How to Read the Lord Edward’s Archer Series in Order
For readers diving into the gritty, arrow-flurry world of Griff Hosker's medieval England, the path is straightforward: the series is best read in publication order, which also functions as its strict chronological order. Over the course of the novels, Gerald Warbow (initially Gruffyd) ages from a vengeful outlaw teenager to a seasoned royal veteran serving multiple English monarchs.
Reading the books in their numbered sequence allows you to experience the evolution of Gerald's fighting tactics, his shifting relationships with historical kings, and the development of his family life. Reading out of order will spoil major political betrayals and the fates of key historical figures.
The Lord Edward's Archer Reading Order
- Lord Edward's Archer (2019) – Young Gruffyd learns the art of the longbow from his father. When tragedy strikes his family due to a lord's malice, he takes revenge, flees as an outlaw, and eventually enters the service of the future King Edward I during the Second Barons' War.
- King in Waiting (2019) – Gerald War Bow works to rescue royal hostages and dismantle Simon de Montfort's rebellion, culminating in the bloody battles of Lewes and Evesham.
- An Archer's Crusade (2020) – Transitioned to life as a minor landowner, Gerald is recalled by Prince Edward to join the Ninth Crusade, traveling to the Holy Land and undertaking a perilous mission to forge an alliance with Mongol leader Abaqa Khan.
- Targets of Treachery (2021) – Gerald is appointed as a royal envoy to negotiate with Prince Llywelyn of Wales, thrusting him into the heart of the Welsh Marches border conflicts and military campaigns.
- The Great Cause (2022) – Settled as a country gentleman training local archers (including his eldest son, Hamo), Gerald is pulled back into royal service following the death of King Alexander of Scotland, which triggers a major succession crisis.
- Wallace's War (2022) – With the rise of William Wallace and the English defeat at Stirling Bridge, Gerald is recalled from campaigns in Flanders to lead archers against the Scots, heading toward the Battle of Falkirk.
- The Hunt (2023) – Following the Battle of Falkirk, King Edward I tasks an aging Gerald with tracking down and capturing the fugitive William Wallace, a chase that leads him into France.
- The Prince & the Archer (2024) – With the old king dead, Gerald seeks a quiet retirement but is dragged back into service under the turbulent reign of the new monarch, King Edward II.
- Warbow (2025) – Gerald is stationed at Westminster to protect a vulnerable King Edward II amidst political conspiracies involving Piers Gaveston, while also heading to Wales to champion the besieged Lady Hawise ferch Owain.
What to Know Before You Start
Griff Hosker’s series is highly recommended for fans of Bernard Cornwell’s Grail Quest or The Warlord Chronicles. Unlike many medieval tales that glorify chivalry and armored knights, Hosker focuses on the perspective of the common longbowman. The series highlights the tactical revolution of the English longbow and the brutal, visceral nature of 13th-century combat.
The series is heavily grounded in actual historical timeline events. Gerald interacts with real figures, including Simon de Montfort, Edward I, Edward II, William Wallace, and Piers Gaveston. While Hosker takes creative liberties to insert his protagonist into these key events, the historical details regarding weapons, logistics, and battle outcomes are meticulously researched.
Can the Books Be Read as Standalones?
While each book features a self-contained military campaign or diplomatic mission, they are not recommended as standalones. The narrative relies heavily on character progression: Gerald’s rise through the ranks, his marriage, the birth of his children, and the training of his son Hamo as a second-generation archer. To fully appreciate the emotional weight and character dynamics, starting with the first book, Lord Edward's Archer, is essential.