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Grail Quest #1
The Archer's Tale
From New York Times bestselling author Bernard Cornwell, now available in paperback—the first book in the Grail Series--a spellbinding tale of a young man, a fearless archer, who sets out wanting to avenge his family's honor and winds up on a quest for the Holy Grail.
At dawn on Easter morning 1343, a marauding band of French raiders arrives by boat to ambush the coastal English village of Hookton. To brave young Thomas, the only survivor, the horror of the attack is epitomized in the casual savagery of a particular black-clad knight, whose flag -- three yellow hawks on a blue field -- presides over the bloody affair. As the killers sail away, Thomas vows to avenge the murder of his townspeople and to recapture a holy treasure that the black knight stole from the church.
To do this, Thomas of Hookton must first make his way to France; So in 1343 he joins the army of King Edward III as it is about to invade the continent -- the beginning of the Hundred Years War. A preternaturally gifted bowman, Thomas quickly becomes recognized as one of England's most deadly archers in King Edward's march across France. Yet he never stops scanning the horizon for his true enemy's flag.
When Thomas saves a young Frenchwoman from a bloodthirsty crowd, her father -- French nobleman Sir Guillaume d'Evecque -- rewards his bravery by joining him in the hunt for the mysterious dark knight and the stolen holy relic. What begins as a search for vengeance will soon prove the beginning of an even higher purpose: the quest for the Holy Grail itself.
At dawn on Easter morning 1343, a marauding band of French raiders arrives by boat to ambush the coastal English village of Hookton. To brave young Thomas, the only survivor, the horror of the attack is epitomized in the casual savagery of a particular black-clad knight, whose flag -- three yellow hawks on a blue field -- presides over the bloody affair. As the killers sail away, Thomas vows to avenge the murder of his townspeople and to recapture a holy treasure that the black knight stole from the church.
To do this, Thomas of Hookton must first make his way to France; So in 1343 he joins the army of King Edward III as it is about to invade the continent -- the beginning of the Hundred Years War. A preternaturally gifted bowman, Thomas quickly becomes recognized as one of England's most deadly archers in King Edward's march across France. Yet he never stops scanning the horizon for his true enemy's flag.
When Thomas saves a young Frenchwoman from a bloodthirsty crowd, her father -- French nobleman Sir Guillaume d'Evecque -- rewards his bravery by joining him in the hunt for the mysterious dark knight and the stolen holy relic. What begins as a search for vengeance will soon prove the beginning of an even higher purpose: the quest for the Holy Grail itself.
374 pages, Paperback
First published October 16, 2000
2088 people are currently reading
19073 people want to read
About the author
Bernard Cornwell
532 books19k followersCornwell was born in London in 1944. His father was a Canadian airman, and his mother, who was English, a member of the Women's Auxiliary Air Force. He was adopted and brought up in Essex by the Wiggins family, who were members of the Peculiar People, a strict Protestant sect who banned frivolity of all kinds and even medicine. After he left them, he changed his name to his birth mother's maiden name, Cornwell.
Cornwell was sent away to Monkton Combe School, attended the University of London, and after graduating, worked as a teacher. He attempted to enlist in the British armed services at least three times but was rejected on the grounds of myopia.
He then joined BBC's Nationwide and was promoted to become head of current affairs at BBC Northern Ireland. He then joined Thames Television as editor of Thames News. He relocated to the United States in 1980 after marrying an American. Unable to get a green card, he started writing novels, as this did not require a work permit.
As a child, Cornwell loved the novels of C.S. Forester, chronicling the adventures of fictional British naval officer Horatio Hornblower during the Napoleonic Wars, and was surprised to find there were no such novels following Lord Wellington's campaign on land. Motivated by the need to support himself in the U.S. through writing, Cornwell decided to write such a series. He named his chief protagonist Richard Sharpe, a rifleman involved in most major battles of the Peninsular War.
Cornwell wanted to start the series with the Siege of Badajoz but decided instead to start with a couple of "warm-up" novels. These were Sharpe's Eagle and Sharpe's Gold, both published in 1981. Sharpe's Eagle was picked up by a publisher, and Cornwell got a three-book deal. He went on to tell the story of Badajoz in his third Sharpe novel, Sharpe's Company, published in 1982.
Cornwell and wife Judy co-wrote a series of novels, published under the pseudonym "Susannah Kells". These were A Crowning Mercy, published in 1983, Fallen Angels in 1984, and Coat of Arms (aka The Aristocrats) in 1986. (Cornwell's strict Protestant upbringing informed the background of A Crowning Mercy, which took place during the English Civil War.) In 1987, he also published Redcoat, an American Revolutionary War novel set in Philadelphia during its 1777 occupation by the British.
After publishing eight books in his ongoing Sharpe series, Cornwell was approached by a production company interested in adapting them for television. The producers asked him to write a prequel to give them a starting point to the series. They also requested that the story feature a large role for Spanish characters to secure co-funding from Spain. The result was Sharpe’s Rifles, published in 1987, and a series of Sharpe television films staring Sean Bean.
A series of contemporary thrillers with sailing as a background and common themes followed: Wildtrack published in 1988, Sea Lord (aka Killer's Wake) in 1989, Crackdown in 1990, Stormchild in 1991, and Scoundrel, a political thriller, in 1992.
In June 2006, Cornwell was made an Officer of the Order of the British Empire in the Queen's 80th Birthday Honours List.
Cornwell's latest work, Azincourt, was released in the UK in October 2008. The protagonist is an archer who participates in the Battle of Agincourt, another devastating defeat suffered by the French in the Hundred Years War. However, Cornwell has stated that it will not be about Thomas of Hookton from The Grail Quest or any of his relatives.
Cornwell was sent away to Monkton Combe School, attended the University of London, and after graduating, worked as a teacher. He attempted to enlist in the British armed services at least three times but was rejected on the grounds of myopia.
He then joined BBC's Nationwide and was promoted to become head of current affairs at BBC Northern Ireland. He then joined Thames Television as editor of Thames News. He relocated to the United States in 1980 after marrying an American. Unable to get a green card, he started writing novels, as this did not require a work permit.
As a child, Cornwell loved the novels of C.S. Forester, chronicling the adventures of fictional British naval officer Horatio Hornblower during the Napoleonic Wars, and was surprised to find there were no such novels following Lord Wellington's campaign on land. Motivated by the need to support himself in the U.S. through writing, Cornwell decided to write such a series. He named his chief protagonist Richard Sharpe, a rifleman involved in most major battles of the Peninsular War.
Cornwell wanted to start the series with the Siege of Badajoz but decided instead to start with a couple of "warm-up" novels. These were Sharpe's Eagle and Sharpe's Gold, both published in 1981. Sharpe's Eagle was picked up by a publisher, and Cornwell got a three-book deal. He went on to tell the story of Badajoz in his third Sharpe novel, Sharpe's Company, published in 1982.
Cornwell and wife Judy co-wrote a series of novels, published under the pseudonym "Susannah Kells". These were A Crowning Mercy, published in 1983, Fallen Angels in 1984, and Coat of Arms (aka The Aristocrats) in 1986. (Cornwell's strict Protestant upbringing informed the background of A Crowning Mercy, which took place during the English Civil War.) In 1987, he also published Redcoat, an American Revolutionary War novel set in Philadelphia during its 1777 occupation by the British.
After publishing eight books in his ongoing Sharpe series, Cornwell was approached by a production company interested in adapting them for television. The producers asked him to write a prequel to give them a starting point to the series. They also requested that the story feature a large role for Spanish characters to secure co-funding from Spain. The result was Sharpe’s Rifles, published in 1987, and a series of Sharpe television films staring Sean Bean.
A series of contemporary thrillers with sailing as a background and common themes followed: Wildtrack published in 1988, Sea Lord (aka Killer's Wake) in 1989, Crackdown in 1990, Stormchild in 1991, and Scoundrel, a political thriller, in 1992.
In June 2006, Cornwell was made an Officer of the Order of the British Empire in the Queen's 80th Birthday Honours List.
