1356: A Novel

This is another one of BC great reads, this time with a bit of old time chivalry and romance. A little bit more humour as well as battle strategy and the cold hard realities of war back in those times.

The title of this review refers to both the author and the main character Thomas of Hookton. Cornwell, without a doubt the best current historical writer has written yet another splendid book; and the main character is as interesting as ever, even if a bit one dimensional. All of Cornwell's heroes seem to be cut from the same cloth; outsiders with little to lose with a mixture of realism, cynicism, and a touch of idealism. The battle scenes are truly horrific, and reading this book will certainly influence your views on the nature of battle in the middle ages. Also, note the role of terror in warfare. The "chevauchée" had a dual purpose: it strengthened your forces thru loot and victory, thus attracting more men; and while weakening your enemy, sought to compel him to capitulation or battle.

Good, shot quick entertaining read, typical Cornwall. Cuts to the chase with plenty of adventure, anyone who hasn't read the others in the series are missing out, but not so Mich so that they'll be lost

Cornwell's mastery of detail and history of the 14th century brings this time to life. His characters are, as usual, well drawn and it was hard to put this book down once started. He tells a good story.

Cornwell's mastery of detail and history of the 14th century brings this time to life. His characters are, as usual, well drawn and it was hard to put this book down once started. He tells a good story.

I may come across a bit biased but i have read all Bernard Cornwell s books and i haven't come across a bad one yet ,if you like a good medieval / History lesson / mystery /thriller then you cant beat this, forth instalment in the Grail Quest series !!! great characters great story !!!

What I like most about Cornwall is you can go to the bank on his history. This was another solid historical fiction with all the elements we have come to expect from this prolific writer. Not literature, but a darn good diversion. Pull it out at the airport and your delay will be more enjoyable.

Had hopped for history info - got some, but way too much gore, & uneccssary brutality, does not add to the info of historical events.Seem to dwell on too many details of the brutal events, less on the overall action. Am throwing this one in the trash bin.The time &main event could have been interesting

Another very readable Cornwell book. I always appreciated the bowman' s lore in the Archer series and Thomas of Hookton himself. As for the plot, just a rework of the Grail Quest books, same hero, same kind of villains, same action... Still worth ones time.
Larry K

A follow up from the Grail series, it could be book 4, Thomas of Hookton and all those main characters engage in a mission to another item the English, French and the Church want. Great descriptions and understanding of the battle.
Recommended read

1356 falls way short of some of Cornwell's earlier works.This story is disjointed, repetative and wonders all over the place, it is poorly put together.There is a common thread throughout, but what a tangle it is!. Not until the last 20 pages or so, does it come together and then Cornwell falls back on what he does best, bloody battles and history.I expected more from this book after waiting for the next adventure of Thomas of Hookton, it turned out to be a big disappointment. I will be very wary about spending this amount of money on future books by Bernard Cornwell before all of the reviews are in.

This book does not disappoint and if you are already a fan of Bernard Cornwell and it will keep you going until his next adventure. While this is a factional story it does create a clear picture of what life and times were like in the 14th century. The characters are vibrant and the truths about the way people were treated is an an eye opener. No pun intended. Enjoy this while we wait for the next installment.

An interesting subject, I was really looking forward to it. Nevertheless it didn't really work, Thomas of Hokton's involvment felt forced, the book would have been better with an entirely new leading man, maybe in the style of Azincor.

the battle scenes were well researched and described as usual, but I expect more from my favourite author.

Bernard Cornwell has written a novel that is riveting from start to finish. He is an author that has the ability to write in a manner that resembles an unfolding 3D movie, whereby the reader smells, hears, tastes and feels everything almost first hand.

The novel is full of energy and abounds in intrigue, drama, awe and lots of action. Many events in the novel made my heart race and I found it very hard to put the book away.

The storyline is centred in France during the 100 years war and deals with events and actions leading up to and including the battle of Poitiers in 1356. Prince Edward (Prince of Wales) or at times referred to as the Black Price, pitted his smaller English army against that of the French King Jean 2nd. The French side included Scottish knights who had hoped to capture the English Prince and use him as ransom to release the Scottish King, being held in an English jail, by the English King Edward the 3rd.

The author has undertaken extensive historical research and hence the novel can be educational in itself. I found the documents and references at the end of the book very useful.

Cornwell provides a good story woven into understandable historical events. If you've read many of his books, you can probably deduce where he has altered events for narrative effect. The excellently drawn details provide real insights into how warfare of this era actually unfolded. Cornwell is at the top of my Must Read list.

Bernard. Cornwell is a great storyteller and produces a truly engrossing marriage of historical events and human drama. This latest offering is a continuation of his previous successes. I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys history brought to life in an exciting and entertaining manner.

An interesting subject, I was really looking forward to it. Nevertheless it didn't really work, Thomas of Hokton's involvment felt forced, the book would have been better with an entirely new leading man, maybe in the style of Azincor.

the battle scenes were well researched and described as usual, but I expect more from my favourite author.

Bernard Cornwell has written a novel that is riveting from start to finish. He is an author that has the ability to write in a manner that resembles an unfolding 3D movie, whereby the reader smells, hears, tastes and feels everything almost first hand.

The novel is full of energy and abounds in intrigue, drama, awe and lots of action. Many events in the novel made my heart race and I found it very hard to put the book away.

The storyline is centred in France during the 100 years war and deals with events and actions leading up to and including the battle of Poitiers in 1356. Prince Edward (Prince of Wales) or at times referred to as the Black Price, pitted his smaller English army against that of the French King Jean 2nd. The French side included Scottish knights who had hoped to capture the English Prince and use him as ransom to release the Scottish King, being held in an English jail, by the English King Edward the 3rd.

The author has undertaken extensive historical research and hence the novel can be educational in itself. I found the documents and references at the end of the book very useful.

Cornwell provides a good story woven into understandable historical events. If you've read many of his books, you can probably deduce where he has altered events for narrative effect. The excellently drawn details provide real insights into how warfare of this era actually unfolded. Cornwell is at the top of my Must Read list.

Bernard. Cornwell is a great storyteller and produces a truly engrossing marriage of historical events and human drama. This latest offering is a continuation of his previous successes. I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys history brought to life in an exciting and entertaining manner.

I would have rated this higher but the use of the "GD" got to me; I almost threw it away. I read only historical fiction and of all the authors, this one I like the least. I will not order another of his books because of the taking of the name of God in vane.

I thought it was rather poorly written. Some of the names of people were odd for the middle ages such as, Sam, and the dialog seemed too modern for the middle ages. I read about fifteen percent of the book hoping it would get better but, for me, it didn't so I put it aside.

Bernard Cornwell develops characters very well. He creates characters that you hate, like and love. His characters never fail to stir your emotions. His technique of finds a significant battle in history and weaving a story around it containing real and imaginary characters has guaranteed his success. In 1356 he has created another master piece. Thomas of Hookton is one of his better hero characters. Since the Sharpe series most of the characters that you hate are members of the clergy, including Thomas' father. For anyone who has read and liked a Cornwell book this one is not to be missed.

I have just bought Bernard Cornwell's new book with a great sense of excitement and, I promise I will review it once I am done. For now, I wanted to ask whoever is doing the pricing to please make my day by making the kindle edition 1356 - instead of 1359. It seems right somehow...

I have read about 95% of Bernard's books and enjoyed all except the American civil war books. 1356 made me very happy when I saw a new Cornwell book but sad when I started to read it, it was confusing and seemed to have been cobbled together just to get another book out. There were too many characters who had been in his previous books about Thomas of Hookton, all dropped in to the story in a a rather unconnected way. I liked the background lessons on arrows and bows that are always interesting, but the story did not flow and I am sorry to say I did not care about the characters which is fatal in any story. I am sad that Bernard is not immortal and seems to be running out of steam and enthusiasm for his books. But he has given me years of immense pleasure so I can't complain. Even though I know I am!!

I loved the original "Grail" trilogy, but it was finished. Now after all these years there is suddenly a fourth book and it simply isn't tied closely enough and I have found it very difficult to keep the characters straight. I wish that Cornwell would concentrate on finishing his series about Alfred the Great.

The time period in which he is writing offers many opportunities for a historical fiction writer. This series of Cornwell's dealt too much with the religious aspect of the time and was a little choppy. Having read the 3 previous novels in the series I am about to give up on this one, his fourth. When done posting this I will go and delete the book from my Kindle and use my reading time on something less tedious. A disappointing series by Cornwell after reading most all of his other books.

Picked up on a whim in one of those lounge-heavy, knickknack-laden coffee shop slash bookstores not named Starbucks, 1356 is my first Cornwell novel. It follows le Batard, Sir Thomas of Hookton, in a rousing frolic across 14th century Europe, eventually ending at The Battle of Poitiers. If there is a main plot, it centers around the search for the fictional la Malice, perported to be St. Peter's sword. Sir Thomas is charged with it's discovery and retrieval. Along the way, various subplots are introduced including Thomas being swindled and chasing reparation, a virgin knight's quests and eventual pursuit of a married woman, a vile, power-hungry commoner turned Pope in training, and many others. Cornwell's magnificently deft hand keeps all of these plot lines fresh and interwoven without being convoluted or confusing. The action sequences are brutal and frequent, but it felt true to the time period. The historical import of Poitiers is lost on many outside the military geek culture, and I count myself among the former. However, in reading this novel, I found great respect for the men who fought on both sides, a new appreciation for English archers, a better understanding of the gruesomeness of medieval warfare, and best of all, I had a fantastic time doing it.

Apart from Cornwell's usual Marxist condemnations of the upper classes and his predictable characters in period costume, he does bring to life the focal year of 1356 as it unfolded during the opening stages of the Anglo-French Hundred Years' War, with St. Pete's Sword, La Malice, as a central motif. The weapon becomes the object of a quest, just as the Holy Grail was the unattainable prize for the finest of King Arthur's knights. But the knights, including those of the dubious Order of the Fisherman, who do seek La Malice are all obviously flawed in much the same way as the Grail questers. Of them all, Thomas Hookton is the most sympathetic, being a defrocked heretic most in touch with the violent, corrupt world in which he lives. The novel is easy to read being rich in historical detail, gripping battles, gore, political machinations, barbaric savagery. But it is flawed by authorial intrusion as Cornwell forces his contemporary agnosticism and sneers at religion through his sceptical, 14th century heroes as well as his opportunistic, falsely pious villains.

The illegitimate Thomas of Hookton, alias le Bâtard, reappears from Cornwell's earlier works, to motivate the events at a local level as a mercenary, until recalled to the banner of the decadent Black Prince, Edward, Prince of Wales, who is opposed by the Black Douglas who is a mercenary for the French King Jean, and who offers a way to defeat English archers. The new method does not win out at the crucial Battle of Poitiers, which eventuates into yet another extraordinary victory for the English, recalling the earlier battle of Crecy, and anticipating Agincourt. As at the other two battles, at Poitiers, the English were outnumbered, hungry, thirsty and travel worn out from travel yet defeated the French and captured King Jean, thanks to the English longbow archers, whose simple skill was not matched until the age of gunpowder.

Apart from Cornwell's usual Marxist condemnations of the upper classes and his predictable characters in period costume, he does bring to life the focal year of 1356 as it unfolded during the opening stages of the Anglo-French Hundred Years' War, with St. Pete's Sword, La Malice, as a central motif. The weapon becomes the object of a quest, just as the Holy Grail was the unattainable prize for the finest of King Arthur's knights. But the knights, including those of the dubious Order of the Fisherman, who do seek La Malice are all obviously flawed in much the same way as the Grail questers. Of them all, Thomas Hookton is the most sympathetic, being a defrocked heretic most in touch with the violent, corrupt world in which he lives. The novel is easy to read being rich in historical detail, gripping battles, gore, political machinations, barbaric savagery. But it is flawed by authorial intrusion as Cornwell forces his contemporary agnosticism and sneers at religion through his sceptical, 14th century heroes as well as his opportunistic, falsely pious villains.

The illegitimate Thomas of Hookton, alias le Bâtard, reappears from Cornwell's earlier works, to motivate the events at a local level as a mercenary, until recalled to the banner of the decadent Black Prince, Edward, Prince of Wales, who is opposed by the Black Douglas who is a mercenary for the French King Jean, and who offers a way to defeat English archers. The new method does not win out at the crucial Battle of Poitiers, which eventuates into yet another extraordinary victory for the English, recalling the earlier battle of Crecy, and anticipating Agincourt. As at the other two battles, at Poitiers, the English were outnumbered, hungry, thirsty and travel worn out from travel yet defeated the French and captured King Jean, thanks to the English longbow archers, whose simple skill was not matched until the age of gunpowder.

