Bernard Cornwell Books in Order

Where to Start Your Bernard Cornwell Journey

With over 50 books in his catalog, Bernard Cornwell can feel incredibly daunting. Fortunately, you do not have to read his entire bibliography in one go. His books are organized into distinct historical eras, and there are three primary entry points recommended for new readers:

• For Napoleonic Warfare: Start with Sharpe's Rifles (or Sharpe's Tiger). This is Cornwell's most famous creation, following a gritty British soldier rising through the ranks.
• For Viking Shield Walls: Start with The Last Kingdom. If you loved the Netflix adaptation, the books offer a much deeper look at Uhtred of Bebbanburg's life and the birth of England.
• For Arthurian Legends: Start with The Winter King. Cornwell himself has frequently cited this trilogy—The Warlord Chronicles—as his personal favorite of all his works.

The Sharpe Series: Publication vs. Chronological Order

Richard Sharpe's adventures span the globe from India to Spain and Waterloo. However, Cornwell did not write these books in chronological order. He wrote the Peninsular War novels first, then later went back to write Sharpe's early years in India, and occasionally went back to fill in gaps. This leaves readers with a choice between two main reading orders.

Option A: Chronological Order (Recommended by the Author)

Bernard Cornwell's official website lists the books in historical order. Reading chronologically allows you to follow Sharpe's life seamlessly from an illiterate private in India to a retired officer. However, note that the writing style evolves significantly between books written in the 1980s and those written in the late 1990s and 2000s.

The Chronological Timeline:

1. Sharpe's Tiger (1997)
2. Sharpe's Triumph (1998)
3. Sharpe's Fortress (1999)
4. Sharpe's Trafalgar (2000)
5. Sharpe's Prey (2001)
6. Sharpe's Rifles (1988)
7. Sharpe's Havoc (2003)
8. Sharpe's Eagle (1981)
9. Sharpe's Gold (1981)
10. Sharpe's Escape (2004)
11. Sharpe's Fury (2006)
12. Sharpe's Battle (1995)
13. Sharpe's Company (1982)
14. Sharpe's Command (2023)
15. Sharpe's Sword (1983)
16. Sharpe's Skirmish (1999 - short story)
17. Sharpe's Enemy (1984)
18. Sharpe's Honour (1985)
19. Sharpe's Regiment (1986)
20. Sharpe's Christmas (1994 - short story collection)
21. Sharpe's Siege (1987)
22. Sharpe's Revenge (1989)
23. Sharpe's Waterloo (1990)
24. Sharpe's Assassin (2021)
25. Sharpe's Devil (1992)

Option B: Publication Order

Many purists argue that starting with Sharpe's Eagle (the first published book) is the superior experience. This allows you to watch Cornwell find his voice as a writer, and introduces the characters with the initial mystery and rough edges intended by the author in 1981.

The "Sharpe's Command" Continuity Quirk

For readers tackling the chronological order, be aware of a slight continuity snag with the 2023 release Sharpe's Command. While officially positioned between Sharpe's Company and Sharpe's Sword, the book refers to Sharpe as a Major. Chronologically, he does not officially secure this rank until the later events of Sharpe's Enemy, creating a minor timeline discrepancy that fans frequently debate.

The Last Kingdom (Saxon Stories)

This 13-book series chronicles the battle between Saxons and Danes. Unlike Sharpe, this series was written in strict chronological order and should be read exactly as published. Starting with The Last Kingdom, you follow Uhtred from childhood to old age.

The Main Series Order:

1. The Last Kingdom (2004)
2. The Pale Horseman (2005)
3. The Lords of the North (2006)
4. Sword Song (2007)
5. The Burning Land (2009)
6. Death of Kings (2011)
7. The Pagan Lord (2013)
8. The Empty Throne (2014)
9. Warriors of the Storm (2015)
10. The Flame Bearer (2016)
11. War of the Wolf (2018)
12. Sword of Kings (2019)
13. War Lord (2020)

How to Read "Uhtred's Feast" (2023)

Uhtred's Feast: Inside the World of The Last Kingdom is a companion book that includes Anglo-Saxon recipes, historical contexts, and three exclusive short stories (The First Victory, The Gift of God, and The Last Shield Wall). While it doesn't spoil the main plot, it is best enjoyed after finishing War Lord to serve as a satisfying return to the universe.

The Warlord Chronicles (Arthur Trilogy)

If you want a self-contained, beautifully written trilogy, start here. It reimagines the Arthurian legend through the eyes of a loyal warrior, Derfel Cadarn, blending historical realism with the traditional mythology. Read these in order:

1. The Winter King (1995)
2. Enemy of God (1996)
3. Excalibur (1997)

Other Historical Series & Side Projects

The Grail Quest Series

Set during the Hundred Years' War, this series follows Thomas of Hookton, an English archer searching for the Holy Grail. It consists of four books:

1. Harlequin (released as The Archer's Tale in the US) (2000)
2. Vagabond (2002)
3. Heretic (2003)
4. 1356 (2012)

The Starbuck Chronicles

Following Nathaniel Starbuck, a Northerner fighting for the Confederacy during the American Civil War, this series was put on hold after four books:

1. Rebel (1993)
2. Copperhead (1994)
3. Battle Flag (1995)
4. The Bloody Ground (1996)

Sailing Thrillers

Before focusing entirely on historical epics, Cornwell wrote five contemporary sailing mysteries: Wildtrack (1988), Sea Lord (released as Killer's Wake in the US) (1989), Crackdown (1990), Stormchild (1991), and Scoundrel (1992).

Co-Authored Works: Susannah Kells

Early in his career, Bernard Cornwell co-authored a series of historical romance novels set during the English Civil War with his wife, Judy Cornwell, under the joint pseudonym Susannah Kells. These include A Crowning Mercy (1983), Fallen Angels (1984), and Coat of Arms (also published as The Aristocrats) (1986).