Cornwell's latest work, Azincourt, was released in the UK in October 2008. The protagonist is an archer who participates in the Battle of Agincourt, another devastating defeat suffered by the French in the Hundred Years War. However, Cornwell has stated that it will not be about Thomas of Hookton from The Grail Quest or any of his relatives.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,436 reviews
October 2, 2013
Alright...this is painful for me to admit but I have to just get over it and say that this was my first Cornwell disappointment. I initially gave it three stars in a generous spirit but in the cold morning light I see it differently. I've been aware of his tropes, cliches, formulas, repeated phrases and stuff like that since my second book of his (The Pale Horseman) and it literally either been utterly irrelevant to my enjoyment of his novels so I can't just blame my wishy-washy reception to this book on any of those easy targets. There was something different going on here.
The gist of the story is that the archer Thomas is drawn into a particularly bloody section of the Hundred Years War and becomes embroiled in fighting between between the English and the various French factions with some "hidden family ties" and "sacred relic" stuff thrown in. I don't really like Thomas. I found him dull and the guy's a fucking rapist for a good section of the book...he comes to some kind of half-ass redemption when he sees someone he cares about get raped but it was just a gross deal in general. I'm aware that Cornwell is one of the most graphic and explicit writers in relation to the gritty, realistic quality he imbues in the story, setting, characters, etc. and due to that rapes do have to be included in the stories--and he does make it clear that the guys that do this kind of thing are terrible human beings and deserve violent death--but Cornwell is not the man for exploring shit like the effects of rape on the psyche. It was just a weird and uncomfortable section in the book.
To continue with more bitching I just felt the story walking this totally, horribly aimless route around France. It was like...Thomas is walking around burning the poor people's stuff and then there's a battle. Then more walking and a battle. Uninteresting commanders, which is bizarre because Cornwell loves to paint the leaders well. And the love interest...ugh. Why does Cornwell insist on writing these insipid fucking almost nameless creatures in for the protagonists to waste time with? I don't even remember her name. I just read over that last bit and out of context it sounds extremely misogynist on my part, but it's not. The fault is the author's.
He includes these cardboard cutouts of women for all of his male protagonists to form relationships with, most of them really short. There are a few notable exceptions to the rule, and good ones, but not nearly enough. I just don't see the point. I know that romantic relationships are a part of who we are as humans, and they happen and happen often but most of the time they don't serve any use to this kind of story, as they're not used or developed in an interesting way to serve the narrative. If he's gonna include this kind of thing, he really needs to draw more substantial female characters in his books and have them stick around.
Okay, with all of that out of the way I can get to the good stuff. Cornwell can still write a battle. I forget exactly what city they were trying to storm, but when the British decided to just keep pushing forward in a chaotic mess while the crossbow towers rained down...good stuff. And his detail and color in geography, weapons, tactics, and all that stuff is just as good as ever It's just that there were some slight changes in that brilliant formula and I think it ruined the book for me. Fear not, though, fellow Cornwell-obsessives; I'm halfway through Sharpe's Rifles and that is a fun book.
The gist of the story is that the archer Thomas is drawn into a particularly bloody section of the Hundred Years War and becomes embroiled in fighting between between the English and the various French factions with some "hidden family ties" and "sacred relic" stuff thrown in. I don't really like Thomas. I found him dull and the guy's a fucking rapist for a good section of the book...he comes to some kind of half-ass redemption when he sees someone he cares about get raped but it was just a gross deal in general. I'm aware that Cornwell is one of the most graphic and explicit writers in relation to the gritty, realistic quality he imbues in the story, setting, characters, etc. and due to that rapes do have to be included in the stories--and he does make it clear that the guys that do this kind of thing are terrible human beings and deserve violent death--but Cornwell is not the man for exploring shit like the effects of rape on the psyche. It was just a weird and uncomfortable section in the book.
To continue with more bitching I just felt the story walking this totally, horribly aimless route around France. It was like...Thomas is walking around burning the poor people's stuff and then there's a battle. Then more walking and a battle. Uninteresting commanders, which is bizarre because Cornwell loves to paint the leaders well. And the love interest...ugh. Why does Cornwell insist on writing these insipid fucking almost nameless creatures in for the protagonists to waste time with? I don't even remember her name. I just read over that last bit and out of context it sounds extremely misogynist on my part, but it's not. The fault is the author's.
He includes these cardboard cutouts of women for all of his male protagonists to form relationships with, most of them really short. There are a few notable exceptions to the rule, and good ones, but not nearly enough. I just don't see the point. I know that romantic relationships are a part of who we are as humans, and they happen and happen often but most of the time they don't serve any use to this kind of story, as they're not used or developed in an interesting way to serve the narrative. If he's gonna include this kind of thing, he really needs to draw more substantial female characters in his books and have them stick around.
Okay, with all of that out of the way I can get to the good stuff. Cornwell can still write a battle. I forget exactly what city they were trying to storm, but when the British decided to just keep pushing forward in a chaotic mess while the crossbow towers rained down...good stuff. And his detail and color in geography, weapons, tactics, and all that stuff is just as good as ever It's just that there were some slight changes in that brilliant formula and I think it ruined the book for me. Fear not, though, fellow Cornwell-obsessives; I'm halfway through Sharpe's Rifles and that is a fun book.
April 6, 2023
La verdad es que se lleva 4.5 Estrellas. Pero en comparación con la serie de sajones y vikingos, con mi querido Uhtred, creo que está un escalón por debajo.
Estamos en 1346, los primeros compases de la guerra de los 100 años. Los 3 hijos de Felipe IV "El hermoso" han muerto sin descendencia (recordad la maldición de Jacques de Molay). Eduardo III de Inglaterra reclama sus derechos como nieto de "El hermoso", pero estos son rechazados en favor del sobrino Felipe (de "El hermoso"), hijo de su hermano Carlos de Valois, que asciendo al trono como Felipe VI y primer rey francés de la dinastía Valois.
LA primera escusa para intervenir en Francia se la brinda una disputa por el ducado de Bretaña, en la órbita francesa pero casi independiente. El ejército inglés desembarca en Bretaña y comienza uno de los episodios bélicos más terribles, enconados y destructivos de la Historia, antes de llegar al siglo XX. Además, la guerra en Francia se convirtió en una forma de vida, en la base de la economía de Inglaterra. Cuando se perdieron los últimos territorios en Francia a mediados del XV, la vuelta del ejército y de los colonos crearon tales desmanes, que fueron uno de los desencadenantes de la guerra civil de las 2 rosas.
Este libro es un homenaje al arquero inglés. Pocas veces un arma ha marcado tanto la diferencia como lo hicieron los arqueros ingleses durante el siglo XIV. Ninguna defensa o armadura podía proteger al soldado o jinete enemigo. Ningún estado europeo podía oponer un cuerpo militar semejante, ya que sólo en Inglaterra y Gales se formaban los arqueros desde los 7-10 años de edad, condición necesaria para poder manejar un arco con solvencia. Las tristes ballestas no les llegaban a la suela del zapato, ni en alcance, ni en cadencia de tiro (7 flechas por cada dardo de ballesta). Tras el primer tiro, todos los ballesteros estaban muertos. Cuanto les costó aprender la lección a los franceses, casi les costó su propio país. Los arqueros eran odiados de tal modo que cuando uno de ellos caía prisionero, sus dedos eran cortados y eran torturados hasta la muerte, no había rescate posible.
Los orgullosos caballeros franceses despreciaban este arma, como instrumento de la plebe. La mayoría pagó con su vida este desprecio.
Es curioso como la nobleza inglesa, descendiente de los normandos que conquistaron la isla con Guillermo en 1066, hablaba francés como lengua materna. Sin embargo, cuando desembarcaron en Francia se comportaron con un salvajismo absoluto. La destrucción del territorio al paso del ejército era brutal (había que hundir al enemigo económica y moralmente). Los saqueos de las ciudades conquistadas eran brutales: asesinatos, violaciones, incendios, robos...el autor no escatima y nos presenta estos episodios en toda su crudeza. El odio que generaron estos episodios, fueron unas de las causas del enconamiento y de la prolongación del conflicto durante más de 100 años.