This novel only succeeded in grasping my attention about two thirds of the way through when things began to gear up for the battle that 1356 is famous for. The build-up to the Battle of Poiters and the depiction of the battle itself was masterfully written, giving the reader an all-encompassing view of the battle as a whole. It was fascinating. However, up until this point I had found the novel to be rather slow-moving and dull. There were a few characters who became intriguing to me, but not many, and I wonder if this is because I have not read Mr Cornwall's 'Grail Quest' series that featured the protagonist of this novel, Thomas of Hookton. Perhaps if I had already established a relationship with Hookton then I would have been more interested in the happenings surrounding him and his entourage.
One thing that did surprise me about this novel is that it was a lot more fictitious than I expected it to be. I knew that Hookton was a fictional character, however a lot of the other people he came into contact with in the novel were fictional also. I'm not saying this is a bad thing, but it did surprise me as I wasn't aware it would be this way prior to picking the novel up (I will admit, this is my first Cornwell novel so I suppose I didn't know exactly what to expect).
Overall I am glad I read this novel because even though I didn't necessarily enjoy the storyline I appreciated learning of the Battle of Poiters. I am currently reading 'The Hundred Years War' by Desmond Seward and am thoroughly enjoying it, and this novel has brought to life for me a battle that was a crucial event of the era.

Europe in the 14th Century wasn't a particularly pleasant place to be. (In fact, for most people, it wasn't all that great until the mid-20th Century).

It was the Age of Kings, where schemers, even whole families and clans of schemers, could achieve power as the Royal Family, nobility and aristocracy. First cousins were handed about to cement relationships, a practice that often led to conflicting claims of ownership of land, animals and people - and, in the last century of kings, hemophilia.

This was very true of Britain and France, which led to long standing hostilities between the two still-emerging nations for decades. In fact, "1356" has as its subject a battle, Poitiers, that took place in the early years of the Hundred Years War.

No one brings the misery, stink and other awfulness of this period alive better than Bernard Cornwell.

Human life had little value. Freedom, as we know it, is unknown: say a word that displeases a noble or a churchman and you could be tortured, imprisoned, enslaved or, most mercifully, executed. Ignorance was revered as knowledge: religious superstition trumped all.

Cornwell builds his story on the pursuit of la Malice, a sword, a Holy Relic sought by unsavory characters for the power they hoped it would bring them.

We are introduced first to a Priest who searches for this sword to do good and then an evil Priest who seeks the sword to aid evil. The pursuit of La Malice sets the stage for the introduction of Thomas of Hookton, known as le Batard, who fights in France in service to the British King and his heir, the Black Prince.

Cornwell gives us taste of the brutality of the age: many people die gruesome deaths simply because they were in the wrong place at the wrong time. We get to experience the treachery of the era. And the pathetically brutish conditions of ordinary life. There are strong men, whose ability to take what they want is constrained only by their own sense of morality - if they have one.

There is love, betrayal, crude torture, war and battle.

It all ends in a great battle that affects the course of history for several decades.

Cornwell's plot, driven by the known history, must reach a known point. What has been lost to the historic records, Cornwell invents and, in my opinion, invents brilliantly. Some of the characters are overdrawn, but not distractingly.

And when it comes to depicting the combat of that era, Cornwell simply has no peer. The sword and spear thrusts, the slicing off of arms and heads, the arrows driven by English longbows taking out hearts, eyes and lives. This is not a novel for the squeamish.

If you love historical fiction, Cornwell is worth sampling. He may, as he has for me, become an addiction.

Jerry

Bernard Cornwell is a master writer who always does deep research into the historical fiction of which he writes. He adds characters to factual historical events with detailed explanations of how these events transpired. If you are not a lover of history then read his books as fiction and you will become aware of historical events of which you most likely never know. If you love history or military history then you will be drawn in and entertained as well as learning more detail as to how combat at that time was actually done, the brutality of combat and much of it's formality compared to how combat today is.

Bernard Cornwell is simply one of the best historical fiction authors around. In 1356, he focuses on the Battle of Poiters and Edward, the Black Prince, who was one of the foremost tactical leaders of his time. As usual, Cornwell goes into great battle details, something that many men prefer rather than women (blanket statement there, I know, so apologies to all you gals out there who, like me, love the battle details as well!). I state this just so if you've never read a Cornwell book before, you'll have an idea of his style ahead of time.

Now, as to the story...1356 is actually part of Cornwell's Grail Series, although in my opinion you don't have to read the previous books to enjoy this one as a stand-alone. Our hero, intrepid archer Thomas of Hookton, is seeking a sword. Not just any sword, mind you, but one considered to have spiritual/Godly/magical powers. Needless to say, Thomas is not the only one seeking this artifact. Woven in with our hero's quest is the infamous Battle of Poiters, one of the more important battles of the Hundred Years War that raged on and off between England and France.

If you love historical detail and especially detailed battle scenes, you would very much enjoy this novel. If you do, be sure to get your hands on the previous three "Thomas books," The Archer's Tale, Vagabond, and Heretic. All are well worth your time.

The Black Prince is one of those enigmatic figures shrouded in mystery, superstition and rumor from the medieval period of the fourteenth century. In 1356, bestselling historical fiction author Bernard Cornwell provides his take on it by bringing back a popular and main character from his Grail Quest series, in Thomas of Hookton.

Thomas has created quite a name for himself and his small band of men, known as Le Bâtard, traveling through France and fighting for the English. But he is now charged with a new quest by his lord, to recover the ancient and lost sword of Saint Peter, known as Le Malice, a relic from the past that will provide a great symbol and power to whichever nation possesses and wields it. The French want it to get rid of the English; and the English want it to subdue the French.

1356 is another great example of Cornwell writing at his best, and it's not necessary to have read the earlier series, as he fills you in where necessary. His action scenes are written with skill, putting the reader right there, culminating with the great battle of Poitiers.

Originally written on January 7, 2013 ©Alex C. Telander.

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Allow me to start with some incredibly unfair (and no longer applicable) criticism of Bernard Cornwell - he gives the English warrior Uthred a seemingly-limitless series (the "Saxon Stories") but he stopped the magnificent Grail Quest series ("The Archer's Tale," "Vagabond" and "Heretic") at a mere trilogy. I would submit that the Grail Quest's protagonist, Thomas of Hookton, archer extraordinaire, is just a fascinating character as Uthred, and the archer from the Hundred Years War is more important to Britain historically than a sword-swinging Dane.

With "1356," this criticism is now moot, as we now have another Thomas story. "1356" starts in typical Cornwell fashion - with a noble priest stealing a religious artifact and trying to stay one step ahead of murderous church minions. All the usual tropes from Cornwell books are here - rich clergy are usually villains, heroes are courageous and funny, and villains are (generally) craven and boorish. In "1356" we have a villain who is all too comfortable using a hawk as an interrogation technique (the bird is trained to pluck out your eyes - which I would find persuasive).

This quest for the artifact is motivated by the fact that the Black Prince of England is raiding and pillaging across France, burning crops and effectively denying France its vital revenue streams. King Jean of France, unfortunately, is too afraid of English archers to face them in battle. (After watching Thomas and his Hellequin destroy a French town, you understand Jean's reticence.) But Jean has a new ally, a Scottish general, who claims to know how to beat the English archers. Has Thomas of Hookton finally met his match?

Ultimately the novel builds to the titanic Battle of Poitiers, a battle that Cornwell argues should stand shoulder to shoulder with Crecy or Agincourt, but has been consigned to the junior varsity list.

As George R. R. Martin blurbs, Cornwell writes the best battle scenes in the business, and "1356" is full of them. Indeed, for the first 95% of the novel, I thought "1356" was among Cornwell's best books ever (which is high praise). But I must admit that a couple of storylines are truncated at the end and certain characters don't get the send-off that they deserve. If Cornwell gives us a "1356" sequel that fleshes out some of these storylines then I reserve the right to amend this to a five-star review, but so far "1356" is billed as a stand-alone novel.

As with all Cornwell books, this is highly recommended. While a "stand-alone" book, the reader should start with the Grail Quest trilogy - not only are those excellent books, they provide essential backstory to understand who these characters are.

I have always loved action adventures. In fact, action adventure books (The Three Musketeers, The Scarlet Pimpernel, The Man in the Iron Mask, The Count of Monte Cristo, The Black Night, Ivanhoe, Quo Vadis?, Arsene Lupin books, Sherlock Holmes books, etc.) have kept me sane in the first couple of years of immigration when I felt so alone and lost. These books were my friends, and they helped me keep my spirits up. They taught me never to give up and keep on fighting for what I believed in.

These are some of the most-treasured books I own (especially since they were from a 100 Masterpiece in the World young adult collection in Korean that my parents brought with us when we immigrated to the United States). Some of my favorite modern action adventure writers are Clive Cussler, Micheal Crichton, Daniel Silva, Sharon Kay Penman, etc. And now, I have another to add to the list - Bernard Cornwell.

What I love about these books is that for a short span of time, they take me on a fantastic adventure. I'm so busy keeping my wits about me that I forget to worry about such mundane things as learning English and finishing my Language Arts homework.

Now, on to the review - I love the books I love in this genre for the same reason. They take me to a very exciting place and give me a great roller coaster ride. However, I have yet to write a review about any of the books I love reading on this blog because at the end of the day, they don't linger in my head, making me think about it for a long time, until this book.

I loved the details of medieval life in this book. I can feel the damp chill in the crypt. I can smell the acrid smoke wafting up to the sky. I can feel the blood pounding in my veins with every sword thrust and axe swing. I can share the profound grief in losing love ones so needlessly. All this is wonderful enough, but in the heart of this story is a man driven by his own moral code in the time when a sense of righteousness and moral authority was hijacked by the nobility and Catholic Church and used for their gain rather than for God's justice and mercy.

~Spoiler Alert~

In the time of relic collecting, when a notable relic not only made or broke the church that housed it, but the whole region, Sword of Saint Peter was one of the most sought after relic. Saint Peter purportedly used the sword to slice one of the soldier's ear when they came to take Jesus away to Pontius Pilate. This sword was believed to have mystical powers, and it supposedly granted certain victory to whoever possessed it. With another war between the English and the French looming ahead, the race was on from all sides to find it at all cost.

As the relic hunters drew close, those who were responsible for keeping it safe were forced to move it, and this movement created more upheaval in times of chaos.In these troubling times, Sir Thomas Hookton is busy sacking a castle for a French Count whose wife ran away with the lord of the castle. Sir Thomas Hookton is a very successful mercenary known as Le Batard, and he leads a troop of archers and men-at-arms to serve whoever pays him the most money. Though he meets his end of the bargain, the Count in question, even after having retrieved his errant wife and exacted gruesome revenge on the lord of the castle, short-changes Le Batard. Before Le Batard could collect his just payment from the Count, he is called back by his British liege lord and sent on an important mission to find the Sword of Saint Peter.

Here are some excerpts -

"Bernard Cornwell does the best battle scenes of any writer I've read, past or present."
- George R. R. Martin (author of Game of Thrones)

"His characters are vividly drawn, betrayals lurk around every corner, the humor is as sharp as swords, and the action is nonstop."
- Sharon Kay Penman (one of my personal favorites)

"Cornwell's cinematically detailed battle pieces are literal tours de force."
- Washington Post

Now, on to why I really loved this book.... As I was reading it, everything seemed so unfair. Those who had rank and money could do anything they wanted to do. And the Catholic Church, with its supposed moral righteousness behind it, did everything it wanted to do. A priest's word was all the society needed to find someone guilty of consorting with the devil or some other crime (by the way, how do you fight such a claim? Where can anyone begin?). Then this person would be executed, in very cruel way for that crime. There was very little anyone could do to save a person who had been label thus (especially in places far away from large towns). When I thought about what it would be like to watch my loved one jailed, tortured, then executed for no crime greater than a crime of expediency for the powerful, the impotence of the situation horrified me.

A couple of night ago, I was laying down with my little daughter who called for me in the early morning. Just as I was holding her, a stream of sunshine fingered into her room and illuminated the side of her face where she has a small mole close to her hairline. That mole sent a chill down my spine as I was transported back to the world of 1356. My daughter could have been wrenched away from my arms for that mole alone, jailed and tortured, and maybe even executed for no other reason than someone accused her of a crime.

How does anyone live with that kind of loss and injustice?

I gleefully think about Le Batard taking revenge on the culprits for us.

I think about committing acts of sheer foolishness that would cement my death as well. Do I want to live without my precious child?

But I think the worst possible answer could be that I just have to live with it. I have no other choice. I have to wake up the next day and live my life as if nothing had changed since there was nothing I can do to change anything. Not even for the next victim.

Even though I didn't know it, this book held me under its spell well after I finished the book. My mind made associations I never realized (I'm not sure if there were moles or consorting with the devil actually in the book) and forced me to put myself in the place of these people who lived so long ago. For that alone, I recommend this book.

