1356 (Special Edition)
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4.4 • 150 Ratings
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- £4.99
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- £4.99
Publisher Description
This special edition Ebook features exclusive extra content by the author, with an extended Historical Note and two contemporary accounts of the Battle of Poitiers.
Go with God and Fight like the Devil.
The Hundred Years War rages on and the bloodiest battles are yet to be fought. Across France, towns are closing their gates, the crops are burning and the country stands alert to danger. The English army, victorious at the Battle of Crécy and led by the Black Prince, is invading again and the French are hunting them down.
Thomas of Hookton, an English archer known as Le Bâtard, is under orders to seek out the lost sword of St Peter, a weapon said to grant certain victory to whoever possesses her. As the outnumbered English army becomes trapped near the town of Poitiers, Thomas, his men and his sworn enemies meet in an extraordinary confrontation that ignites one of the greatest battles of all time.
Reviews
Praise for Bernard Cornwell:
‘The best battle scenes of any writer I’ve ever read, past or present. Cornwell really makes history come alive.’ George R.R. Martin
Praise for The Burning Land:
‘Cornwell draws a fascinating picture of England as it might have been before anything like England existed’
The Times
Praise for AZINCOURT:
'This is a magnificent and gory work' Daily Mail
'The historical blockbuster of the year' Evening Standard
‘A runaway success’ Observer
Praise for Bernard Cornwell:
‘The characterisation, as ever, is excellent…And one can only admire the little touches that bring the period to life. He can also claim to be a true poet of both the horror and the glory of war.’ Sunday Telegraph
This is typical Cornwell, meticulously researched, massive in scope, brilliant in execution’ News of the World
‘He’s called a master story-teller. Really he’s cleverer than that.’ Telegraph
About the author
Bernard Cornwell was born in London, raised in Essex and
worked for the BBC for eleven years before meeting Judy, his
American wife. Denied an American work permit he wrote a
novel instead and has been writing ever since. He and Judy
divide their time between Cape Cod and Charleston, South
Carolina.
www.bernardcornwell.net
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
Cornwell, a master of action-packed historical fiction, returns with the fourth book in his Grail Quest series (after Heretic), a vivid, exciting portrayal of medieval warfare as the English and French butcher each other at the Battle of Poitiers in 1356 during the Hundred Years War. Nobody writes battle scenes like Cornwell, accurately conveying the utter savagery of close combat with sword, ax, and mace, and the gruesome aftermath. English archer Sir Thomas of Hookton, called the Bastard by his enemies, leads a band of ruthless mercenaries in France. When the French hear of the existence of the sword of Saint Peter, "another Excalibur," they must possess it for its legendary mystical powers, but the English have other ideas. Thomas is ordered by his lord, earl of Northampton, to find the sword first and begins, with his men, a perilous journey of raiding and plundering across southern France, fighting brutal warlords, cunning churchmen, with betrayal everywhere, and French and Scottish knights who vow to kill Thomas for reasons that have nothing to do with the sword. With surprising results, Thomas and his men reach the decisive Battle of Poitiers, a vicious melee that killed thousands, unseated a king, and forced a devastating and short peace on a land ravaged by warfare.
Customer Reviews
1356
Another excellent novel from Mr. Cornwell, following the further adventures of Thomas of Hookton, culminating in the battle of Poitiers. As usual, his descriptions of the battle are first rate and you can imagine being in the thick of the action
Mr. Cornwell, however, has fallen into the misconception that the highlands of Scotland start at the borders of England. When we are introduced to the entourage of The Lord of Douglas (William the 1st Earl of Douglas) (page 42) they are wearing plaid. No self respecting Scot of that period would wear such apparel. The "Hielanders" were considered to be "erse barbarians" The majority of Scots, who lived outwith the Highlands, wore what their English and European counterparts wore. The men at arms and nobles, wore the same armour and weapons, although the Scots, in the main, could not afford the Destrier warhorses The Douglases would not consider themselves a"clan". They were a great border family. This notion coming from Sir Walter Scott for "fat George's" jaunt to Edinburgh
All in all, another masterful, well researched effort from Mr. Cornwell. Well done.
1356
Average. Characters too one dimensional and a predictable plot. Not one of Mr Cornwell's best.