Bernard Cornwell Books in Order: Where to Start With His Epic Historical Series

Bernard Cornwell is one of the most recognizable names in modern historical fiction. His novels combine meticulously researched historical settings with battles, politics, ambition, betrayal, and memorable fictional characters who find themselves caught inside major events.

The challenge for new readers is deciding where to start. Cornwell has written multiple series set in completely different periods, from Alfred the Great’s England and the Napoleonic Wars to King Arthur’s Britain and the American Civil War. This guide organizes his books by series and gives you the recommended reading order for each.

Bernard Cornwell Series at a Glance

Cornwell’s official bibliography also includes standalone historical novels such as Stonehenge, Azincourt, The Fort, and Fools and Mortals.

Sharpe Books in Order

The Sharpe series follows Richard Sharpe, a British soldier who rises through the ranks during the Napoleonic Wars. It is Bernard Cornwell’s longest-running and most famous series.

Cornwell recommends reading the Sharpe novels in historical chronological order, rather than publication order.

1. Sharpe’s Tiger (1997)

Reading position: Sharpe #1
Key themes: India, military ambition, survival

Set in India in 1799, this novel introduces Richard Sharpe before he becomes the legendary officer readers know from the later books. Sharpe’s struggle to survive military life and prove his worth establishes the ambition and toughness that define the series.

2. Sharpe’s Triumph (1998)

Reading position: Sharpe #2
Key themes: War, conspiracy, betrayal

Sharpe becomes involved in a dangerous military campaign against the forces of the Maratha Empire. As battle approaches, he must navigate treachery within his own ranks while fighting to secure his future.

3. Sharpe’s Fortress (1999)

Reading position: Sharpe #3
Key themes: Siege warfare, India, ambition

Sharpe takes part in the assault on a heavily defended fortress during the British campaign in India. The novel combines large-scale military action with Sharpe’s continuing struggle to rise above his difficult origins.

4. Sharpe’s Trafalgar (2000)

Reading position: Sharpe #4
Key themes: Naval adventure, espionage, survival

Returning toward Britain, Sharpe unexpectedly becomes involved in events surrounding the famous Battle of Trafalgar. The story moves from land warfare to the dangers of the sea while pushing Sharpe toward the next stage of his military career.

5. Sharpe’s Prey (2001)

Reading position: Sharpe #5
Key themes: Denmark, invasion, military conflict

Sharpe becomes involved in Britain’s campaign against Copenhagen during the Napoleonic Wars. The novel explores the moral complexity of war while delivering the military action and personal rivalries central to the series.

6. Sharpe’s Rifles (1988)

Reading position: Sharpe #6
Key themes: Spain, guerrilla warfare, leadership

Sharpe joins the fighting in Spain and begins developing the reputation that will define his military career. The novel introduces important companions and establishes the Peninsular War as the series’ central historical setting.

7. Sharpe’s Havoc (2003)

Reading position: Sharpe #7
Key themes: Portugal, espionage, invasion

Sharpe finds himself in Portugal as French forces threaten the country. His mission brings together military strategy, intelligence work, and the increasingly chaotic realities of the Peninsular War.

8. Sharpe’s Eagle (1981)

Reading position: Sharpe #8
Key themes: Military honor, France, revenge

One of the earliest published Sharpe novels sees him determined to capture a French Imperial Eagle. The mission becomes both a military challenge and a personal battle to prove himself to those who doubt him.

9. Sharpe’s Gold (1981)

Reading position: Sharpe #9
Key themes: Treasure, Spain, guerrilla warfare

Sharpe undertakes a dangerous mission involving stolen gold and Spanish resistance fighters. The novel combines military adventure with a treasure-hunt element and the constant threat of betrayal.

10. Sharpe’s Escape (2004)

Reading position: Sharpe #10
Key themes: Survival, retreat, warfare

After a disastrous military situation, Sharpe must fight his way through enemy territory. The story focuses on survival and leadership during one of the most difficult periods of the Peninsular campaign.

11. Sharpe’s Fury (2006)

Reading position: Sharpe #11
Key themes: Siege, Portugal, revenge

Sharpe becomes involved in the brutal fighting surrounding the Portuguese campaign. Personal enemies and military objectives collide as the war grows increasingly dangerous.