1356 by Bernard Cornwell is set in a divided France at a time when the Engish were dominant on the field of battle because of their deadly long bow archers. Compared to Cornwell's earlier historical novels set in the time of Alfred the Great and Agincourt, 1356 has been something of a disappointment, especially in the earlier chapters, where the dialogue is too lengthy and makes little progress until about half way through the story. However, the detail Cornwell includes about the making of the long bow, the arrows (quite an industry involving a lot of skill and numerous crafts people) and their transport to the scenes of battle, are fascinating. Some events in the story are what I would call "just in time," like one used to see in old serial moveis at the cinema when our hero is saved at the last gasp by a well aimed, but quite unexpected arrow. Tension inducing, but how often do such events happen in reality to one person? Overall, I quite enjoyed 1356, but it is not one of Cornwell's better efforts. C+. PS I have read the book for a second time and have revised my views. B++!

Thomas of Hookton returns in Bernard Cornwell's latest "1356". It has been a decade since we first met Thomas in "Archer's Tale" and he is still up to his old antics. Like most of Cornwell's books "1356" has a historical battle as the backdrop. Battle of Poitiers is not only the background but it also can be treated as a character.

Hookton is on another quest, in this installment but the book lacks the heart of the previous efforts. Cornwell does an excellent job with dialogue, setting and the battle. However, he is lacking with a viable subplot and I felt he compacted a trilogy of books into one volume. Cornwell is one of my favorite writers and I am glad that I read the book it isn't one of his best.

I have read all of Mr. Cornwell's novels (with the exception of the Sharpe series) and have always looked forward to any new ones he publishes, whether they be about the time of Alfred the Great or the period of the 100 Years War. I just finished 1356 and found that I skipped my way through a lot of it, which was unusual. I think maybe I am just tired of the constant scrapes that the hero of this book (somehow)finds his way out of - no matter how bleak the situation looks, something always happens or someone always appears to help him out of the current jam. The whole time I was reading, I was reminded of the M*A*S*H episode where Hawkeye was reading a newsletter that Frank Burns was sending to his patients back home and stated something along the lines that "your exploits make Superman look like a fairy". I always get my Cornwell books from the library, so I do not have buyer's remorse, but I still felt cheated. I know that the hero isn't supposed to die, but...

Unlike many of the other reviewers, I did not have much history with Bernard Cornwell's books before reading his new one, 1356. I found it to be a fast-paced, enjoyable bit of historical fiction, centering in part around a legendary weapon, the lost sword of St. Peter. Searching for it are various parties including Thomas of Hookton, a.k.a. Le Batard, leader of a band of English mercenaries who just might end up playing a role in the Battle of Poitiers. Cornwell is often lauded for his battle scenes, and I found the Poitiers re-creation to be quite intense. I lent this novel to a fellow book club member who's a big BC fan, and he felt that 1356 was TOO violent -- too much blood & guts. I can see his point, but there was enough excitement for me in the intrigue, the hunt for the sword, and the tactics within the battles, to keep me "glued to the page."

In chapter five Thomas meets the dowager Countess of Malbuisson. I kept hoping she'd turn up again because she was my favorite character in the book. No such luck.
The villains were evil enough and the heroes had just enough grit so that they weren't angels. Except for Roland, maybe. The virgin knight who was too good for his own good.
England's king was also France's, but they didn't see it that way. So everyone was out to kill everyone else most of the time. Plus there was a magical sword that St.Peter had used in the garden which was cursed by Christ himself. Who'd want a cursed blade? Seems like nearly everyone, especially the church.
It took me a while to figure out who was who and just what they were after, but once the battle began I think I had things fairly well in mind. There is plenty of gore for both sides to enjoy. And Mr.Cornwell is a very good story teller.

3.5 stars

It took me a while for my attention to get drawn into this novel. Mainly because I discovered, only after I'd started reading the thing, that it's actually the fourth novel in Bernard Cornwell's Grail Quest series. Now, other people may have no problem picking up and reading a book from the middle of a series, but me? Um, yeah, that doesn't work for me. For better of worse, I tend to be rather OCD about book series: I hate reading books from the middle of one, and the idea of skipping around, reading the books out of order, positively drives me bonkers, giving me an eye twitch and the beginnings of a foamy mouth. So when I found out 1356 was number four in a series, I nearly screamed.* I also nearly stopped reading. However, I have such a backlog of ARCs I need to read and review that the notion of me trying to plow through the first three books (and that's only if I were able to find them at my local, woefully lacking, library in the first place) while still keeping up with my other ARCs just so I could be comfortable reading 1356 nearly gave me the same eye twitch as as the one I was trying to develop due to reading 1356 in the first place. (Wow, that was an exhausting sentence!) So I took myself in hand (which is an idiom I've always found vaguely naughty, most likely because of my brain's permanent dwelling place in a nice and comfy gutter), gave myself a stern talking to, and soldiered on with 1356, suffering only the occasional eye spasm in the process.

I also had a rough beginning with this book as for the longest time I couldn't identify with or be sympathetic to any of the characters. It took some time for them to mean anything to me, even the main character, Sir Thomas Hookton, aka le Bâtard, leader of the Hellequin, a band of mercenaries working in France while serving under the aegis of the Earl of Northampton. Eventually, though, I warmed up to Thomas and his band, especially Brother Michael and the Irishman, Keane (the latter mainly due to his adoption of a couple of wolfhounds away from the Frenchmen who were hunting down him and Thomas; as an animal lover, it was a particularly satisfying scene).

The story itself is interesting yet oddly forgettable. Revolving around a mythical sword said to be the sword of Saint Peter, a sword said to grant whoever bears it certain victory over his foes, both the French and English army have sent scouts to find it in order to aid their endeavors. (If the year of the book's title doesn't hold any significance for you, it was in that year the Battle of Poitiers took place, which was the second major engagement of the Hundred Years' War. Edward, also known as the Black Prince--for what reason is still debated among historians--the son of King Edward III, had raided France that year, his second chevauchée [a destructive raid designed to inflict severe economic disaster on the enemy] through that war-torn country, spurring King Jean II of France to pursue him. The two ultimately met at Poitiers, and even though the English army was outnumbered, road-weary, thirsty, and exhausted, and though the battle was long, the English came out on top, capturing around 2,000 members of the French aristocracy, including King Jean himself, whose ransom alone--six million gold écus--was equivalent to about a third of France's GNP.) So each side believes they are in the right and that this sword, la Malice, will bring God's wrath down upon their enemies. In between battle scenes and personal dramas revolving around Thomas and his band we watch as this sword gets shuffled around from place to place and from person to person as it falls into the hands of those who would hide it and those who would abuse it. Eventually it finds itself in the possession of Sculley, a wild Scotsman marginally under the control of the Lord of Douglas, on the side of King Jean. After a brief but bloody sword fight between Sculley and Thomas, the fate of la Malice was something of an anticlimax. Maybe that was the point, but it just seemed rather disappointing. And that was the overall sensation I took away from my reading experience. It just felt as though the book was missing something, as though I was only getting part of the story. Perhaps it's due to the fact that it is number four in a series. Perhaps it's better read as part of a whole, when all the pieces fit together into a larger, more detailed picture.

I also have to disagree with the blurb on the cover from George R.R. Martin in which he states "Bernard Cornwell does the best battle scenes of any writer I've ever read, past or present." Well, I'm very sorry George, but the author who writes the best battle scenes is still, to my mind, Conn Iggulden. Cornwell writes vivid, bloody, stirring scenes, to be sure, but they're nowhere near as atmospheric and breath-taking as Iggulden's. That's not to say Cornwell's writing is flawed. I've read his Warlord Chronicles, which tackled the story of King Arthur, and like those books, 1356 is a cracking good read. The dialogue is fast-paced, accessible without being overly-anachronistic, the story moves along and keeps your attention, doling out information in just the right amount without slowing down the action, and he allows the characters to develop as the story moves along so that by the end, though they may not be complex creatures, they're far from cardboard cutouts. At least for his "good guys"; Cornwell's bad guys in this novel tend to suffer slightly from the Black Hat Syndrome in that they're after one thing or one person, their motives for going after that thing or person are narrowly drawn (i.e. revenge or greed or simply because they're a black-hearted knave who loves being bad), and as such become near-caricatures of people. Basically, they're villains because they're villains and nothing more. Thomas is the most three-dimensional character of all; he's obviously one of the good 'uns, yet he does shady, even downright criminal things, he has conflicting emotions between what he's doing and what he should be doing--basically he behaves like a human being, especially one who's often placed between a rock and a hard place and must choose the lesser of two evils in order to move. (Two clichés in one sentence, woo hoo!) That said, I suppose the goal of most writers is for you, as the reader, to empathize with the good guys and Cornwell certainly accomplishes that. Or at least for me he did. Every time one of the characters found themselves in a perilous situation, I suffered along with them, heart beating rapidly, palms sweating, lips gnawed raw as my eyes zoomed across the page, reading as fast as I could in the hope that the character would soon find an escape.

So, yeah, despite some flaws and a slow start, in the end I would recommend this book as a good read. However, I do believe it would've been even better had I gotten to it after first reading the three books that came before it.

*It doesn't help that this brought up one of my biggest pet-peeves about book publishing: Why can't publishers identify a book that's part of a series? How difficult would it be to put a small number somewhere on the spine, or place, in small typeset, a sentence somewhere on the front cover informing potential readers that the book they're holding is #__ in a series? Or, at the very least, place a page at the front of the book listing the titles, in chronological order, that belong to a particular series, allowing the person holding said book to exclaim, "Hey, this is book #4 in the series! I need to read these other books first!" Really, would it put such a huge dent in their bottom line? I think not. In fact, doing so would encourage more sales, in my not-so-humble opinion: First of all, people wouldn't get ticked off about picking up a book in the middle of a series, and secondly, in my experience, people like to buy in bulk, so when they find the first (clearly labeled) book in a series, they tend to pick up the second one at the same time.

This is a nicely written historical novel I somedays do not pick up because I know it will be so hard to put down. Near the beginning of the book I had to look up a word on every other page to fully understand the story, including some Old French expressions and archaic English words. Dictionary.com, Google Search and Google Images easily got me through this. By page 50 I was educated enough regarding the 1350's to only need to look up a word every 4-5 pages. I have learned SO much general information about the time period including how and why they fought, money, religion, marriage, the lack of women's rights and the dangers to the ruling class and to the peasants. One aspect of the book I really appreciate is that the author cleanly includes in the story the sexual activity, attitudes, mores and violence of that time. There are many historical novels I have read only a few pages of because the author insisted on graphic descriptions regarding this subject(wow, we're not stupid). I would recommend this book to seniors in high school and all adults who are interested in learning more about our history and reading an entertaining well written story. 1356: A Novel

First posted on the store.co.uk on 8 October 2012

As so many others, I happen to be a fan of Bernard Cornwell. Accordingly, I bought and read this book which continues the story of Thomas Hookton, the English archer of Cornwell's previous trilogy and who has now been knighted and leads the Hellequin, a band of English and Gascon "mercenaries" during the first part of the Hundred Years War.

This book still has some of the qualities that made Bernard Cornwell's fame. The historical context, the two "Chevauchées" of the Prince of Wales in 1355 and 1356, are largely accurate although there are a couple of problems which I will come back to. The reader gets his usual dose of heavy fighting, with lots of blood and violence - although no sex, because this is something that Cornwell generally does not do in his novels. There is also yet another Quest, but for the sword of St Peter this time. The story also builds up to its climax - the battle of Poitiers - where Edward of Woodstock, Prince of Wales, won a crushing victory and captured Jean II le Bon, the French king. By and large, the book reads well and the story is exciting, even if utterly predictable, but this is where the problems start piling up. At times, it seems like the author got somewhat careless or did not really put his heart into the story he was writing and the historical context in which it was taking place.
Starting with the story telling, I could not refrain from grunting, sighing and being disappointed because, at times, it descends into stereotypes. It reads like an adventure story for teenagers (and English teenagers, specifically), and it is rather implausible and biased.

First, the reader is asked to believe that the Hellequin were prevented to rape and kill the populations by their leader, making them somewhat more "virtuous" in an age when rape, slaughter, looting and burning where not only common practices on all sides, but were also the norm. This would make very exceptional when compared to all the other bands, whether Anglo-Gascon, French or any other "company" of professional soldiers across the whole of Western Europe at the time. This is highly unlikely, implausible, and even goes against whatever historical records we had. Anglo-Gascon war bands build themselves a rather atrocious reputation across France at the time for precisely these behaviours. The French bands were no better, of course, since all professional soldiers very much "lived on the country".

Second, many of the characters in the story tend to be stereotypes. There is the character of Thomas of Hookton himself, who seems to be a blend of several historical characters, but with all "unsympathetic" aspects removed. One seems to be the Bâtard de Mauleon, a Gascon war leader who served the English and was known for his ruthless efficiency, but also for quite a few atrocities. Another seems to be Hugh Calveley, another historical figure and an English soldier who commanded the archers on the English side at Crécy became the captain of one of the Great Companies and was one of the rare ones to die of natural causes at a ripe old age. The point here is that Thomas of Hookton appears both ruthlessly efficient and "nice", an association which was somewhat incompatible, given the troubled times. Some of the other characters are almost caricatures, as other reviewers have also noticed. We have a sadistic priest, a power crazy cardinal, a fat and cruel count and a vain, indecisive and incompetent King, just to mention a few of them. Of course, they are all French. In contrast with this, we have the veteran, gruff and no-nonsense Earl of Salisbury, our hero Thomas, protector and saviour of ladies in distress and even the Prince of Wales recast as a reborn Richard the Lionheart, although with a fondness for gambling and women. Moreover, the only two sympathetic characters - but both flawed - on the French side (a naïve and innocent French knight and a young Scots) both happen to change sides to fight for the English at Poitiers. I could not help finding that all of this was a bit too much, rather implausible and somewhat biased.