Tras el primer ejército de Bretaña, el propio rey Eduardo, con su hijo Eduardo (más tarde el Príncipe negro), desembarca en Normandía con un ejército normalito, pero con un contingente de entre 5000 y 10000 arqueros (un arma mortal) y avanza hacia París, retando a la flor y nata del ejército francés.
De forma paralela a los hechos históricos Cornwell nos presenta una historia bastante interesante donde aparece reliquias, griales, cátaros, venganzas familiares. Nos introduce en el día a día de la vida de un arquero inglés, con sus sufrimientos, su preparación, sus amoríos, sus rutinas, sus miedos, su desenfreno en el saqueo, su desempeño en el combate, su valor incalculable, que ellos conocían bien......
Tentado estoy de las 5 estrellas, pero me voy a esperar a la segunda parte.
El desenlace final es insuperable, la batalla de Crecy. El ejército inglés arrinconado, tras un periodo de acoso y de tierra quemada por parte de los franceses, consigue escapar de una última trampa entre los ríos Sena y Somme. Escaso de suministros, escaso de flechas, escaso de hombres, eligen bien el terreno en una colina sobre el pueblo de Crecy y esperan al infinitamente superior ejército francés con miles de caballeros y ballesteros...y pagados de si mismos, sucumben al peor de los pecados, la soberbia. El desastre está muy bien narrado por Cornweel y merece la pena.....leñe, si casi dan pena los pobres gabachos.
Pues muy recomendable, por supuesto.
Estamos en 1346, los primeros compases de la guerra de los 100 años. Los 3 hijos de Felipe IV "El hermoso" han muerto sin descendencia (recordad la maldición de Jacques de Molay). Eduardo III de Inglaterra reclama sus derechos como nieto de "El hermoso", pero estos son rechazados en favor del sobrino Felipe (de "El hermoso"), hijo de su hermano Carlos de Valois, que asciendo al trono como Felipe VI y primer rey francés de la dinastía Valois.
LA primera escusa para intervenir en Francia se la brinda una disputa por el ducado de Bretaña, en la órbita francesa pero casi independiente. El ejército inglés desembarca en Bretaña y comienza uno de los episodios bélicos más terribles, enconados y destructivos de la Historia, antes de llegar al siglo XX. Además, la guerra en Francia se convirtió en una forma de vida, en la base de la economía de Inglaterra. Cuando se perdieron los últimos territorios en Francia a mediados del XV, la vuelta del ejército y de los colonos crearon tales desmanes, que fueron uno de los desencadenantes de la guerra civil de las 2 rosas.
Este libro es un homenaje al arquero inglés. Pocas veces un arma ha marcado tanto la diferencia como lo hicieron los arqueros ingleses durante el siglo XIV. Ninguna defensa o armadura podía proteger al soldado o jinete enemigo. Ningún estado europeo podía oponer un cuerpo militar semejante, ya que sólo en Inglaterra y Gales se formaban los arqueros desde los 7-10 años de edad, condición necesaria para poder manejar un arco con solvencia. Las tristes ballestas no les llegaban a la suela del zapato, ni en alcance, ni en cadencia de tiro (7 flechas por cada dardo de ballesta). Tras el primer tiro, todos los ballesteros estaban muertos. Cuanto les costó aprender la lección a los franceses, casi les costó su propio país. Los arqueros eran odiados de tal modo que cuando uno de ellos caía prisionero, sus dedos eran cortados y eran torturados hasta la muerte, no había rescate posible.
Los orgullosos caballeros franceses despreciaban este arma, como instrumento de la plebe. La mayoría pagó con su vida este desprecio.
Es curioso como la nobleza inglesa, descendiente de los normandos que conquistaron la isla con Guillermo en 1066, hablaba francés como lengua materna. Sin embargo, cuando desembarcaron en Francia se comportaron con un salvajismo absoluto. La destrucción del territorio al paso del ejército era brutal (había que hundir al enemigo económica y moralmente). Los saqueos de las ciudades conquistadas eran brutales: asesinatos, violaciones, incendios, robos...el autor no escatima y nos presenta estos episodios en toda su crudeza. El odio que generaron estos episodios, fueron unas de las causas del enconamiento y de la prolongación del conflicto durante más de 100 años.
Tras el primer ejército de Bretaña, el propio rey Eduardo, con su hijo Eduardo (más tarde el Príncipe negro), desembarca en Normandía con un ejército normalito, pero con un contingente de entre 5000 y 10000 arqueros (un arma mortal) y avanza hacia París, retando a la flor y nata del ejército francés.
De forma paralela a los hechos históricos Cornwell nos presenta una historia bastante interesante donde aparece reliquias, griales, cátaros, venganzas familiares. Nos introduce en el día a día de la vida de un arquero inglés, con sus sufrimientos, su preparación, sus amoríos, sus rutinas, sus miedos, su desenfreno en el saqueo, su desempeño en el combate, su valor incalculable, que ellos conocían bien......
Tentado estoy de las 5 estrellas, pero me voy a esperar a la segunda parte.
El desenlace final es insuperable, la batalla de Crecy. El ejército inglés arrinconado, tras un periodo de acoso y de tierra quemada por parte de los franceses, consigue escapar de una última trampa entre los ríos Sena y Somme. Escaso de suministros, escaso de flechas, escaso de hombres, eligen bien el terreno en una colina sobre el pueblo de Crecy y esperan al infinitamente superior ejército francés con miles de caballeros y ballesteros...y pagados de si mismos, sucumben al peor de los pecados, la soberbia. El desastre está muy bien narrado por Cornweel y merece la pena.....leñe, si casi dan pena los pobres gabachos.
Pues muy recomendable, por supuesto.
April 19, 2014
Invigorating, fairly accurate for the times and gritty telling of the life of a medieval archer during the time of the Hundreds Year War (i.e. a name coined by historians much after the era).
FYI: The Hundred Years War went on and off from 1337 to 1453 A.D. Basically, the best way to see this, without me waxing eloquent or turning this into a term paper is: view this as a fight between two distant cousins who both had a claim to the French throne (i.e their ancestors had been married to each other at one point, thus, distant cousins). Then, toss in diseases that wiped out thousands of people, bickering French royal family members, bickering French nobility and the English having the edge (i.e. they had better taxation for calling up the troops and divying out supplies, as well as better tactics/strategies, better leaders and the war bow . . . it wasn't called the long bow until much later). Okay, one more thing, the French got beat up pretty bad until the very end, when they began to reclaim over half of their lost territories . .. enter Joan of Arc, etc.
Cornwell's first book of the trilogy focuses on a young man who is learning to become an archer is a small English village along the coast. His father is the parish priest who has a secret of a long and noble past. Anyway, the village is raided by French raiders and one of them turns out to be his distant cousin who is searching for an old lance supposedly being the lance that was used on Jesus Christ.
So the young archer, seeking revenge and wanting to learn his craft, leaves to join the English king as he wages war against the French on the throne. What follows are a series of skirmishes, raids and gritty fights. Along the way he also has a few affairs with women, and, the first one, who is something of a sub character with her own plots, jilts him as seems to happen to the more popular Sharpe character.
Our young archer also encounters an enemy knight, who serves as a thorn in his side, and, well, tries to kill him during several instances. Tale ends with the young archer having to go to the southern parts of France, during off war season times, to heal a friend and further investigate what his cousin is up to (i.e. BTW, since the trilogy title gives it away, it's a search for the Holy Grail b/c the cousin is from a heretic line called the Cathars who were believed to have held the Grail).
Once again, the overall focus is on the fights and the archer's use of the war bow and the dramatic impact it had on enemy knights. There is an especially good focus on the Battle of Crecy, focusing on it for over fifty pages and with several points of view.
FYI: The Battle of Crecy was in 1346. It stands out as one of the earlier English victories because it was quite close. The English won b/c of the war bow, excellent strategy/tactics, some luck and the fact that the French had very poor tactics/strategy (i.e. rather than outflanking the British, they charged; rather than picking the British off piece by piece, they charged forward
in a poor fashion).
