Yet another brilliant book following the exploits of Martin Finn, an English archer during the Hundred Years War.
The novel covers in violent bloody detail, the Battle of Poitiers in 1356. The English were again significantly outnumbered by the French army but managed to turn the tide of battle in their favour. It seems that the French didn't learn any military lessons from their defeat at the Battle of Crecy, ten years earlier. It's never sensible to charge massed English archers!
.Captain Finn is a complex character. He came from an impoverished background, is fairly well-educated & conversant on many subjects, extremely violent when required, a caring lover, and a strong leader. I lost count of how many Frenchmen he slaughtered during the battle!
I found the author's description of the various heraldic devices and coats of arms, used by the various parties particularly interesting. The Heralds played a vital role in identifying friend from foe in a constantly changing battle scenario.
Confusingly, there are French and German soldiers fighting for both sides. Fortunately, Jonathan Lunn explains everything in the Historical Notes at the end of the book.