Then there is the historical context itself. This is perhaps where I was the most surprised and disappointed, because Bernard Cornwell's research is generally superb and comprehensive. In this book, he has - again - chosen to emphasize the discipline of the English forces and, above all, the lethal efficiency of the longbow archers against the ill-disciplined French. He also tends to oppose the respective leaderships on each side. While basically correct, these oppositions tend to be over-emphasized and sometimes lead to contradictions.

One of these contradictions arises when Chevauchées are mentioned. As Bernard Cornwell states both in the book and in his historical note, these were long-range raids whose purpose were to loot and destroy the enemy's economic resources, leaving him weakened and, ideally, unable to take the field and afford the expenses of future campaigns. This tactic was nothing new. It had been carried out for centuries (think of the so-called "harroying of the North" by William the Conqueror, for instance). Such tactics could be ruthlessly efficient but their aim was certainly not to draw the enemy into a set-piece battle. On the contrary, it was to create as much havoc as possible and retreat to friendly territory before the enemy army could be gathered in sufficient numbers and brought in to cut of the retreat. It was to increase their chances in what were essentially "hit-and-run" tactics on a large scale that the English "Chevauchées" of 1355 and 1356 only included a few thousand mounted men.

Such as strategy of attrition made perfect sense for the English given that the Kingdom of England was both poorer and much less populated than France (England's population at the beginning of the war and before the Great Plague has been estimated at 3 million, about a quarter of that of the Kingdom of France). It also offered the advantage of paying the army on the enemy's resources and of recouping the large costs of fitting out the expeditions. However, they were far from being entirely successful. As the book hints at a couple of time, they did not have siege equipment, which would have slowed them down considerably, and could not afford to get bogged down into besieging well-fortified and well-defended cities or castles. So if the first assault was repulsed, they were likely to retreat, rather than persist and allow the French time enough to gather a large army and close with them.
On the other hand, the French strategy was to gather a large enough army to catch the English invaders, trap them and force them to fight in the most unfavourable conditions possible, and crush them. It took time to gather an army such as it would outnumber the English force. Besides, at a time when there were no permanent royal army, the place of gathering could only be determined once the English raid had already begun. Finally, the English raiding force was at its most vulnerable towards the end of the campaign season, when it would be slowed down by its plunder and would be starting to make its way home. With this in mind, all three of the most crushing English victories (Crécy, Poitiers, and Azincourt) were battles that were won against the odds, when a smaller, tired and hungry English army got trapped and forced to fight a battle after a long campaign season by a larger French army that was pursuing it.

Another element that is somewhat missing from Bernard Cornwell's book is the state of the Kingdom of France and the context of the English "Cheveauchées" in 1355 and 1356. The author's claim that Jean II did not react to the 1355 raid because he was indecisive is somewhat biased and he is telling only part of the story here. The year before, a major rebellion had erupted in Normandy under Charles King of Navarre and Count of Evreux, who had a better claim to the throne of France than the Valois (And whom the English quickly supported). Charles (nicknames the Bad) also had the Constable of France (that is the supreme leader of the French army after the King) murdered. In addition, the King's coffers were empty, which, given the years of warfare and the Great Plague, is not entirely surprising. So, the King had his hand full with a major threat much closer to Paris and had no money to pay for an army for a distant expedition. There was therefore no way he could put a stop to the Prince of Wales' raiding in the South of France before he solved these two more immediate problems.

This is where the differences in respective leadership and legitimacy came in play. Philippe VI de Valois was not a great warrior-king; neither was his son Jean II le Bon. Although, in both cases, their incompetence may have been exaggerated, they did commit what appears, with hindsight, to be huge blunders by attacking the entrenched English army rather than starving it out. This, however, would have been seen as "cowardly" and contrary to chivalry. More to the point, one of the main problems of the Valois Kings was their ability to be obeyed - or their lack of it - by the nobles. Their greatest nobles and captains all tended to believe they knew better than anyone else what needed to be done and the Kings' power and authority, being rather weak, allowed for this. This state of affairs was of course exacerbated by the time of Azincourt, when the French King at the time - Charles VI -had gone mad. This meant poor discipline, a lack of coordination on the French side and even an unwillingness to fight under someone else's orders. The consequences of this could be quite devastating without the English having anything to do about it. At Crécy, the French knight trampled over the King's Genoese mercenary crossbowmen, essentially putting them out of the fight and depriving their side of any chance to counter the English long bows. At Poitiers, a third of the army, under the command of the King's own brother refused to assault the English positions, contrary to orders, and retreating without even fighting.

To conclude, this book, while still good, is not worth more than three stars. In addition to the bibliography mentioned in Bernard Cornwell's historical note, I can recommend two other books, if only to have a more objective view than what the author has come up with:
- One is Barbara Tuchman's "A Distant Mirror", first published in 1978, and the chapter of the battle of Poitiers in particular
- The other one is the last volume of Maurice Druon's "Accursed Kings" series, with is titled "Quant un roi perd la France" (When a king loses France"), first printed in 1977, and which is on Jean II le Bon's reign, and Poitiers in particular. The story is told by the cardinal of Talleyrand-Périgord who tried in vain to prevent the battle. I am not sure whether it has been translated into English (unlike the previous volumes in the series, I could not find it in English on the store.co.uk), but it is a rather superb read.

Suggested order of reading.
The Archer's Tale (First introduction to Thomas of Hookton, and first book in The Grail Quest))
Vagabond (Second book in the Grail Quest)
Heretic (Third Book in the Grail Quest)
1356 (The Return of Thomas of Hookton)
Agincourt (Nicholas Hook)

Pros:
This is a well written book. It is a stand alone tale that really brings you into the heart and feel of southern France. Cornwell is amazing at battle scenes, moving you from the front lines up to the commanders tactical view and then back to the mud and blood on the ground.

Cons
It really requires you to have read the Grail series first. If you read the Grail series it is very similar. Still very enjoyable.

This is another great story by Bernard Cornwell, set in the Middle Ages, during the wars between England and France. The central Character, Thomas, was introduced in an earlier novel. Here you see Thomas slightly older but improved with experience and age, still stuck in France, fighting the same wars. The plot is simple, but with enough twists and turns to keep the reader's interest. The action scenes are outstanding, some of the best I've read, that carry the reader right into the battle where you hear the din of sword on shield, smell the smells and see the enemy swinging at you with battle-axe and morning star. A great read, lots of fun. Cornwell is a master at his craft. Buy this one, you won't be disappointed.

This is another huge doorstop of an historical novel by one of my favorite authors. This is his 49th published novel & Cornwell never disappoints me. In this one, Thomas of Hookton who began as a mere archer in an earlier novel is now an English knight & leads his own band of archers & horsemen. He's on a quest in France & soon his quest is subsumed into the larger conflict between the French & the English which culminates in the 1356 battle of Poitiers, where once again a vastly outnumbered English force faces off against a much larger French Army. Cornwell develops characters we care about, both fictional & real. He takes history & enlivens it. He takes dry research & transforms it into a thrilling read. He's done it again!

This novel can easily be read as a stand-alone novel but it does feature Thomas of Hookton, the protagonist of his "Grail Quest" series and I believe those that have read those three books previously will have an even greater appreciation for this one. The title of this novel, of course, refers to the year in which it takes place, 1356, during the Hundred Years War. The action takes place in France. The heir to the British throne, the Prince of Wales, best known as the "Black Prince" is set to invade. The French have teamed up with their Scottish allies and are ready to rumble.

But pivitol to the outcome of the coming battles are rumors of an artifact, the lost sword of Saint Peter, said to grant certain victory to whoever possesses it. This is not a unique concept for a Grail Quest novel, as Thomas of Hookton has previously hunted down the Holy Grail itself.

But do not think of this as a "battle" book. While Cornwell is well known for writing extremely accurate battle scenes (at least as best can be known of such historical details) this novel delves into many areas beyond the battle. In fact the culmination of the novel, the actual battle of Poitiers does not begin until the final 60 pages or so. Prior to that we are treated to all sorts of adventures among various factions, well-drawn characters, and an engaging plot. Thomas of Hookton, himself is a great protagonist but he shares time with a host of intriguing characters from scoundrels to the pious, all leading the reader to keep turning pages and wishing for further entries in this series.

This 4th book of the series did a great job of progressing the story of Thomas of Hookton that started all the way back to 2005 with "The Archer's Tale". You can't help but root for the main characters and really dislike the villains in this edition. So much medieval history and actual events are wrapped around this awesome fictional story that it's sometimes difficult to believe that they aren't real people. Bernard Cornwell does a masterful job of story telling!

Bernard Cornwell's new book "1356: A Novel" is the fourth in his "Grail Quest" series relating the exploits of English archer Thomas Hookton (previous books were "The Archer's Tale," "The Vagabond," and "The Heretic"). As with almost all of Cornwell's books, the story of "1356"revolves around a rela historical battle-in this case the Battle of Poitiers during the Hundred Years'War. The book is very well written, with interesting characters, a suspenseful plot, plenty of military action, and an outstanding climactic battle which combines key elements of the story line with historical interpretation of the actual battle tactics used at Poitiers.

In this story Thomas leads a troop of mercenaries made up of skilled English longbowmen, fighting for the English Black Prince in France. He is sent on a mission to recover the lost sword of St. Peter, which is beleived to give immense poser to its wielder. This sets him at odds with an evil Cardinal seeking the same relic for the French, leading to a series of adventures, battles and narrow escapes. Thomas is a well-drawn character, an outstanding military leader and basically a good man, but shaped by the harsh world in which he lives. Unfortunately the Cardinal and other villains tend to be a bit more one-dimensional-cruel, power hungry, and deceitful with no redeeming qualities.

Overall I enjoyed the book-the story pulled me into Thomas's world, and the action scenes are both exciting as story elements and interesting as military history. Thomas is a fascinating character (though the villains are somewhat stereotypical), and the final battle sequence is excellent. Cornwell makes a good case here that the Battle of Poitiers, thought much less well-known, should rank alongside Agincourt and Crecy in the annals of history. My biggest complaint about "1356" is that Thomas Hookton seems to have an amazingly improbable affinity for Christian holy relics-he was previously involved with both the Lance of St. George and the Holy Grail, and now seeks the Sword of St. Peter. Perhaps it is a minor issue, but for me it detracted from the realism of the story-I kept wondering how a single English archer could encounter so many legendary artifacts where so many had failed before.

I am new to Bernard Cornwell (I have heard of his Sharpe's Rifles (Richard Sharpe's Adventure Series #1), but I had made no previous connection between this series and the author of 1356 - clearly Cornwell is no stranger to historical fiction, and it shows here. Apparently our intrepid hero, Thomas Hookton, is a character from another series of his, The Archer's Tale (The Grail Quest, Book 1) - which would explain the allusions to the the Holy Grail. It works equally well as a "stand-alone" book, although my appetite has been whetted for more by Cornwell and more on Hookton.

The story begins with a quest (fitting for the setting of the late middle ages) for the sword Peter allegedly used at Gesthemene, and competing groups seeking to obtain it. With this lure, Cornwell pulls readers into the zenith of the 100 Year's War: scarcely a decade following the "Great Mortality", the Pope in Avignon, and France fighting for its survival. As the relic is pursued, found and chased, the English wreak havoc on the French countryside, seeking to force them to battle - the sword of Peter and control of France are intertwined. With such high drama as a backdrop, Cornwell iinserts Hookton and his band of mercenaries, their own journey paralleling the quest of the relic. While this was all and good, Cornwell is clearly at his best when describing combat - both individual and large-scale, which is the climax of the book, the lesser-known (compared to Crecy or Agincourt) battle of Poitiers.

There is much to recommend here: Cornwell does a masterful job of describing medieval combat, his Thomas Hookton a loveable rogue. However, the antagonists were a bit one-sided: fat, corrupt, cowardly, manipulative, weak - I get that they're the bad guys, but I like my characters a little more well-rounded. Still, I recommend the book - either on its own, or (as I'll soon be doing), reading those prior to 1356 The Archer's Tale (The Grail Quest, Book 1),Vagabond and Heretic (The Grail Quest, Book 3). This is not high literature, nor does it pretned to be. On its own merits as a manly romp through difficult times, its a fun read.