Enjoy!
OVERALL GRADE: A minus
FYI: The Hundred Years War went on and off from 1337 to 1453 A.D. Basically, the best way to see this, without me waxing eloquent or turning this into a term paper is: view this as a fight between two distant cousins who both had a claim to the French throne (i.e their ancestors had been married to each other at one point, thus, distant cousins). Then, toss in diseases that wiped out thousands of people, bickering French royal family members, bickering French nobility and the English having the edge (i.e. they had better taxation for calling up the troops and divying out supplies, as well as better tactics/strategies, better leaders and the war bow . . . it wasn't called the long bow until much later). Okay, one more thing, the French got beat up pretty bad until the very end, when they began to reclaim over half of their lost territories . .. enter Joan of Arc, etc.
Cornwell's first book of the trilogy focuses on a young man who is learning to become an archer is a small English village along the coast. His father is the parish priest who has a secret of a long and noble past. Anyway, the village is raided by French raiders and one of them turns out to be his distant cousin who is searching for an old lance supposedly being the lance that was used on Jesus Christ.
So the young archer, seeking revenge and wanting to learn his craft, leaves to join the English king as he wages war against the French on the throne. What follows are a series of skirmishes, raids and gritty fights. Along the way he also has a few affairs with women, and, the first one, who is something of a sub character with her own plots, jilts him as seems to happen to the more popular Sharpe character.
Our young archer also encounters an enemy knight, who serves as a thorn in his side, and, well, tries to kill him during several instances. Tale ends with the young archer having to go to the southern parts of France, during off war season times, to heal a friend and further investigate what his cousin is up to (i.e. BTW, since the trilogy title gives it away, it's a search for the Holy Grail b/c the cousin is from a heretic line called the Cathars who were believed to have held the Grail).
Once again, the overall focus is on the fights and the archer's use of the war bow and the dramatic impact it had on enemy knights. There is an especially good focus on the Battle of Crecy, focusing on it for over fifty pages and with several points of view.
FYI: The Battle of Crecy was in 1346. It stands out as one of the earlier English victories because it was quite close. The English won b/c of the war bow, excellent strategy/tactics, some luck and the fact that the French had very poor tactics/strategy (i.e. rather than outflanking the British, they charged; rather than picking the British off piece by piece, they charged forward
in a poor fashion).
Enjoy!
OVERALL GRADE: A minus
April 3, 2020
How to describe this book I can only say that it's breath-taking and captivating, I loved it right from the first page. I can consider it already as one of my most favourite books, it's appropriate for all adult ages especially for those who love historical fiction. I literally couldn't put it down and during the night I stayed awake to see what was going to happen next as waiting till the next day was unbearable! I highly recommend this book to all adult ages, if you love historical fiction this book is for you!
December 26, 2021
I find myself in a funny and odd situation as I read this. I’m a big fan of epic fantasy, and yet, for some reason, I have generally ignored regular historical fiction.
WHY?
I DON’T KNOW.
For let me put this very clearly: all the action, characterization, siege warfare, interpersonal conflicts, lords, ladies, general grunts, and the clergy are all heavily represented in BOTH genres. Indeed, both historical fiction and epic fantasies are separated ONLY by the author’s willingness to add a little magic (not even necessary in most books) or make worldbuilding that is created out of whole cloth.
In this case, I’m just pointing my finger at events in here that is reminiscent, happily so, of a previous trilogy that sets up the events of the current trilogy, as if I were reading a long Epic Fantasy work, but in this case, it’s just my knowledge of England’s History. Hey now! It’s the Black Prince and the start of the Hundred Year’s War! I’m thinking of Shakespeare’s Edward II and Richard the II and all the class warfare and the heavy reliance on Long Bows to turn the tide of battles and just how F**ked the French were.
And for me, it’s JUST like reading a huge, complicated Epic Fantasy.
Like I said, it’s odd. Or rather, I’m odd. And I’m really liking this. It’s great Epic Fantasy, people… even if it is a meticulously researched and accurate accounting of ACTUAL HISTORY.
Maybe that ought to count for something, too. :)
WHY?
I DON’T KNOW.
For let me put this very clearly: all the action, characterization, siege warfare, interpersonal conflicts, lords, ladies, general grunts, and the clergy are all heavily represented in BOTH genres. Indeed, both historical fiction and epic fantasies are separated ONLY by the author’s willingness to add a little magic (not even necessary in most books) or make worldbuilding that is created out of whole cloth.
In this case, I’m just pointing my finger at events in here that is reminiscent, happily so, of a previous trilogy that sets up the events of the current trilogy, as if I were reading a long Epic Fantasy work, but in this case, it’s just my knowledge of England’s History. Hey now! It’s the Black Prince and the start of the Hundred Year’s War! I’m thinking of Shakespeare’s Edward II and Richard the II and all the class warfare and the heavy reliance on Long Bows to turn the tide of battles and just how F**ked the French were.
And for me, it’s JUST like reading a huge, complicated Epic Fantasy.
Like I said, it’s odd. Or rather, I’m odd. And I’m really liking this. It’s great Epic Fantasy, people… even if it is a meticulously researched and accurate accounting of ACTUAL HISTORY.
Maybe that ought to count for something, too. :)
October 25, 2023
Niby historical fiction, a więcej tu przyjemności z czytania, niż w niejednej książce zorientowanej na akcję.
Naprawdę dobra zabawa.
Recenzja:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bL3ZQ...
Naprawdę dobra zabawa.
Recenzja:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bL3ZQ...
August 1, 2025
The year is 1342; the English, led by Edward, are on their third devastating expedition to France. Their most powerful weapons are archers with long bows who are called Harlequin. Among them is Thomas of Hookton, the French troops killed his father, a priest in the village of Hookton and ravaged the village. The French have stolen the relic Spear St. George that his father kept in the church. Here, Thomas kills his first enemy and decides to take revenge on the French, and returns the stolen spear. Connects to the army as an archer and goes to war. The book is read in one breath and takes us through the terrible battle in which no mercy for the enemy on the battlefield. Thomas expects a lot of adventures and discovering secrets about his father. Who was not just an ordinary village priest?
November 10, 2015
I haven't gotten deeply into any series by Mr. Cornwell since I went through a lot of the Sharpe books placed in/during the Napoleonic wars. These take place as the 100 Years War is getting under way.
First I'll say this....Bernard Cornwell can really lay out the bloody, cruel, reality of the time. This book isn't for anyone with a weak constitution. Be prepared for the casual cruelty of humans. Rape, pillage, rapine, casual murder....not so casual murder...revenge, "Fencing. Fighting. Torture. Poison. True love. Hate. Revenge. Giants. Hunters. Bad men. Good men. Beautifulest ladies. Snakes. Spiders. Beasts of all natures and descriptions. Pain. Death. Brave men. Cowardly men. weak men. Strong men. Even Stronger men. Chases. Escapes. Lies. Truths. Passion. Miracles."
Well, the giants may be a stretch and the miracles are a bit few and far between...but it's definitely sort of like a very (very) dark Princess Bride...like I said, "sort of".
Okay, so it's a good book but you need to be aware that this is not a happy fantasy. It's a book about war and all the pain that goes with that, especially when it's a war fought with pointy and edged things some of sharp steel either wielded by hand or attached to a yard long shaft of wood.
I plan to follow this series...though I may take a break between them to recover.
Recommended.
First I'll say this....Bernard Cornwell can really lay out the bloody, cruel, reality of the time. This book isn't for anyone with a weak constitution. Be prepared for the casual cruelty of humans. Rape, pillage, rapine, casual murder....not so casual murder...revenge, "Fencing. Fighting. Torture. Poison. True love. Hate. Revenge. Giants. Hunters. Bad men. Good men. Beautifulest ladies. Snakes. Spiders. Beasts of all natures and descriptions. Pain. Death. Brave men. Cowardly men. weak men. Strong men. Even Stronger men. Chases. Escapes. Lies. Truths. Passion. Miracles."
