The Ninth Century Books in Order

Newly crowned Coelwulf must leave the ceremonies of kingship behind as Viking raiders threaten Mercia from the east. With Wessex an unreliable ally and trusted companions already lost, he returns to the roads to defend his fragile kingdom.

With Mercia's alliance with Wessex shattered, warrior Coelwulf hears rumors that his kingdom has been betrayed. Surviving an attempt on his life, he journeys from the west into Mercia's heart to uncover the truth and confront Viking enemies.

Coelwulf leads a small force against vastly stronger Viking raiders while Mercia's alliance with Wessex lies in ruins. Hunting enemies beyond the kingdom's heartland, he must decide how far his warriors can stretch to preserve their threatened homeland.

These prequel stories follow Coelwulf and the companions who later defend Mercia in The Last King. Episodes from before his kingship explore the earlier lives of warriors including Icel, Edmund, Pybba, and Rudolf in ninth-century England.

Summoned to Worcester, Coelwulf discovers that an old enemy now needs his help. Dividing his warriors to secure an alliance leaves Mercia vulnerable, while winter storms and unexpected raiders threaten his kingdom and its defenders.

Winter gives Coelwulf little protection as defeated Viking jarls shelter behind their settlement's walls. With King Alfred's intentions uncertain and threats pressing from north and south, Mercia's king pursues a deeply personal conflict with Halfdan.

Archbishop Wulfhere seeks Coelwulf's help against Halfdan in Northumbria while London's bishop urges an alliance with Alfred of Wessex. Sending a small force against a much larger enemy, Mercia's king must navigate competing demands for loyalty.

King Coelwulf must consider an uneasy alliance with Alfred of Wessex as Viking forces gather in the south. Protecting Mercia may depend on helping an old enemy survive, despite his doubts about Alfred's abilities as a warrior.

Bound by an uneasy alliance with Alfred, Coelwulf returns to fortify London while Viking ambitions threaten Canterbury. Deception within the West Saxon camp complicates his obligations, leaving Mercia vulnerable as he tries to honor promises beyond his own borders.

With Guthrum held prisoner after the fighting at Grantabridge, Coelwulf must help Mercia recover while other Viking leaders still threaten its survival. Grief-stricken warriors face fresh demands from their allies and must decide how to continue the struggle.

With Mercia weakened and its alliance with Wessex fractured, King Coelwulf keeps fighting to protect his kingdom. Danish raiders still threaten its borders, and he must defeat Guthrum after drawing his forces out of their stronghold.