The Last Kingdomis based on a long-running series of novels by Bernard Cornwell titled The Saxon Stories, which spans 13 books. The Netflix show only covered the first 10 of them, which is where the movie comes in; it will combine events from Cornwell’s final three books to wrap up Uhtred’s story. My name is Uhtred. I am the son of Uhtred, who was the son of Uhtred and his father was also called Uhtred . . . Here’s the official description of Uhtred’s Feast from Cornwell’s publisher HarperCollins, which sheds a bit more light on what exactly readers (or aspiring medieval chefs) can expect: After an outstanding series of novels, featuring Uhtred of Bebbanburg, Bernard Cornwell's Last Kingdom series came to an end in 2020. However, here we have a curious new book from Cornwell featuring 80 Anglo-Saxon recipes by Suzanne Pollak, some wonderful historical insights & three brand new short stories featuring the legendary Uhtred. Fictional history is not real history, novelists leave that to real historians, but our books must be authentic, and authenticity is in the mundane details: What did they wear? How did they travel? What did they eat?’

The final Last Kingdom book was published in 2020, but for the author the story felt unfinished: there were some Uhtred tales he still wanted to tell, and over the course of writing the books he’d become fascinated by some elements of the Anglo-Saxon world that it wasn’t possible to fully explore in the novels. The Last Kingdom is one of the most successful historical fiction series of our time. The novels tell the epic story of the birth of England and introduces one of the greatest ever fictional heroes: the iconic Uhtred of Bebbanburg, the Saxon-born, Norse-raised warrior and rebel. In this lively compendium, Bernard Cornwell revisits Uhtred’s realm, illuminating elements of the Anglo-Saxon world he couldn’t fully explore in his novels. The best battle scenes of any writer I’ve ever read, past or present. Cornwell really makes history come alive” - George R.R. Martin Cornwell’s skill [is] in ageing his warrior-hero, who now creaks as he fights and is haunted by those he has loved and lost” - THE TIMES I looked up at the stars and thought I had fought my last fight, faced my last shield wall, and was racing home to a loving woman, to good ale, and to Bebbanburg."The stories I did like and thought they all worked quite well for me, a short story collection of events throughout his life would make a nice read I think. I've been a Bernard Cornwell fan for years and have every one of his books and have enjoyed them all. This is definitely not one of his best. It is time to let the character of Uhtred rest.

I would divide this little gem of a book into three sections - Cornwell’s nonfiction historical discussion, the joy of more time with Uhtred through a few short stories and some really interesting links and shared knowledge on Saxon cuisine and cooking techniques - what a veritable feast! Cornwell was sent away to Monkton Combe School, attended the University of London, and after graduating, worked as a teacher. He attempted to enlist in the British armed services at least three times but was rejected on the grounds of myopia.

This book will be released in the UK on 25 May 2023. The book will be published in the US on 14 November 2023. As a child, Cornwell loved the novels of C.S. Forester, chronicling the adventures of fictional British naval officer Horatio Hornblower during the Napoleonic Wars, and was surprised to find there were no such novels following Lord Wellington's campaign on land. Motivated by the need to support himself in the U.S. through writing, Cornwell decided to write such a series. He named his chief protagonist Richard Sharpe, a rifleman involved in most major battles of the Peninsular War. The Last Kingdom is one of the most successful historical fiction series of our time, telling the epic story of the birth of England, and introducing one of the greatest ever fictional heroes: the iconic Uhtred of Bebbanburg. Saxon-born, Norse-raised, warrior and rebel. The birth of England has been and is one of my great interests,” Cornwell said in a statement. “After two decades immersed in Anglo-Saxon history – an intense period of warring kingdoms and political rivalry – it is a pleasure to share some new stories of Uhtred throughout this time and present sides of life even beyond battle”

After publishing eight books in his ongoing Sharpe series, Cornwell was approached by a production company interested in adapting them for television. The producers asked him to write a prequel to give them a starting point to the series. They also requested that the story feature a large role for Spanish characters to secure co-funding from Spain. The result was Sharpe’s Rifles, published in 1987, and a series of Sharpe television films staring Sean Bean.

In this engaging social history New York Times bestselling author Bernard Cornwell, “the most prolific and successful historical novelist in the world today” (Wall Street Journal), completes his epic Last Kingdom series with this companion book featuring three exclusive short stories and sixty recipes that bring Uhtred’s world to life as never before. The final Last Kingdom book was published in 2020, but for the author the story felt unfinished: there were some Uhtred tales he still wanted to tell, and over the course of writing the books he'd become fascinated by some elements of the Anglo-Saxon world that it wasn't possible to fully explore in the novels. Definitely a book for those who want to complete their Uhtred collection but by no means one of the best ones. It is exactly as advertised, so no complaints there. I knew going in that a lot of the book was going to be factual food information and associated recipes. I’ve always found that topic mildly interesting without being fascinated by it, so the fact that it fills about half the book meant it was never going to get 5 stars from me. I’m sure the recipes are fine and that those really interested in such things will thoroughly enjoy them.

It’s a pretty exciting time for fans of The Last Kingdom. After a successful five-season run on Netflix, the popular historical drama will return next month with the film Seven Kings Must Die, which will wrap up the long journey of Uhtred of Bebbanburg. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and highly recommend it to readers who love this time period, wish to learn about the history and cuisine and especially lovers of The Last Kingdom. Cornwell was born in London in 1944. His father was a Canadian airman, and his mother, who was English, a member of the Women's Auxiliary Air Force. He was adopted and brought up in Essex by the Wiggins family, who were members of the Peculiar People, a strict Protestant sect who banned frivolity of all kinds and even medicine. After he left them, he changed his name to his birth mother's maiden name, Cornwell. Salting has also been used for thousands of years. Soon after the Romans came to England in AD 43 they started developing saltworks along the east coast. …Later, Hellath du got the Anglo-Saxon name Northwich, meaning 'northern saltworks'. (The Anglo- Saxons called a saltwork a 'wich', so any place in England with 'wich' at the end at one time produced salt.)’When he met renowned chef Suzanne Pollak, the idea for Uhtred’s Feast was born. And here Bernard Cornwell tells those additional Uhtred stories, showing us the man behind the shield – as a young boy, as Alfred’s advisor, and as prince – while Suzanne brings his world to life through beautifully crafted recipes which open a door into the Anglo-Saxon home . .