Well, the giants may be a stretch and the miracles are a bit few and far between...but it's definitely sort of like a very (very) dark Princess Bride...like I said, "sort of".
Okay, so it's a good book but you need to be aware that this is not a happy fantasy. It's a book about war and all the pain that goes with that, especially when it's a war fought with pointy and edged things some of sharp steel either wielded by hand or attached to a yard long shaft of wood.
I plan to follow this series...though I may take a break between them to recover.
Recommended.
September 26, 2021
Read this book in 2005, and its the 1st volume of the "Thomas pf Hookton" series, from Bernard Cornwell.
This book is about the Hundred Years War between King Edward III's England and France, and this tale is set in the Middle Ages, in the year AD 1342.
Main protagonist of this series is Thomas of Hookton, who's an English archer (hellequin in French given to all English archers) in the army for King Edward III.
When Thomas of Hookton's village is sacked by French raiders, he promises himself to retrieve the relic stolen from his village's church and so he's heading to France to enter the war and hear of the holiest of relics being, the Grail itself.
What is follow is brutal warfare between England and France causing devastation, brutality and savagery, and that will end in this particular book with the gruesome and decisive Battle of Crecy.
Highly recommended, for this is a superb start of this particular series, and that's why I like to call this episode: "A Great Hundred Years War Opening Scene"!
This book is about the Hundred Years War between King Edward III's England and France, and this tale is set in the Middle Ages, in the year AD 1342.
Main protagonist of this series is Thomas of Hookton, who's an English archer (hellequin in French given to all English archers) in the army for King Edward III.
When Thomas of Hookton's village is sacked by French raiders, he promises himself to retrieve the relic stolen from his village's church and so he's heading to France to enter the war and hear of the holiest of relics being, the Grail itself.
What is follow is brutal warfare between England and France causing devastation, brutality and savagery, and that will end in this particular book with the gruesome and decisive Battle of Crecy.
Highly recommended, for this is a superb start of this particular series, and that's why I like to call this episode: "A Great Hundred Years War Opening Scene"!
March 25, 2020
A good start to another historical fiction series by a master of the craft, Bernard Cornwell! This one is set at the period that kicks off the Hundred Years War. There's also a personal family fight that ties in the Arthur legends. Lots of interesting details and some solid characters to follow too. I'm looking forward to the next book.
February 28, 2009
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I even, after little consideration, went ahead and gave it 4 stars, surprising myself in the process. It wasn't until I sat down to do this review that I actually realised that, yes, I did really like it.
I don't read Cornwell's Sharpe's series and am only interested in reading books of his such as the Saxon Series, Stonehenge & the Warlord Chronicles. This is the first in the Grail Quest series. The other two are Vagabond and Heretic. Here in Australia, this book is published under the title 'Harlequin', in America, it is published under the title 'The Archer's Tale'.
Thomas of Hookton is a great character. A bit of a handsome rogue with his dark good looks, black hair and habit of dressing only in black. He is a 14th century 'sniper' - to coin the modern day term - and a good one to boot.
In his chosen career as a longbowman (archer) in the English army fighting in France under King Edward, he develops into a rather reclusive, distant character who quickly gains the respect of the band of archer's he travels with, by using both his well honed skill and his Oxford educated wits.
This first book of the Grail Quest series starts off with the massacre of Thomas' English village of Hookton by the equally dark, though more malevolent, 'Harlequin'. It is then, as the lone survivor, that he decides to pick up his black longbow and head to France to fight for King Edward. The book then concludes with the battle of Crecy and the beginning of the Hundred Years war.
There are battles, all historically accurate, there are women, there is raping, pillaging and plundering. There are brutal massacre's and bloody combat. There is also, amid Cornwell's smooth story telling, a good tale being told here and I look forward to following Thomas into Vagabond and then into Heretic as his path is changed by a promise to a father, a priest, a lord and a King.
He is a reluctant Grail seeker who would rather be leading his own band of archer's into bloody battle instead of travelling throughout France and England in search of a Grail he doesn't think exists.
I don't read Cornwell's Sharpe's series and am only interested in reading books of his such as the Saxon Series, Stonehenge & the Warlord Chronicles. This is the first in the Grail Quest series. The other two are Vagabond and Heretic. Here in Australia, this book is published under the title 'Harlequin', in America, it is published under the title 'The Archer's Tale'.
Thomas of Hookton is a great character. A bit of a handsome rogue with his dark good looks, black hair and habit of dressing only in black. He is a 14th century 'sniper' - to coin the modern day term - and a good one to boot.
In his chosen career as a longbowman (archer) in the English army fighting in France under King Edward, he develops into a rather reclusive, distant character who quickly gains the respect of the band of archer's he travels with, by using both his well honed skill and his Oxford educated wits.
This first book of the Grail Quest series starts off with the massacre of Thomas' English village of Hookton by the equally dark, though more malevolent, 'Harlequin'. It is then, as the lone survivor, that he decides to pick up his black longbow and head to France to fight for King Edward. The book then concludes with the battle of Crecy and the beginning of the Hundred Years war.
There are battles, all historically accurate, there are women, there is raping, pillaging and plundering. There are brutal massacre's and bloody combat. There is also, amid Cornwell's smooth story telling, a good tale being told here and I look forward to following Thomas into Vagabond and then into Heretic as his path is changed by a promise to a father, a priest, a lord and a King.
He is a reluctant Grail seeker who would rather be leading his own band of archer's into bloody battle instead of travelling throughout France and England in search of a Grail he doesn't think exists.
March 13, 2025
Bernard Cornwell knows the recipe for a great adventure story because he knows how to use the tropes of a man seeking to avenge his father, a mysterious villain and epic battles. What I did not like was how the author did not stress the tragedy of war but focused on the excitement of the battle scenes. The main character Thomas loved the life of an archer that laid waste to the French countryside with his band of brothers and that is not what a hero is. He could be claimed as a hero by the British side but if you are French then he is one of the Devil's horsemen. Other than that I found this book to be a great adventure story that kept me reading until the end.
November 28, 2020
There are parts of this book that are fast-paced and exciting ... unfortunately they are too far separated by rather boring sections where the characters are not developed enough to create an emotional attachment ... I remember liking Cornwell's writing ... but not this time
July 17, 2014
3.5
It's 14th century France during one of the most bloody stages of what historians would later call the 'Hundred years war'. To Thomas of Hookton, fighting his way through blood soaked battle-fields and razed villages, the ideals of chivalry and the quest for the holy grail seem a long way away. When his village was slaughtered by French soldiers Thomas joined the English army fighting in France in the hopes of finding justice. Instead he found himself trying to survive amidst brutal raids, exhausting marches and bloody battles.
This book opens with the formulaic fantasy trope of having the protagonist's home village attacked by the forces of evil (y'know the French). Cornwell seems to acknowledge how clichéd this is by rushing through this section almost apologetically. From this weak opening the story picks up with an interesting insight into life in a campaigning army in the middle ages. Cornwell does a good job of capturing the brutality of war through his descriptions of the hard-living of the soldiers and the suffering of the citizenry. The accounts of small engagement and raids are particularly well-done. The plot elements not involving military affairs in this this book were pretty weak however. The middle section especially suffered from Thomas' lack of involvement with an army as he wandered around France learning about his mysterious heritage and being pressed to try and find the Holy Grail.
Characterisation was another weak point. Most of the secondary characters were extremely shallow: Thomas' beautiful, sweet (mind-numbingly bland) love interest, his two bantering best mates, his honourable commanding officer who's a father to his men... the list goes on. Probably the biggest disappointment was Jeanette. Introduced as 'The Blackbird', a beautiful crossbow-woman defying the English army, her character quickly goes down-hill about half-way through the book and she is almost entirely absent in the final third. Sir Simon, Thomas' main rival was slightly more complex than Lancelot his counterpart in 'Winter King' (my only previous experience reading Cornwell, which compares favourably in almost every other way). His superiority to pantomime villain Lancelot isn't saying much however he was still a pretty uninspired villain whose only even partially interesting quality was his skill as a warrior. The Harlequin was an intriguing villain who I'm hoping will receive more screen-time in the coming books.
