, to a Canadian airman father and a mother in the Women's Auxiliary Air Force, he was adopted by a family in Essex belonging to the Peculiar People sect. Cornwell attended London University and worked as a teacher before joining the BBC, where he spent a decade, eventually becoming Head of Current Affairs in Northern Ireland. He is renowned for his long-running series of novels, including the Sharpe series about Napoleonic Wars rifleman Richard Sharpe, the Saxon Stories (also known as The Last Kingdom series), the Warlord Chronicles set in Arthurian Britain, and the Grail Quest series. He has written historical novels primarily based on English history, in five series, and one series of contemporary thriller novels. A notable feature of his historical novels is an end note on how they match or differ from history. He has also written a nonfiction book on the battle of Waterloo. Three of his historical novel series have been adapted for television.

Born
1944
Active years
1981–2020
Known for
The Saxon Stories, Sharpe, The Warlord Chronicles, The Grail Quest

Series by Bernard Cornwell

The Saxon Stories

15 books in order · 2004–2020

  1. Cover of The Last Kingdom

    The Last Kingdom

    2004 · Bernard Cornwell

    This 2004 novel by Bernard Cornwell centers on King Alfred the Great and opens in A.D. 866, when ten-year-old Uhtred is captured after a battle that…

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  2. Cover of The Pale Horseman

    The Pale Horseman

    2006 · Bernard Cornwell

    A 2005 novel by Bernard Cornwell. Uhtred, a Saxon cheated of his inheritance, must choose between fighting for the Vikings who raised him or for King…

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  3. Cover of The Lords of the North

    The Lords of the North

    2006 · Bernard Cornwell

    Book 3 of the Last Kingdom series by Bernard Cornwell, published in 2006. After defeating Guthrum at Ethandun and restoring Alfred's kingdom, Uthred…

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  4. Sword Song

    2007 · Bernard Cornwell

    Sword Song is the fourth novel in The Saxon Stories series by Bernard Cornwell, published in 2007. The story follows Uhtred as he leads battles…

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  5. Cover of Sword Song

    Sword Song

    2008 · Bernard Cornwell

    This is the fourth in the bestselling Alfred series by historical novelist Bernard Cornwell. Hero Uhtred has been made Governor of London, and the…

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  6. Cover of The Burning Land

    The Burning Land

    2009 · Bernard Cornwell

    In The Burning Land, Bernard Cornwell recounts the story of Uhtred, a reluctant warlord serving King Alfred of Wessex in the ninth century. As…

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  7. Cover of Death of Kings

    Death of Kings

    2011 · Bernard Cornwell

    Death of Kings is the sixth novel in Bernard Cornwell's Saxon Tales series, published in 2011. The story follows Uhtred of Bebbanburg, a Saxon…

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  8. The Pagan Lord

    2013 · Bernard Cornwell

    The Pagan Lord is the seventh historical novel in The Saxon Stories by Bernard Cornwell, first published in 2013. The story is set in the early 10th…

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  9. Cover of The empty throne

    The empty throne

    2014 · Bernard Cornwell

    In the early tenth century AD, Britain faces change as Viking raids from Ireland increase and Saxon leadership in Mercia becomes unstable. Æthelred,…

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  10. Cover of Warriors of the storm

    Warriors of the storm

    2015 · Bernard Cornwell

    With a fragile peace holding between Wessex, Mercia, and East Anglia, loyalties and ambitions are tested when forces gather against the kingdom's…

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Show all 15 The Saxon Stories books in order →

Sharpe

26 books in order · 1981–2006 · Chronological order

  1. Cover of Sharpe's Tiger

    Sharpe's Tiger

    1997 · Bernard Cornwell

    In 1799, Richard Sharpe, an inexperienced private in His Majesty's army, joins an expedition to India to overthrow the ruthless Tippoo of Mysore and…

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  2. Cover of Sharpe's Triumph

    Sharpe's Triumph

    1998 · Bernard Cornwell

    "Sharpe's Triumph" is the next installment in Bernard Cornwell's popular Sharpe series. Set in India in 1803, the story follows Richard Sharpe, who…

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  3. Cover of Sharpe's Fortress

    Sharpe's Fortress

    1999 · Bernard Cornwell

    Richard Sharpe is promoted for his bravery during the war against the Mahratta confederacy but feels uneasy about his new position. He is also…

