BookBingeThe Saxon Stories Books in Order
The short answer
Bernard Cornwell · 13 books
- How many books?
- There are 13 books in The Saxon Stories, published 2004–2020.
- Is it finished?
- Yes — the series is complete; it ends with War Lord (2020).
- Where to start
- Start with The Last Kingdom (2004).
About 4,800 pages — roughly 80 hours of reading
The making of England told through Uhtred of Bebbanburg — born Saxon, raised Viking, torn between both.
Here is the complete The Saxon Stories reading order — all 13 books by Bernard Cornwell, in the order you should read them:
Reading order
- The Last KingdomUhtred is captured by Vikings as a boy and grows up one of them.2004474 pages
- The Pale HorsemanWessex nearly falls to the Danes.2005400 pages
- Lords of the NorthUhtred goes north to take revenge for wrongs long held.2006366 pages
- Sword SongThe brothers Sigefrid and Erik try to take London.2007384 pages
- The Burning LandUhtred loses Wessex and starts rebuilding his own power in the north.2009352 pages
- Death of KingsAlfred dies.2011400 pages
- The Pagan LordUhtred strikes for Bebbanburg, his lost ancestral home.2013320 pages
- The Empty ThroneMercia has no lord.2014336 pages
- Warriors of the StormUhtred fights Norsemen from Ireland along the western shore.2015344 pages
- The Flame BearerThe long-promised assault on Bebbanburg finally comes.2016304 pages
- War of the WolfUhtred, old but unbroken, faces a new northern threat.2018352 pages
- Sword of KingsThe succession of the English kings is contested — with blades.2019400 pages
- War LordThe final stand — Brunanburh, and the making of England.2020357 pages
Good news: for this series, reading order and publication order are the same — just read straight down the list.
Track your place in The Saxon Stories
BookBinge remembers which book you're on and writes a spoiler-safe recap before every sequel. Free on iOS.
Get BookBingeFrequently asked questions
How many Saxon Stories books are there?
There are 13 books in The Saxon Stories by Bernard Cornwell, from The Last Kingdom (2004) to War Lord (2020). Together they run to about 4,800 pages.
Is The Saxon Stories finished?
Yes. Bernard Cornwell completed the series with War Lord in 2020; all 13 books are out now.
What is the first Saxon Stories book?
The Last Kingdom (2004) is book one, at 474 pages. Uhtred is captured by Vikings as a boy and grows up one of them.
Should I read The Saxon Stories in publication order?
Yes. For The Saxon Stories, reading order and publication order are the same — The Last Kingdom (2004) through War Lord (2020).
How long does it take to read all Saxon Stories books?
About 4,800 pages across 13 books — roughly 80 hours at a page a minute. The longest is The Last Kingdom (474 pages); the shortest is The Flame Bearer (304 pages).