12. Sharpe’s Battle (1995)

Reading position: Sharpe #12
Key themes: Command, battle strategy, leadership

Sharpe takes responsibility for soldiers who must face an overwhelming military threat. The novel examines the difference between formal rank and genuine leadership.

13. Sharpe’s Company (1982)

Reading position: Sharpe #13
Key themes: Rivalry, siege warfare, military loyalty

Sharpe returns to confront old rivals while participating in the bloody fighting surrounding Badajoz. Personal conflict and historical warfare are closely intertwined.

14. Sharpe’s Command (2023)

Reading position: Sharpe #14
Key themes: Spain, strategy, impossible missions

Set in Spain in 1812, this later addition returns Sharpe to the Peninsular War and places him in command during a dangerous military situation involving two advancing French armies.

15. Sharpe’s Sword (1983)

Reading position: Sharpe #15
Key themes: Assassination, rivalry, military action

Sharpe faces a deadly French opponent whose skills and ambitions make the conflict intensely personal. The novel is remembered for its strong antagonist and fast-paced action.

16. Sharpe’s Skirmish (2002)

Reading position: Short story
Key themes: Spain, military action, survival

This short story takes place in August 1812 and fits after Sharpe’s Sword in the historical timeline. It provides an additional adventure rather than a full numbered novel.

17. Sharpe’s Enemy (1984)

Reading position: Sharpe #16
Key themes: Revenge, war, personal conflict

Sharpe confronts dangerous enemies whose history with him turns the military campaign into a deeply personal struggle. The novel blends battlefield action with revenge and survival.

18. Sharpe’s Honour (1985)

Reading position: Sharpe #17
Key themes: Honor, conspiracy, Spain

Sharpe is caught in a complicated political and military situation that threatens both his reputation and his future. He must uncover the truth while navigating conflicting loyalties.

19. Sharpe’s Regiment (1986)

Reading position: Sharpe #18
Key themes: England, corruption, military justice

Returning to Britain, Sharpe discovers that problems within his own regiment may be more dangerous than the enemy. The story shifts attention from battlefield combat to institutional corruption.

20. Sharpe’s Christmas (2003)

Reading position: Short-story collection
Key themes: War, family, aftermath

This collection contains two stories set at different points in Sharpe’s life. Sharpe’s Christmas takes place during the Peninsular War, while Sharpe’s Ransom occurs after Waterloo.

21. Sharpe’s Storm (2009)

Reading position: Chronological Sharpe adventure
Key themes: Winter warfare, danger, survival

Sharpe faces another dangerous campaign as the war against Napoleon continues. The story adds further depth to the long historical timeline of his military career.

22. Sharpe’s Siege (1987)

Reading position: Sharpe #19
Key themes: Siege warfare, France, leadership

Sharpe is placed in command during a desperate siege where limited resources and overwhelming odds test his ability to lead.

23. Sharpe’s Revenge (1989)

Reading position: Sharpe #20
Key themes: France, conspiracy, betrayal

After Napoleon’s first defeat, Sharpe becomes involved in a dangerous conspiracy that threatens his reputation and freedom.

24. Sharpe’s Waterloo (1990)

Reading position: Sharpe #21
Key themes: Waterloo, Napoleon, military history

Sharpe takes part in one of the most famous battles in European history. The novel brings his military career into direct contact with the final defeat of Napoleon.

25. Sharpe’s Assassin (2021)

Reading position: Sharpe #22
Key themes: Paris, espionage, postwar intrigue

Set during the occupation of Paris in 1815, Sharpe is drawn into a dangerous search for an assassin. The novel shows that peace can sometimes be as treacherous as war.

26. Sharpe’s Devil (1992)

Reading position: Sharpe #23
Key themes: South America, adventure, loyalty

Set after the Napoleonic Wars, this adventure takes Sharpe far from the battlefields that made his reputation. It offers a later chapter in the life of one of historical fiction’s most enduring soldiers.

Sharpe’s Story (2007)

This is a companion book rather than a numbered Sharpe novel. It provides background and historical context for readers interested in the series and its creation.