This book's greatest strength was undoubtedly the battle scenes which were typical of Cornwell in that they were brutal and engaging. These scenes are often high points of the early parts of the book and a brilliant battle set-piece keeps the book interesting when it starts to flag in the middle. The ending of the book was dominated by the iconic battle of Crecy. Cornwell's visceral' compelling account brought the famous battle to life and even knowing how it would end it was gripping reading. Despite some small discrepancies from historical accounts I've read the battle was mostly accurate and completely awesome.
All-in-all this was a pretty good piece of historical fiction that will be of especial interest to anyone with an interest in military fiction, especially archery and medieval warfare. However I would recommend Cornwell's The Winter King as a better example of the genre and I'll probably read more of his other books before continuing this series.
It's 14th century France during one of the most bloody stages of what historians would later call the 'Hundred years war'. To Thomas of Hookton, fighting his way through blood soaked battle-fields and razed villages, the ideals of chivalry and the quest for the holy grail seem a long way away. When his village was slaughtered by French soldiers Thomas joined the English army fighting in France in the hopes of finding justice. Instead he found himself trying to survive amidst brutal raids, exhausting marches and bloody battles.
This book opens with the formulaic fantasy trope of having the protagonist's home village attacked by the forces of evil (y'know the French). Cornwell seems to acknowledge how clichéd this is by rushing through this section almost apologetically. From this weak opening the story picks up with an interesting insight into life in a campaigning army in the middle ages. Cornwell does a good job of capturing the brutality of war through his descriptions of the hard-living of the soldiers and the suffering of the citizenry. The accounts of small engagement and raids are particularly well-done. The plot elements not involving military affairs in this this book were pretty weak however. The middle section especially suffered from Thomas' lack of involvement with an army as he wandered around France learning about his mysterious heritage and being pressed to try and find the Holy Grail.
Characterisation was another weak point. Most of the secondary characters were extremely shallow: Thomas' beautiful, sweet (mind-numbingly bland) love interest, his two bantering best mates, his honourable commanding officer who's a father to his men... the list goes on. Probably the biggest disappointment was Jeanette. Introduced as 'The Blackbird', a beautiful crossbow-woman defying the English army, her character quickly goes down-hill about half-way through the book and she is almost entirely absent in the final third. Sir Simon, Thomas' main rival was slightly more complex than Lancelot his counterpart in 'Winter King' (my only previous experience reading Cornwell, which compares favourably in almost every other way). His superiority to pantomime villain Lancelot isn't saying much however he was still a pretty uninspired villain whose only even partially interesting quality was his skill as a warrior. The Harlequin was an intriguing villain who I'm hoping will receive more screen-time in the coming books.
This book's greatest strength was undoubtedly the battle scenes which were typical of Cornwell in that they were brutal and engaging. These scenes are often high points of the early parts of the book and a brilliant battle set-piece keeps the book interesting when it starts to flag in the middle. The ending of the book was dominated by the iconic battle of Crecy. Cornwell's visceral' compelling account brought the famous battle to life and even knowing how it would end it was gripping reading. Despite some small discrepancies from historical accounts I've read the battle was mostly accurate and completely awesome.
All-in-all this was a pretty good piece of historical fiction that will be of especial interest to anyone with an interest in military fiction, especially archery and medieval warfare. However I would recommend Cornwell's The Winter King as a better example of the genre and I'll probably read more of his other books before continuing this series.
June 16, 2015
My Ancient & Medieval History group constantly raves about the works of Bernard Cornwell. Harlequin, or The Archer's Tale, was my first B.C. read and I now understand the reverence and praise the group gives to Mr. Cornwell. He writes historical fiction. One of the most respectful words I can speak when referring to a writer in this genre is Realistic. Harlequin is definitely Realistic. If you like books about Kings and Courtiers, Belles and Balls, Romance and Chivalry this is NOT the book for you.
Thomas of Hookton is not a knight in shining armour determined to save a damsel in distress while upholding the tenets of chivalry. Thomas is an Archer. His job is to kill, plunder, burn....and he is very good at his job. You will not love Thomas without reservation. There were times when you won't even like him. He is just a man. Yes, He made a promise to God. Yes, He has a great quest to embark on. No, he does not want to claim this destiny. Unfortunately for Thomas, sometimes life happens and in Harlequin life happens a lot.
Thomas of Hookton is not a knight in shining armour determined to save a damsel in distress while upholding the tenets of chivalry. Thomas is an Archer. His job is to kill, plunder, burn....and he is very good at his job. You will not love Thomas without reservation. There were times when you won't even like him. He is just a man. Yes, He made a promise to God. Yes, He has a great quest to embark on. No, he does not want to claim this destiny. Unfortunately for Thomas, sometimes life happens and in Harlequin life happens a lot.
November 20, 2018
This was a great book. It kept me turning pages throughout. It was all about the wars between the English and the French in the middle ages. It was quite a grewsome battle described in the book.
This is the first of a trilogy which I recommend highly.
Enjoy and
Be Blessed.
This is the first of a trilogy which I recommend highly.
Enjoy and
Be Blessed.
July 27, 2016
Abandoning this one. Too violent and bloody for me. (Rapes happen ALOT.) So many battle scenes. Just not my kind of book.
August 20, 2018
Just updating because I think I’m buddies with a few Cornwell fans: I got an ereaderiq alert today (8/20) that this is on sale for $1.99 in the US Kindle store. It wasn’t Uhtred good, but $1.99 is definitely a deal.
If you've read Cornwell's Saxon Stories then you're probably familiar with the formula. Intelligent soldier plays the hero, wins lots of battles, schemes, and has a slew of women on the side. The Archer's Tale mostly follows this formula as well.
Thomas isn't Uhtred though. Within the first 50 pages I sort of expected him to be, but eventually he stands on his own two feet. And it took less time for Thomas to grow as a character then it took the 5 or so books and 30 some years it took Uhtred. He starts as a young, impetuous man, with little thought for the consequences of his actions or what it means to be a good Christian, (partaking in raiding and raping, though we never see it, he freely admits he has done this). And then he sees the effects of rape on a woman he cares for and decides to change his ways.
Thomas just wants to shoot a bow for the English, and lead English archers into battle. Those are his dreams. But a few years ago, he promised his dying father he would avenge him, and he would find the lance of St. George, a holy relic and a holy saint to the archers and the English, which was stolen by the man that killed his father. He tells this story to Father Hobbe, who acts as a sort of fatherly figure to Thomas and holds him to this promise which was made in a church. So off Thomas goes, and finds both enemies and unlikely allies along the way.
While there is no character who could replace Uhtred in my heart, Thomas is special in his own way. He's a reluctant champion for the grail and the lance, and he's mostly a good Christian, though he has some doubts (St. Guinefort is hysterical to me). I adored Skeat and Father Hobbe and Sir Guillaume, and sort of in a strange way, the Prince, though you don't see much of him. I had a hot/cold relationship with Jeanette. I really wanted to love her, but couldn't in the end respect the way she treated Thomas.
This book has a much slower pace then the Saxon stories. Even the battle scenes were slow in comparison. I think they suffered without first hand accounts from the shield wall, and also, I really missed the insults. In The Archer's Tale, the running insult seems to be "bastard" instead of "arseling". But there weren't any taunts about mothers and such nonsense that I love. I think it has to do with the chivalry of the knights.
All around another well researched and well told historical fiction novel by Cornwell. I think this would appeal to any fans of his, fans of historical fiction, or anyone interested in Holy Grail history/myth.
If you've read Cornwell's Saxon Stories then you're probably familiar with the formula. Intelligent soldier plays the hero, wins lots of battles, schemes, and has a slew of women on the side. The Archer's Tale mostly follows this formula as well.
