For some reason the history of the Anglo-Saxons isn’t much taught in Britain (where I grew up) and it struck me as weird that the English really had no idea where their country came from.

In an interview with Emerson College, Cornwell said: 'Years ago, when I was at university, I discovered Anglo-Saxon poetry and became hooked on that strange and often melancholy world. The first two novels in the series were adapted for television in 2015 as The Last Kingdom. His heirs consolidate what Alfred begins. King Alfred of Wessex reluctantly accepts that he cannot drive the invaders from the island, after his defeat at Wilton, and is forced to make peace with them. The story centers on the emergence of England as a nation on the island of Britain from the vision and actions of Alfred, later dubbed 'the Great'. The name of the protagonist comes from the historical Uhtred the Bold Cornwell is descended from this long ago family. The story takes place during the Danish invasions of Britain, when all but one of the English kingdoms are conquered.

The protagonist of the series is Uhtred of Bebbanburg, born to a Saxon lord in Northumbria, but captured and adopted by the Danes.

The Saxon Stories (also known as 'Saxon Tales'/'Saxon Chronicles' in the USA and 'The Warrior Chronicles' and since the BBC TV adaptation as 'The Last Kingdom Series' in the UK) is a continuing historical novel series written by Bernard Cornwell about 9th and 10th century Britain. The Last Kingdom, The Pale Horseman, The Lords of the North, Sword Song, The Burning Land, Death of Kings, The Pagan Lord, The Empty Throne, Warriors of the Storm

The saxon stories download