Note: Sharpe’s publication history and chronology are unusually complicated because Cornwell wrote several prequels and later inserted new adventures into the established timeline. The official author guide remains the best reference for the chronological order.

The Last Kingdom Books in Order

Originally associated with the names The Saxon Stories and The Warrior Chronicles, the series is now officially known as The Last Kingdom series.

It follows Uhtred of Bebbanburg, an English boy raised by Danes who finds himself divided between two cultures during the formation of England.

1. The Last Kingdom (2004)

Reading position: The Last Kingdom #1
Key themes: Vikings, identity, Alfred the Great

Uhtred is born into an English noble family but is captured and raised by Danish Vikings. His divided identity becomes central as Alfred of Wessex fights to defend and unite the English kingdoms.

2. The Pale Horseman (2005)

Reading position: #2
Key themes: War, loyalty, faith

Uhtred continues fighting in a Britain threatened by Viking invasion. His relationship with Alfred becomes increasingly complicated as personal ambition and political necessity collide.

3. The Lords of the North (2006)

Reading position: #3
Key themes: Revenge, Northumbria, identity

Uhtred travels northward, where his personal desire to reclaim his homeland becomes increasingly important. The novel deepens the series’ central conflict between loyalty, family, and destiny.

4. Sword Song (2007)

Reading position: #4
Key themes: Warfare, London, Viking conflict

Uhtred becomes involved in the defense of England as Viking forces continue threatening the fragile Saxon kingdoms.

5. The Burning Land (2009)

Reading position: #5
Key themes: Loyalty, politics, land

Uhtred’s relationship with Alfred reaches a difficult point as his personal ambitions conflict with the demands of the kingdom.

6. Death of Kings (2011)

Reading position: #6
Key themes: Succession, Alfred, political conflict

As Alfred’s life nears its end, the future of England becomes uncertain. Uhtred must decide where his loyalties truly belong.

7. The Pagan Lord (2013)

Reading position: #7
Key themes: Religion, identity, exile

Uhtred faces increasing pressure because of his pagan beliefs and becomes caught between the Christian kingdom he has helped defend and the Viking culture that shaped him.

8. The Empty Throne (2014)

Reading position: #8
Key themes: Power, succession, warfare

Political instability creates new opportunities and dangers as England continues its long path toward unity.

9. Warriors of the Storm (2015)

Reading position: #9
Key themes: Family, loyalty, invasion

Uhtred faces threats that become increasingly personal while the political and military struggle for England continues.

10. The Flame Bearer (2016)

Reading position: #10
Key themes: Homecoming, Bebbanburg, destiny

Uhtred moves closer to his lifelong goal of reclaiming Bebbanburg. The novel brings his personal ambitions back to the center of the epic historical narrative.

11. War of the Wolf (2018)

Reading position: #11
Key themes: Warfare, betrayal, survival

Uhtred confronts new enemies as political alliances and old loyalties continue shifting around him.

12. Sword of Kings (2019)

Reading position: #12
Key themes: Espionage, politics, succession

Uhtred enters another dangerous phase of the struggle for England as rival powers compete for control and influence.

13. War Lord (2020)

Reading position: #13
Key themes: Final battles, legacy, Bebbanburg

The thirteenth novel concludes the main Uhtred story, bringing his long journey through war, divided loyalties, and the creation of England toward its resolution.

Uhtred’s Feast (2023)

Reading position: Companion volume
Key themes: Anglo-Saxon culture, food, history

This is a companion book connected to Uhtred’s world rather than a fourteenth full novel in the main storyline. It offers readers another way to explore the historical world behind The Last Kingdom.

The Warlord Chronicles Books in Order

Also known as The Arthur Books, this trilogy is Bernard Cornwell’s historical reinterpretation of the Arthurian legend.

Cornwell presents Arthur not primarily as a magical king but as a war leader in the violent and uncertain world of post-Roman Britain.

1. The Winter King (1995)

Reading position: Warlord Chronicles #1
Key themes: King Arthur, war, religion, Britain

The story is told through Derfel Cadarn, a warrior who becomes part of Arthur’s struggle to defend Britain. Cornwell strips away much of the familiar fantasy and presents a darker, more historically grounded version of the legend.