Thomas isn't Uhtred though. Within the first 50 pages I sort of expected him to be, but eventually he stands on his own two feet. And it took less time for Thomas to grow as a character then it took the 5 or so books and 30 some years it took Uhtred. He starts as a young, impetuous man, with little thought for the consequences of his actions or what it means to be a good Christian, (partaking in raiding and raping, though we never see it, he freely admits he has done this). And then he sees the effects of rape on a woman he cares for and decides to change his ways.
Thomas just wants to shoot a bow for the English, and lead English archers into battle. Those are his dreams. But a few years ago, he promised his dying father he would avenge him, and he would find the lance of St. George, a holy relic and a holy saint to the archers and the English, which was stolen by the man that killed his father. He tells this story to Father Hobbe, who acts as a sort of fatherly figure to Thomas and holds him to this promise which was made in a church. So off Thomas goes, and finds both enemies and unlikely allies along the way.
While there is no character who could replace Uhtred in my heart, Thomas is special in his own way. He's a reluctant champion for the grail and the lance, and he's mostly a good Christian, though he has some doubts (St. Guinefort is hysterical to me). I adored Skeat and Father Hobbe and Sir Guillaume, and sort of in a strange way, the Prince, though you don't see much of him. I had a hot/cold relationship with Jeanette. I really wanted to love her, but couldn't in the end respect the way she treated Thomas.
This book has a much slower pace then the Saxon stories. Even the battle scenes were slow in comparison. I think they suffered without first hand accounts from the shield wall, and also, I really missed the insults. In The Archer's Tale, the running insult seems to be "bastard" instead of "arseling". But there weren't any taunts about mothers and such nonsense that I love. I think it has to do with the chivalry of the knights.
All around another well researched and well told historical fiction novel by Cornwell. I think this would appeal to any fans of his, fans of historical fiction, or anyone interested in Holy Grail history/myth.
July 14, 2015
Having been a big fan of historical fiction for as long as I can remember, I'm ashamed to admit this is my first Cornwell novel. Judging by how much I enjoyed Harlequin, it's definitely not going to be my last.
Cornwell seamlessly blends historical fact and fiction and is one of the few historical fiction authors who stays as close to history as possible, but also makes these minor tweaks to it so that the story becomes, in a way, unpredictable. Sure, a quick Wikipedia search can show you whether or not the Black Prince or any other person died at Crecy, but even if you know there's still suspense in the way Cornwell weaves his words, and his depiction of the battle at Crecy was thrilling to hear. I have a huge interest in the Hundred Years' War, so it's great to hear an accurate (for the most part) account of one of the most important battles of the century-long conflict, especially in a time where it doesn't seem like a lot of modern historians are willing to write readable nonfiction on the subject.
Andrew Cullum was an excellent narrator, able to pull off a large variety of characters in unique ways.
Cornwell seamlessly blends historical fact and fiction and is one of the few historical fiction authors who stays as close to history as possible, but also makes these minor tweaks to it so that the story becomes, in a way, unpredictable. Sure, a quick Wikipedia search can show you whether or not the Black Prince or any other person died at Crecy, but even if you know there's still suspense in the way Cornwell weaves his words, and his depiction of the battle at Crecy was thrilling to hear. I have a huge interest in the Hundred Years' War, so it's great to hear an accurate (for the most part) account of one of the most important battles of the century-long conflict, especially in a time where it doesn't seem like a lot of modern historians are willing to write readable nonfiction on the subject.
Andrew Cullum was an excellent narrator, able to pull off a large variety of characters in unique ways.
February 26, 2008
Cornwell is one of the best writer's of historical fiction. If you saw Henry V and wondered what the life of average people was all about, this book is grounded in day to day life. It is also a story about the wars of the period and what we rationalize is ok to do to our "enemy". It is a good read in itself and has two other books that carry on the story.
December 15, 2022
I’m aware that Cornwell writes historical fiction; by the close of this book, I thought he’d pushed the fiction a little too far, forgetting the historical part.
Turns out, some of the strangest stuff that I’d dismissed, was historically accurate. History is wild, man.
The battle scenes, the historically accurate (mostly) sections, were by far the best in this book. Apart from the fact that Thomas of Hookton, the main character, is a longbowman, there’s not much interesting or unique about him. Or about the characters in this book in general. Coming off Warlord Chronicles, which was chockablock full of fascinating characters that just leapt off the pages, this was a bit of a disappointment.
The plot is mostly just a convoluted series of events to get Thomas of Hookton from one historical battle to another. I’ve praised the battles, and they are indeed excellent - providing both the personal, intimate point of view of a person in battle, while still giving a bird’s-eye-view of the battle overall, so that the reader is kept abreast of the tactics and the general ebb and flow of the battle.
The one exception to the complaint about characters is how good Cornwell always is at making you hate the antagonist. Sir Simon is a bully, a rapist, and quite stupid to boot.
The crucial question - how much did Jonathan Keeble’s amazing narration contribute to my enjoyment of my previous Cornwell read, the Warlord Chronicles?
The answer: a fair bit, Keeble is amazing - but Cornwell knows how to write an entertaining, well-written and engaging tale, regardless of narrator.
It’s nothing world-changing, but it’s competent and entertaining and I could probably read all of Cornwell’s oeuvre with nary a complaint.
Would I re-read: no.
Turns out, some of the strangest stuff that I’d dismissed, was historically accurate. History is wild, man.
The battle scenes, the historically accurate (mostly) sections, were by far the best in this book. Apart from the fact that Thomas of Hookton, the main character, is a longbowman, there’s not much interesting or unique about him. Or about the characters in this book in general. Coming off Warlord Chronicles, which was chockablock full of fascinating characters that just leapt off the pages, this was a bit of a disappointment.
The plot is mostly just a convoluted series of events to get Thomas of Hookton from one historical battle to another. I’ve praised the battles, and they are indeed excellent - providing both the personal, intimate point of view of a person in battle, while still giving a bird’s-eye-view of the battle overall, so that the reader is kept abreast of the tactics and the general ebb and flow of the battle.
The one exception to the complaint about characters is how good Cornwell always is at making you hate the antagonist. Sir Simon is a bully, a rapist, and quite stupid to boot.
The crucial question - how much did Jonathan Keeble’s amazing narration contribute to my enjoyment of my previous Cornwell read, the Warlord Chronicles?
The answer: a fair bit, Keeble is amazing - but Cornwell knows how to write an entertaining, well-written and engaging tale, regardless of narrator.
It’s nothing world-changing, but it’s competent and entertaining and I could probably read all of Cornwell’s oeuvre with nary a complaint.
Would I re-read: no.
March 20, 2019
I received a great history lesson from this book. As much as I learn the times from Follett's 'Kingsbridge' series, I read that this contains historical accuracy from each of the battles, certain deaths, and events concerning notable people. Allegedly only two events were fictional, and few characters.
It's books like these that have me holding my smartphone with Google open, and always looking up various people/places/things. I also look at maps and photos of different locations that were set in the book. I'm quite a visual person. My imagination can only go so far, but I like to look these things up to make sure I'm on the right track.
The Archer's Tale was definitely a fun read. I even grew to like a couple characters, although I must point out that there wasn't too much character development. Mr. Cornwell gave you enough to know who to like, who to not like, and who to laugh at and/or feel sorry for. But more focus was spent on scenery and action -- which is okay! But that's why I gave this a 4-thrilling star rating instead of a well-rounded 5.
**Crazy part: where the soldiers captured a "fat woman" and harnessed her to a wagon and whipped her as she pulled it up and down the street, as all the soldiers were laughing, only to tire of her, toss her down into riverbank... and I think they shot her in the throat with an arrow...
It's books like these that have me holding my smartphone with Google open, and always looking up various people/places/things. I also look at maps and photos of different locations that were set in the book. I'm quite a visual person. My imagination can only go so far, but I like to look these things up to make sure I'm on the right track.
The Archer's Tale was definitely a fun read. I even grew to like a couple characters, although I must point out that there wasn't too much character development. Mr. Cornwell gave you enough to know who to like, who to not like, and who to laugh at and/or feel sorry for. But more focus was spent on scenery and action -- which is okay! But that's why I gave this a 4-thrilling star rating instead of a well-rounded 5.
