David Pilling

David Pilling is an English author with a dual career spanning historical fiction and nonfiction journalism. As a novelist, he specializes in medieval and post-Roman British history, drawing inspiration from childhood explorations of Welsh castles. His debut novel, "Folville’s Law," launched his historical fiction career, followed by works like "The White Hawk" series set during the Wars of the Roses and a six-part Arthurian saga. Pilling has also co-authored high fantasy novels with Martin Bolton and continues to explore historical periods including the Byzantine Empire and Britain's civil wars.

With over two decades as a Financial Times foreign correspondent across 50 countries, Pilling brings global perspective to his nonfiction writing. His acclaimed book "Bending Adversity: Japan and the Art of Survival" earned international praise for its analysis of Japanese resilience, while "The Growth Delusion" challenged conventional economic narratives through global anecdotes and accessible prose. His reporting from Asia, Africa, and Latin America has garnered multiple awards for feature writing and opinion pieces.

Pilling maintains an active writing schedule, currently researching the 13th-century Montfortian civil wars for an upcoming nonfiction work while continuing to produce historical fiction. His extensive backlist of novels is increasingly available in audio formats alongside traditional print and digital editions. Based in London with frequent travel to Africa for his FT editorial role, Pilling balances journalism with his enduring passion for historical storytelling.

The Bloody Hand Saga Books

# Title Year
1 The Northman 2022
2 The Outlaw 2023
3 The Exile 2023
4 The Warlord 2023
5 The Conqueror 2023
6 The Varangian 2024
7 The Dragon 2024
8 The Crusade 2024
9 The Caesar 2024
10 Axe Lord 2025

The Blood of Princes Books

# Title Year
1 Rise 2022

Caesar's Sword Books

# Title Year
1 The Red Death 2013
2 Siege of Rome 2013
3 Caesar's Sword 2014
4 Flame of the West 2021

The Champion Books

# Title Year
1 Blood and Steel 2020
2 Blood and Gold 2021
3 Blood and Faith 2021
4 Sword of Aragon 2022
5 Blood and Battle 2022
6 Blood and Honour 2023

Folville's Law Books

# Title Year
1 Invasion 2014
2 Conquest 2016

Kingbreaker Books

# Title Year
1 Rebel and Traitor 2024
2 A Star and Streams 2025
3 The Red Rose 2025
4 Kingbreaker 2025

King's Knight Books

# Title Year
1 Pendragon Rising 2024

Leader of Battles Books

# Title Year
1 Ambrosius 2014
2 Artorius 2014
3 Gwenhwyfar 2015
4 Gwenhwyfar / Call to Arms 2015
5 Medraut 2017
6 Drystan / Warrior Kingdom 2023
7 Medraut / To Kill a King 2024

Longsword Books

# Title Year
1 Longsword 2017
2 The Sons of Montfort 2018
3 Holy Warrior 2018
4 The Hooded Men 2019
5 The King's Rebels 2019
6 The Broken Arrow 2020

Outlaw Knight Books

# Title Year
1 Crusade 2025
2 The Witch of Acre 2025
3 Empire 2025

Reiver Books

# Title Year
1 Reiver 2016
2 The Sword's Edge 2017

Robin Hood Books

# Title Year
1 The First Arrow 2013
2 The Wrath of God 2013
3 The Hooded Man 2014
4 Thief of Barnsdale 2014
5 The King's Pardon 2015

Soldier of Fortune Books

# Title Year
1 The Wolf Cub 2015
2 The Heretic 2016

The Sword of Wales Books

# Title Year
1 Marchlands 2024

Tudor Spy Books

# Title Year
1 The Pretender 2022
2 The White Rose 2023

Vipers of Milan Books

# Title Year
1 Blood Feud 2021

The White Hawk Books

# Title Year
1 Revenge 2012
2 Loyalty / Restoration 2013
3 Loyalty 2013
4 Survival 2015
5 Survival / Sacrifice 2015
6 Sacrifice 2015

World Apparent Tales Books

# Title Year
1 The Best Weapon 2012
2 The Path of Sorrow 2015

Standalone Novels

# Title Year
1 The Half-Hanged Man 2012
2 Nowhere Was There Peace 2013
3 The King's Spy 2025

Non-Fiction Books

# Title Year
1 The Wars of Edward I 2017
2 Rebellion Against Henry III 2020
3 Edward I and Wales, 1254-1307 2021
4 Edward I's Neglected Conflict: The Anglo-French War of 1294-1303 2021
5 The Rise & Fall of Dafydd ap Gruffudd, Prince of Wales 2022
6 Edward Longshanks' Forgotten Conflict 2024

Journal of Medieval Military History Books

# Title Year
1 Journal of Medieval Military History: Volume II (By: Kelly DeVries, Clifford J. Rogers, Bernard S. Bachrach, David S. Bachrach, Bernard F Reilly, Donald J. Kagay, J.F. Verbruggen, John B. Gillingham, John D. Hosler, Theresa M. Vann) 2004
2 Journal of Medieval Military History: Volume XIX 2021

David Pilling Anthologies

# Title Year
1 The Gifts of Reading 2020