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  4. Cover of Sharpe's Trafalgar

    Sharpe's Trafalgar

    2000 · Bernard Cornwell

    "Sharpe's Skirmish: Richard Sharpe and The Defence of Tormes, August 1812" is a short story set during the Napoleonic Wars. It follows Richard Sharpe…

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  5. Cover of Sharpe's Prey

    Sharpe's Prey

    2002 · Bernard Cornwell

    The eighteenth novel in Bernard Cornwell's bestselling series follows Lieutenant Richard Sharpe in 1807. After returning to England, Sharpe wants to…

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  6. Cover of Sharpe's Rifles

    Sharpe's Rifles

    1988 · Bernard Cornwell

    Richard Sharpe, an officer who does not fit his rank in society, finds himself cut off from the army and surrounded by enemy cavalry. He also faces…

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  7. Cover of Sharpe's Havoc

    Sharpe's Havoc

    2003 · Bernard Cornwell

    In 1809, Lieutenant Richard Sharpe is caught in the chaos of the French invasion of Portugal. After years of service in India and at Trafalgar, he…

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  8. Cover of Sharpe's Eagle

    Sharpe's Eagle

    1981 · Bernard Cornwell

    Richard Sharpe is a soldier known for his bold, professional, and ruthless approach to battle. He demands the same from his men, insisting they fight…

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  9. Cover of Sharpe's gold

    Sharpe's gold

    1981 · Bernard Cornwell

    Sharpe is a bold, professional, and ruthless soldier who faces a dangerous mission. After returning from battle, he and his regiment are sent north…

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  10. Cover of Sharpe's Escape

    Sharpe's Escape

    2004 · Bernard Cornwell

    It is 1810, and Napoleon's army advances into Portugal. General Wellington has left the land barren to weaken the French. Captain Richard Sharpe…

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Show all 26 Sharpe books in order →

The Warlord Chronicles

3 books in order · 1995–1997

  1. Cover of The Winter King

    The Winter King

    1995 · Bernard Cornwell

    Uther, the High King of Britain, has died, leaving the infant Mordred as his only heir. His uncle, the loyal and gifted warlord Arthur, now rules as…

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  2. Cover of Enemy of God

    Enemy of God

    1996 · Bernard Cornwell

    Enemy of God is a 1996 novel by Bernard Cornwell, the second book in a trilogy that began with The Winter King, continuing the story of Arthur. The…

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  3. Cover of Enemy of God

    Enemy of God

    1997 · Bernard Cornwell

    A story of love, war, loyalty, and betrayal beginning with the failure of Lancelot's rebellion and the ruin of Arthur's marriage to Guinevere. The…

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The Grail Quest

4 books in order · 2000–2012

The Starbuck Chronicles

4 books in order · 1993–1996

  1. Cover of Rebel

    Rebel

    1993 · Bernard Cornwell

    The story follows the First Bull Run, or Manassas, battle and how Nate Starbuck, a renegade from Boston, came to play a crucial part in it.

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  2. Cover of Copperhead

    Copperhead

    1994 · Bernard Cornwell

    A copperhead is a turncoat, a northerner sympathetic to the South. Forced out of his beloved Legion by General Washington Faulconer's enmity, Captain…

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  3. Cover of Battle Flag

    Battle Flag

    1995 · Bernard Cornwell

    After distinguishing himself at the Battle of Cedar Mountain, Confederate Captain Nate Starbuck's career is again threatened by the suspicion and…

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  4. Cover of The Bloody Ground

    The Bloody Ground

    1996 · Bernard Cornwell

    In the fourth and final installment of Nathaniel Starbuck's Civil War adventures, Nate commands a punishment battalion of cowards, thieves,…

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Frequently asked questions

How many books has Bernard Cornwell written?

We list 52 books by Bernard Cornwell across 5 series, published between 1981–2020 — each shown in full reading order.

What order should I read Bernard Cornwell's books?

Read each series in publication order. A good place to start is “The Last Kingdom.” Open any series above for its complete numbered reading order.

Where can I buy Bernard Cornwell's books?

Every title links to Amazon from its series page. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases, at no extra cost to you.

Bibliography and reading orders compiled from verified bibliographic data. Spotted an error? We continuously correct the catalog.