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The Bernicia Chronicles #11
Bane of Bernicia
Not yet published
Expected 4 Jun 26PREORDER BANE OF BERNICIA NOW - THE THRILLING NEW BERNICIA CHRONICLES ADVENTURE!
Anglo-Saxon warlord Beobrand must navigate the caprices of kings as he fights for his honour and his life. The unmissable new Bernicia Chronicles novel from Matthew Harffy.
Returning from a dangerous mission to Rome, warlord Beobrand looks forward to peace at home, but bloodshed remains his constant companion.
While bringing criminals to justice Beobrand believes he has discovered a secret alliance between two of Bernicia's the Picts and the Mercians.
He hastens to warn his king, but finds Oswiu distracted, preparing to marry his eldest son to the daughter of former adversary Penda of Mercia, who remains as slippery as ever.
Dismayed, Beobrand finds himself blamed for breaking the truce with the Mercians, and must fight once more for his life. Worse, Penda insists on taking Oswiu's young son as a hostage.
Beobrand is surprised when Queen Eanflæd concocts a plot to rescue her son and orders him to take part. It will take all their guile to achieve their goal... and keep their heads, when half the kingdoms of Albion want Bernicia destroyed.
A gripping Anglo-Saxon adventure perfect for fans of Bernard Cornwell and David Gemmell.
'Beobrand is the warrior to follow' David Gilman
Anglo-Saxon warlord Beobrand must navigate the caprices of kings as he fights for his honour and his life. The unmissable new Bernicia Chronicles novel from Matthew Harffy.
Returning from a dangerous mission to Rome, warlord Beobrand looks forward to peace at home, but bloodshed remains his constant companion.
While bringing criminals to justice Beobrand believes he has discovered a secret alliance between two of Bernicia's the Picts and the Mercians.
He hastens to warn his king, but finds Oswiu distracted, preparing to marry his eldest son to the daughter of former adversary Penda of Mercia, who remains as slippery as ever.
Dismayed, Beobrand finds himself blamed for breaking the truce with the Mercians, and must fight once more for his life. Worse, Penda insists on taking Oswiu's young son as a hostage.
Beobrand is surprised when Queen Eanflæd concocts a plot to rescue her son and orders him to take part. It will take all their guile to achieve their goal... and keep their heads, when half the kingdoms of Albion want Bernicia destroyed.
A gripping Anglo-Saxon adventure perfect for fans of Bernard Cornwell and David Gemmell.
'Beobrand is the warrior to follow' David Gilman
- GenresHistorical Fiction
Kindle Edition
Expected publication June 4, 2026
About the author
Matthew Harffy
28 books767 followersMatthew Harffy is the author of the action-packed series of historical novels, the Bernicia Chronicles.
Matthew’s 2020 novel, Wolf of Wessex, was his first departure from the seventh century. Taking place a couple of centuries later in the early years of the Viking Age, it tells the tale of ageing warrior, Dunston, as he tries to find a man’s vicious murderers, keep the victim’s orphaned daughter alive and uncover the dark secret that threatens to plunge the kingdom into war. The book was very well received, with The Times calling it “a treat of a book”.
His A Time for Swords series is set at the dawn of the Viking Age. It follows the adventures of monk-turned-warrior, Hunlaf, who witnesses the first attack on the monastery of Lindisfarne and feels compelled to pick up a blade and organise the defence against the Norse raiders.
Before becoming a full-time author, Matthew worked in the IT industry, where he spent most of his days writing and editing, just not the words that most interested him! Prior to that, he worked in Spain as an English teacher and translator.
Matthew lives in Wiltshire, England, with his wife and their two daughters.
Matthew’s 2020 novel, Wolf of Wessex, was his first departure from the seventh century. Taking place a couple of centuries later in the early years of the Viking Age, it tells the tale of ageing warrior, Dunston, as he tries to find a man’s vicious murderers, keep the victim’s orphaned daughter alive and uncover the dark secret that threatens to plunge the kingdom into war. The book was very well received, with The Times calling it “a treat of a book”.
His A Time for Swords series is set at the dawn of the Viking Age. It follows the adventures of monk-turned-warrior, Hunlaf, who witnesses the first attack on the monastery of Lindisfarne and feels compelled to pick up a blade and organise the defence against the Norse raiders.
Before becoming a full-time author, Matthew worked in the IT industry, where he spent most of his days writing and editing, just not the words that most interested him! Prior to that, he worked in Spain as an English teacher and translator.
Matthew lives in Wiltshire, England, with his wife and their two daughters.
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Bane of Bernicia is the eleventh book in the series set in Anglo-Saxon Britain featuring Beobrand and his faithful band of warriors, the Black Shields.
The book’s opening follows on directly from the closing scenes of the previous book, Shadows of the Slain, plunging the reader straight into the action. If you’re a follower of the series you’ll know that Beobrand is not known for his calm nature especially when confronted with those who have committed violent acts against people he has sworn to protect. However, meting out what he sees as justice threatens to unravel the precarious peace negotiations between Oswiu, King of Bernicia and Beobrand’s old foe Penda, King of Mercia. Furthermore Oswiu bats aside Beobrand’s warnings about the imminent threat posed by the Picts.
Beobrand’s instinct is to head back to Ubbanford to ready his people to defend the attack he is sure is coming but instead he finds himself taking on a seemingly impossible task: to rescue a hostage from right under the noses of the Mercians. His brain tells him it can’t be done but it’s his heart that’s ruling him because the request comes from none other than Queen Eanflæd, the woman he secretly adores but who appears unattainable. Achieving the mission will require daring, subterfuge and a generous helping of luck. But surely even Beobrand must run out of that at some point? After all, Woden loves chaos.