My first exposure to Bernard Cornwell was his revolutionary era book the Fort: A Novel of the Revolutionary War. It was a wonderfully well-written tale of a British occupational force and the events surrounding an attempt by Colonial forces to dislodge them. It was one of those books that you just could not put down. So I had such extremely high hopes for "1356" that I was afraid I would be disappointed. I needn't be as this story was just as good and addictive. I read this in two sittings, half on a plane from Los Angeles to Washington DC and the other half on the return trip two days later. It got to the point that I hoped the landing was delayed a few minutes so that I could finish the last chapter.

The story to be about events leading up to and including the battle of Poitiers but ultimately is about the fictional search for "la Malice", purportedly to be the sword Saint Peter used in defending Christ. It is said that the sword has powers that will lead to victory for the side that carries it into battle. Sir Thomas of Hockton has been given the task of finding the relic before the French can. Along the way he and his small army of archers are hunted alternately by the French, the Scottish, the Church, and pretty much anyone else who would like to claim the reward for his head. This leads to a series of exciting and brutally violent encounters as Sir Thomas is forced to protect himself, his family, and his men from destruction.

The story absolutely flows. Cornwell has a talent to weave a tale that is exciting, interesting, and at the same time based around historical events. Although some of the main characters are fictional many others are based on true-life people. It is a great view of historical events written around fictional personalities. I would rate this as high as one of my favorite historical fiction books, The Winds of War.

I've read just about everything Cornwell has written. This is not his best work.
This novel does not stand alone very well as their are numerous references to characters and events from the first three novels. The characters don't undergo much development at all. Frankly, this novel tried to pack in far too many characters without much focus. Even the central quest for 'La Malice' remains largely irrelevant.

If you're not a Cornwell fan you can safely pass on this one.

This is a great book. A continuation of the the Grail series. Bernard Cornwell makes it seem as if you are right in the action. The book is one I had a hard time putting down. I hope to see these characters in another book.

I'm a long time Bernard Cornwell fan and I'm happy to say that he met my rather high expectations again. After having just abandoned a present day spy thriller by another author because he bored me, I was ready to read a really good book.

You know there are some books that you hate to reach the end? This one was very close. The author knows how to tell a story well, and how to make it historically accurate without boring us with too much detail about armor or weapons from that era.

The characters in this book have appeared in prior books, but there's no need to read them first.

Thanks, Bernard Cornwell, for hours of enjoyment.

This is a fine book in Cornwell's typical style: historical fiction that is both thrilling and thought provoking, exciting as well as emotionally powerful. Set against the backdrop of the Battle of Poitiers in the Hundred Years' War, this book also tells the story of its hero's quest for a certain sword with alleged mystical powers--a pretty standard medieval fantasy plot, but it's quite cool watching the fantasy staples unfold alongside, and interact with, the reality of the period in which they're set. Strong characters, compelling subplots, thrilling action scenes and excellent pacing round out a fun medieval romp.

I'm a big fan of Bernard Cornwell's Richard Sharpe and Saxon Tales books. This is my first foray into his Grail series, and I have to say I don't like it quite as much.

1356 has a lot of satisfying historical and cultural detail, a great epic setting (the Hundred Years War and the Battle of Poitiers), and a cool Indiana Jones-y premise: la Malice, the cursed/blessed falchion of St. Peter, is in play in France, and the man who can seize it will be king. There are interesting secondary characters (the virgin knight who falls in love with a married woman), great fighting scenes, and good dialog. So this is a good book, I really enjoyed it.

Where it could have been even better is in two places. First, Thomas Hookton is a little bland. He's no Uhtred of Bebbanburg, with clearly-drawn hatreds and loyalties, and sometimes seems to be just an archer in charge of other archers, wandering around in France because that's what his lord wants him to do. Second, the whole la Malice plot, in the end, sort of fizzles. After a great graverobbing scene and a brutal interrogation, both at the beginning of the book, la Malice never seems to matter again, and at the end, Hookton just [DELETED DUE TO SPOILERS]. Eh. Kind of underwhelming, a limp note in an otherwise strong book.

It can be read as a standalone novel, or read as the fourth Thomas of Hookton novel. Once again, Cornwell infuses detailed historical fiction with a fictional "quest", and it makes for very entertaining reading. The quest, in this case, is the hunt for Peter's sword, and while Thomas and his Hellequin are battling with bishops, the forces of England and France are marching towards the famous Battle of Poitiers. The characters and setting are brilliant. The depiction of the great battle at the end of the novel is suspenseful and detailed.

As with most Cornwell stories, not only will you be entertained, but also you will learn some history and about some famous historical characters. A superbly told tale that leaves you satisfied and wanting more Thomas of Hookton and the 100 Years War. Highly recommended for anyone who likes history or adventure.

Bernard Cornwell is the best historical fiction writer I've ever read, and 1356 tops all of the previous novels of his that I have read. Set in the Hundred Years War between England and France, the main character is Thomas of Hookton. While doing mercenary work with his unruly band of men, his lord instructs him to retrieve the sword of St. Peter, which is supposed to have magical powers. The sword is also being sought by Cardinal Besiers. To complicate matters, Thomas's wife and child are abducted and he has to free them. This culminates in a bloody battle between the British and the French.

I enjoyed everything about this novel. Not only is Thomas of Hookton a great character, but the novel is chocked full of great characters. Cornwell does a great job of coming up with believable characters with motivations that are easy to relate to. The action is well done. The novel moves at a quick pace. The prose is top notch. There is adventure, intrigue, and suspense in abundance. I would love to find something to criticize but I can't. This is an excellent novel that I highly recommend.

Carl Alves - author of Blood Street

Cue the trumpets. Unfurl the banners. There is a royal cardinal of historical fiction among us. Me? I'd kiss his ring and vote him pope.

Bernard Cornwell is the living cultural treasure of which I speak. Here's a Englishman, an ex-TV producer who followed his heart to Cape Cod and couldn't get a green card. So he wrote the Richard Sharp series (21 novels) about a rifleman who follows Wellington from India to the Battle of Waterloo. See the DVD if you don't believe me. Never has history tasted more true.

There is no era of blood and guts that Cornwell has not gored and scored. He's written 40 novels and is considered "the most prolific and successful novelist in the world today" (Wall Street Journal). The King Arthur legend, the Saxon invasion of England, the Revolutionary War, the Civil War, and the 1350's War of the Roses, he's marched his sparse prose through every one.

1356, his newest, tells how yeoman English archers, with pluck and luck and sharp stiletto daggers, pop the eyes out of the cream of France and make a rabbit stew. He tells the birth tales of the professional soldier through the mists of time. His heroes struggle out of the gutter to gain the manner house. I await his serialized interpretation every spring and my library orders them by the bucket.

History is recoded by the winners, and Cornwell annotates the sights and sounds, the pompous and villainous, the abbots with nasty habits, slayers with haymakers and monster men who swing a morning star. He tells history far beyond the `Be All You Can Be' recruiting poster. He puts you in the melee and mud like no other.

War is hell and Cornwell writes in Technicolor. Swords were useless for fighting in the battle line, so smash an ax to split a steel helmet, swing a cudgel to clear a lane through the cannon fodder. The only difference between Cornwell's heroes and the hounds of hell is that they do not condone rape. Mayhem and chivalry, surely, but a lady's virtue is a gate best not trampled on Cornwell's turf.

Richard Sharp, Uhtred, Thomas of Hookton, Nathaniel Starbuck - these men have the spine of a nation, the genes of the Celts, the grip of the god-damns (French slang for the English). If ever a warrior looked into a mirror, it was to find a bit of Richard Sharp glinting back in his eye. There will be no boogey men inside the castle tonight, my darlings.

So raise your pens to Bernard Cornwell, a master of the craft and pinpoint accurate with a yew-bow at two hundred yards. If it weren't for his lineage, we'd all be eating pommes friets and goose liver pate with never a gold Louie between us. And the cries of our mothers would keep us awake at night as we pined for a blade.

Huzzah Lord Cornwell, the castle and keep of historical fiction are yours, well won.

Bernard Cornwell's "1356" is a standard Cornwell tale, this time set in 14th-century France in the run-up to the Battle of Poitiers. The reader is treated to Thomas of Hookton, a mid-level warlord whose mid-level position allows him to present as much of the story as possible to the reader. "1356" also features the common Cornwell churchmen-as-the-bad-guys antagonists, a mythical story made more realistic as Hookton searches for the legendary sword "la Malice" and plenty of Middle Ages battle sequences.

Anything wrong with that? Absolutely not - this is the work Cornwell does best, and this story shines. Granted, it might not shine as brightly as the Saxon or Arthurian series, but it shines nevertheless. "1356" will keep you engaged from start to finish, and Cornwell's battle scenes are legends by themselves. This is another great read by the author, and not to be missed.

Cornwell is in his zone when he writes about English history. He takes the time surrounding the battle of Poitiers and intertwines several believable stories ranging from disenchanted Scotsmen and French to what happened to the sword of St Peter(another Holy Grail). He does an excellent job of moving between the various stories, without confusing the reader (this is quite a feat because 2 characters have the same name). In the end, the various stories and history merged together on a field near Poitiers for an exciting and believable conclusion. For someone who has read the entire Sharpe series, Cornwell links this work with his Sharpe series. Historians and Cornwell (Sharpe's Series) say that the discipline of the British army in Spain and Portugal during the Napoleonic Wars was a major reason behind the British success. In 1356, Cornwell again references the discipline of the outnumbered English army as a reason for its success. Great novel and highly recommend it.

It doesn't usually take me long to get through Bernard Cornwell novels. They're among the high spots of my reading life. Sharpe . . . Uhtred . . . Starbuck . . . Give me a story with one of these guys in it, and I'm gone for the next day or two. And it rarely takes me longer than that.

This one did. Thomas of Hookton is one of Cornwell's less mesmerizing protagonists. I wasn't expecting another installment featuring him. The third book in the Archer series had an ending with a note of finality in it.

However, in this installment, a few years (and the Black Plague) have passed, and Thomas is back in France, head of a war band sworn to the Earl of Northampton, marauding from a base in Gascony in the south of France. He gets onto the trail of La Malice, a legendary, Grail-like icon - the sword, legend had it, that Peter used to defend Jesus at Gethsemane, a relic that's come down through the recently vanquished Templars over the centuries, and something an aspiring cardinal also searches for to enhance his own bid for the papacy. Thomas, excommunicated as a heretic, is up against the church once more.

Thomas, his band hired by a lord to retrieve the latter's cheating, runaway wife, does so, but then in turn frees her from him after they see the lord's bestial treatment of her and her lover. The lord's men take Thomas's wife Genevieve and their son hostage in return. When she's mistreated - you know it's going to be Payback Time.

Meanwhile the greater struggle looms. The Prince of Wales is pillaging southern France, but French King Jean draws criticism for failing to go after him, destroy him, and protect the land. The French have knights galore, but they haven't really figured out how to fight the dreaded English longbowmen like Thomas yet. The story climaxes with the historic battle of Poitiers, the culmination of a complicated series of events where the English, hungry, outnumbered and cut off, are trying to either retreat or negotiate a surrender.

Thomas isn't a bad sort as Cornwellian protagonists go. He's Sharpe Lite. He has a rough and ready amiability, he's fought his way up from the ranks to be a leader, but Cornwell has never really given him a distinct character in the way of the others:

Sharpe? Needs no restating. He's totally Eastwoodian, Sean Bean's portrayal of him in the BBC series notwithstanding.

Starbuck has that whole paradoxical thing going as the runaway Yale student son of an abolitionist minister, who finds himself stuck in the South as the Civil War breaks out. He ends up in the Confederate Army and finds he's good at it, meanwhile falling in love with the whore-with-a-heart-of-gold daughter of his best redneck sergeant.

Uhtred is great fun as a rollicking, pagan Viking-style Saxon, happily slaughtering and fighting on his way to Valhalla. And he has the paradoxes that make him interesting: a Saxon raised by Vikings but now fighting them; a pagan fighting to preserve the Christian kingdom of Alfred the Great.

Dervil in the Arthur series is more of an observer of Arthur, Guinevere, Lancelot and the others, so I don't hold him to the same standard, although Cornwell in any case makes him reasonably interesting. You really don't want him overshadowing the Arthurian cast of characters, and Cornwell wisely doesn't do that.

I think the problem with the Archer books is the unrelentingly Christian era in which they're set. Cornwell as an atheist often makes churchmen the foil, but his plots elsewhere don't center on them as much. He can throw in a benign one here or there for balance, (usually a jolly one who knows how to fight from his previous life, beloved by the troops in the field) and he can side his characters with secular forces opposed to this or that church or religion.

In the Archer series, though, Cornwell has no choice: His world is surrounded by church on every side, and the McGuffins he chooses - the Grail earlier and now La Malice - are inherently religious. He can make Thomas the bastard son of a priest (tsk, tsk), he can excommunicate him and his wife Genevieve, he can have both tortured by the church. But in the end, even they have religious notions and longings and wonderings, and Cornwell just isn't that comfortable with any of this. And he rails a bit too much about it. It's also the only one of his historical series where he grapples with mystical objects like the Holy Grail, and now, La Malice. As this book evolves his take on them refines: Good or bad, these objects pose too much potential for misuse by power-hungry men, and that's probably true.

