Death of a Kingdom

The Saxon Warrior #6

by Peter Gibbons

💥The thrilling conclusion in Peter Gibbons's epic action-packed Saxon Warrior series ⚔️ Perfect for the fans of Simon Scarrow, Conn Iggulden, and David Gemmell 🗡️ Beornoth’s last stand against the tide of history and crushing Viking invasion.

1004 AD
The fate of a fractured and embattled nation hangs by a thread. Eadric Streona grows in power, controlling an even-weaker King Aethelred the Unready. No man dares to stand to oppose him.

King Sweyn Forkbeard of Norway has unleashed his fearless Viking warlord Thorkell the Tall upon England’s shores with his eye firmly on the weakened Saxon throne. Can the Vikings unite to conquer the English and claim the crown?

Lord Beornoth, the Viking-killer lives on, beset by the ravages of age and tortured by his past, At the Kings bequest he is plunged into the brutal twilight of Saxon rule, where loyalty, courage, and sacrifice are tested on blood-soaked fields.

Armies clash and the throne of England becomes the ultimate prize. In the face of a Viking invasion, Beornoth faces his greatest battle in this unflinching fight through the last days of Saxon England.

Will Beornoth’s courage be enough to defy the storm or will the death of a kingdom be written in the blood of its bravest defenders?

If you enjoyed the BBC’s King & Conqueror and Bernard Cornwell's The Last Kingdom you'll love Beornoth’s epic Saxon Warrior adventure.

Genres: Historical Fiction

338 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 4, 2026

About the author

I am an author based in Kildare in Ireland, with a passion for Historical Fiction, Fantasy, Science Fiction, and of course writing! My books include the Viking Blood and Blade Saga and the Saxon Warrior Series. You can visit my own website at www.petermgibbons.com or find me on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/Peter-Gibbon...

Reviews

[Shane Findlay]

Awesomeness! 5⭐️

[Christine Harman]

Finale to the Saxon Warrior Series. This is a hard hitting, raw ending to the Bristish history with the Saxons fighting the Vikings for control of the isles. Beornoth is getting older and finding the fighting harder and harder. Can he help to protect the kingdom with the help of his friends or will his aged and broken body fail him. The characters are so well written that you find yourself hoping the traitorous people get dealt with and the hero's are victorious. The fighting is vicious as it would have been at that time, but it does not distract from the story. It is sad to say goodbye to Beornoth and everyone else, but it is a perfect ending to the saga.
With thanks to the author, Boldwood Books and Netgalley for the opportunity to read this book

[Jo-anne Atkinson]

Famed Saxon warrior Beornoth is feeling his age but the politics and war that surround him will not let him rest. King Aethelred is weak and poorly advised by Eadric Streona, his son Edmund too young to lead. As the Viking hoards menace the country, Streona advises appeasement and vast amounts of silver are raised but it is never enough. Now Sweyn Forkbeard has his sights set on ruling the country and Beornoth is forced into the shieldwall again.
Gibbons has written a great series of books about the turbulent reign of Aethelred. Following on from the Battle of Maldon he has charted the history of the country through the heroic figure of Beornoth. As ever the historical fact is spot on and the battle scenes are written with relish.

[Ann-Marie]

1004 AD. Beornoth, a famed Saxon warrior has spent the winter in Northumbria and is contemplating his future when a stranger arrives. He’s been summoned to the aid of King Aethelred to fight the latest Viking invasion in the south of the country. As a Saxon, aged and tired as he is, it’s not a summons he can refuse. Seen through the eyes of Beornoth the events that follow are vividly described and culminate in the death of the Saxon Kingdom.

This the first book in this series that I have read, my fault I know, and I felt as though I’d been taken back in time as I became immersed in events. Definitely recommended.

Thanks to Net Galley and Boldwood Books for an ARC for my honest review.

[Jim Rodgers]

One of the Best!

The Saxon Warrior series is truly one of the greatest series of books I’ve read in my life, and Beornoth is in the pantheon of all-time great warrior heroes. I discovered Peter Gibbons through his Viking Blood and Blade series (which is also incredible), and these books have been a goldmine of reading enjoyment for me. This is the final book in the Saxon Warrior series, and it is a fitting ending to Beornoth’s incredible journey as the scourge of the Vikings. I can’t say enough about the writing of Peter Gibbons or the greatness of this series of books. Simply one of the all-time best.

[Caroline McCarthy]

Now that was a real saga.

I don't write book reviews but this was an exception.
Well done Peter Gibbons, the whole series of Beornoth was magnificent.
I'd recommend all of the books of Beornoth to anyone interested in Anglo Saxon history. You get pulled into the stories and become invested in the characters, during battles, when there's injustice, at the wins and the losses in battle, when Beornoth Reidi deals out his own justice to the villians. I loved every single book and I'm so glad Beornoth got the ending he wanted, it made me cry at the last page which meant to me it was a good ending.

