Azincourt Book

Azincourt is the latest book by Bernard Cornwell and the story follows events leading up to the Battle of Agincourt. Although I really enjoyed Cornwell's Sharp novels, I couldn't get into his Saxon Stories series so I was a bit wary of venturing into another historical period with him. However, Azincourt is a really excellent book with a thrilling overall story and very convincing historical detail, particularly during the battle scenes. Nicholas Hook is an archer and forester and, although unwilling, he takes part in the execution of a group of Lollard heretics. One of the men due to be executed is an archer himself and asks Hook to look after his granddaughter after he is gone. Hook agrees to help the girl but after the execution an evil priest named Father Martin takes the girl for himself and eventually murders her. Consumed by guilt over failing to protect her, Hook attacks Father Martin but is captured and held prisoner prior to execution. Hook manages to escape his captors and joins an expedition to Burgundy as a mercenary. During a devastating French attack many of the English archers are killed but Hook manages to escape. Eventually he returns to England and, after exposing the treachery of Sir Roger Pellaire, becomes a trusted man in the army of Henry V and joins the King on his campaign against France, a campaign which was brought to an end by the Battle of Agincourt. I think Azincourt is Bernard Cornwell back to writing at his very best, it is an amazing piece of historical fiction that is rich in detail and atmosphere but is, importantly, accompanied by a super gripping storyline.