Meanwhile, he gets a few too many laughs out of the Tebow-like Roland, a tournament champion who has never fought in real war, who has pledged to remain a virgin after having a vision of the Virgin Mary, and who seems to believe that the stories in romances are true. He's just the sort to be taken in by the wicked Cardinal Bessieres' ploy of creating an elite, holy order to go after La Malice. It's a bit heavy-handed. How much do you want to mock someone for being good?

There are some issues with the war itself. Kings, nobles and knights chase each other around France in an endless war with very little other than plunder and conquest on their minds. The Scots side with French except when they're siding with the English. The French are against the English except when they side with them, as the Gascons seem to do. Got that? In Cornwell's other books the wars are better defined in terms of who's fighting and why.

I caught Cornwell reusing stock devices here. Thomas adopts a version of Sharpe's rules for his soldiers - they can't get drunk except when he tells them it's OK, and no raping. He seems to lean on the lurid a little more - women being stripped naked before being tortured, abused, and so on, particularly early in the book. This isn't unknown in Cornwell's stories but he leans on it a little more heavily here. I'm not sure why.

His portrayal of the Battle of Poitiers - of which not that much is known - is good, as his battle portrayals always are; you can picture things quite clearly, which most writers can't manage. (A lot of writers can't even keep you oriented when the bad guy chases the good guy down the street and into an alley.) I like that the battle actually doesn't hinge that much on the archers' role, which in this series previously, they almost always have. Cornwell eschews the melodramatic for the real and that's just fine with me.

Anyway, if you're a Cornwell fan, read it. If you haven't read him yet, pick another one to start with.

I always like Bernard Cornwell historical novels. The research is solid and the story is always good (although sometimes predictable). A great way to learn history. I liked this series of the archer Thomas Hookton. The history of the English-French history of the 1300s is interesting.

However, the characters had little development and the plot was much too straightforward this time. Not Cornwell's best by any means. But still worthwhile.

Very well written. The battle at the end is described very clearly and exciting. However, I keep comparing this series to the Saxon series and it just doesn't measure up. I never really identified with the character, I guess. It seemed almost like a fantasy quest with history mixed in. Still good.

This novel can easily be read as a stand-alone novel but it does feature Thomas of Hookton, the protagonist of his "Grail Quest" series and I believe those that have read those three books previously will have an even greater appreciation for this one. The title of this novel, of course, refers to the year in which it takes place, 1356, during the Hundred Years War. The action takes place in France. The heir to the British throne, the Prince of Wales, best known as the "Black Prince" is set to invade. The French have teamed up with their Scottish allies and are ready to rumble.

But pivitol to the outcome of the coming battles are rumors of an artifact, the lost sword of Saint Peter, said to grant certain victory to whoever possesses it. This is not a unique concept for a Grail Quest novel, as Thomas of Hookton has previously hunted down the Holy Grail itself.

But do not think of this as a "battle" book. While Cornwell is well known for writing extremely accurate battle scenes (at least as best can be known of such historical details) this novel delves into many areas beyond the battle. In fact the culmination of the novel, the actual battle of Poitiers does not begin until the final 60 pages or so. Prior to that we are treated to all sorts of adventures among various factions, well-drawn characters, and an engaging plot. Thomas of Hookton, himself is a great protagonist but he shares time with a host of intriguing characters from scoundrels to the pious, all leading the reader to keep turning pages and wishing for further entries in this series.

This 4th book of the series did a great job of progressing the story of Thomas of Hookton that started all the way back to 2005 with "The Archer's Tale". You can't help but root for the main characters and really dislike the villains in this edition. So much medieval history and actual events are wrapped around this awesome fictional story that it's sometimes difficult to believe that they aren't real people. Bernard Cornwell does a masterful job of story telling!

Bernard Cornwell's new book "1356: A Novel" is the fourth in his "Grail Quest" series relating the exploits of English archer Thomas Hookton (previous books were "The Archer's Tale," "The Vagabond," and "The Heretic"). As with almost all of Cornwell's books, the story of "1356"revolves around a rela historical battle-in this case the Battle of Poitiers during the Hundred Years'War. The book is very well written, with interesting characters, a suspenseful plot, plenty of military action, and an outstanding climactic battle which combines key elements of the story line with historical interpretation of the actual battle tactics used at Poitiers.

In this story Thomas leads a troop of mercenaries made up of skilled English longbowmen, fighting for the English Black Prince in France. He is sent on a mission to recover the lost sword of St. Peter, which is beleived to give immense poser to its wielder. This sets him at odds with an evil Cardinal seeking the same relic for the French, leading to a series of adventures, battles and narrow escapes. Thomas is a well-drawn character, an outstanding military leader and basically a good man, but shaped by the harsh world in which he lives. Unfortunately the Cardinal and other villains tend to be a bit more one-dimensional-cruel, power hungry, and deceitful with no redeeming qualities.

Overall I enjoyed the book-the story pulled me into Thomas's world, and the action scenes are both exciting as story elements and interesting as military history. Thomas is a fascinating character (though the villains are somewhat stereotypical), and the final battle sequence is excellent. Cornwell makes a good case here that the Battle of Poitiers, thought much less well-known, should rank alongside Agincourt and Crecy in the annals of history. My biggest complaint about "1356" is that Thomas Hookton seems to have an amazingly improbable affinity for Christian holy relics-he was previously involved with both the Lance of St. George and the Holy Grail, and now seeks the Sword of St. Peter. Perhaps it is a minor issue, but for me it detracted from the realism of the story-I kept wondering how a single English archer could encounter so many legendary artifacts where so many had failed before.

I am new to Bernard Cornwell (I have heard of his Sharpe's Rifles (Richard Sharpe's Adventure Series #1), but I had made no previous connection between this series and the author of 1356 - clearly Cornwell is no stranger to historical fiction, and it shows here. Apparently our intrepid hero, Thomas Hookton, is a character from another series of his, The Archer's Tale (The Grail Quest, Book 1) - which would explain the allusions to the the Holy Grail. It works equally well as a "stand-alone" book, although my appetite has been whetted for more by Cornwell and more on Hookton.

The story begins with a quest (fitting for the setting of the late middle ages) for the sword Peter allegedly used at Gesthemene, and competing groups seeking to obtain it. With this lure, Cornwell pulls readers into the zenith of the 100 Year's War: scarcely a decade following the "Great Mortality", the Pope in Avignon, and France fighting for its survival. As the relic is pursued, found and chased, the English wreak havoc on the French countryside, seeking to force them to battle - the sword of Peter and control of France are intertwined. With such high drama as a backdrop, Cornwell iinserts Hookton and his band of mercenaries, their own journey paralleling the quest of the relic. While this was all and good, Cornwell is clearly at his best when describing combat - both individual and large-scale, which is the climax of the book, the lesser-known (compared to Crecy or Agincourt) battle of Poitiers.

There is much to recommend here: Cornwell does a masterful job of describing medieval combat, his Thomas Hookton a loveable rogue. However, the antagonists were a bit one-sided: fat, corrupt, cowardly, manipulative, weak - I get that they're the bad guys, but I like my characters a little more well-rounded. Still, I recommend the book - either on its own, or (as I'll soon be doing), reading those prior to 1356 The Archer's Tale (The Grail Quest, Book 1),Vagabond and Heretic (The Grail Quest, Book 3). This is not high literature, nor does it pretned to be. On its own merits as a manly romp through difficult times, its a fun read.

My first exposure to Bernard Cornwell was his revolutionary era book the Fort: A Novel of the Revolutionary War. It was a wonderfully well-written tale of a British occupational force and the events surrounding an attempt by Colonial forces to dislodge them. It was one of those books that you just could not put down. So I had such extremely high hopes for "1356" that I was afraid I would be disappointed. I needn't be as this story was just as good and addictive. I read this in two sittings, half on a plane from Los Angeles to Washington DC and the other half on the return trip two days later. It got to the point that I hoped the landing was delayed a few minutes so that I could finish the last chapter.

The story to be about events leading up to and including the battle of Poitiers but ultimately is about the fictional search for "la Malice", purportedly to be the sword Saint Peter used in defending Christ. It is said that the sword has powers that will lead to victory for the side that carries it into battle. Sir Thomas of Hockton has been given the task of finding the relic before the French can. Along the way he and his small army of archers are hunted alternately by the French, the Scottish, the Church, and pretty much anyone else who would like to claim the reward for his head. This leads to a series of exciting and brutally violent encounters as Sir Thomas is forced to protect himself, his family, and his men from destruction.

The story absolutely flows. Cornwell has a talent to weave a tale that is exciting, interesting, and at the same time based around historical events. Although some of the main characters are fictional many others are based on true-life people. It is a great view of historical events written around fictional personalities. I would rate this as high as one of my favorite historical fiction books, The Winds of War.

I've read just about everything Cornwell has written. This is not his best work.
This novel does not stand alone very well as their are numerous references to characters and events from the first three novels. The characters don't undergo much development at all. Frankly, this novel tried to pack in far too many characters without much focus. Even the central quest for 'La Malice' remains largely irrelevant.

If you're not a Cornwell fan you can safely pass on this one.

Over the years, I have heard about Bernard Cromwell's books. Since a lot of his material seemed to be battle rich, I erroneousely assumed they would probably be short on well crafted characters I could care about. I am glad I decided to go against my own assumptions. Not only is 1356 well written, it has very likable characters who I was rooting for and worried about when they seemed to be in peril.

In the midst of the battle raging between France and England, Lord Labrouillade hires the Hellequins to retrieve his adulterous wife who has run off with her lover. Led by Sir Thomas Hookton, the Hellequins are skilled and battle ready so the prospect of finding an errant wife proves to be a minor challenge. But rather than show the soldiers gratitude for their services, Lord Larouillade decided to betray them by paying them in coins worth far less than the agreed upon amount, a fact that does not sit well with Thomas. But Labrouillade has underestimated his opponent and the Hellequins not only catch up with him after he thinks he is safe, they collect what is owed them and humiliate him in front of his men.

Leaving the corrupt Lord Labrouillade, Thomas takes his men in search of La Malice, a sword sought by both warring factions. La Malice is believed to be the sword Peter wields in the garden of Gethsamane. Thomas's patron has ordered him to retrieve La Malice before the French can lay claim to it because each side believes that the sword may prove to be a useful weapon, not for it's ability as a weapon of war because of supernatural powers it may possess. Thomas, together with his band of warriors, his wife Genevieve and his son Hugh, set out to find the sword. Along the way they will make new friends, discover old enemies and exhibit bravery and honor in a time when such characteristics are hard to find but very necessary.

Thomas as a character felt very real to me. When he is first introduced, I assumed he was a brute fighting for his own gain and with very little care for anyone else. Instead, I was treated to an honorable man who tries to do what is right and feels true regret when he falls short. He has a very dry sense of humor that had me laughing out loud many times. His love for his wife and son is admirable and sweet. The author never falls into the trap I have seen with other writers of period pieces who try too hard to show how much research they put into the book by vomitting all the information in the form of overly descriptive prose. This author describes scenes,encounters and even meals taken in a very vivid way without ever taking the reader out of the story. By so doing, the reader remains engaged and focused and anticipating what will happen next.

My one complaint about the book was the slowing down of the pace toward the last hundered pages. There were battles that were described, people that were introduced that I just didn't care about. Of course, they were necessary to the story and their presence was needed to move the story along but their introduction slowed down the pacing and kept me from the characters I really cared about. But all in all, I really enjoyed this book and I can't wait to read more from Bernard Cromwell as well as more on Thomas Hookton.

This is a great book. A continuation of the the Grail series. Bernard Cornwell makes it seem as if you are right in the action. The book is one I had a hard time putting down. I hope to see these characters in another book.

I'm a long time Bernard Cornwell fan and I'm happy to say that he met my rather high expectations again. After having just abandoned a present day spy thriller by another author because he bored me, I was ready to read a really good book.

You know there are some books that you hate to reach the end? This one was very close. The author knows how to tell a story well, and how to make it historically accurate without boring us with too much detail about armor or weapons from that era.

The characters in this book have appeared in prior books, but there's no need to read them first.

Thanks, Bernard Cornwell, for hours of enjoyment.

This is a fine book in Cornwell's typical style: historical fiction that is both thrilling and thought provoking, exciting as well as emotionally powerful. Set against the backdrop of the Battle of Poitiers in the Hundred Years' War, this book also tells the story of its hero's quest for a certain sword with alleged mystical powers--a pretty standard medieval fantasy plot, but it's quite cool watching the fantasy staples unfold alongside, and interact with, the reality of the period in which they're set. Strong characters, compelling subplots, thrilling action scenes and excellent pacing round out a fun medieval romp.

I'm a big fan of Bernard Cornwell's Richard Sharpe and Saxon Tales books. This is my first foray into his Grail series, and I have to say I don't like it quite as much.

