Uhtred of Bebbanburg is the warrior at the centre of Bernard Cornwell’s linked historical novels. Born into a Saxon family, he is taken and raised among Danes after losing his home as a boy.
Uhtred’s Danish upbringing and Saxon birth place him between rival loyalties as the kingdoms of England fight for power. He serves Saxon rulers when their aims meet his own, but his lasting aim is to reclaim Bebbanburg. Read the linked sequence in order, beginning with The Last Kingdom, to follow that story from his youth onward.
Reading Order#
See the complete Warlord Chronicles reading order for all books in the series.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Uhtred?
Uhtred of Bebbanburg, born Osbert, is the protagonist of Bernard Cornwell’s Warlord Chronicles. Born a Saxon noble but abducted and raised by Danish Vikings after a raid, he becomes a fearsome warrior caught between two worlds.
What defines Uhtred's character?
Uhtred is a warrior’s warrior, pragmatic and loyal to those who earn it. He rejects Christianity for the Norse gods and values honor, courage, and loyalty above all else. His divided heritage makes him uniquely positioned to understand both worlds.
What does Uhtred want?
Uhtred seeks to recover Bebbanburg, the family stronghold he lost as a boy. That claim remains central to his choices throughout the sequence.