**Crazy part: where the soldiers captured a "fat woman" and harnessed her to a wagon and whipped her as she pulled it up and down the street, as all the soldiers were laughing, only to tire of her, toss her down into riverbank... and I think they shot her in the throat with an arrow...
March 2, 2015
Many battles have been fought, people slaughtered, churches robbed, souls destroyed, young women and virgins deflowered, respectable wives and widows dishonored; towns, manors and buildings burned, and robberies, cruelties and ambushes committed on the highways.
This book is not for the faint of heart. It is a look into the horrors or war and while extremely well written, it was difficult for me at times.
Mainly because I couldn't find a character I liked. Both sides, the English and the French were not blameless in this war. Both sides committed atrocities, and yet both sides also had a few "good" people.
Once the goal became clear I was able to enjoy it a little bit more, and find some characters I liked. Such as Father Hobbes.
Father Hobbe, his cassock skirts hitched up to his waist, was fighting with a quarterstaff, ramming the pole into French faces. "In the name fo the Father," he shouted, and a Frenchman reeled back with a pulped eye, "and of the Son," Father Hobbe snarled as he broke a man's nose, "and of the Holy Ghost!"
That being said, the character development wasn't great, but the battle scenes were epic. This is the way History class should have been taught!
I'll definitely continue with this series.
This book is not for the faint of heart. It is a look into the horrors or war and while extremely well written, it was difficult for me at times.
Mainly because I couldn't find a character I liked. Both sides, the English and the French were not blameless in this war. Both sides committed atrocities, and yet both sides also had a few "good" people.
Once the goal became clear I was able to enjoy it a little bit more, and find some characters I liked. Such as Father Hobbes.
Father Hobbe, his cassock skirts hitched up to his waist, was fighting with a quarterstaff, ramming the pole into French faces. "In the name fo the Father," he shouted, and a Frenchman reeled back with a pulped eye, "and of the Son," Father Hobbe snarled as he broke a man's nose, "and of the Holy Ghost!"
That being said, the character development wasn't great, but the battle scenes were epic. This is the way History class should have been taught!
I'll definitely continue with this series.
December 26, 2022
A grand adventure of the beginning of the 100 Years War between France and England. The story tells of Thomas, a budding Archer, as he travels from his small village across the Channel and France, joining the war machine of Edward III and his destruction of the French. However, Thomas has more on his mind than Edwards' goals. He is on a personal mission to recover an artifact that was stolen from his small towns church. This is my first Cornwell book, and there is no good reason why I waited so long.
Cornwell has a great way with battle, his writing bringing you right into the bloody action. They got a bit long winded for my taste, but still I carried on. Cornwell leaves a historical fact essay at the end of the book and from what I know and what I read he has done his research. Always a plus for me.
This is a 4 book series which I plan to continue. I am sure I will then look for Cornwell to read, suggestions are welcome.
Cornwell has a great way with battle, his writing bringing you right into the bloody action. They got a bit long winded for my taste, but still I carried on. Cornwell leaves a historical fact essay at the end of the book and from what I know and what I read he has done his research. Always a plus for me.
This is a 4 book series which I plan to continue. I am sure I will then look for Cornwell to read, suggestions are welcome.
February 7, 2020
Cruel but uplifting!
I actually read this book a few years ago and really enjoyed the tale of English bravery and daring. Bernard Cornwell certainly doesn't skimp on his descriptions of battle and the sacking of towns and cities. Medieval warfare was cruel, brutal, and without mercy. These very facts come to life in this book. Who are the good guys and who are the bad? In what was essentially a civil war between European royalty, there was only cruel death and destruction. Only the aristocracy paid lip service to chivalry. As far as the common man (soldiers and civilians alike) was concerned they were merely canon fodder, to be treated with disdain and contempt by their "betters" , i.e. royalty and the aristocracy.
I actually read this book a few years ago and really enjoyed the tale of English bravery and daring. Bernard Cornwell certainly doesn't skimp on his descriptions of battle and the sacking of towns and cities. Medieval warfare was cruel, brutal, and without mercy. These very facts come to life in this book. Who are the good guys and who are the bad? In what was essentially a civil war between European royalty, there was only cruel death and destruction. Only the aristocracy paid lip service to chivalry. As far as the common man (soldiers and civilians alike) was concerned they were merely canon fodder, to be treated with disdain and contempt by their "betters" , i.e. royalty and the aristocracy.
May 22, 2014
This was my first foray into Bernard Cornwells novel and I can easily say it will not be my last. All the reviews that praise his historical research and subsequent translation into an entertaining story are spot on! The battle scenes were gritty, foul and horrific.....not an ounce of sugar coating to be seen
Recommendation for fans of medieval fantasy but don't expect any wizard to show up and save the day :)
Recommendation for fans of medieval fantasy but don't expect any wizard to show up and save the day :)
January 17, 2009
Probably about 1 and 1/2 stars.
Writing: adequate.
Characters: flat. The villains are only villains because they are villains, and because the plot requires that there be villains. Actually, almost everyone does things only because the plot requires that they do them.
I shall not be reading the remaining volumes in the trilogy, or, I suspect, anything else by Bernard Cornwell.
Writing: adequate.
Characters: flat. The villains are only villains because they are villains, and because the plot requires that there be villains. Actually, almost everyone does things only because the plot requires that they do them.
I shall not be reading the remaining volumes in the trilogy, or, I suspect, anything else by Bernard Cornwell.
April 7, 2019
This book is beautifully written, and the story pulls you in from the first. A story of a young man, Thomas of Hookton, a man of questionable birth, who becomes an archer in the king’s army but it is about so much more. It is also a story of holy relics, revenge, and family. It does not shy away from the violence of the times or the cruelty of men.
July 18, 2021
The main theme of the book is the role of the archer, specifically the English archer – there are some Welsh archers (Pat, for example) but they have the grace to wait in the background. It seems to have been true that archers were a particularly dangerous force on the battlefield but, assuming we are not guilty of exaggerating their importance, why did other countries not seek to replicate them? Cornwell himself has no answer other than that it must have been a very difficult skill to acquire and to require very time-consuming practice and people from other countries were not up for it.
Like most of Cornwell’s novels, The Archer’s Tale is an adventure of sorts, taking Thomas from the small English village of Hookton, to war-torn Brittany, Normandy, and finally Crecy. It is also filled with brilliantly crafted battle scenes, including the famous Battle of Crecy in 1346 between Edward III of England and Philip VI of France. But it is Thomas and Jeanette, along with a perfect villain in Sir Simon, who make this book one of Cornwell’s best
Like most of Cornwell’s novels, The Archer’s Tale is an adventure of sorts, taking Thomas from the small English village of Hookton, to war-torn Brittany, Normandy, and finally Crecy. It is also filled with brilliantly crafted battle scenes, including the famous Battle of Crecy in 1346 between Edward III of England and Philip VI of France. But it is Thomas and Jeanette, along with a perfect villain in Sir Simon, who make this book one of Cornwell’s best
December 23, 2018
It kind of pains me to give this author a 3 star rating, but 3 stars is still good....it's just not the 5 that I'm accustomed to giving him. This book is the first book in his Grail Quest series. I saw glimpses of the greatness that I've loved in his Saxon Stories series, but it wasn't sustained. I really wanted to feel this one. I waited for it, but it didn't happen. While I didn't love it, I did like it well enough.
I liked Thomas, the MC, most of the time. But he meandered a lot, and I'm not just referring to his physical journey. His purpose, his quest, waxed and waned so much and ultimately, there wasn't any resolution of any kind. He got side tracked many times. Then this book abruptly ended. I didn't have that "Oh my gosh. I can't wait to read the next one" feeling.
I liked Thomas, the MC, most of the time. But he meandered a lot, and I'm not just referring to his physical journey. His purpose, his quest, waxed and waned so much and ultimately, there wasn't any resolution of any kind. He got side tracked many times. Then this book abruptly ended. I didn't have that "Oh my gosh. I can't wait to read the next one" feeling.
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