2. Enemy of God (1996)

Reading position: #2
Key themes: Betrayal, religion, war

Political rivalries and religious conflict threaten Arthur’s dream of a united Britain. The novel expands the personal and ideological conflicts surrounding the legendary warlord.

3. Excalibur (1997)

Reading position: #3
Key themes: Legacy, tragedy, destiny

The trilogy reaches its conclusion as Arthur’s ambitions face the realities of war, betrayal, and political change. It offers a powerful and often tragic reinterpretation of one of literature’s oldest legends.

The Grail Quest Books in Order

The Grail Quest series follows Thomas of Hookton, an English archer living during the Hundred Years’ War.

The novels combine medieval warfare with a search for a legendary religious relic.

1. Harlequin / The Archer’s Tale (2000)

Reading position: Grail Quest #1
Key themes: Archery, medieval warfare, revenge

Thomas of Hookton becomes caught in the brutal conflict between England and France while pursuing the men responsible for destroying his home. The search eventually becomes connected to a legendary relic.

Title note: Harlequin was published in the United States as The Archer’s Tale.

2. Vagabond (2002)

Reading position: #2
Key themes: France, war, religion

Thomas continues his journey through the violence and political instability of medieval Europe. The Grail quest becomes increasingly intertwined with war and personal survival.

3. Heretic (2003)

Reading position: #3
Key themes: Religion, Spain, war

The search takes Thomas into another dangerous region where faith, power, and military conflict shape the fate of those around him.

4. 1356 (2012)

Reading position: Related Grail Quest novel
Key themes: Battle of Poitiers, France, medieval warfare

Thomas returns in this later historical adventure set around the Battle of Poitiers. It works as a return to the world and character of the earlier Grail Quest novels.

The Starbuck Chronicles Books in Order

The Starbuck Chronicles follows Nathaniel Starbuck during the American Civil War.

Unlike many traditional Civil War novels, the series places a deeply flawed fictional protagonist inside the Confederate military world while exploring the chaos and brutality of the conflict.

1. Rebel (1993)

Reading position: Starbuck Chronicles #1
Key themes: American Civil War, identity, war

Nathaniel Starbuck unexpectedly finds himself involved with the Confederate army and experiences the early stages of the Civil War.

2. Copperhead (1994)

Reading position: #2
Key themes: Civil War, Virginia, military campaigns

Starbuck moves through the increasingly brutal campaigns of the war as the conflict grows far more destructive than many initially imagined.

3. Battle Flag (1995)

Reading position: #3
Key themes: Bull Run, warfare, survival

Starbuck returns to the battlefield during another major stage of the Civil War, where military ambition and personal loyalties collide.

4. The Bloody Ground (1996)

Reading position: #4
Key themes: Antietam, war, violence

The fourth novel brings Starbuck into the horrors surrounding Antietam, one of the bloodiest battles in American history.

Is the Starbuck Chronicles finished?

The four published novels do not provide a conventional final conclusion to Starbuck’s entire Civil War journey. Cornwell has said that he hopes to return to the character someday but has not confirmed when another novel will appear.

Sailing Thrillers Books in Order

Before historical fiction became the defining part of his career, Bernard Cornwell also wrote modern adventure and suspense novels.

1. Scoundrel (1981)

Reading position: Sailing thriller
Key themes: Adventure, crime, danger

A modern thriller that combines criminal danger with fast-moving adventure.

2. Wildtrack (1988)

Reading position: Sailing thriller
Key themes: Sailing, survival, suspense

A sailing adventure in which danger on the water becomes central to the story. It is a strong choice for readers who enjoy nautical thrillers.

3. Sea Lord / Killer’s Wake (1989)

Reading position: Sailing thriller
Key themes: Sea adventure, crime, danger

A maritime thriller involving danger, deception, and conflict on the water.

Title note: Sea Lord was published in the United States as Killer’s Wake.

4. Crackdown (1990)

Reading position: Sailing thriller
Key themes: Crime, suspense, action

A modern thriller that moves away from Cornwell’s historical battlefields while retaining his talent for action and escalating danger.

5. Stormchild (1991)

Reading position: Sailing thriller
Key themes: Maritime danger, mystery, survival

A dangerous mystery involving the sea and a situation that becomes increasingly difficult to escape.