1356 has a lot of satisfying historical and cultural detail, a great epic setting (the Hundred Years War and the Battle of Poitiers), and a cool Indiana Jones-y premise: la Malice, the cursed/blessed falchion of St. Peter, is in play in France, and the man who can seize it will be king. There are interesting secondary characters (the virgin knight who falls in love with a married woman), great fighting scenes, and good dialog. So this is a good book, I really enjoyed it.

Where it could have been even better is in two places. First, Thomas Hookton is a little bland. He's no Uhtred of Bebbanburg, with clearly-drawn hatreds and loyalties, and sometimes seems to be just an archer in charge of other archers, wandering around in France because that's what his lord wants him to do. Second, the whole la Malice plot, in the end, sort of fizzles. After a great graverobbing scene and a brutal interrogation, both at the beginning of the book, la Malice never seems to matter again, and at the end, Hookton just [DELETED DUE TO SPOILERS]. Eh. Kind of underwhelming, a limp note in an otherwise strong book.

It can be read as a standalone novel, or read as the fourth Thomas of Hookton novel. Once again, Cornwell infuses detailed historical fiction with a fictional "quest", and it makes for very entertaining reading. The quest, in this case, is the hunt for Peter's sword, and while Thomas and his Hellequin are battling with bishops, the forces of England and France are marching towards the famous Battle of Poitiers. The characters and setting are brilliant. The depiction of the great battle at the end of the novel is suspenseful and detailed.

As with most Cornwell stories, not only will you be entertained, but also you will learn some history and about some famous historical characters. A superbly told tale that leaves you satisfied and wanting more Thomas of Hookton and the 100 Years War. Highly recommended for anyone who likes history or adventure.

Bernard Cornwell is the best historical fiction writer I've ever read, and 1356 tops all of the previous novels of his that I have read. Set in the Hundred Years War between England and France, the main character is Thomas of Hookton. While doing mercenary work with his unruly band of men, his lord instructs him to retrieve the sword of St. Peter, which is supposed to have magical powers. The sword is also being sought by Cardinal Besiers. To complicate matters, Thomas's wife and child are abducted and he has to free them. This culminates in a bloody battle between the British and the French.

I enjoyed everything about this novel. Not only is Thomas of Hookton a great character, but the novel is chocked full of great characters. Cornwell does a great job of coming up with believable characters with motivations that are easy to relate to. The action is well done. The novel moves at a quick pace. The prose is top notch. There is adventure, intrigue, and suspense in abundance. I would love to find something to criticize but I can't. This is an excellent novel that I highly recommend.

Carl Alves - author of Blood Street

Cue the trumpets. Unfurl the banners. There is a royal cardinal of historical fiction among us. Me? I'd kiss his ring and vote him pope.

Bernard Cornwell is the living cultural treasure of which I speak. Here's a Englishman, an ex-TV producer who followed his heart to Cape Cod and couldn't get a green card. So he wrote the Richard Sharp series (21 novels) about a rifleman who follows Wellington from India to the Battle of Waterloo. See the DVD if you don't believe me. Never has history tasted more true.

There is no era of blood and guts that Cornwell has not gored and scored. He's written 40 novels and is considered "the most prolific and successful novelist in the world today" (Wall Street Journal). The King Arthur legend, the Saxon invasion of England, the Revolutionary War, the Civil War, and the 1350's War of the Roses, he's marched his sparse prose through every one.

1356, his newest, tells how yeoman English archers, with pluck and luck and sharp stiletto daggers, pop the eyes out of the cream of France and make a rabbit stew. He tells the birth tales of the professional soldier through the mists of time. His heroes struggle out of the gutter to gain the manner house. I await his serialized interpretation every spring and my library orders them by the bucket.

History is recoded by the winners, and Cornwell annotates the sights and sounds, the pompous and villainous, the abbots with nasty habits, slayers with haymakers and monster men who swing a morning star. He tells history far beyond the `Be All You Can Be' recruiting poster. He puts you in the melee and mud like no other.

War is hell and Cornwell writes in Technicolor. Swords were useless for fighting in the battle line, so smash an ax to split a steel helmet, swing a cudgel to clear a lane through the cannon fodder. The only difference between Cornwell's heroes and the hounds of hell is that they do not condone rape. Mayhem and chivalry, surely, but a lady's virtue is a gate best not trampled on Cornwell's turf.

Richard Sharp, Uhtred, Thomas of Hookton, Nathaniel Starbuck - these men have the spine of a nation, the genes of the Celts, the grip of the god-damns (French slang for the English). If ever a warrior looked into a mirror, it was to find a bit of Richard Sharp glinting back in his eye. There will be no boogey men inside the castle tonight, my darlings.

So raise your pens to Bernard Cornwell, a master of the craft and pinpoint accurate with a yew-bow at two hundred yards. If it weren't for his lineage, we'd all be eating pommes friets and goose liver pate with never a gold Louie between us. And the cries of our mothers would keep us awake at night as we pined for a blade.

Huzzah Lord Cornwell, the castle and keep of historical fiction are yours, well won.

Bernard Cornwell's "1356" is a standard Cornwell tale, this time set in 14th-century France in the run-up to the Battle of Poitiers. The reader is treated to Thomas of Hookton, a mid-level warlord whose mid-level position allows him to present as much of the story as possible to the reader. "1356" also features the common Cornwell churchmen-as-the-bad-guys antagonists, a mythical story made more realistic as Hookton searches for the legendary sword "la Malice" and plenty of Middle Ages battle sequences.

Anything wrong with that? Absolutely not - this is the work Cornwell does best, and this story shines. Granted, it might not shine as brightly as the Saxon or Arthurian series, but it shines nevertheless. "1356" will keep you engaged from start to finish, and Cornwell's battle scenes are legends by themselves. This is another great read by the author, and not to be missed.

Cornwell is in his zone when he writes about English history. He takes the time surrounding the battle of Poitiers and intertwines several believable stories ranging from disenchanted Scotsmen and French to what happened to the sword of St Peter(another Holy Grail). He does an excellent job of moving between the various stories, without confusing the reader (this is quite a feat because 2 characters have the same name). In the end, the various stories and history merged together on a field near Poitiers for an exciting and believable conclusion. For someone who has read the entire Sharpe series, Cornwell links this work with his Sharpe series. Historians and Cornwell (Sharpe's Series) say that the discipline of the British army in Spain and Portugal during the Napoleonic Wars was a major reason behind the British success. In 1356, Cornwell again references the discipline of the outnumbered English army as a reason for its success. Great novel and highly recommend it.

It doesn't usually take me long to get through Bernard Cornwell novels. They're among the high spots of my reading life. Sharpe . . . Uhtred . . . Starbuck . . . Give me a story with one of these guys in it, and I'm gone for the next day or two. And it rarely takes me longer than that.

This one did. Thomas of Hookton is one of Cornwell's less mesmerizing protagonists. I wasn't expecting another installment featuring him. The third book in the Archer series had an ending with a note of finality in it.

However, in this installment, a few years (and the Black Plague) have passed, and Thomas is back in France, head of a war band sworn to the Earl of Northampton, marauding from a base in Gascony in the south of France. He gets onto the trail of La Malice, a legendary, Grail-like icon - the sword, legend had it, that Peter used to defend Jesus at Gethsemane, a relic that's come down through the recently vanquished Templars over the centuries, and something an aspiring cardinal also searches for to enhance his own bid for the papacy. Thomas, excommunicated as a heretic, is up against the church once more.

Thomas, his band hired by a lord to retrieve the latter's cheating, runaway wife, does so, but then in turn frees her from him after they see the lord's bestial treatment of her and her lover. The lord's men take Thomas's wife Genevieve and their son hostage in return. When she's mistreated - you know it's going to be Payback Time.

Meanwhile the greater struggle looms. The Prince of Wales is pillaging southern France, but French King Jean draws criticism for failing to go after him, destroy him, and protect the land. The French have knights galore, but they haven't really figured out how to fight the dreaded English longbowmen like Thomas yet. The story climaxes with the historic battle of Poitiers, the culmination of a complicated series of events where the English, hungry, outnumbered and cut off, are trying to either retreat or negotiate a surrender.

Thomas isn't a bad sort as Cornwellian protagonists go. He's Sharpe Lite. He has a rough and ready amiability, he's fought his way up from the ranks to be a leader, but Cornwell has never really given him a distinct character in the way of the others:

Sharpe? Needs no restating. He's totally Eastwoodian, Sean Bean's portrayal of him in the BBC series notwithstanding.

Starbuck has that whole paradoxical thing going as the runaway Yale student son of an abolitionist minister, who finds himself stuck in the South as the Civil War breaks out. He ends up in the Confederate Army and finds he's good at it, meanwhile falling in love with the whore-with-a-heart-of-gold daughter of his best redneck sergeant.

Uhtred is great fun as a rollicking, pagan Viking-style Saxon, happily slaughtering and fighting on his way to Valhalla. And he has the paradoxes that make him interesting: a Saxon raised by Vikings but now fighting them; a pagan fighting to preserve the Christian kingdom of Alfred the Great.

Dervil in the Arthur series is more of an observer of Arthur, Guinevere, Lancelot and the others, so I don't hold him to the same standard, although Cornwell in any case makes him reasonably interesting. You really don't want him overshadowing the Arthurian cast of characters, and Cornwell wisely doesn't do that.

I think the problem with the Archer books is the unrelentingly Christian era in which they're set. Cornwell as an atheist often makes churchmen the foil, but his plots elsewhere don't center on them as much. He can throw in a benign one here or there for balance, (usually a jolly one who knows how to fight from his previous life, beloved by the troops in the field) and he can side his characters with secular forces opposed to this or that church or religion.

In the Archer series, though, Cornwell has no choice: His world is surrounded by church on every side, and the McGuffins he chooses - the Grail earlier and now La Malice - are inherently religious. He can make Thomas the bastard son of a priest (tsk, tsk), he can excommunicate him and his wife Genevieve, he can have both tortured by the church. But in the end, even they have religious notions and longings and wonderings, and Cornwell just isn't that comfortable with any of this. And he rails a bit too much about it. It's also the only one of his historical series where he grapples with mystical objects like the Holy Grail, and now, La Malice. As this book evolves his take on them refines: Good or bad, these objects pose too much potential for misuse by power-hungry men, and that's probably true.

Meanwhile, he gets a few too many laughs out of the Tebow-like Roland, a tournament champion who has never fought in real war, who has pledged to remain a virgin after having a vision of the Virgin Mary, and who seems to believe that the stories in romances are true. He's just the sort to be taken in by the wicked Cardinal Bessieres' ploy of creating an elite, holy order to go after La Malice. It's a bit heavy-handed. How much do you want to mock someone for being good?

There are some issues with the war itself. Kings, nobles and knights chase each other around France in an endless war with very little other than plunder and conquest on their minds. The Scots side with French except when they're siding with the English. The French are against the English except when they side with them, as the Gascons seem to do. Got that? In Cornwell's other books the wars are better defined in terms of who's fighting and why.

I caught Cornwell reusing stock devices here. Thomas adopts a version of Sharpe's rules for his soldiers - they can't get drunk except when he tells them it's OK, and no raping. He seems to lean on the lurid a little more - women being stripped naked before being tortured, abused, and so on, particularly early in the book. This isn't unknown in Cornwell's stories but he leans on it a little more heavily here. I'm not sure why.

His portrayal of the Battle of Poitiers - of which not that much is known - is good, as his battle portrayals always are; you can picture things quite clearly, which most writers can't manage. (A lot of writers can't even keep you oriented when the bad guy chases the good guy down the street and into an alley.) I like that the battle actually doesn't hinge that much on the archers' role, which in this series previously, they almost always have. Cornwell eschews the melodramatic for the real and that's just fine with me.

Anyway, if you're a Cornwell fan, read it. If you haven't read him yet, pick another one to start with.

I always like Bernard Cornwell historical novels. The research is solid and the story is always good (although sometimes predictable). A great way to learn history. I liked this series of the archer Thomas Hookton. The history of the English-French history of the 1300s is interesting.

However, the characters had little development and the plot was much too straightforward this time. Not Cornwell's best by any means. But still worthwhile.

Very well written. The battle at the end is described very clearly and exciting. However, I keep comparing this series to the Saxon series and it just doesn't measure up. I never really identified with the character, I guess. It seemed almost like a fantasy quest with history mixed in. Still good.

Found this tedious, tiring, and largely confusing, in terms of knowing who everyone was and what was going on. Finally after miring through tertiary characters and irrelevant details I figured out this was about Thomas someone and his band of followers, but even then had difficulty figuring out what was going on half of the time. The book also seems to get bogged down with an almost childish fascination with gore, bathroom functions, prostitution, body mutilation (namely eyes), and incessant violence. I understand that we're in the middle ages here but seriously, were there no vestiges of civilization going on, or does bathroom function focus have to drive so much of this narrative?

