The Saxon Stories
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The Saxon Stories is a continuing series of books written by the historical novelist Bernard Cornwell about 9th century Britain.
The following novels are available so far:
The protagonist of the series, who is very similar to that of Derfel Cadarn from The Warlord Chronicles, is Uhtred Uhtredson (sometimes known as Uhtred Ragnarson). Uhtred is born in Northumbria, but captured and adopted by the Danes. The story takes place during the Danish invasion of Britain, where all but one of the British kingdoms is conquered. The story centers on the ruler of Wessex, Alfred, later historically dubbed 'the Great'.
The series is frequently compared to The Warlord Chronicles, not only because of the orphaned protagonist, but also in the similarities between the foreign menace in the form of the Danes in The Saxon Stories and the Saxons in The Warlord Chronicles. Alfred also resembles Arthur in his mission as the only man to save England from an unstoppable threat. (In at least one printing of The Last Kingdom, the text changes 'Alfred' to 'Arthur' in two places.)
Book three in the series; The Lords of the North has been published in UK, Canada and Australia in May 2006, and were published in the US in January 2007.
Bernard Cornwell makes mention in the historical notes at the end of The Lords of the North that he intends to continue writing The Saxon Stories, so it will extend beyond a trilogy. On his website, Cornwell states he may write seven or eight novels under The Saxon Stories banner.
Bernard Cornwell also mentions that he is in fact distantly descended from a historical Uthred of Bebbanburg, on whom the protagonist is based on.