Bernard Cornwell Standalone Books in Order

These novels can generally be read independently.

Redcoat (1987)

Key themes: American Revolution, military history

Set during the American Revolutionary War, Redcoat explores the conflict through the experiences of soldiers and civilians caught between competing powers.

A Crowning Mercy (1983)

Key themes: Restoration England, politics, family

Set during the turbulent years surrounding the English Restoration, this historical novel explores family loyalties and political conflict.

Fallen Angels (1984)

Key themes: Restoration England, intrigue, politics

A historical novel connected to the world introduced in A Crowning Mercy.

Stonehenge (1999)

Key themes: Prehistory, religion, ambition

Cornwell travels far back in time to imagine the people and rivalries behind the construction of one of Britain’s most famous ancient monuments.

Gallows Thief (2001)

Key themes: Crime, justice, historical mystery

Set in early nineteenth-century England, the novel follows a man investigating whether a condemned prisoner is actually guilty before an execution takes place.

Azincourt / Agincourt (2008)

Key themes: Hundred Years’ War, Battle of Agincourt, survival

An English archer finds himself caught in the campaign that leads toward the famous Battle of Agincourt.

Title note: The novel has appeared as Azincourt and Agincourt in different markets.

The Fort (2010)

Key themes: American Revolution, military campaign

Set during the American Revolutionary War, the novel dramatizes the Penobscot Expedition and the disastrous military campaign surrounding a British fort.

Waterloo: The History of Four Days, Three Armies and Three Battles (2014)

Key themes: Napoleon, military history, Europe

This is nonfiction, not a novel. Cornwell examines the events surrounding Waterloo and the armies involved in one of history’s most famous battles.

Fools and Mortals (2017)

Key themes: Shakespeare, Elizabethan theater, rivalry

Set in Elizabethan London, the novel follows Richard Shakespeare, the fictionalized younger brother of William Shakespeare, as he struggles to establish himself in the rapidly growing world of English theater.

Bernard Cornwell Books Under the Susannah Kells Name

Bernard Cornwell also co-wrote books with his wife, Judy Cornwell, under the pseudonym Susannah Kells.

The best-known titles include:

A Crowning Mercy

A historical story set during one of England’s most turbulent political periods.

Fallen Angels

A continuation of the historical world established in A Crowning Mercy.

Readers interested in Cornwell’s complete bibliography should be aware of the Susannah Kells connection because these books may not always appear alongside his other works in simplified reading-order lists.

Where Should You Start With Bernard Cornwell?

Start with The Last Kingdom if you love Vikings

This is arguably the easiest entry point for modern readers. Uhtred is a compelling narrator, the historical setting is immersive, and the series provides a long, complete reading journey.

Start with Sharpe’s Tiger for military historical fiction

Choose this if you want to follow Richard Sharpe’s life chronologically from the beginning. The Sharpe books offer battles, military strategy, adventure, and a much longer historical timeline.

Start with The Winter King for King Arthur

If you think you know the Arthurian legend, Cornwell’s version may surprise you. It is darker, more political, and more grounded in the violence of post-Roman Britain.

Start with Harlequin if you love medieval history

The Grail Quest novels are an excellent choice for readers who enjoy the Hundred Years’ War, archery, castles, and medieval battlefields.

Start with Rebel for the American Civil War

The Starbuck novels offer Cornwell’s distinctive approach to military history in an American setting.

Do You Need to Read Bernard Cornwell’s Books in Order?

You should read each individual series in order, but you do not need to read all of Bernard Cornwell’s books in overall publication order.

For example, you can read:

• All of The Last Kingdom series without reading Sharpe.
• The complete Warlord Chronicles independently.
• The Grail Quest without any knowledge of Cornwell’s other books.
• Most standalone novels at any time.

The only important rule is to follow the internal order of the particular series you choose.

What Makes Bernard Cornwell’s Historical Fiction Different?

Bernard Cornwell’s books are often praised because they use historical events as more than simple background decoration.

His protagonists frequently stand close to major battles, political changes, and social transformations. Through fictional characters such as Richard Sharpe, Uhtred of Bebbanburg, Derfel Cadarn, Thomas of Hookton, and Nathaniel Starbuck, Cornwell gives readers a personal perspective on enormous historical events.