Bernard Cornwell knows his history and with this latest book he gives us a glimpse of France in the 1300's.That aspect alone warrants 5 stars but when you throw in a great tale full of action and memorable characters then what is left to say...simply another solid book by a writer that shows no signs of resting on his laurels and getting stale like many other successful writers....looking forward to the next installment of the Saxon Chronicles out in the Fall.

A very well done fictional telling of the Battle of Poitiers. As usual, Bernard Cornwell presents a well-researched and historically accurate story interwoven with bits of pure fiction. For the most part, exciting and fast-paced. Not quite FIVE STARS, but it's darn close!

LOTS of exciting battle action at the end and enough adventure through the first 3/4's to keep you involved. A few side plots, but nothing that's so far off as to be disjointed. Not only is there an interesting story in here, but you'll also learn a great deal about Medieval history, weapons and warfare. All I can say is they didn't call it the "dark ages" for nothing! EGAD. Read this book and you'll appreciate being alive TODAY and not in 1356!

A moderate amount of profanity, but nothing gratuitous. Some gruesomeness, but, given the time period, I don't know how you could avoid that! Realistic and apparently accurate portrayal of Medieval warfare. Tiny bits of "romance" which needed to either be expounded upon or else just disposed of. The toe-in-the-water approach to the two female characters just didn't seem to match the details of the rest of the book.

Another fine piece of work from Bernard Cornwell. I'd give it 4 1/2 STARS, borderline FIVE, but I can't say I'm all there on a full FIVE STARS because I'd really have liked the relationship between Thomas and Genevieve expounded upon and the story of Bertille expanded to add a bit more "damsel in distress" to the plot. It would have added that "finishing touch" which would have made the fictional storyline more complete.

I enjoyed this book, it was a fun read... but something was lacking. The story was very linear and contained hardly any subplot at all. Characters were introduced and either never spoken of again or killed off page. Everything was tied up in a neat little bow at the end. I was expecting a bit more complexity. Anyway, like I said, it was fun, it's the kind of book you can just breeze through, but it was missing a certain something.

If your taste in historical fiction tends to favor bloody battles, Bernard Cornwell's 1356 is the novel for you. Packed with lively action, Cornwell relates the Battle of Poitiers, in which the outnumbered English overcame the French army and captured both the city and the king. If you have an appetite for more than 400 pages of action-packed violence, be sure to read this one.

Rating: Four-star (I like it)

The master of historical fiction is back with another best seller. The scenario is familiar - the British, the French, the (bad) Church, the anti-hero, great battles and a good ending. In spite of the standard formula, Bernard Cornwell is such a great story teller that the book is a gripping read. Thomas of Hookton is back - we have seen him only in a couple of earlier novels - and is definitely a more interesting character that Sharpe or Uthred. Hope we see a few more stories with Thomas.

Bernard Cornwell does his research and brings to life scenes from a period in history that few Americans ever hear about in school. The struggles of a dozen or so players on the stage of a seemingly never-ending conflict between Britain and France feel so closely understood in this novel, that it is first, difficult to believe it is merely a novel, and second, as if Mr. Cornwell were attendant on the proceedings. If there is a flaw in the writing at all, it is one of purely reading taste. I felt that the characters, while strong and decisive, were so similar in attitude and action, and so lightly described, that I needed a list on the side of who was doing what. Without a solid background in French history, I came to this work lacking, I'm afraid, anything that made the men stand apart from each other, and therefore found it challenging to follow. The scene/page breaks are defined but not static, meaning sometimes the shift is from one English camp to another, or from English to French, and men are called - as is only right - lords, sires, sir, their actual name - adding to a bit of clumsiness in reading. I am simply used to a bit more physical description, a lagging step, a hand nervously reaching to touch a scarred face. Without it, the men around whom the story revolves, all wearing mail, all wearing robes or tunics, some wearing priests' robes and some really priests, became a blend of mayhem. Perhaps that is the intention. Perhaps from this vantage point, the obvious fog of war is the real story. However, events of that era shaped everything that followed, and I think had the story given a bit more attention to simple description at least in the opening chapters, it would have helped a neophyte reader along. I'm drawn to character-driven fiction, plain and simple, and I miss things when they aren't there, as if the writer was assuming I could see the scene in my mind with minimal brush strokes from him. That said, nothing detracts from the fast-paced, terror-filled and graphically described battles which are the reason for the writing. And, while this reader found keeping the cast straight a bit of a challenge, I give TEN stars to the perfection of the men's passions - both in love and war. Never have I read a novel so thoroughly soaked with testosterone yet so delicately handing us masculine love. Of course, the females in question are said to be incredible in their beauty, grace, fortitude, and charm. (Toothless hags need not apply.) But, that is the stuff of which manly dreams are made, and I picture that love, and beauty itself, is open to interpretation, then, as much as now. No doubt a Hollywood producer could make a box-office smash of this demanding novel along the lines of The Gladiator. This is not a cozy, lady-like parlor read. If you want a romp through a knights-in-armor slice of history told with absolute realism, this is a novel for you. I also highly recommend it to my friends who love the fantasy-swords/sorcery variety, for a refreshing dose of destriers cloaked in steel carrying men wielding morning stars, no magic needed. Well done.

One cannot complain about Bernard Cornwell delivering, as ever, the imaginative goods along with some serious historical research. But as a Scot, I do have a complaint about his language skills. When the Douglas complains about the French King vacillating he accuses him of "havering". Many English speakers think that the Scots verb "haver" (prononounced "hay-ver") is a sort of portmanteau of "waver" and "hover". It is not. "To haver" means to talk nonsense. "Havering" is talking rubbish; "a lot of havers" is a load of bollocks.

What Cornwell should have the Douglas say is that the King "swithered". To be in a state of indecison in Scots is "to swither", as in "what to do? I swithered for ages."

Yours sincerely

MacPedant

The audio narrator was excellent, but the story itself was to hard to follow. I skipped over most of the last 3rd, since it was just all gore. This last part was quite boring. Them it abruptly ended. The first third was interesting; should have continued along those lines.

Given that this is fictional story built around an actual historical event and part of a series, it is not too bad. You will get to learn about the fine details of medieval combat. Not for the squeamish. One problem I had was the repetitive description of the English/Welsh archers with their long bow and arrows. But the history was well outlined and educational.

Amid the flying arrows and the clash of metal in the killing machines on the French and English sides, Cornwell does really well to create the feel of the fear and sweat of the combatants on both sides and though I felt there was a little too much fighting and too little individual character development, the novel certainly entertains in the muscle department. I felt that the characters were better developed in Cornwell's Alfred the Great but even so the description of the battlefield is well researched and tends to bring to life the horrors of conflict in this period of Anglo-French history.

Nice to have another story with Thomas in it. I missed him after the Archer series ended. But there's also a new Uthred of Bebbanberg (Saxon Chronicles) out, and he's another favorite of mine. Cornwell is by far my favorite historical novelist, although I was not a fan of the Sharpe series, I find the rest of his works delicious reads.

A good book that holds your attention and gives you a believable view of both the French and the English Constant Power Struggle during the Middle Ages. A book that definitely hard to put down..

As a true fan of Cornwell - I've read almost everything he's ever written - I really looked forward to this continuation of the saga of Thomas of Hookton. As with all Cromwell's books, this one is a real page turner, keep the light on 'til you finish it. The only reason I didn't give it a five star rating is because of it's editing. How many times do we really need to have explained to us the function of the guy whose shield protects a crossbowman? Picky? Probably, but I found this and other repetitiveness a bit irritating. But please keep up the good work, Mr.Cromwell - and bring on the next chapter in the Saxon Chronicles!

The plot of this latest story from one of the great historical novelists is a little artificial and the apparent core thread is not really convincing: a fabulous sword Whose Destiny will Shape the Future. It borders on the hokum.

But that doesn't vitiate Cornwell's strengths of vivid narratives of war and weapons, impeccably brought to life and historically rooted. His archers don't just shoot bows; they are professionals, whose training, equipment and deployment are critical to making the story both real and respectful of its historical grounding. The characterization varies in that some of the figures and a little cipherlike or even buffoonish in their villainry. But his central figures are, as in his other novels, a marvelous mix of honor, brutality, shrewdness, venality and gallantry. It makes for superb battle scenes and really pulls the reader in--you end up caring for some pretty dubious rogues. He is becoming more and more skilled in portraying tough, good women and always has some sociopaths to keep things nasty.

The story is in essence the details of campaigning in the medieval era of horses versus bowmen. It centers on the Black Prince's invasion of France and how the military issues are where to fight and when and whether to avoid battle at the risk of scorched earth destruction by the invaders versus holding on till they run out of supplies.

Cornwell's general theme across most of his novels is the constant glorification of value, nobility and heroism as seen from the top of the aristocratic tree and how the fighting is really done by the leaders on the field where real honor lies.

Thomas Hookton, the central character, is a mercenary rogue but a good husband to a good wife (kidnapped by a rather cartoon villain) and definitely someone you want in command. He is appealing and really, really good at separating bodies from souls. The book is part of a series built around the Grail Search and the overt story of the Sword plus religious politics is pretty cumbersome and doesn't add much.

All in all, this is just a good story to enjoy. Its weaknesses are definitely literary blemishes and I wouldn't rate this in the Hilary Mantel class or even as one of Cornwell's top ten novels. But, boy, it's fun.

A fine Hundred Years War adventure by Mr Cornwell. I must read the previous two novels featuring Thomas Hookton.Life really was nasty,brutish and short for most.
Slight error in historical notes p.380, the Duke of Bourbon appears in list of VIP captives and of war dead.

This is a great book. It has been a while since I discovered the Archer series, but the hero again makes each page and every plot turn a true enjoyment. How Bernard does it? He writes and writes. My favorite historical novelist - such a great read, great fun, learn some more reasons why we are lucky to be living in 2013.

I have been reading Cornwell's books ever since they were hard to get in this country. He never seems to fail in writing very entertaining historical/military fiction. "1356" continues the story begun in "The Archer's Tale" with a cast of real life characters vivdly drawn - throw in a mystical sword, once owned by St. Peter and you have a book that you cannot put down - finish it and you will want more.

I don't know when Cornwell has time to eat or sleep, but his work retains unfailing quality. This is the I-don't-know-how-manyeth in the Thomas Hookton series, and it holds the same fascination as its predecessors -- indeed, all of Cromwell's books.

Cornwall is the master of historical action novels and can be relied on to relate a rip roaring tale. This book is no different and grasps the reader to its breast in unputdownable mode. Keep going Mr. Cornwall and I will keep reading.

Again Cornwell makes you feel that you are there in that moment of battle. I also enjoy the his character Thomas has been given a sense of humor. In all of the novels I have read by Cornwell I always feel connected to his lead character. Also his battle scenes leap off the page one of the best historical writer ever.

If you are Christian, don't buy Cornwell unless you are prepared to be insulted. I admit I did not read this book. However, I have read several of Cornwell's books, and you can bet that there will be at least one priest that is a lustful, greedy, and ugly. It is unfortunate because other than this, I generally like his books. Often the sinful priest doesn't even have a role in the story, but is inserted into the story just to keep his record for uninteresting cookie-cut characters appearing in each book. I will look elsewhere for my historical fiction.

I've always enjoyed historical fiction -- Bernard Cornwell is right up there with Leon Uris, David Nevine, and going way back -- ( sorry, senior
moment), but he wrote Oliver Wiswell, and Rable in Arms.

I have been reading Cornwell's books ever since they were hard to get in this country. He never seems to fail in writing very entertaining historical/military fiction. "1356" continues the story begun in "The Archer's Tale" with a cast of real life characters vivdly drawn - throw in a mystical sword, once owned by St. Peter and you have a book that you cannot put down - finish it and you will want more.

I don't know when Cornwell has time to eat or sleep, but his work retains unfailing quality. This is the I-don't-know-how-manyeth in the Thomas Hookton series, and it holds the same fascination as its predecessors -- indeed, all of Cromwell's books.

Cornwall is the master of historical action novels and can be relied on to relate a rip roaring tale. This book is no different and grasps the reader to its breast in unputdownable mode. Keep going Mr. Cornwall and I will keep reading.

If you like historical fiction this is a book for you. Bernard Cornwall is a very good author. I have never been disappointed in any of his books and I have read most of them. This is one of a series and I would recommend all of them. Great character development and a good story, hard to put down.

Again Cornwell makes you feel that you are there in that moment of battle. I also enjoy the his character Thomas has been given a sense of humor. In all of the novels I have read by Cornwell I always feel connected to his lead character. Also his battle scenes leap off the page one of the best historical writer ever.

If you are Christian, don't buy Cornwell unless you are prepared to be insulted. I admit I did not read this book. However, I have read several of Cornwell's books, and you can bet that there will be at least one priest that is a lustful, greedy, and ugly. It is unfortunate because other than this, I generally like his books. Often the sinful priest doesn't even have a role in the story, but is inserted into the story just to keep his record for uninteresting cookie-cut characters appearing in each book. I will look elsewhere for my historical fiction.