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Author

David Pilling

41 fiction · 2 non-fiction

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

Arthurian BritainLegendary setting, conventionally c. 5th–6th centuries CE Battle of Agincourt1415 CE Battle of Towton1461 CE Byzantine Empire476–1453 CE Crusader States1098–1291 CE Crusades1095–1291 CE Edward I’s Conquest of Wales1277–1283 CE First Crusade1095–1099 CE Harrying of the North1069–1070 CE High Medievalc. 1000–1300 CE Hundred Years’ War in France1337–1453 CE Invasion of England and Deposition of Edward II1326–1327 CE Justinian’s Gothic War535–554 CE Late Medievalc. 1300–1500 CE Norman Conquest of England1066–1071 CE Sack of Constantinople1204 CE Second Barons’ War1264–1267 CE Tudor Period1485–1603 CE Vandalic War533–534 CE Wars of the Roses1455–1487 CE

Historical fiction

Historical fiction series by David Pilling (9 series)

The Champion in Order

by David Pilling 5 books 4.4(2,669)

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…

Leader of Battles in Order

by David Pilling 5 books 4.4(2,535)

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.

Outlaw Knight in Order

by David Pilling 4 books 4.4(1,072)

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…

Kingbreaker in Order

by David Pilling 4 books 4.4(555)

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…

Longsword in Order

by David Pilling 6 books 4.3(5,235)

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.

The Bloody Hand Saga in Order

by David Pilling 9 books 4.3(4,249)

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…

Reiver in Order

by David Pilling 2 books 4.1(2,217)

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.

Caesar’s Sword in Order

by David Pilling 3 books 4.1(1,672)

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…

Folville’s Law in Order

by David Pilling 2 books 4.1(113)

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…

Non-fiction

Non-fiction by David Pilling (2 books)

Reference works, biographies and other non-fiction are kept separate from the historical fiction above.

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