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Series

The Forgotten Emperor Series

The Forgotten Emperor series presents a historical reinterpretation of Arthur as Mauseus Carausius, a late Roman soldier who becomes the ruler of an independent Britain. Beginning with his childhood and service in the Roman army, the sequence follows his revolt against imperial authority, the creation of a British cavalry force and the attempt to unite communities threatened by Roman reprisals and growing Saxon settlement.

Across six volumes, Bannister combines the surviving history of Carausius and the political disintegration of the western empire with elements of Arthurian legend. The series treats Arthur’s kingship as a response to collapsing Roman government, religious division, plague and migration, ending with an ageing ruler trying to establish a peace that can survive him.

Reading order

Books in this series (6 books)

Arthur Britannicus cover

#1 – Arthur Britannicus

Paul Bannister

As a boy, Mauseus Carausius watches his warrior father murdered and grows up determined to master the military system that destroyed his family. He joins the Roman army, learns the discipline of the legions and earns command through campaigns that test both his courage and his…

Arthur Imperator cover

#2 – Arthur Imperator

Paul Bannister

After defeating the Roman fleet, Arthur Britannicus takes the title Imperator and attempts to unite Britain’s rival communities under his rule. Roman oppression has weakened, but Saxon warlords now test the eastern coast while Arthur builds the cavalry and command structure required to defend an island…

Arthur Invictus cover

#3 – Arthur Invictus

Paul Bannister

Londinium lies damaged after Britain’s renewed conflict with Rome, while the empire withdraws troops to meet invasions closer to Italy. Arthur remains emperor of a fractured country and must rebuild his forces before Maximian can exploit British division and recover the island. Rather than wait for…

A Fragile Peace cover

#5 – A Fragile Peace

Paul Bannister

Arthur’s truce with Constantine appears to have secured Britain from Roman invasion, and his kingdom has found an uneasy accommodation between pagan and Christian communities. The settlement begins to collapse when a severe pestilence kills thousands, ruins harvests and leaves the army without enough men to…

Arthur: War’s End cover

#6 – Arthur: War’s End

Paul Bannister

Arthur knows that age and illness are bringing his rule to an end, but Britain remains exposed to Saxon, Pictish and other raiders as migration destabilises Gaul and the Channel coast. Pestilence has reduced the population, crops have failed and the kingdom lacks the reserves needed…