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Author

David Pilling

David Pilling is a British historian and author of historical fiction whose work concentrates on medieval Britain, particularly Wales and the conflicts of the thirteenth and fourteenth centuries. Raised in West Wales, he developed an early interest in history through exploring the region’s castles and landscapes. His research interests also extend to post-Roman Britain, the Byzantine Empire, the Wars of the Roses and the British and Irish Civil Wars.

Pilling has written numerous novels and series, including Longsword, Border Reiver, Soldier of Fortune, Caesar’s Sword, The White Hawk and the John Swale Chronicles. His stories typically combine military action, political rivalry and shifting personal loyalties, often following soldiers, knights and outlaws caught in periods of civil war or disputed kingship. He also writes historical non-fiction, including studies of Edward I’s campaigns and rule in medieval Wales.

Periods and events

Norman Conquest of England Byzantine Empire Crusades First Crusade Post-Roman Britain Arthurian Britain Late Medieval Crusader States Gothic War of 535–554 Fourth Crusade Sack of Constantinople (1204) High Medieval Second Barons’ War Edward I’s Conquest of Wales

Series

Series by David Pilling (10 series)

The Bloody Hand Saga in Order

by David Pilling 9 books 4.3

The Bloody Hand Saga follows Thorkell Skaldsson from the English resistance to Norman rule into exile and service in the Byzantine world. Beginning with rebellion in the Danelaw and the Harrying of the North, the series expands into the wars of Emperor Alexios I, the Norman invasion of…

The Northman

4.1

The Outlaw

4.2

The Exile

4.4

The Warlord

4.4

The Conqueror

4.4

The Varangian

4.4

The Dragon

4.5

The Crusade

4.5

The Caesar

4.6

Leader of Battles in Order

by David Pilling 5 books 4.4

Leader of Battles reimagines the transformation of post-Roman Britain through the careers of Ambrosius Aurelianus and Artorius. Across invasion, dynastic conflict and warfare against Saxon settlers, the series develops the historical and legendary foundations of King Arthur, culminating in the struggle to preserve a fractured British realm.

Ambrosius

4.3

Artorius

4.5

Call to Arms

4.4

Warrior Kingdom

4.5

To Kill a King

4.5

The Champion in Order

by David Pilling 5 books 4.4

The Champion follows the Valencian soldier En Pascal across the wars of western Europe at the turn of the fourteenth century. His campaigns connect the Anglo-French conflict, the Scottish resistance to Edward I, warfare in Iberia and Flanders, presenting a mercenary's view of shifting alliances, faith and military…

The Champion (I)

4.3

The Champion (II)

4.4

The Champion (III)

4.4

The Champion (IV)

4.5

The Champion (V)

4.4

Outlaw Knight in Order

by David Pilling 4 books 4.4

Outlaw Knight follows Philip of Cognac, the reputed illegitimate son of Richard the Lionheart, through the upheavals of the Fourth Crusade. After Constantinople falls, Philip becomes entangled in the wars among the Latin conquerors, the Greek successor states and the Bulgarian Empire, fighting for survival in the shattered…

Outlaw Knight (I)

4.3

Outlaw Knight (II)

4.4

Outlaw Knight (III)

4.5

Outlaw Knight (IV)

Longsword in Order

by David Pilling 6 books 4.3

The Longsword series follows Hugh Longsword and the surviving Montfortian rebels after the Second Barons' War. Moving from outlaw resistance in England to Edward's crusade, political conspiracy and the conquest of Wales, the novels trace the violent consolidation of royal power under Henry III and Edward I.

Longsword

4.0

Longsword (II)

4.3

Longsword (III)

4.3

Longsword (IV)

4.4

Longsword (V)

4.4

Longsword VI (the Broken Arrow)

4.4

Kingbreaker in Order

by David Pilling 4 books 4.4

The Kingbreaker series tells the story of John de Vere, Earl of Oxford, a committed Lancastrian who survives defeat, imprisonment and exile during the Wars of the Roses. Beginning with the catastrophe at Towton and continuing through the restorations and reversals of Edward IV, Richard III and Henry…

Kingbreaker (I)

4.4

Kingbreaker (II)

4.4

Kingbreaker (III)

4.4

Kingbreaker

Caesar’s Sword in Order

by David Pilling 3 books 4.1

Caesar's Sword follows Coel ap Amhar, the imagined grandson of King Arthur, as he carries the legendary blade Caledfwlch into the wars of Emperor Justinian. From the Vandal kingdom in North Africa to the siege of Rome and the final campaigns against the Ostrogoths, the trilogy combines post-Arthurian…

The Red Death

4.0

Siege of Rome

4.2

Flame of the West

4.2

Reiver in Order

by David Pilling 2 books 4.1

The Reiver novels are set in the sixteenth-century Anglo-Scottish borderlands, where feuding riding families, disputed authority and retaliatory raids shape everyday life. The series follows men caught between crown officers, clan loyalties and outlaw violence during a period when the Marches operated under their own harsh customs.

Reiver

4.1

Reiver: The Sword’s Edge

4.2

Folville’s Law in Order

by David Pilling 2 books 4.1

Folville's Law follows Sir John Swale through the violent collapse of Edward II's government and the uncertain minority of Edward III. Set amid northern warfare, political murder, outlaw bands and the rise and fall of Roger Mortimer, the novels blend medieval crime with the struggle for control of…

Folville’s Law (I)

4.2

Folville’s Law (II)

4.0

Robin Hood in Order

by David Pilling 1 book 4.1

The Robin Hood series places the legendary outlaw in northern England during the reign of Henry III. As corrupt officials, private feuds and weak royal government drive men outside the law, Robin builds his reputation in Sherwood and confronts the political forces that exploit ordinary communities.