[Peter Hendrycks]

This incredible story is well written, and brings the reader right to the middle of the fierce battles that were to determine the fate of Britain. Beornoth is a great character for the book to be centered on. His presence on the battlefield was legendary! There is plenty of deceit and betrayal in this story, which lends to the desperation of those brave men who refused to give in to the Viking horde. I have read many of Mr. Gibbons' books, and am always impressed by the meticulous research he does prior to writing, as well as his ability to weave this research into a story that both entertains and captures the reader.

[Dee]

Such a beautiful ending with a bit of a winning streak. I know the final battle is of a losing game, but loved the option to end the saga with one of the story arcs. Still historically adjacent too, though inserting Beornoth's role in it. Loved the characters of Wigs and Gis and their banters. They made me forget that they were in a very tumultuous time of treachery and war.

Thank you, Peter Gibbons. What a lovely saga this was.
This could feel like an ending of an era; a start of a new one. But I have yet the courage to step over to the 1000s. Maybe someday.

[Cody Marie Phoenix]

A very dramatic and action packed end to this amazing Saxon series! The conclusion is very satisfying and the actual historical parts follow very closely to written history. The characters are written with a depth that it feels like you're looking into the souls of these people during the Saxon vs. Viking wars. Having DNA from both sides I found the story gripping to the very end! Highly Recommended!

This is my honest review after reading an ARC from Netgalley and Boldwood Books.

[Ken Fredette]

I have read Peter Gibbons books before and I know that he explains his people as he winds his way around each of his tails. The leaders in his story are real and his persons of interest or ones we have empathy with are Beornoth, Gis, and Wigs. His tail of all the fighting was real and had happened but Beornoth and his crew were made up. I like his history lessons very much as reading about the Vikings. They were real.

[Paul Sparks]

At long last beornoth can rest (albeit in peace) I have really enjoyed this series of books, especially as I live close to some of the major battle sites and visit Maldon often, as always the story is one of betrayal and violence, how Britain eventually built an empire having started with such parasitic individuals is beyond me

[scott switzer]

A fitting end to a great tale.

A great story of a man with a broken life, who moved through his complicated life with honor when so many around him did not. It also was an enlightening glance at a less chronicled part of English history.

Definitely for those who love history, a good fight and a story of heroes and villains.

[Thomas Hobbs]

I've read this whole 6 book series and I think the last 100 pages of this book was the hardest to read. Saying goodbye to a character that was like English hero at the time even though his character is fictional is still hard to swallow. And reading the afterward true section, I had no idea the English lost the whole island and it became king under viking rule.

[Storter]

Read this!

This is by far the best book in the series and the series is incredible! This story borders on being an epic tale of old. The way that he ties real history with the characters that he's created is masterful. And once again Beo is a force of nature. And war, and malice... Read this book!

[The Endless Unread]

An amazing conclusion to what has been an epic series. I adored the characters, and the fighting was extremely detailed but took nothing away from the actual storyline. I can't wait to see what more this author is going to come up with.

[Janet Muellman]

It so saddens me to end this wonderful series. Peter Gibbons is a master of the best warrior reads. What will he do next? His characters come to life in such a magnificent way.
Cant wait to get the 4th Arthur book.

[C. Roger Bartlett]

Great ending to an excellent series

Beornoth never lets you down. Yayyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy ýyyýyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy yyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy yyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy yyyyyyyyy yyyyyyyyyyy yyyyyyyyyyyyyyy yyy yyy yyy yyyyyyyyyy yyyyyyy yyyyyy yyy yy

[David Rapkins]

Good read fascinating period of English History

Good read based on actual events and real people. Fascinating period. Shame it’s the last in the series. Peter Gibbons is an excellent writer.

[Ronald L. McDonald]

Great Ending to an epic tale

I have read the tales from the beginning and this was an epic close of the Saxon tale. I highly recommend you read the entire series for a trip though history with an honorable man

[Ben Twoonezero]

A good story with interesting likable characters, a bit sad but enjoyable. Sad no more stories with this central character.

[Braden]

Easy 5 star rating to the final book of this series. Tremendous read of historical fiction. Don’t just read the last book in the series…enjoy them all. Well done!

[Nigel Kotula]

Death of a kingdom

Great read. A hero from beginning to the end of the book. Exciting,full of action and loyalty. Would highly recommend

[Claire Philp]

Sad to finally be at the end of Beornoth's adventures. He was a great character.

[Calvin Biss]

Amazing book great characters amazing end to the series

[Martin Robinson]

Excellent Read

Gripping action, has you on the edge of your and a fitting end to a loyal warrior and his enemy

[Luke Denton]

nice end to a series I really enjoyed

[David Reekie]

End of an era

It's a pity we don't learn the lessons that history gives us. As we are still pawns being played by greedy devious people.

[Victor Vilchiz]

good end to the series... i still long for a Bernard Cornwell book

[christine daws]

Excellent

I read this book in a whole night. The historical details were awesome. Well written and researched, as with all miss books

[Jason gamon]

Great end of an era.

Another great book, I'm gonna miss beonorth a great man and a true legend, brilliant read. I recommend to all Bernard Cornwall readers 100%.