His fiction commonly explores:

• Military strategy and battlefield life
• Loyalty and betrayal
• Religion and political power
• Social class and ambition
• The clash between old and new cultures
• The human cost of war

This combination helps explain why his books appeal to both dedicated history readers and people who simply enjoy fast-paced adventure fiction.

About Bernard Cornwell

Bernard Cornwell is an English author best known for historical fiction and military adventure. His official website describes itself as the authorized source for information about his novels and reading recommendations.

His best-known characters include:

• Richard Sharpe, a soldier during the Napoleonic Wars
• Uhtred of Bebbanburg, the protagonist of The Last Kingdom
• Derfel Cadarn, the narrator of The Warlord Chronicles
• Thomas of Hookton, the archer from the Grail Quest
• Nathaniel Starbuck, the protagonist of the Starbuck Chronicles

Across his career, Cornwell has written fiction set in multiple historical periods, making him one of the most versatile authors in modern historical adventure fiction. His work has also inspired successful screen adaptations, most notably The Last Kingdom.

Frequently Asked Questions About Bernard Cornwell Books

What is the best Bernard Cornwell book to start with?

For most new readers, The Last Kingdom is an excellent starting point because it begins a complete 13-novel historical saga about Uhtred and the making of England. Readers who specifically want Napoleonic military fiction should start with Sharpe’s Tiger in chronological order.

What order should I read the Sharpe books?

Bernard Cornwell recommends reading the Sharpe novels in historical chronological order. This differs from publication order because several later-written novels were prequels inserted earlier into Richard Sharpe’s life.

How many books are in The Last Kingdom series?

There are 13 main novels, beginning with The Last Kingdom and ending with War Lord. Uhtred’s Feast is a companion volume connected to the world of the series rather than a fourteenth main novel.

Is The Last Kingdom the same as The Saxon Stories?

Yes. The series has previously been known as The Saxon Stories and The Warrior Chronicles, but the official Bernard Cornwell website now refers to it as The Last Kingdom series.

Are Bernard Cornwell’s series connected?

Generally, no. Sharpe, The Last Kingdom, The Warlord Chronicles, The Grail Quest, and The Starbuck Chronicles take place in different historical periods and feature different characters. You can read one series without reading the others.

What Bernard Cornwell series is best for King Arthur fans?

The Warlord Chronicles is Cornwell’s major Arthurian series. It consists of The Winter King, Enemy of God, and Excalibur, presenting a darker and more historically grounded interpretation of Arthur’s legend.

Is the Starbuck Chronicles series finished?

Four Starbuck novels have been published: Rebel, Copperhead, Battle Flag, and The Bloody Ground. Cornwell has said he hopes to return to Nathaniel Starbuck but has not confirmed when another book will be published.

Are Bernard Cornwell’s books historically accurate?

Cornwell’s novels are historical fiction, meaning fictional characters and storylines are woven around real periods, people, and events. His books often include substantial historical research, but readers should not treat the novels as substitutes for academic history.

Final Verdict

The best way to explore Bernard Cornwell books in order is to choose the historical world that interests you most rather than feeling obligated to start with his earliest publication.

If you want my personal recommendation for a first Cornwell experience, I would choose The Last Kingdom for a long and complete saga, The Winter King for a powerful standalone trilogy experience, or Sharpe’s Tiger if you want to begin Richard Sharpe’s extraordinary journey from the very start.

Whichever path you choose, Bernard Cornwell’s greatest strength is his ability to make history feel immediate—full of mud, fear, ambition, loyalty, and the uncertainty of people living through events that would eventually become history.

Written by

Emon Anam

Hi, I’m Emon. I’m the voice and heart behind Whimsy Read. After nine years in the world of banking, I followed my passion for storytelling into the world of SEO and content strategy. Now, I blend that analytical eye with a deep love for literature to bring you book reviews that are thoughtful, honest, and always focused on the stories that stay with you. When I’m not reading or writing, you’ll find me enjoying joyful chaos with my wife and three kids, getting lost in a new series, or revisiting my old loves: theater, music, and gaming. At the end of the day, I believe great books are meant to be shared, and I’m so glad you’re here to share them with me.