1356

Thomas of Hookton is an English archer during the 100 Year War between England and France.  He leads a band of archers and men-at-arms called the Hellequin.  Some years ago, he had gone on a quest for the Holy Grail and recovered it (The Grail Trilogy is excellent).  Now, his liege lord, the Earl of Northampton, has requested he find La Malice, the sword that Peter drew to protect Jesus.  Could it still exist?  Many believed it did and that it was hidden in France.  Thomas is not alone in his quest for the holy sword.  Cardinal Bessieres, a man who hopes to be Pope, believes the blade will assure his rise.  His minion, Father Marchant, gladly kills in order to track the path of the sword.  While Thomas pursues clues to the sword's whereabouts, Edward, the Black Prince, is sourging the south of France while King John II of France avoids confrontation.  The slaughter a French army at Crecy (1346) by the fearsome longbows is still a fresh memory.  In the end, Thomas finds himself joining the Black Prince near Poitiers, where King John II has marshalled an immense army and trapped the English on a hill.  It looks hopeless and Edward is inclined to accept horrendous terms for surrender.  Such talk only gives King John more confidence and he orders an attack!  Thus began the Battle of Poitiers.

The conclusion feels a bit rushed.  There are some character deaths that come like footnotes rather than tragic losses or well-deserved comeuppance.  Some characters who were prominent in the beginning, notably Brother Michael, have vanished by the end.  As Brother Michael fades, in walks Keane, an Irish seminary student, who has the same desire to be a man-at-arms as Michael.  Soon, Keane eclipsed Michael.  In fact, Keane became the Harper to Thomas of Hookton's Sharpe.  (Cornwell's most famous character is English officer Richard Sharpe and his constant sidekick was Irish Sergeant Patrick Harper).  Of course, I liked Keane far more than I liked Michael.  I suppose Michael wrote himself out while Keane was just irresistible.

A terrific tale that sees action across southern France.  Several notable historic characters play large roles and others have cameos.  There is Edward the Black Prince who seems a charming rogue and brilliant warrior, King John II of France and his sons Prince Charles and Prince Philippe, Pope Innocent VI, and even Pope Gregory XI in his days as a student at Montpelier.  There is lots of action, loads of flavor of the time period, and a wonderful amount of actual history.  Bernard Cornwell is one of the greatest historical fiction writers, sure to go down with the likes of C. S. Forester and Arthur Conan Doyle.

Highly recommended.