Beobrand may retain much of his fighting prowess but even a renowned warrior will eventually begin to feel the effects of age. Although let’s pause a moment to reflect on the considerable attractions of his ‘piercing eyes, the scar on his face, his muscled arms and broad chest’. Fortunately he has his faithful Black Shields to come to his aid at vital moments. It’s not just the physical wear and tear either. Beobrand is haunted by memories of the terrible things he’s witnessed on countless bloody battlefields, the faces of the many men he’s killed and the comrades he’s lost. And he still struggles to control the ‘rage-fuelled monster’ he can become in the heat of battle. Perhaps understandable when you’re confronted with a horde of heavily-armed Picts, and outnumbered to boot.
‘After that, for a long while there was no time for thought. There were only the enemies before them and the cacophany and frenzy of battle. The world rang with the clangour of blades, the shouts and insults of men fighting for their lives, and the screams and whimpers of those who were losing that struggle, crying as their lifeblood soaked into the parched soil.’
Closer to home, Beobrand and his son Octa continue their frosty relationship seemingly unable to express their inner feelings to each other. And there are partings as well, one of which in particular left me slightly tearful.
Bane of Bernicia is another thrilling addition to the series, one for those who love their historical fiction full of adventure, and the cut and thrust of battle. And it wouldn’t be a Beobrand tale if there wasn’t a surprise in the final pages.
The book’s opening follows on directly from the closing scenes of the previous book, Shadows of the Slain, plunging the reader straight into the action. If you’re a follower of the series you’ll know that Beobrand is not known for his calm nature especially when confronted with those who have committed violent acts against people he has sworn to protect. However, meting out what he sees as justice threatens to unravel the precarious peace negotiations between Oswiu, King of Bernicia and Beobrand’s old foe Penda, King of Mercia. Furthermore Oswiu bats aside Beobrand’s warnings about the imminent threat posed by the Picts.
Beobrand’s instinct is to head back to Ubbanford to ready his people to defend the attack he is sure is coming but instead he finds himself taking on a seemingly impossible task: to rescue a hostage from right under the noses of the Mercians. His brain tells him it can’t be done but it’s his heart that’s ruling him because the request comes from none other than Queen Eanflæd, the woman he secretly adores but who appears unattainable. Achieving the mission will require daring, subterfuge and a generous helping of luck. But surely even Beobrand must run out of that at some point? After all, Woden loves chaos.
Beobrand may retain much of his fighting prowess but even a renowned warrior will eventually begin to feel the effects of age. Although let’s pause a moment to reflect on the considerable attractions of his ‘piercing eyes, the scar on his face, his muscled arms and broad chest’. Fortunately he has his faithful Black Shields to come to his aid at vital moments. It’s not just the physical wear and tear either. Beobrand is haunted by memories of the terrible things he’s witnessed on countless bloody battlefields, the faces of the many men he’s killed and the comrades he’s lost. And he still struggles to control the ‘rage-fuelled monster’ he can become in the heat of battle. Perhaps understandable when you’re confronted with a horde of heavily-armed Picts, and outnumbered to boot.
‘After that, for a long while there was no time for thought. There were only the enemies before them and the cacophany and frenzy of battle. The world rang with the clangour of blades, the shouts and insults of men fighting for their lives, and the screams and whimpers of those who were losing that struggle, crying as their lifeblood soaked into the parched soil.’
Closer to home, Beobrand and his son Octa continue their frosty relationship seemingly unable to express their inner feelings to each other. And there are partings as well, one of which in particular left me slightly tearful.
Bane of Bernicia is another thrilling addition to the series, one for those who love their historical fiction full of adventure, and the cut and thrust of battle. And it wouldn’t be a Beobrand tale if there wasn’t a surprise in the final pages.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Book 11!!!!
By now, Matthew Harffy knows exactly what his readers are here for and he delivers it with the confidence of a warrior who’s been through a dozen shield walls and lived to tell the tale.
Beobrand is still as grumpy and short tempered as ever, and honestly, would we want him any other way? He’s surrounded once again by his loyal warband, with dependable Cynan at his side and his ever thoughtful friend, the monk Coenred, bringing a bit of calm to the storm.
For me, this one moves at a slightly slower pace than some of the earlier books. But don’t let that fool you. This is Harffy playing the long game. The final act is absolutely blockbuster. The kind of ending that reminds you why you stuck with this series for eleven books.
What really stood out this time is how much deeper we go into Beobrand himself. Beneath the gruff exterior, we get a real sense of the cost of loyalty and what he’s sacrificed, what he’s lost, and what it truly means to stand for Bernicia no matter the price.
I think I preferred the outings where we have split povs but I do just love this series.
If Matthew Harffy keeps writing then I’ll keep reading them. ⚔️
By now, Matthew Harffy knows exactly what his readers are here for and he delivers it with the confidence of a warrior who’s been through a dozen shield walls and lived to tell the tale.
Beobrand is still as grumpy and short tempered as ever, and honestly, would we want him any other way? He’s surrounded once again by his loyal warband, with dependable Cynan at his side and his ever thoughtful friend, the monk Coenred, bringing a bit of calm to the storm.
For me, this one moves at a slightly slower pace than some of the earlier books. But don’t let that fool you. This is Harffy playing the long game. The final act is absolutely blockbuster. The kind of ending that reminds you why you stuck with this series for eleven books.
What really stood out this time is how much deeper we go into Beobrand himself. Beneath the gruff exterior, we get a real sense of the cost of loyalty and what he’s sacrificed, what he’s lost, and what it truly means to stand for Bernicia no matter the price.
I think I preferred the outings where we have split povs but I do just love this series.
If Matthew Harffy keeps writing then I’ll keep reading them. ⚔️
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews