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Agincourt
Agincourt is one of the epic battles of history. It was fought by two badly matched armies that met in atrocious conditions on St Crispin's Day 1415, and resulted in an extraordinary victory that was celebrated in England long before Shakespeare immortalised it in Henry V. It has always been held to be the triumph of the longbow against the armoured knight, and of the common man against the feudal aristocrat, but those are history's myths. Bernard Cornwell, who has long wanted to write this story, depicts the reality behind the myths.
Nicholas Hook is an English archer. He seems born to trouble and, when his lord orders him to London as part of a force sent to quell an expected Lollard uprising, Nick's headstrong behaviour leads to him being proscribed an outlaw. He finds refuge across the Channel, part of an English mercenary force protecting the town of Soissons against the French. What happened at the Siege of Soissons shocked all Europe, and propels Nick back to England where he is enrolled in the archer companyof the doughty Sir John Cornwaille, a leader of Henry V's army. The army was superb, but sickness and the unexpected French defiance at Harfleur, reduce it to near-shambolic condition. Henry stubbornly refuses to accept defeat and, in appalling weather, leads his shrunken force to what appears to be inevitable disaster.
Azincourt culminates in the battle. Seen from several points of view on the English side, but also from the French ranks, the scene is vivid, convincing and compelling. Bernard Cornwell has a great understanding of men at war and battlefields and this is his masterpiece. This is what it must have been like to fight at Agincourt.
Nicholas Hook is an English archer. He seems born to trouble and, when his lord orders him to London as part of a force sent to quell an expected Lollard uprising, Nick's headstrong behaviour leads to him being proscribed an outlaw. He finds refuge across the Channel, part of an English mercenary force protecting the town of Soissons against the French. What happened at the Siege of Soissons shocked all Europe, and propels Nick back to England where he is enrolled in the archer companyof the doughty Sir John Cornwaille, a leader of Henry V's army. The army was superb, but sickness and the unexpected French defiance at Harfleur, reduce it to near-shambolic condition. Henry stubbornly refuses to accept defeat and, in appalling weather, leads his shrunken force to what appears to be inevitable disaster.
Azincourt culminates in the battle. Seen from several points of view on the English side, but also from the French ranks, the scene is vivid, convincing and compelling. Bernard Cornwell has a great understanding of men at war and battlefields and this is his masterpiece. This is what it must have been like to fight at Agincourt.
453 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2008
About the author
Bernard Cornwell
458 books17.8k followersCornwell was born in London in 1944. His father was a Canadian airman, and his mother, who was English, a member of the Women's Auxiliary Air Force. He was adopted and brought up in Essex by the Wiggins family, who were members of the Peculiar People, a strict Protestant sect who banned frivolity of all kinds and even medicine. After he left them, he changed his name to his birth mother's maiden name, Cornwell.
Cornwell was sent away to Monkton Combe School, attended the University of London, and after graduating, worked as a teacher. He attempted to enlist in the British armed services at least three times but was rejected on the grounds of myopia.
He then joined BBC's Nationwide and was promoted to become head of current affairs at BBC Northern Ireland. He then joined Thames Television as editor of Thames News. He relocated to the United States in 1980 after marrying an American. Unable to get a green card, he started writing novels, as this did not require a work permit.
As a child, Cornwell loved the novels of C.S. Forester, chronicling the adventures of fictional British naval officer Horatio Hornblower during the Napoleonic Wars, and was surprised to find there were no such novels following Lord Wellington's campaign on land. Motivated by the need to support himself in the U.S. through writing, Cornwell decided to write such a series. He named his chief protagonist Richard Sharpe, a rifleman involved in most major battles of the Peninsular War.
Cornwell wanted to start the series with the Siege of Badajoz but decided instead to start with a couple of "warm-up" novels. These were Sharpe's Eagle and Sharpe's Gold, both published in 1981. Sharpe's Eagle was picked up by a publisher, and Cornwell got a three-book deal. He went on to tell the story of Badajoz in his third Sharpe novel, Sharpe's Company, published in 1982.
Cornwell and wife Judy co-wrote a series of novels, published under the pseudonym "Susannah Kells". These were A Crowning Mercy, published in 1983, Fallen Angels in 1984, and Coat of Arms (aka The Aristocrats) in 1986. (Cornwell's strict Protestant upbringing informed the background of A Crowning Mercy, which took place during the English Civil War.) In 1987, he also published Redcoat, an American Revolutionary War novel set in Philadelphia during its 1777 occupation by the British.
After publishing eight books in his ongoing Sharpe series, Cornwell was approached by a production company interested in adapting them for television. The producers asked him to write a prequel to give them a starting point to the series. They also requested that the story feature a large role for Spanish characters to secure co-funding from Spain. The result was Sharpe’s Rifles, published in 1987, and a series of Sharpe television films staring Sean Bean.
A series of contemporary thrillers with sailing as a background and common themes followed: Wildtrack published in 1988, Sea Lord (aka Killer's Wake) in 1989, Crackdown in 1990, Stormchild in 1991, and Scoundrel, a political thriller, in 1992.
In June 2006, Cornwell was made an Officer of the Order of the British Empire in the Queen's 80th Birthday Honours List.
Cornwell's latest work, Azincourt, was released in the UK in October 2008. The protagonist is an archer who participates in the Battle of Agincourt, another devastating defeat suffered by the French in the Hundred Years War. However, Cornwell has stated that it will not be about Thomas of Hookton from The Grail Quest or any of his relatives.
Cornwell was sent away to Monkton Combe School, attended the University of London, and after graduating, worked as a teacher. He attempted to enlist in the British armed services at least three times but was rejected on the grounds of myopia.
He then joined BBC's Nationwide and was promoted to become head of current affairs at BBC Northern Ireland. He then joined Thames Television as editor of Thames News. He relocated to the United States in 1980 after marrying an American. Unable to get a green card, he started writing novels, as this did not require a work permit.
As a child, Cornwell loved the novels of C.S. Forester, chronicling the adventures of fictional British naval officer Horatio Hornblower during the Napoleonic Wars, and was surprised to find there were no such novels following Lord Wellington's campaign on land. Motivated by the need to support himself in the U.S. through writing, Cornwell decided to write such a series. He named his chief protagonist Richard Sharpe, a rifleman involved in most major battles of the Peninsular War.
Cornwell wanted to start the series with the Siege of Badajoz but decided instead to start with a couple of "warm-up" novels. These were Sharpe's Eagle and Sharpe's Gold, both published in 1981. Sharpe's Eagle was picked up by a publisher, and Cornwell got a three-book deal. He went on to tell the story of Badajoz in his third Sharpe novel, Sharpe's Company, published in 1982.
Cornwell and wife Judy co-wrote a series of novels, published under the pseudonym "Susannah Kells". These were A Crowning Mercy, published in 1983, Fallen Angels in 1984, and Coat of Arms (aka The Aristocrats) in 1986. (Cornwell's strict Protestant upbringing informed the background of A Crowning Mercy, which took place during the English Civil War.) In 1987, he also published Redcoat, an American Revolutionary War novel set in Philadelphia during its 1777 occupation by the British.
After publishing eight books in his ongoing Sharpe series, Cornwell was approached by a production company interested in adapting them for television. The producers asked him to write a prequel to give them a starting point to the series. They also requested that the story feature a large role for Spanish characters to secure co-funding from Spain. The result was Sharpe’s Rifles, published in 1987, and a series of Sharpe television films staring Sean Bean.
A series of contemporary thrillers with sailing as a background and common themes followed: Wildtrack published in 1988, Sea Lord (aka Killer's Wake) in 1989, Crackdown in 1990, Stormchild in 1991, and Scoundrel, a political thriller, in 1992.
In June 2006, Cornwell was made an Officer of the Order of the British Empire in the Queen's 80th Birthday Honours List.
Cornwell's latest work, Azincourt, was released in the UK in October 2008. The protagonist is an archer who participates in the Battle of Agincourt, another devastating defeat suffered by the French in the Hundred Years War. However, Cornwell has stated that it will not be about Thomas of Hookton from The Grail Quest or any of his relatives.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,815 reviews
March 24, 2019
Bernard Cornwell, that bastard, has written a goddamn straightforward story about the bastardly Battle of Agincourt just enjoyable enough to get me through to the goddamn end. The forced romantic storyline was as unnecessary as the goddamn gory battle details, but I understand that they are there for a goddamn reason. However, overall it's just not goddamned engaging enough for me to give this goddamn bastard of a book more than two goddamn bastardly stars. Also, I am completely done with the words goddamn and bastard. Reading "bad words" doesn't bother me, but overused words do, goddamn it!
I've read some 30+ books of Cornwell's and loved just about every one of them, so I was surprised by my reaction to this one. Oh well. It won't stop me from reading more and more of his awesome stuff!
I've read some 30+ books of Cornwell's and loved just about every one of them, so I was surprised by my reaction to this one. Oh well. It won't stop me from reading more and more of his awesome stuff!
August 11, 2024
The battle of Agincourt sits alongside Trafalgar, Waterloo, and Hastings in the annals of significant battles in Anglo-French rivalry. Maybe not so much in strategic significance, but due to the fact the English were so heavily outnumbered. Cornwell settled on the numbers (as records vary) of 6,000 English to 30,000 French.
We few, we happy few (from Shakespeare’s Henry V)
For me, the essential ingredients of top-class historical fiction are:
1. Historical accuracy: Cornwell excels here. His account of the Battle of Agincourt (England vs France October 1415) is faithful to the real battle. The author acknowledged one indulgence – by describing Henry V’s forces as mining a tunnel towards the fortified town of Harfleur (the first battle), whereas the only tunnels were dug by the Duke of Clarence’s forces from the east. His reasoning being, he wanted to describe the horrific conditions fighting in a mineshaft. And horrific they certainly were.
2. Realism: I considered fasting during this read, as the risk of throwing up was high. Whether it be the stabbing of eyeballs (this happened a lot), the puddles of blood, brains, guts and shit, the consequent smell (not only due to the lack of bowel control during battle, but the rampant dysentery), the rape – described in horrible detail, and other countless atrocities. There is no joy in reading such graphic details, but it is essential in recording the absolute depravity, violence and disregard for human life that occurs during war. Cornwell’s depiction of King Henry V and his actions and the absolute belief that God is on their side (the French thought the same), were also consistent with historical records.
3. A credible fictional thread: We follow a young archer named Nick Hook. A young man from a small town in England. We learn about his backstory at home, and the intricacies involved in being an archer (absolutely fascinating). Following Nick through this gruesome campaign personalises the experiences of the ordinary man in the English army of the day. Because he was likable, and believable – the reader will find themselves ‘rooting’ for him.
4. The writing: Cornwell’s writing is incredibly detailed, but without being sterile or academic. He keeps it interesting. The pacing is brilliant – this is a thrilling, fast paced story, so relentless it is difficult to put down.
………………and to capture that extra zeitgeist, a costume!!!
I won’t lie, I dressed up in full knight regalia for each sitting, thus adding many hours to this reading experience. Admittedly, the iron gloves made turning the pages tricky, and the Milanese steel underpants chafed at times. But it was all worth it!
This is one for all lovers of history. I need to re-read Shakespeare’s Henry V, watch the Hollow Crown Henry V series again, and check out some good non-fiction about this incredible period of history.
5 BLISTERING STARS!
Yours truly in ‘full reading regalia’ - hanging out with my mates
We few, we happy few (from Shakespeare’s Henry V)
For me, the essential ingredients of top-class historical fiction are:
1. Historical accuracy: Cornwell excels here. His account of the Battle of Agincourt (England vs France October 1415) is faithful to the real battle. The author acknowledged one indulgence – by describing Henry V’s forces as mining a tunnel towards the fortified town of Harfleur (the first battle), whereas the only tunnels were dug by the Duke of Clarence’s forces from the east. His reasoning being, he wanted to describe the horrific conditions fighting in a mineshaft. And horrific they certainly were.
2. Realism: I considered fasting during this read, as the risk of throwing up was high. Whether it be the stabbing of eyeballs (this happened a lot), the puddles of blood, brains, guts and shit, the consequent smell (not only due to the lack of bowel control during battle, but the rampant dysentery), the rape – described in horrible detail, and other countless atrocities. There is no joy in reading such graphic details, but it is essential in recording the absolute depravity, violence and disregard for human life that occurs during war. Cornwell’s depiction of King Henry V and his actions and the absolute belief that God is on their side (the French thought the same), were also consistent with historical records.
3. A credible fictional thread: We follow a young archer named Nick Hook. A young man from a small town in England. We learn about his backstory at home, and the intricacies involved in being an archer (absolutely fascinating). Following Nick through this gruesome campaign personalises the experiences of the ordinary man in the English army of the day. Because he was likable, and believable – the reader will find themselves ‘rooting’ for him.
4. The writing: Cornwell’s writing is incredibly detailed, but without being sterile or academic. He keeps it interesting. The pacing is brilliant – this is a thrilling, fast paced story, so relentless it is difficult to put down.
………………and to capture that extra zeitgeist, a costume!!!
I won’t lie, I dressed up in full knight regalia for each sitting, thus adding many hours to this reading experience. Admittedly, the iron gloves made turning the pages tricky, and the Milanese steel underpants chafed at times. But it was all worth it!
This is one for all lovers of history. I need to re-read Shakespeare’s Henry V, watch the Hollow Crown Henry V series again, and check out some good non-fiction about this incredible period of history.
5 BLISTERING STARS!
Yours truly in ‘full reading regalia’ - hanging out with my mates
April 1, 2020
Bernard Cornwell is absolutely terrible at showing the softer side of war. This book was filled with violent, gritty, visceral, dishonorable, disgusting, horrific acts of warfare ... and I loved every page of it.
It's apparent from Cornwell's writing that the man has done his homework. The battles spring to life just like the great yew longbows mentioned in the book. The siege and battle sequences were so well written that I could almost smell the blood, piss, and shit. However, it has been a very long time since I've cleaned my reading room, so maybe that had something to do with the aroma.
I highly recommend this one for fans of historical fiction and medieval warfare.
PS-I need to see about ordering a halberd from eBay.
Get your copy here: https://amzn.to/2HRXVVE
It's apparent from Cornwell's writing that the man has done his homework. The battles spring to life just like the great yew longbows mentioned in the book. The siege and battle sequences were so well written that I could almost smell the blood, piss, and shit. However, it has been a very long time since I've cleaned my reading room, so maybe that had something to do with the aroma.
I highly recommend this one for fans of historical fiction and medieval warfare.
PS-I need to see about ordering a halberd from eBay.
Get your copy here: https://amzn.to/2HRXVVE
May 5, 2017
من قلب المعركة .. أزينكور .. للكاتب البريطاني برنارد كورنويل .
ملاحظة :
النسخة التي أملكها ( الإلكترونية طبعا ) فيها أكثر من ألف صفحة .
إذا كنت من عشاق العصور الوسطى، لديك شغف حول معرفة عقلية الإنسان الأوروبي في ذلك الوقت، معتقداته، أفكاره، لباسه، أكله، تنقله، حروبه و معاركه و غيرها من الأشياء التي تستهوي الإنسان المحب للتاريخ .. هذه الرواية ستسقيك إلى حد الثمالة .. و ستروي عطشك المعرفي .
هذه الرواية استلهمها الكاتب من إحدى المعارك البريطانية-الفرنسية، و التي حقق فيها البريطانيون بقيادة هنري الخامس نصرا ساحقا ضد القوات الفرنسية التي فاقته عددا و عدة .
des photos
نيكولاوس هوك .. الشاب الذي يعمل في حراسة الغابات و الذي يعرف بقوته الجسمية الهائلة و قدرته الإستثنائية في الرماية بالقوس و السهم..
hébergeur images
تشاء الظروف أن يصبح هوك خارجا عن القانون في إنجلترا .. بعد ضربه أحد القساوسة .. يسافر إلى فرنسا في مهمة للدفاع عن أسوار إحدى المدن النورماندية التي كانت على عداء مع المملكة الفرنيسة .
و بعد وصوله بأيام تتعرض هذه المدينة إلى غزو وحشي من الجيش الفرنسيّ، فتستباح الدماء و تنتهك الأعراض .. فحتى الكنيسة تتعرض إلى التدمير و التدنيس .
heberger image
بعد هذا الهجوم يفر هوك برفقة إحدى الأخوات التي كانت تعيش في الكنيسة . يفر إلى إنجلتراثم يعود إلى فرنسا و لكن بشكل مختلف .. فهذه المرة يعود رفقة جيش عرمرم يقوده الملك هنري الخامس .
عندما وصل الجيش البريطاني إلى السواحل الفرنسية لم يلق أية مقاومة تذكر .. فبدأ الملك بإصدار أوامره بالزحف المقدس ( على حد اعتباره ) لإسترجاع حقه في ملك فرنسا، و لكن يصطدم هذا الجيش بمناعة أول المدن الفرنسية " هارفليه " .. هذه المدينة المحصنة بأسوار منيعة و مدافع و رماة أسهم يجعلون السماء في لحظات تمطر سهاما .
و مرت الأيام و الشهور و المدينة لازالت مستعصية منيعة .. مما ادخل الشك في النفوس .. و مع حلول الخريف الذي دائما ما يكون مصحوبا بالأمراض و الأوبئة .. فقد هذا الجيش عددا كبيرا من الجنود بسبب الموت و بسبب المرض أيضا .
و مع نهاية الحصار و سقوط المدينة .. و جد هنري الخامس نفسه محاطا بجيش صغير مريض .. لا يقدر على مواصلة الزحف المقدس، و لكن إصرار الملك و محاولته توجيه صفعة للجيش الفرنسي و للعالم كله، قرر الزحف نحو " كاليه " إحدى ��لمدن الإنجليزية على السواحل الفرنسية و هذا عبر المرور وسط الأراضي الفرنسية . رغم أن جيشه كان عبارة عن شبه جيش عددا و عدة و مؤونة .
بعد السير أياما وسط الأراضي الفرنسية .. التقى الجيشان .. الفرنسي و الإنجليزي .. الفرنسي المنظم المرتاح .. و الإنجليزي المريض الجائع .
hébergeur image gratuit
الرواية ترسم بعضا من ملامح الحياة في ذلك العصر المجنون الذي عرف بالنزاعات و الحروب الطوية، كما تسلط الضوء على فئة رماة السهام و دورهم الكبير في حسم المعارك رغم أنهم ليسوا بجنود نظاميين .. و لم يتلقوا تدريبا مثل المشاة و الفرسان .. فهم ينتمون إلى الطبقة الكادحة من المجتمع هذه الطبقة التي دائما ما تكون وقودا للنزاعات و الصراعات .. و دائما ما يزج كرها أو استغفالا .
الرواية أيضا تتناول موضوع الأسلحة و كيفية استعمالها بشكل دقيق و جميل . فهو يصف الدروع و أشهرها الدروع الميلانية كما يصف أنواع السهام المختلفة و التي تستعمل حسب الظروف .. فلكل سهم استعمال مناسب .. فمنها من يستعمل ضد الدروع و منها ما يستعمل للمسافات البعيدة أو القريبة .
image a telecharger gratuitement
بالإضافة إلى أنواع الأوتار المستخدمة في الأقواس .. و كيفية عملها .. و كيفية جعلها مرنة و صلبة في نفس الوقت .. و كيف كان الرماة يسعون إلى المحافظة عليها و الإعتناء بها .
كما اعتنى الكاتب برصد حركة الجنود داخل الدروع الحديدية الثقيلة، و كيفية القتال داخلها أو ضدها
hebergeur gratuit
******************
رواية جميلة و خاصة لعشاق التاريخ و أدب الحروب .. و لعشاق التفاصيل الدقيقة كوصف الأسلحة و الدروع و الجيوش .
ملاحظة :
النسخة التي أملكها ( الإلكترونية طبعا ) فيها أكثر من ألف صفحة .
إذا كنت من عشاق العصور الوسطى، لديك شغف حول معرفة عقلية الإنسان الأوروبي في ذلك الوقت، معتقداته، أفكاره، لباسه، أكله، تنقله، حروبه و معاركه و غيرها من الأشياء التي تستهوي الإنسان المحب للتاريخ .. هذه الرواية ستسقيك إلى حد الثمالة .. و ستروي عطشك المعرفي .
هذه الرواية استلهمها الكاتب من إحدى المعارك البريطانية-الفرنسية، و التي حقق فيها البريطانيون بقيادة هنري الخامس نصرا ساحقا ضد القوات الفرنسية التي فاقته عددا و عدة .
des photos
نيكولاوس هوك .. الشاب الذي يعمل في حراسة الغابات و الذي يعرف بقوته الجسمية الهائلة و قدرته الإستثنائية في الرماية بالقوس و السهم..
hébergeur images
تشاء الظروف أن يصبح هوك خارجا عن القانون في إنجلترا .. بعد ضربه أحد القساوسة .. يسافر إلى فرنسا في مهمة للدفاع عن أسوار إحدى المدن النورماندية التي كانت على عداء مع المملكة الفرنيسة .
و بعد وصوله بأيام تتعرض هذه المدينة إلى غزو وحشي من الجيش الفرنسيّ، فتستباح الدماء و تنتهك الأعراض .. فحتى الكنيسة تتعرض إلى التدمير و التدنيس .
heberger image
بعد هذا الهجوم يفر هوك برفقة إحدى الأخوات التي كانت تعيش في الكنيسة . يفر إلى إنجلتراثم يعود إلى فرنسا و لكن بشكل مختلف .. فهذه المرة يعود رفقة جيش عرمرم يقوده الملك هنري الخامس .
عندما وصل الجيش البريطاني إلى السواحل الفرنسية لم يلق أية مقاومة تذكر .. فبدأ الملك بإصدار أوامره بالزحف المقدس ( على حد اعتباره ) لإسترجاع حقه في ملك فرنسا، و لكن يصطدم هذا الجيش بمناعة أول المدن الفرنسية " هارفليه " .. هذه المدينة المحصنة بأسوار منيعة و مدافع و رماة أسهم يجعلون السماء في لحظات تمطر سهاما .
و مرت الأيام و الشهور و المدينة لازالت مستعصية منيعة .. مما ادخل الشك في النفوس .. و مع حلول الخريف الذي دائما ما يكون مصحوبا بالأمراض و الأوبئة .. فقد هذا الجيش عددا كبيرا من الجنود بسبب الموت و بسبب المرض أيضا .
و مع نهاية الحصار و سقوط المدينة .. و جد هنري الخامس نفسه محاطا بجيش صغير مريض .. لا يقدر على مواصلة الزحف المقدس، و لكن إصرار الملك و محاولته توجيه صفعة للجيش الفرنسي و للعالم كله، قرر الزحف نحو " كاليه " إحدى ��لمدن الإنجليزية على السواحل الفرنسية و هذا عبر المرور وسط الأراضي الفرنسية . رغم أن جيشه كان عبارة عن شبه جيش عددا و عدة و مؤونة .
بعد السير أياما وسط الأراضي الفرنسية .. التقى الجيشان .. الفرنسي و الإنجليزي .. الفرنسي المنظم المرتاح .. و الإنجليزي المريض الجائع .
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الرواية ترسم بعضا من ملامح الحياة في ذلك العصر المجنون الذي عرف بالنزاعات و الحروب الطوية، كما تسلط الضوء على فئة رماة السهام و دورهم الكبير في حسم المعارك رغم أنهم ليسوا بجنود نظاميين .. و لم يتلقوا تدريبا مثل المشاة و الفرسان .. فهم ينتمون إلى الطبقة الكادحة من المجتمع هذه الطبقة التي دائما ما تكون وقودا للنزاعات و الصراعات .. و دائما ما يزج كرها أو استغفالا .
الرواية أيضا تتناول موضوع الأسلحة و كيفية استعمالها بشكل دقيق و جميل . فهو يصف الدروع و أشهرها الدروع الميلانية كما يصف أنواع السهام المختلفة و التي تستعمل حسب الظروف .. فلكل سهم استعمال مناسب .. فمنها من يستعمل ضد الدروع و منها ما يستعمل للمسافات البعيدة أو القريبة .
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بالإضافة إلى أنواع الأوتار المستخدمة في الأقواس .. و كيفية عملها .. و كيفية جعلها مرنة و صلبة في نفس الوقت .. و كيف كان الرماة يسعون إلى المحافظة عليها و الإعتناء بها .
كما اعتنى الكاتب برصد حركة الجنود داخل الدروع الحديدية الثقيلة، و كيفية القتال داخلها أو ضدها
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رواية جميلة و خاصة لعشاق التاريخ و أدب الحروب .. و لعشاق التفاصيل الدقيقة كوصف الأسلحة و الدروع و الجيوش .
August 31, 2020
this is Cornwell's best standalone book IMO. I am a huge fan of the Richard Sharpe series and Cornwell himself. I Can not stress this enough Cornwell writes action scenes better than about anyone. he is able to slow time and put you blow for blow in the action! His other literary talents have devolved during and since the Sharpe series but his primary skill is his ability to enthrall the reader with heart throbbing action, adventure and danger. Agincourt put this talent on full display for the last quarter of the book.
There is something so American about the way Cornwell tells British history. a sort of blunt irreverence where a man of superior abilities rises to the top with the patronage of a great leader. Cornwell blatantly thumbs his nose at the power structure of the time most notably the church a common theme for Cornwell. finding good and evil examples among his own army. the enemy is honored while being cursed. there is so much to like about Cornwell writing style but what stands out most in Agincourt is his blunt realism about a age shrouded in legendary myth. the Chievous hundred years war.
in this tale Crowell take on a near Epic if obscure story of Agincourt. Using a real character from history (Nicholas Hook). and placing him next to the most iconic man of the age, Sir John Cromwell. and even if you have never heard of Agincourt Cromwell's name should sound familiar. Hook is a boring main character compared to Sharpe with his most interesting quality being that he talks to and is protected by saints. a absurdity to a avid Cornwell reader. the author does it so well that Hook does seem crazy or absurd at all. put in stark contrast by the crazily demented priest Sir Martin. who seems very familiar to Sharpe fans. Hook is a outlaw who turns to foreign military service like Sharpe as a means to escape punishment. he liberates a French nun, and she is also a surprising highlight of the book as I find Cornwell female characters often lacking substance. but Melisande is a more compelling character than Hook himself. in truth this book is carried by it's side characters. Cornwell brings his patented gritty realistic battle sequences to the age of chivalry. literally putting horse backed Knights in shinning armor in shit and mud to fight close quarters not with lances and swords but with axes and knifes cursing and fighting dirty all the way. and I loved every minute of it. that image of savage gallantry will stay with me for awhile!
There is something so American about the way Cornwell tells British history. a sort of blunt irreverence where a man of superior abilities rises to the top with the patronage of a great leader. Cornwell blatantly thumbs his nose at the power structure of the time most notably the church a common theme for Cornwell. finding good and evil examples among his own army. the enemy is honored while being cursed. there is so much to like about Cornwell writing style but what stands out most in Agincourt is his blunt realism about a age shrouded in legendary myth. the Chievous hundred years war.
in this tale Crowell take on a near Epic if obscure story of Agincourt. Using a real character from history (Nicholas Hook). and placing him next to the most iconic man of the age, Sir John Cromwell. and even if you have never heard of Agincourt Cromwell's name should sound familiar. Hook is a boring main character compared to Sharpe with his most interesting quality being that he talks to and is protected by saints. a absurdity to a avid Cornwell reader. the author does it so well that Hook does seem crazy or absurd at all. put in stark contrast by the crazily demented priest Sir Martin. who seems very familiar to Sharpe fans. Hook is a outlaw who turns to foreign military service like Sharpe as a means to escape punishment. he liberates a French nun, and she is also a surprising highlight of the book as I find Cornwell female characters often lacking substance. but Melisande is a more compelling character than Hook himself. in truth this book is carried by it's side characters. Cornwell brings his patented gritty realistic battle sequences to the age of chivalry. literally putting horse backed Knights in shinning armor in shit and mud to fight close quarters not with lances and swords but with axes and knifes cursing and fighting dirty all the way. and I loved every minute of it. that image of savage gallantry will stay with me for awhile!
May 15, 2023
St. Crispin’s Day
Then will he strip his sleeve and show his scars,
And say "These wounds I had on Crispin's day."
Henry V, William Shakespeare
All I knew about Agincourt (coo) was seeing Henry V performed on stage by the RSC in Stratford, England and from watching the excellent movie of the play.
What I find fascinating with Cornwell is the detail.
⚔️ Thus and thus is how swordplay really happened.
🏹 Thus and thus is how a longbow of yew wood, with a draw weight well in excess of 100 pounds, was fired. (As much as 130, 140, 150 - so next time you see a fantasy epic, and they have slender-armed and slender-shouldered men and women, bereft of well-muscled arms and shoulders, firing longbows and sending arrows through enemy armor, the strings drawn back to their ears, don’t you believe it.)
🛡️Thus and thus is what all was involved when you put on a suit of armor and this is what you had to wear under the armor.
The hard part of reading any Cornwell work, as with many authors of any genre involving copious bloodshed, is the carnage. Accurate to its times, yes. Nevertheless, pour moi, to read scores of pages of it without letup, even if I fast read the slaughter portions, is tedious and difficult.
Then will he strip his sleeve and show his scars,
And say "These wounds I had on Crispin's day."
Henry V, William Shakespeare
All I knew about Agincourt (coo) was seeing Henry V performed on stage by the RSC in Stratford, England and from watching the excellent movie of the play.
What I find fascinating with Cornwell is the detail.
⚔️ Thus and thus is how swordplay really happened.
🏹 Thus and thus is how a longbow of yew wood, with a draw weight well in excess of 100 pounds, was fired. (As much as 130, 140, 150 - so next time you see a fantasy epic, and they have slender-armed and slender-shouldered men and women, bereft of well-muscled arms and shoulders, firing longbows and sending arrows through enemy armor, the strings drawn back to their ears, don’t you believe it.)
🛡️Thus and thus is what all was involved when you put on a suit of armor and this is what you had to wear under the armor.
The hard part of reading any Cornwell work, as with many authors of any genre involving copious bloodshed, is the carnage. Accurate to its times, yes. Nevertheless, pour moi, to read scores of pages of it without letup, even if I fast read the slaughter portions, is tedious and difficult.
February 4, 2022
A very well told story of the advance of Henry V on France, culminating with the battle of Agincourt. Our protagonist is Nicolas Hook, a fictional Welsh bastard of a minor Lord, who is a Forester and an archer. After hitting a priest, he becomes an outlaw and joins a mercenary company, headed to the front. Eventually he ends up as an archer for Lord John Cornwell.
Nic Hook is the eyes the author uses to show us the life and motivations of the regular soldiers, as well as giving us glimpses of the same for Henry V and his retinue. As usual, this author doesn't spare our sensibilities and the book can get difficult to read when it comes to rape, pillaging, and slaughter, but none of it is gratuitous or out of place. History is about facts, or at least as close as we can get, but it is not pretty. Despite all that, the author is a master of telling the military tale in a compelling and engaging way. I didn't put the book down once I started it and it is a very quick read. Is it the most accurate or complete look upon that famous battle - no. But it is in its way just enough to spark your interest and encourage you to find out more about it. Recommend it for all interested in the history of the time (1415 c. e.), as well as those who love a good story of a low-born lad kicking some noblemen down a bit 😃👍
Nic Hook is the eyes the author uses to show us the life and motivations of the regular soldiers, as well as giving us glimpses of the same for Henry V and his retinue. As usual, this author doesn't spare our sensibilities and the book can get difficult to read when it comes to rape, pillaging, and slaughter, but none of it is gratuitous or out of place. History is about facts, or at least as close as we can get, but it is not pretty. Despite all that, the author is a master of telling the military tale in a compelling and engaging way. I didn't put the book down once I started it and it is a very quick read. Is it the most accurate or complete look upon that famous battle - no. But it is in its way just enough to spark your interest and encourage you to find out more about it. Recommend it for all interested in the history of the time (1415 c. e.), as well as those who love a good story of a low-born lad kicking some noblemen down a bit 😃👍
February 12, 2009
The tale of the battle of Agincourt told through the eyes of an archer, Nicholas Hooks.
Cornwell is a master of captured the drama of history from different perspective and making the story come alive. And in that, he's very successful here. It's clear he's done his research and knows his history. He knows the nuances of the period and ably weaves them into the story.
He does this by creating a character we can follow and genuinely care about. Nick is an archer in training who quickly becomes an outlaw. He strikes a priest, trying to do the right thing and is forced to flee England. He becomes a mercenary in France, but is forced to return home. There he comes under the sovreign of the king and is put back into the archer core to fight and take back the throne of France. Along the way, he saves a nun from being raped and eventually takes her as his wife (Cornwell points out that convents were used to "hide" women to prevent noble men from taking advantage of them and producing bastard offspring.).
The best parts of the story are the battles. Cornwell excels in creating vivid, realistic and compelling battle sequences that will draw you in and keep the pages turning. Where the novel loses a bit of steam is during the moments in between where we have to set things up for the next battle. I can understand why they must be done and they do make the history of the period and events come more alive. But they just pale in comparison to the battle sequences. Whether this is a fair criticism or not, I will leave to fellow readers to decide.
Cornwell is a master of captured the drama of history from different perspective and making the story come alive. And in that, he's very successful here. It's clear he's done his research and knows his history. He knows the nuances of the period and ably weaves them into the story.
He does this by creating a character we can follow and genuinely care about. Nick is an archer in training who quickly becomes an outlaw. He strikes a priest, trying to do the right thing and is forced to flee England. He becomes a mercenary in France, but is forced to return home. There he comes under the sovreign of the king and is put back into the archer core to fight and take back the throne of France. Along the way, he saves a nun from being raped and eventually takes her as his wife (Cornwell points out that convents were used to "hide" women to prevent noble men from taking advantage of them and producing bastard offspring.).
The best parts of the story are the battles. Cornwell excels in creating vivid, realistic and compelling battle sequences that will draw you in and keep the pages turning. Where the novel loses a bit of steam is during the moments in between where we have to set things up for the next battle. I can understand why they must be done and they do make the history of the period and events come more alive. But they just pale in comparison to the battle sequences. Whether this is a fair criticism or not, I will leave to fellow readers to decide.
May 29, 2017
This was my first Bernard Cornwell novel and I picked it up because I wanted to learn about the historical background of the Battle of Azincourt, one of the significant battles in the Hundred Years' War, and about Henry V of England. When I closed the book, I was a little disappointed at the dearth of historical details relating to the ultimate and proximate causes that led to the battle, and the character of Henry V still seemed somewhat blurry in my head.
In the sweltering summer of 1415, the English army, having crossed the channel, engaged in the siege of Harfleur (in Normandy), which ended in a hard-won English victory. This prelude is followed by the English march north towards Calais (English-occupied). Then in the rainy and gloomy month of October, the English army had to face off with the far-outnumbering French army waiting in the muddy field of Azincourt in Picardy. The battle scenes are vividly drawn, with lots of gore, savagery, horror and obscenities (and feces too). Descriptions about armor, weapons and archery, in particular the usage of longbows, are expertly detailed. But some episodes as well as the ending of the novel come across as a bit cliched.
I did come away with a better understanding of why the English and the French hated each other's guts for so long.
In the sweltering summer of 1415, the English army, having crossed the channel, engaged in the siege of Harfleur (in Normandy), which ended in a hard-won English victory. This prelude is followed by the English march north towards Calais (English-occupied). Then in the rainy and gloomy month of October, the English army had to face off with the far-outnumbering French army waiting in the muddy field of Azincourt in Picardy. The battle scenes are vividly drawn, with lots of gore, savagery, horror and obscenities (and feces too). Descriptions about armor, weapons and archery, in particular the usage of longbows, are expertly detailed. But some episodes as well as the ending of the novel come across as a bit cliched.
I did come away with a better understanding of why the English and the French hated each other's guts for so long.
July 8, 2010
Bernard Cornwell must be the most obsessive novelist of English military history that lives (or maybe that ever lived). While this may seem a boring or potentially monochromatic palette, in his hands it is an amazing canvas.
Here he deals with the battle that made Henry V the stuff of legends. Though we get a very interesting portrait of him, the story (as is typical of Cornwell) is told from the perspective of a “mere” archer. We learn how he got to be one of the king’s archers and the medieval system that existed in England with all of its petty privileges and burdens.
This has to be one of his best and it, unlike some others, is complete in itself. A brilliant tour de force.
Here he deals with the battle that made Henry V the stuff of legends. Though we get a very interesting portrait of him, the story (as is typical of Cornwell) is told from the perspective of a “mere” archer. We learn how he got to be one of the king’s archers and the medieval system that existed in England with all of its petty privileges and burdens.
This has to be one of his best and it, unlike some others, is complete in itself. A brilliant tour de force.
October 14, 2022
Not quite Cornwell's best by a long shot (see what I did there?)
Interesting ideas but it felt far too similar to the Grail Quest for me, didn't have much to set the pace and felt a little stripped all whilst being one of Cornwell's longest books.
Interesting ideas but it felt far too similar to the Grail Quest for me, didn't have much to set the pace and felt a little stripped all whilst being one of Cornwell's longest books.
June 14, 2024
Una novela historica muy bien desarrollada. Capta los detalles sangrientos de la batalla medieval y, lo que es más interesante para mí, los personajes parecen realmente medievales porque piensan como medievales. Cuando leí Agincourt, creí que estaba en el campo de batalla asqueado por el baño de sangre que tuvo lugar durante la brutal batalla entre los ejércitos de ingleses y franceses.
La historia de Agincourt es legendaria. El rey Enrique V dirige su ejército a Francia para reclamar su derecho como rey de Francia. Después de una larga batalla en Harfleur que dejó a su ejército desaliñado por ataques de disentería, no regresaría a Inglaterra porque la victoria no era significativa y lo haría parecer débil. Eligió seguir adelante hasta Calais, lo que lleva a su ejército a un campo de trigo que ha sido recientemente arado y contempla al amenazante ejército francés colocado frente a ellos.
Las notas del autor detallan que los investigadores han determinado el número aproximado de los dos ejércitos con una gran disparidad. Cornwell acepta la teoría de 30.000 franceses y 6.000 ingleses como la más probable. Uno sólo puede imaginar el miedo y la adrenalina corriendo por las venas de los arqueros ingleses que atacarían primero enfrentando probabilidades tan peligrosas. Los arqueros se posicionaron por delante de los ingleses que se ubicaron en dos posiciones de retaguardia. ¿Esta estrategia resultaría efectiva? Es el clásico Cornwell quien te hace sentir cada emoción que te revuelve el estómago a lo largo de su historia.
Cornwell es un ilustrador con texto que pinta los acontecimientos que tuvieron lugar el día de San Crispen de 1415 con vívido realismo. Es comosi visualizaras una colaboración entre Goya y el director de la película Braveheart, donde la pintura y la película se superponen, obtienes esta novela, Agincourt. Este libro no es para los débiles de corazón pero no podría escribirse de otra manera. Fue una época de barbarie con armas mortales. El hacha tuvo un éxito brutal en reclamar miembros y vidas y los arcos con flechas lo suficientemente precisas como para colarse a través de un agujero en un casco o lo suficientemente mortales como para derribar a un caballo.
Enrique V, inmortalizado por Shakespeare, ahora en la novela Agincourt, de Bernard Cornwell, presenta este drama de David contra Goliat de la historia inglesa que te mantiene en suspense hasta la ultima pagina.
La historia de Agincourt es legendaria. El rey Enrique V dirige su ejército a Francia para reclamar su derecho como rey de Francia. Después de una larga batalla en Harfleur que dejó a su ejército desaliñado por ataques de disentería, no regresaría a Inglaterra porque la victoria no era significativa y lo haría parecer débil. Eligió seguir adelante hasta Calais, lo que lleva a su ejército a un campo de trigo que ha sido recientemente arado y contempla al amenazante ejército francés colocado frente a ellos.
Las notas del autor detallan que los investigadores han determinado el número aproximado de los dos ejércitos con una gran disparidad. Cornwell acepta la teoría de 30.000 franceses y 6.000 ingleses como la más probable. Uno sólo puede imaginar el miedo y la adrenalina corriendo por las venas de los arqueros ingleses que atacarían primero enfrentando probabilidades tan peligrosas. Los arqueros se posicionaron por delante de los ingleses que se ubicaron en dos posiciones de retaguardia. ¿Esta estrategia resultaría efectiva? Es el clásico Cornwell quien te hace sentir cada emoción que te revuelve el estómago a lo largo de su historia.
Cornwell es un ilustrador con texto que pinta los acontecimientos que tuvieron lugar el día de San Crispen de 1415 con vívido realismo. Es comosi visualizaras una colaboración entre Goya y el director de la película Braveheart, donde la pintura y la película se superponen, obtienes esta novela, Agincourt. Este libro no es para los débiles de corazón pero no podría escribirse de otra manera. Fue una época de barbarie con armas mortales. El hacha tuvo un éxito brutal en reclamar miembros y vidas y los arcos con flechas lo suficientemente precisas como para colarse a través de un agujero en un casco o lo suficientemente mortales como para derribar a un caballo.
Enrique V, inmortalizado por Shakespeare, ahora en la novela Agincourt, de Bernard Cornwell, presenta este drama de David contra Goliat de la historia inglesa que te mantiene en suspense hasta la ultima pagina.
May 25, 2024
Hacía tiempo que no leía nada de Bernard Cornwell, autor al que conocí con su trilogía 'El Señor de la Guerra' y me fascinó y que siempre recomendaré. 'Azincourt', novela histórica, también me ha gustado.
❝Al igual que el hombre y la mujer, así Dios hizo el arco.❞
Esta novela nos lleva al conflicto este ingleses y franceses en el año 1415 bajo el reinado de Enrique V, más concretamente a sus batallas; El asedio a la ciudad francesa de Harfleur y a la batalla campal de Azincourt.
Nuestro protagonista es Nicholas Hook, un joven arquero inglés. A través de sus ojos vemos la parte más cruda de la guerra -si es que alguna no lo es-, el autor nos lleva al barro, a la sangre, al olor a excrementos y al inmenso lodazal que se convierte tanto un campamento militar como un campo de batalla. Al más puro estilo grimdark.
❝Dios detesta a los franceses, porque Dios no es estúpido y el Todopoderoso sabe que cometió un error al crear los franceses. ¡Para eso nos envía a nosotros, para que lo enmendemos. Somos el ejercito de Dios y vamos a sacarle las tripas a esos cabrones, engendros del diablo.❞ sir John Cornewaille, caballero inglés.
La novela esta narrada desde el punto de vista del bando inglés. La influencia religiosa está muy presente en todos los acontecimientos y bajo la cristiandad y en nombre de Dios -cosa que también hacen los franceses- todo se convierte en un auténtico despropósito.
A parte de nuestro protagonista, tenemos a otros personajes importantes, Sir John Cornewaille, el padre Christopher y la joven Melisenda, personajes que me han gustado mucho y que a pesar de las penurias por las que pasan, algunos diálogos te hacen soltar una carcajada.
—¡Dios está con nosotros, muchachos!, ¡Dios está de nuestro lado!, ¡Confiad en Él!— dijo el Rey.
—¡Ojalá Dios hubiese querido que fuésemos más!— repuso un arquero.
Pero la novela tiene algunos puntos negativos, en mi opinión, sobre todo el asedio a Harfleur se hizo largo. El autor sabe muy bien describir las técnicas y maniobras militares, nada que objetar, pero con menos páginas le hubiese quedado mas redondo.
En resumen, una novela histórica que he disfrutado y como toda novela de este género que esté bien documentada uno aprende un poquito más.
❝...y allí estaban, en mitad de una campa anegada de sangre y mierda, rodeados de cadáveres, peleando entre los quejidos y lamentos de hombres agonizantes.❞
❝Al igual que el hombre y la mujer, así Dios hizo el arco.❞
Esta novela nos lleva al conflicto este ingleses y franceses en el año 1415 bajo el reinado de Enrique V, más concretamente a sus batallas; El asedio a la ciudad francesa de Harfleur y a la batalla campal de Azincourt.
Nuestro protagonista es Nicholas Hook, un joven arquero inglés. A través de sus ojos vemos la parte más cruda de la guerra -si es que alguna no lo es-, el autor nos lleva al barro, a la sangre, al olor a excrementos y al inmenso lodazal que se convierte tanto un campamento militar como un campo de batalla. Al más puro estilo grimdark.
❝Dios detesta a los franceses, porque Dios no es estúpido y el Todopoderoso sabe que cometió un error al crear los franceses. ¡Para eso nos envía a nosotros, para que lo enmendemos. Somos el ejercito de Dios y vamos a sacarle las tripas a esos cabrones, engendros del diablo.❞ sir John Cornewaille, caballero inglés.
La novela esta narrada desde el punto de vista del bando inglés. La influencia religiosa está muy presente en todos los acontecimientos y bajo la cristiandad y en nombre de Dios -cosa que también hacen los franceses- todo se convierte en un auténtico despropósito.
A parte de nuestro protagonista, tenemos a otros personajes importantes, Sir John Cornewaille, el padre Christopher y la joven Melisenda, personajes que me han gustado mucho y que a pesar de las penurias por las que pasan, algunos diálogos te hacen soltar una carcajada.
—¡Dios está con nosotros, muchachos!, ¡Dios está de nuestro lado!, ¡Confiad en Él!— dijo el Rey.
—¡Ojalá Dios hubiese querido que fuésemos más!— repuso un arquero.
Pero la novela tiene algunos puntos negativos, en mi opinión, sobre todo el asedio a Harfleur se hizo largo. El autor sabe muy bien describir las técnicas y maniobras militares, nada que objetar, pero con menos páginas le hubiese quedado mas redondo.
En resumen, una novela histórica que he disfrutado y como toda novela de este género que esté bien documentada uno aprende un poquito más.
❝...y allí estaban, en mitad de una campa anegada de sangre y mierda, rodeados de cadáveres, peleando entre los quejidos y lamentos de hombres agonizantes.❞
July 20, 2017
So... I had high hopes for this one. I think I also hold Cornwell to a higher standard than most authors. So even though I'm only giving it three stars, this is probably a better account of a historical English battle in the Hundred Years War than most you will find. I just can't give it the same number of stars as my least favorite book in The Saxon Stories (if there even is such a thing).
For starters, our hero Nicholas Hook is kind of a bland guy (but one that actually lived! Which is pretty cool) with one exception, he hears the voices of saints. Saint Crispin and Saint Crispinian to be exact. This felt a little off to me, but the connection is made clear in the end and it was a deviation from Cornwell's norm. It was an interesting plot device and he pulled it off without making Hook seem utterly crazy.
I did appreciate Melisande, who is a nun Hook saves from being raped at the sack of Soissons. Generally speaking, there aren't a lot of strong female characters to be found in Cornwell's writing but Melisande was a good of example of one he's written well. She was feminine while still being strong and brave. SirJohn Cornweaille was also a fantastic character and endlessly entertaining (though he talks about cabbage-farting French a lot).
The battles are all told very well and are exciting. The history in this book is about as accurate as I suspect it probably could have been (only one archer in this book was truly invented). Apparently all the others were names taken from the archives about Azincourt, and it is that level of detail that I have come to love most about Cornwell's work.
I guess what wasn't working for me is that this book is fairly long (between 400-500 pages) and there weren't many sub-plots happening. The Archer's Tale which is the first in his Holy Grail trilogy is a retelling of the Battle of Crecy (whose lopsided numbers in favor of the French were even more impressive) but it was also about Thomas finding his faith and making good on his promises to his father and God. (Unrelated sidenote- I loved the nod that was given to The Archer's Tale! Did anyone else catch it?)
This book is mostly about Nicholas Hook fighting in at Azincourt and finding redemption. There just wasn't enough else happening to support the 450 page book length. All in all a solid read if a little slow at times. I would recommend this to people interested in the Hundred Years War, Azincourt, and Cornwell fans.
For starters, our hero Nicholas Hook is kind of a bland guy (but one that actually lived! Which is pretty cool) with one exception, he hears the voices of saints. Saint Crispin and Saint Crispinian to be exact. This felt a little off to me, but the connection is made clear in the end and it was a deviation from Cornwell's norm. It was an interesting plot device and he pulled it off without making Hook seem utterly crazy.
I did appreciate Melisande, who is a nun Hook saves from being raped at the sack of Soissons. Generally speaking, there aren't a lot of strong female characters to be found in Cornwell's writing but Melisande was a good of example of one he's written well. She was feminine while still being strong and brave. SirJohn Cornweaille was also a fantastic character and endlessly entertaining (though he talks about cabbage-farting French a lot).
The battles are all told very well and are exciting. The history in this book is about as accurate as I suspect it probably could have been (only one archer in this book was truly invented). Apparently all the others were names taken from the archives about Azincourt, and it is that level of detail that I have come to love most about Cornwell's work.
I guess what wasn't working for me is that this book is fairly long (between 400-500 pages) and there weren't many sub-plots happening. The Archer's Tale which is the first in his Holy Grail trilogy is a retelling of the Battle of Crecy (whose lopsided numbers in favor of the French were even more impressive) but it was also about Thomas finding his faith and making good on his promises to his father and God. (Unrelated sidenote- I loved the nod that was given to The Archer's Tale! Did anyone else catch it?)
This book is mostly about Nicholas Hook fighting in at Azincourt and finding redemption. There just wasn't enough else happening to support the 450 page book length. All in all a solid read if a little slow at times. I would recommend this to people interested in the Hundred Years War, Azincourt, and Cornwell fans.
September 1, 2020
I have read The Grail Quest series, The first two books of the Starbucks Chronicles, The Winter King, Stonehenge, Gallows Thief and the Saxon series. Bernard Cornwell is master of historical fiction and provides a crackling good read, as well as being a must for enthusiasts of military history and war gamers.
Cornwell tells the story of an archer in the English army, Nicholas Hook, from a common background, having fled England as an outlaw, and haunted by his failing of having rescued a Lollard girl. Sarah, who is burned to death during Henry V's mass burning of the Lollard religious dissidents.
Cornwell recounts the sieges of Harfleur and Soissons, where Nick rescues a beautiful young nun from being raped and murdered. The horror of the mass murder at Soissons of both English archers and the murder French civilians, is graphically recounted her by an author who knows how to bring the re-inaction historical atrocities to vivid life. His enmity with the evil sir Martin and the Perrill brothers, his love of the beautiful Melisande, the camaraderie with fellow archers and a kindly monk, Father Christopher are all well illustrated as are lots of action and suspense. A nuanced portrayal of Henry V and above all Nick's communication with Saint Crispinian and Saint Crispin , who speak to him and guide him are central features of a crackling good read, and well studied historical recreation of the invasion of France by Henry and its finale in the Battle of Agincourt where 9 000 English archers and soldiers beat a 30 000 strong French army. Cornwell is certainly a master of historical fiction.
Cornwell tells the story of an archer in the English army, Nicholas Hook, from a common background, having fled England as an outlaw, and haunted by his failing of having rescued a Lollard girl. Sarah, who is burned to death during Henry V's mass burning of the Lollard religious dissidents.
Cornwell recounts the sieges of Harfleur and Soissons, where Nick rescues a beautiful young nun from being raped and murdered. The horror of the mass murder at Soissons of both English archers and the murder French civilians, is graphically recounted her by an author who knows how to bring the re-inaction historical atrocities to vivid life. His enmity with the evil sir Martin and the Perrill brothers, his love of the beautiful Melisande, the camaraderie with fellow archers and a kindly monk, Father Christopher are all well illustrated as are lots of action and suspense. A nuanced portrayal of Henry V and above all Nick's communication with Saint Crispinian and Saint Crispin , who speak to him and guide him are central features of a crackling good read, and well studied historical recreation of the invasion of France by Henry and its finale in the Battle of Agincourt where 9 000 English archers and soldiers beat a 30 000 strong French army. Cornwell is certainly a master of historical fiction.
January 4, 2020
I am an avid fan of all Bernard Cornwell's books but this one ranks among my favourites. I found it exciting, beautifully written and the preparations for the battles plus the actual actions were so gripping. An utterly absorbing book which I have read quite a few times.
February 11, 2015
I just love good historical fiction! It brings history to life for me in a way that those boring history lessons at school never did. My favourite writers in this genre are Conn Iggulden and Bernard Cornwell, although there are many others who light up all of my lights.
There are many books about the Battle of Agincourt, but this has to rate as one of the best. That is unless you want the non-fiction, factual version of events. But who is to say what is factual? There is even much disagreement amongst the scholars of the period.
The story, as told by Cornwell, follows the life of an archer, Nick Hook. He is outlawed early in the narration for hitting a priest. The priest deserved much more than a punch in the stomach for what he did, but Hook would've been caught and hung had he meted out the correct justice.
Nick is a brilliant archer, and soon finds himself in France, in Soissons, where he witnesses some horrendous betrayal and violence, but those events lead to one positive outcome: he meets the lady who is eventually to become his wife.
I can't say much more without giving away the whole story, and I don't want to spoil it for you.
There is a lot of graphic violence in this book, but it is, I believe, the reality of that age.
The narrative was generally fast flowing, but there were occasions when there was just too much detail, and that slowed the whole story down and irritated me somewhat.
I also felt that the book could really have benefited from the inclusion of a glossary of definitions of armoury, clothing, weaponry and other terms of the age. I don't wish to interrupt my enjoyment of the story by breaking off to consult my dictionary or encyclopaedia.
This small criticism aside, this is a really great read, and I would recommend it to all fans of historical fiction and Bernard Cornwell.
Note: You may well ask, "Why Azincourt rather that Agincourt?" The answer is that this is, and was, the correct spelling of the name of the nearby village which gave its name to the famous battle.
There are many books about the Battle of Agincourt, but this has to rate as one of the best. That is unless you want the non-fiction, factual version of events. But who is to say what is factual? There is even much disagreement amongst the scholars of the period.
The story, as told by Cornwell, follows the life of an archer, Nick Hook. He is outlawed early in the narration for hitting a priest. The priest deserved much more than a punch in the stomach for what he did, but Hook would've been caught and hung had he meted out the correct justice.
Nick is a brilliant archer, and soon finds himself in France, in Soissons, where he witnesses some horrendous betrayal and violence, but those events lead to one positive outcome: he meets the lady who is eventually to become his wife.
I can't say much more without giving away the whole story, and I don't want to spoil it for you.
There is a lot of graphic violence in this book, but it is, I believe, the reality of that age.
The narrative was generally fast flowing, but there were occasions when there was just too much detail, and that slowed the whole story down and irritated me somewhat.
I also felt that the book could really have benefited from the inclusion of a glossary of definitions of armoury, clothing, weaponry and other terms of the age. I don't wish to interrupt my enjoyment of the story by breaking off to consult my dictionary or encyclopaedia.
This small criticism aside, this is a really great read, and I would recommend it to all fans of historical fiction and Bernard Cornwell.
Note: You may well ask, "Why Azincourt rather that Agincourt?" The answer is that this is, and was, the correct spelling of the name of the nearby village which gave its name to the famous battle.
February 21, 2013
***Note: I apologize for the misspelling of Cornwell as Cromwell. I changed it here, but I can't change in the comments.
Amazing!! 5 Stars! A new favorite author!! Such a good book, though not without its quirks.
The main thing to note is that this book is about a famous battle, so there is an extremely long battle scene. I became a little tired of the scene, but I realized this book is about a battle and so what did I expect. I love the writing style of Bernard Cornwell. I am excited to read his other historical fiction books, which are not so heavy on battle scenes. However, anyone interested in reading his work should be prepared for bad language and violence. Keep in mind that life was very much like he describes in his books, so it's not gratuitous. It is the way things were. Cornwell does incredible amount of research. It brings his characters to life and puts you in the middle of the story. You can see, smell and taste the historical settings. He added a relationship to this book. It gave the story a sweetness that contrasted beautifully with the treacherous world and even has a happy ending!
Amazing!! 5 Stars! A new favorite author!! Such a good book, though not without its quirks.
The main thing to note is that this book is about a famous battle, so there is an extremely long battle scene. I became a little tired of the scene, but I realized this book is about a battle and so what did I expect. I love the writing style of Bernard Cornwell. I am excited to read his other historical fiction books, which are not so heavy on battle scenes. However, anyone interested in reading his work should be prepared for bad language and violence. Keep in mind that life was very much like he describes in his books, so it's not gratuitous. It is the way things were. Cornwell does incredible amount of research. It brings his characters to life and puts you in the middle of the story. You can see, smell and taste the historical settings. He added a relationship to this book. It gave the story a sweetness that contrasted beautifully with the treacherous world and even has a happy ending!
March 1, 2019
As always, Cornwell delivered a wonderful story that was impeccably researched and moved along well. I have to say that Bastard is my new favorite insult after reading this. It's annoying my dog I think but everyone in this book was a bastard!
July 20, 2020
I have read 10 other Bernard Cornwell books and needless to say, I am a fan. Agincourt by Bernard Cornwell is one of his standalone novels. This novel introduces Nick Hook who has a family feud with another local family and well as the local priest. This feud has him banished to France. He ends up being part of a company in the town of Soissons. However, the siege of Soissons is devastating. Nick saves a novice named Melisande from rape. They manage to escape. Now, King Henry V is bringing his army to reclaim what is rightfully his. Nick Hook finds himself an Archer under the command of Sir John Cornewaille. Everything leads up to St. Crispin’s Day in Agincourt.
“No!” Sir John thrust a gauntleted hand to strike Hook’s shoulder. “You fight my battles, Hook,” he punched Hook’s shoulder again, “that’s what I pay you for. But if you fight mine, then I fight yours, you understand? We are a company!”
AGINCOURT, SIR JOHN CORNEWAILLE
This book is not for those who want something fast-paced and superficial. This book is what I would consider an epic. There are many things that make this book special and one of those is the detail. Having read Bernard Cornwell before, I know how intense his battle scenes are, and he does not disappoint in this book. The siege and battle are written with such detail you feel as if you are fighting in the mud along with the soldiers.
Agincourt is one of those battles that has been immortalized by William Shakespeare and just in history in general. Based on the statistics of the battle, the English shouldn’t have won. –And if anyone screams spoilers…come on, this battle happened 600 years ago. But I digress. Bernard Cornwell has a deep understanding of this battle. Every detail leads up to Agincourt. The win could be attributed to a couple of things. The first is that it supposedly rained so much that the mud was almost impossible to fight in. The second, the archers. Making the main character an archer just really brings this book to life.
This book is one of the most richly detailed historical fiction books I have ever read. Be prepared, this battle is devastating. DO NOT GET ATTACHED. That is all I will say on the matter. I rate this book 5 out of 5 stars.
“No!” Sir John thrust a gauntleted hand to strike Hook’s shoulder. “You fight my battles, Hook,” he punched Hook’s shoulder again, “that’s what I pay you for. But if you fight mine, then I fight yours, you understand? We are a company!”
AGINCOURT, SIR JOHN CORNEWAILLE
This book is not for those who want something fast-paced and superficial. This book is what I would consider an epic. There are many things that make this book special and one of those is the detail. Having read Bernard Cornwell before, I know how intense his battle scenes are, and he does not disappoint in this book. The siege and battle are written with such detail you feel as if you are fighting in the mud along with the soldiers.
Agincourt is one of those battles that has been immortalized by William Shakespeare and just in history in general. Based on the statistics of the battle, the English shouldn’t have won. –And if anyone screams spoilers…come on, this battle happened 600 years ago. But I digress. Bernard Cornwell has a deep understanding of this battle. Every detail leads up to Agincourt. The win could be attributed to a couple of things. The first is that it supposedly rained so much that the mud was almost impossible to fight in. The second, the archers. Making the main character an archer just really brings this book to life.
This book is one of the most richly detailed historical fiction books I have ever read. Be prepared, this battle is devastating. DO NOT GET ATTACHED. That is all I will say on the matter. I rate this book 5 out of 5 stars.
February 2, 2018
After closing the book I had to sit for a while just to come to terms with what I had been reading.
The sheer brutality that is hand to hand warfare. Men covered in blood and gore from their opponents. Skulls cleaved, limbs lost, men screaming for mercy and all praying to God.
I then thought, did the men in the fifteenth century suffer from PTSD, or did their live have so little value they just accepted the brutality as a way of life?
Bernard Cornwell is the consummate storyteller. He takes a piece of monumental history and fills it with unforgettable characters. Characters that you will grow to love, cherish, hate, despise and be appalled by.
As a piece of historical writing,Agincourt is up there with the best. This is a great way to learn about the history that shaped our world and be vastly entertained at the same time.
Highly recommended. 5 star entertainment.
The sheer brutality that is hand to hand warfare. Men covered in blood and gore from their opponents. Skulls cleaved, limbs lost, men screaming for mercy and all praying to God.
I then thought, did the men in the fifteenth century suffer from PTSD, or did their live have so little value they just accepted the brutality as a way of life?
Bernard Cornwell is the consummate storyteller. He takes a piece of monumental history and fills it with unforgettable characters. Characters that you will grow to love, cherish, hate, despise and be appalled by.
As a piece of historical writing,Agincourt is up there with the best. This is a great way to learn about the history that shaped our world and be vastly entertained at the same time.
Highly recommended. 5 star entertainment.
December 10, 2012
Alright...those who know me...now you have all picked yourselves up off the floor I will explain the dismal rating. And as I explain it, it may pay to keep in mind that the only reason I gave it 2 stars instead of 1 is because I am a gutless coward.
Here we go.
I simply did not like it. I could not even finish it I disliked it so much. ME! A Bernard Cornwell fan of the highest order!
There are other 2 star reviews here on Goodreads that echo my own feelings on this book, so let me keep this short and sweet.
The writing was not very good and far too literal. An example of what I mean by literal writing would be..The sky was blue. The trees were green. They sat on the grass and ate bread. There were flies and a wind. (NB*that is not a quote from the book).
The gore is ridiculously described, the characters are one dimensional, annoying and cliched and to me, do not work. The voices in his head were irritating and got on my nerve.
So, after wallowing in my guilt for half a day and wondering how it is possible that I could not like a Cornwell book. And knowing that so many loved this book and only the minority give it 2 or 1 stars, I finally decided to give it up and face the music.
Here we go.
I simply did not like it. I could not even finish it I disliked it so much. ME! A Bernard Cornwell fan of the highest order!
There are other 2 star reviews here on Goodreads that echo my own feelings on this book, so let me keep this short and sweet.
The writing was not very good and far too literal. An example of what I mean by literal writing would be..The sky was blue. The trees were green. They sat on the grass and ate bread. There were flies and a wind. (NB*that is not a quote from the book).
The gore is ridiculously described, the characters are one dimensional, annoying and cliched and to me, do not work. The voices in his head were irritating and got on my nerve.
So, after wallowing in my guilt for half a day and wondering how it is possible that I could not like a Cornwell book. And knowing that so many loved this book and only the minority give it 2 or 1 stars, I finally decided to give it up and face the music.
September 27, 2021
Read this book in 2008, and this standalone book is a tremendous retelling about the ferocious Battle of Agincourt (french for Azincourt), by the author, Bernard Cornwell.
This story about the Battle of Agincourt is set before and on the 25th October AD 1415, St Crispin's Day, and of course its aftermath.
The story is historically very well researched and brought to us in a meticulously and breathtaking manner, that it will take you across that battlefield of chaos and bloodshed.
It was also the first battle won by the longbow for the English of King Henry V, a weapon that will dominate the rest of the Century.
All in all a gripping tale about a Battle fought by noblemen, peasants, horsemen and archers, and a one that was crippled with disease, and that was decided in the end with bravery of the highest kind by English soldiery.
Highly recommended, for this a fantastic retelling of one of the momentous events in history, and that's why I want to call this book: "A Wonderful Depiction Of Agincourt"!
This story about the Battle of Agincourt is set before and on the 25th October AD 1415, St Crispin's Day, and of course its aftermath.
The story is historically very well researched and brought to us in a meticulously and breathtaking manner, that it will take you across that battlefield of chaos and bloodshed.
It was also the first battle won by the longbow for the English of King Henry V, a weapon that will dominate the rest of the Century.
All in all a gripping tale about a Battle fought by noblemen, peasants, horsemen and archers, and a one that was crippled with disease, and that was decided in the end with bravery of the highest kind by English soldiery.
Highly recommended, for this a fantastic retelling of one of the momentous events in history, and that's why I want to call this book: "A Wonderful Depiction Of Agincourt"!
July 15, 2015
A riveting and graphic fictionalized account of Henry V's campaign in France in 1415, from the seige of Harfleur to the Battle of Agincourt, told from the viewpoint of a lowly English archer.
Bernard Cornwell is not a literary writer, and his characterization is fairly shallow. The personality of his characters mostly comes through in their dialogue - but that works quite well in a book like this one. I enjoyed Sir John Cornewaille's heated, filthy rants against the French, and the way his confessor Father Christopher solemnly assures him that God feels exactly the same way.
The opening chapters, which establish a background for the protagonist, are admittedly awkward. If I had been unfamiliar with Cornwell I might have abandoned this book early on. By the time our archer joins King Henry's forces in London, however, I was hooked.
What Cornwell does quite well is to describe what it's like to string and aim and shoot a longbow; or what it's like to don armor, piece by exquisite piece, when the battle is imminent. What it would sound like to be on the battlefield with thousands of arrows raining down. How an armored knight might struggle, hardly able to see through a closed visor, barely able to lift his feet out of thick, clinging mud. He can vividly describe exactly the technique used to kill men and horses (why do I cringe more for the horses?) with arrows, with lances, with swords, and with poleaxes - or what it's like to watch women raped as the spoils of war. Cornwell is good at seamlessly blending an individual soldier's experience with an account of the overall action.
A few simple maps are included, and there's an informative Historical Note at the end. Cornwell mentions the legend that the British two-fingered salute originated among the archers at Agincourt as a symbol of defiance and triumph - the French had announced their intention to cut off the arrow-shooting fingers of the English bowmen.
Bernard Cornwell is not a literary writer, and his characterization is fairly shallow. The personality of his characters mostly comes through in their dialogue - but that works quite well in a book like this one. I enjoyed Sir John Cornewaille's heated, filthy rants against the French, and the way his confessor Father Christopher solemnly assures him that God feels exactly the same way.
The opening chapters, which establish a background for the protagonist, are admittedly awkward. If I had been unfamiliar with Cornwell I might have abandoned this book early on. By the time our archer joins King Henry's forces in London, however, I was hooked.
What Cornwell does quite well is to describe what it's like to string and aim and shoot a longbow; or what it's like to don armor, piece by exquisite piece, when the battle is imminent. What it would sound like to be on the battlefield with thousands of arrows raining down. How an armored knight might struggle, hardly able to see through a closed visor, barely able to lift his feet out of thick, clinging mud. He can vividly describe exactly the technique used to kill men and horses (why do I cringe more for the horses?) with arrows, with lances, with swords, and with poleaxes - or what it's like to watch women raped as the spoils of war. Cornwell is good at seamlessly blending an individual soldier's experience with an account of the overall action.
A few simple maps are included, and there's an informative Historical Note at the end. Cornwell mentions the legend that the British two-fingered salute originated among the archers at Agincourt as a symbol of defiance and triumph - the French had announced their intention to cut off the arrow-shooting fingers of the English bowmen.
August 22, 2021
"Viu nuvens cinza cobrindo o terreno arado de Azincourt.
E viu, diante do exercício inglês, um campo de homens mortos e agonizantes. Mais mortos, pensou, do que o número de homens que o rei comandara até esse matadouro molhado. Estavam embolados e sangrentos, mortos incontáveis, esparramados, sujos de sangue, vestidos com armaduras, rasgados, perfurados e esmagados.
Havia homens e cavalos. Havia armas abandonadas, bandeiras caídas e esperanças mortas. Um campo semeado com trigo de inverno havia produzido uma colheita de sangue.
E no fim daquele campo, para além dos mortos, para além dos que morriam e choravam, a terceira formação de batalha francesa ia dando costas.
O poder da França estava se virando e os homens iam para o norte, deixando Azincourt, cavalgando para escapar do exército risivelmente pequeno que havia transformado seu mundo em horror.
Estava acabado. "
E viu, diante do exercício inglês, um campo de homens mortos e agonizantes. Mais mortos, pensou, do que o número de homens que o rei comandara até esse matadouro molhado. Estavam embolados e sangrentos, mortos incontáveis, esparramados, sujos de sangue, vestidos com armaduras, rasgados, perfurados e esmagados.
Havia homens e cavalos. Havia armas abandonadas, bandeiras caídas e esperanças mortas. Um campo semeado com trigo de inverno havia produzido uma colheita de sangue.
E no fim daquele campo, para além dos mortos, para além dos que morriam e choravam, a terceira formação de batalha francesa ia dando costas.
O poder da França estava se virando e os homens iam para o norte, deixando Azincourt, cavalgando para escapar do exército risivelmente pequeno que havia transformado seu mundo em horror.
Estava acabado. "
December 9, 2010
This is a thrilling, moving, informative and entertaining narrative of the battle of Agincourt (of Shakespeare's Henry V fame). I was completely addicted to the audiobook for days on end. Could not stop listening.
And I simply cannot recommend it to anyone else to read.
Unless, of course, you already live on a diet of blood, gore and profanity, and will therefore not be deeply disturbed by the all-to-real imagery of life and war in the 15th century. I've struggled to understand if the degree of gruesomeness presented in this book was simply gratuitous or if it was necessary to accurately convey the conditions of the time.
I think I've concluded that softening the blows (so to speak) would indeed have reduced some of the book's power. The story is primarily told through the eyes of a single lowly English archer who is possessed of great strength and prowess in battle, but who grows in honor and compassion as the book develops. This growth places him in stark contrast to the crass, cruel world in which he lives and fights.
There are other very appealing characters as well: a tenacious love interest from the enemy side; her brutal, yet oddly caring nobleman father; and Sir John Cornwall, the archer's commander, whose ferocity and acrid leadership is matched only by his unyielding loyalty to his men.
If you lack stomach for vivid descriptions of they myriad ways in which 15th century soldiers slaughtered and avenged themselves on their enemies, read Henry V instead. Or go watch the 1989 movie of the same by Kenneth Branagh, which I haven't seen but my very tasteful wife highly recommends. But if you're not prone to a queasy stomach or bad dreams, this book may be well worth it. It left me feeling unusually grateful to have a 21st century desk job.
And I simply cannot recommend it to anyone else to read.
Unless, of course, you already live on a diet of blood, gore and profanity, and will therefore not be deeply disturbed by the all-to-real imagery of life and war in the 15th century. I've struggled to understand if the degree of gruesomeness presented in this book was simply gratuitous or if it was necessary to accurately convey the conditions of the time.
I think I've concluded that softening the blows (so to speak) would indeed have reduced some of the book's power. The story is primarily told through the eyes of a single lowly English archer who is possessed of great strength and prowess in battle, but who grows in honor and compassion as the book develops. This growth places him in stark contrast to the crass, cruel world in which he lives and fights.
There are other very appealing characters as well: a tenacious love interest from the enemy side; her brutal, yet oddly caring nobleman father; and Sir John Cornwall, the archer's commander, whose ferocity and acrid leadership is matched only by his unyielding loyalty to his men.
If you lack stomach for vivid descriptions of they myriad ways in which 15th century soldiers slaughtered and avenged themselves on their enemies, read Henry V instead. Or go watch the 1989 movie of the same by Kenneth Branagh, which I haven't seen but my very tasteful wife highly recommends. But if you're not prone to a queasy stomach or bad dreams, this book may be well worth it. It left me feeling unusually grateful to have a 21st century desk job.
July 14, 2017
Listened to this on Audible and it was just as good as I remembered. Colourful characters - and curses - and excellent build up to the famous battle. In true Bernard style, the story follows an English archer and the people around him, friend and foe. Highly recommended for history buffs and action fans alike - the fights and battles are visceral and brutal and face to face personal.
October 17, 2015
Reviewed on my blog - Books by Proxy
4.5 Stars
The 25th October marks the 600th anniversary of the battle of Agincourt, and what better way to remember the occasion than to read a highly evocative and remarkably convincing novel based on the battle itself. My first foray into the writings of Bernard Cornwell turned out to be a gut-wrenching, breath-taking and truly mesmerising experience. This is not a book for the faint of heart, Cornwell wields his pen like an axe, severing limbs from men left, right and centre until the pages are saturated in blood. Azincourt is disturbingly real and horrific in its truth; bloody, brutal and brilliant.
-
This novel tells the story of Henry V’s invasion of Normandy, from the prolonged siege of Harfleur and the subsequent march to Calais, to the battle of Agincourt itself. This is a tale of war and blood and death – of the rape and slaughter of civilians, of soldiers cut down in their thousands, and of men dying in true ignoble glory – hacked out in vivid and utterly convincing detail.
Cornwell has quite obviously done a considerable amount of research; the manner of warfare – the weaponry, the armour, the battles – are all described in incredible (and somewhat bloody) detail. Azincourt is simultaneously a lovesong to the English longbow. Told through the narrative of the protagonist, Nick Hook, Cornwell describes its use and implementation as the powerhouse of medieval warfare in rich detail. This depth of research creates a narrative which has all the action and drama of a movie whilst remaining true to the history.
If you like your characters in shades of grey, and splattered in blood, gore and shit, then Azincourt has a whole legion to supply. Cornwell creates characters who are either brilliantly psychotic or horrifically deranged, and even our protagonist Nick Hook makes a hard job of conjuring up any rapport. Strength and heroism are not exclusive to the good and just after all. But don’t let that put you off; this isn’t a novel about likeability, this is about one battle – this is about death and glory and the utter futility of both.
Azincourt is a novel written with gritty eloquence, fast-paced and to the point, whilst throwing in some of the most evocative passages of description I’ve ever read; both disturbingly realistic and eminently readable. Cornwell doesn’t shy away from the horrors of war, and neither does he pluck at the heartstrings – this is war; violent, bloody and terrible – brutal lives conveyed in brutal prose.
-
If you like your historical fiction like your grimdark fantasy, unflinchingly violent and bloody (and incredibly grim and dark), then I heartily recommend you read Azincourt. This is a fast paced and bloodthirsty tale which is supremely well researched. Bernard Cornwell is an incredible writer whose reputation as the master of historical fiction is well earned, I am only ashamed it took me so long to pick up one of his novels.
4.5 Stars
The 25th October marks the 600th anniversary of the battle of Agincourt, and what better way to remember the occasion than to read a highly evocative and remarkably convincing novel based on the battle itself. My first foray into the writings of Bernard Cornwell turned out to be a gut-wrenching, breath-taking and truly mesmerising experience. This is not a book for the faint of heart, Cornwell wields his pen like an axe, severing limbs from men left, right and centre until the pages are saturated in blood. Azincourt is disturbingly real and horrific in its truth; bloody, brutal and brilliant.
-
This novel tells the story of Henry V’s invasion of Normandy, from the prolonged siege of Harfleur and the subsequent march to Calais, to the battle of Agincourt itself. This is a tale of war and blood and death – of the rape and slaughter of civilians, of soldiers cut down in their thousands, and of men dying in true ignoble glory – hacked out in vivid and utterly convincing detail.
Cornwell has quite obviously done a considerable amount of research; the manner of warfare – the weaponry, the armour, the battles – are all described in incredible (and somewhat bloody) detail. Azincourt is simultaneously a lovesong to the English longbow. Told through the narrative of the protagonist, Nick Hook, Cornwell describes its use and implementation as the powerhouse of medieval warfare in rich detail. This depth of research creates a narrative which has all the action and drama of a movie whilst remaining true to the history.
If you like your characters in shades of grey, and splattered in blood, gore and shit, then Azincourt has a whole legion to supply. Cornwell creates characters who are either brilliantly psychotic or horrifically deranged, and even our protagonist Nick Hook makes a hard job of conjuring up any rapport. Strength and heroism are not exclusive to the good and just after all. But don’t let that put you off; this isn’t a novel about likeability, this is about one battle – this is about death and glory and the utter futility of both.
Azincourt is a novel written with gritty eloquence, fast-paced and to the point, whilst throwing in some of the most evocative passages of description I’ve ever read; both disturbingly realistic and eminently readable. Cornwell doesn’t shy away from the horrors of war, and neither does he pluck at the heartstrings – this is war; violent, bloody and terrible – brutal lives conveyed in brutal prose.
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If you like your historical fiction like your grimdark fantasy, unflinchingly violent and bloody (and incredibly grim and dark), then I heartily recommend you read Azincourt. This is a fast paced and bloodthirsty tale which is supremely well researched. Bernard Cornwell is an incredible writer whose reputation as the master of historical fiction is well earned, I am only ashamed it took me so long to pick up one of his novels.
June 18, 2016
Review in Portuguese from Desbravando Livros:
Recheado com todos os ingredientes necessários para se fazer um romance histórico, Azincourt está, a partir de hoje, na minha lista dos melhores livros de Bernard Cornwell. É simplesmente intrigante a facilidade que o autor tem em narrar os acontecimentos de épocas passadas e ao mesmo tempo nos transportar para dentro da narrativa.
O livro nos apresenta Nicholas Hook, arqueiro inglês especialista em criar problemas desde que nasceu. Hook, assim como vários outros arqueiros, é enviado por seu senhor para Londres a fim de acabar com uma rebelião. Lá, nosso protagonista se mete em uma briga e é declarado fora-da-lei, tendo que buscar refúgio na França. Em Soissons, cidade francesa guarnecida pelos ingleses, o arqueiro conhece como é uma guerra de verdade: mortes, estupro, violência descontrolada e traições que mudam o destino de pessoas.
Apesar de toda essa brutalidade mostrada na guerra, o livro também é recheado de passagens sarcásticas e conversas muito bem-humoradas entre os personagens:
"- Briga de família, garoto, é o pior tipo de briga que existe – dissera John Wilkinson."
Ao longo da narrativa, Nicholas se encontra com diversos personagens marcantes em sua vida, como a freira Melisande, outros bons arqueiros como ele e, principalmente, Sir John Cornwaille. O cavaleiro é imprescindível no desenvolvimento de Hook como pessoa e também como guerreiro, pois o ensina a lutar com outros tipos de arma além do arco longo e também lhe dá algumas lições de vida que ficarão para sempre em sua memória:
"... Mate ou seja morto, dizia sempre Sir John, e Hook correu para o homem, com a acha levantada, o cabo seguro com as duas mãos, ignorou o débil golpe defensivo de espada que o homem ofereceu e estocou com a ponta da lança contra a cintura do francês."
E eu também não posso esquecer de deixar aqui para vocês um quote com uma clara demonstração de como são as descrições minuciosas do autor:
"O marechal não usava elmo. Seu cabelo era castanho-escuro, cortado muito curto e ficando grisalho nas têmporas, e emoldurava um rosto de tamanha ferocidade que Hook ficou pasmo. Era um rosto quadrado, rijo, com cicatrizes e quebrado, sofrido em batalha e pela vida, mas não derrotado. Um rosto duro, rosto de homem, rosto de guerreiro, com olhos escuros penetrantes que examinavam homens e cavalos em busca de sinais de suas condições. Sua boca estava fixa numa linha séria, mas de repente ele sorriu ao ver o padre Christopher, e no sorriso Hook viu um homem capaz de inspirar outros homens a grande lealdade e vitórias."
Vocês irão gostar muito desse livro, tenho certeza! A rixa da família Hook com a família Perrill se estende por todas as páginas e rende vários momentos de apreensão. O prólogo é sensacional, digno de uma obra de Bernard Cornwell. A única coisa que eu "não gostei" foi da narrativa em terceira pessoa, mas isso é algo mínimo comparado com a grandiosidade do livro.
E só para constar: eu nunca me canso de ler os livros do Bernard Cornwell. São muitos detalhes, são tantas batalhas e reviravoltas que é muito difícil MESMO não gostar do estilo do autor e da sua narrativa. Azincourt é mais um livro na minha lista de favoritos!
Pontos fortes: batalhas, descrições dos cenários e dos acontecimentos, intrigas... Enfim, tudo que deve existir em um romance histórico.
Pontos fracos: o fato do leitor já saber que os ingleses venceriam essa batalha histórica.
Recheado com todos os ingredientes necessários para se fazer um romance histórico, Azincourt está, a partir de hoje, na minha lista dos melhores livros de Bernard Cornwell. É simplesmente intrigante a facilidade que o autor tem em narrar os acontecimentos de épocas passadas e ao mesmo tempo nos transportar para dentro da narrativa.
O livro nos apresenta Nicholas Hook, arqueiro inglês especialista em criar problemas desde que nasceu. Hook, assim como vários outros arqueiros, é enviado por seu senhor para Londres a fim de acabar com uma rebelião. Lá, nosso protagonista se mete em uma briga e é declarado fora-da-lei, tendo que buscar refúgio na França. Em Soissons, cidade francesa guarnecida pelos ingleses, o arqueiro conhece como é uma guerra de verdade: mortes, estupro, violência descontrolada e traições que mudam o destino de pessoas.
Apesar de toda essa brutalidade mostrada na guerra, o livro também é recheado de passagens sarcásticas e conversas muito bem-humoradas entre os personagens:
"- Briga de família, garoto, é o pior tipo de briga que existe – dissera John Wilkinson."
Ao longo da narrativa, Nicholas se encontra com diversos personagens marcantes em sua vida, como a freira Melisande, outros bons arqueiros como ele e, principalmente, Sir John Cornwaille. O cavaleiro é imprescindível no desenvolvimento de Hook como pessoa e também como guerreiro, pois o ensina a lutar com outros tipos de arma além do arco longo e também lhe dá algumas lições de vida que ficarão para sempre em sua memória:
"... Mate ou seja morto, dizia sempre Sir John, e Hook correu para o homem, com a acha levantada, o cabo seguro com as duas mãos, ignorou o débil golpe defensivo de espada que o homem ofereceu e estocou com a ponta da lança contra a cintura do francês."
E eu também não posso esquecer de deixar aqui para vocês um quote com uma clara demonstração de como são as descrições minuciosas do autor:
"O marechal não usava elmo. Seu cabelo era castanho-escuro, cortado muito curto e ficando grisalho nas têmporas, e emoldurava um rosto de tamanha ferocidade que Hook ficou pasmo. Era um rosto quadrado, rijo, com cicatrizes e quebrado, sofrido em batalha e pela vida, mas não derrotado. Um rosto duro, rosto de homem, rosto de guerreiro, com olhos escuros penetrantes que examinavam homens e cavalos em busca de sinais de suas condições. Sua boca estava fixa numa linha séria, mas de repente ele sorriu ao ver o padre Christopher, e no sorriso Hook viu um homem capaz de inspirar outros homens a grande lealdade e vitórias."
Vocês irão gostar muito desse livro, tenho certeza! A rixa da família Hook com a família Perrill se estende por todas as páginas e rende vários momentos de apreensão. O prólogo é sensacional, digno de uma obra de Bernard Cornwell. A única coisa que eu "não gostei" foi da narrativa em terceira pessoa, mas isso é algo mínimo comparado com a grandiosidade do livro.
E só para constar: eu nunca me canso de ler os livros do Bernard Cornwell. São muitos detalhes, são tantas batalhas e reviravoltas que é muito difícil MESMO não gostar do estilo do autor e da sua narrativa. Azincourt é mais um livro na minha lista de favoritos!
Pontos fortes: batalhas, descrições dos cenários e dos acontecimentos, intrigas... Enfim, tudo que deve existir em um romance histórico.
Pontos fracos: o fato do leitor já saber que os ingleses venceriam essa batalha histórica.
July 4, 2020
I have read 10 other Bernard Cornwell books and needless to say, I am a fan. Agincourt by Bernard Cornwell is one of his standalone novels. This novel introduces Nick Hook who has a family feud with another local family and well as the local priest. This feud has him banished to France. He ends up being part of a company in the town of Soissons. However, the siege of Soissons is devastating. Nick saves a novice named Melisande from rape. They manage to escape. Now, King Henry V is bringing his army to reclaim what is rightfully his. Nick Hook finds himself an Archer under the command of Sir John Cornewaille. Everything leads up to St. Crispin’s Day in Agincourt.
���No!” Sir John thrust a gauntleted hand to strike Hook’s shoulder. “You fight my battles, Hook,” he punched Hook’s shoulder again, “that’s what I pay you for. But if you fight mine, then I fight yours, you understand? We are a company!”
AGINCOURT, SIR JOHN CORNEWAILLE
This book is not for those who want something fast-paced and superficial. This book is what I would consider an epic. There are many things that make this book special and one of those is the detail. Having read Bernard Cornwell before, I know how intense his battle scenes are, and he does not disappoint in this book. The siege and battle are written with such detail you feel as if you are fighting in the mud along with the soldiers.
Agincourt is one of those battles that has been immortalized by William Shakespeare and just in history in general. Based on the statistics of the battle, the English shouldn’t have won. –And if anyone screams spoilers…come on, this battle happened 600 years ago. But I digress. Bernard Cornwell has a deep understanding of this battle. Every detail leads up to Agincourt. The win could be attributed to a couple of things. The first is that it supposedly rained so much that the mud was almost impossible to fight in. The second, the archers. Making the main character an archer just really brings this book to life.
This book is one of the most richly detailed historical fiction books I have ever read. Be prepared, this battle is devastating. DO NOT GET ATTACHED. That is all I will say on the matter. I rate this book 5 out of 5 stars.
���No!” Sir John thrust a gauntleted hand to strike Hook’s shoulder. “You fight my battles, Hook,” he punched Hook’s shoulder again, “that’s what I pay you for. But if you fight mine, then I fight yours, you understand? We are a company!”
AGINCOURT, SIR JOHN CORNEWAILLE
This book is not for those who want something fast-paced and superficial. This book is what I would consider an epic. There are many things that make this book special and one of those is the detail. Having read Bernard Cornwell before, I know how intense his battle scenes are, and he does not disappoint in this book. The siege and battle are written with such detail you feel as if you are fighting in the mud along with the soldiers.
Agincourt is one of those battles that has been immortalized by William Shakespeare and just in history in general. Based on the statistics of the battle, the English shouldn’t have won. –And if anyone screams spoilers…come on, this battle happened 600 years ago. But I digress. Bernard Cornwell has a deep understanding of this battle. Every detail leads up to Agincourt. The win could be attributed to a couple of things. The first is that it supposedly rained so much that the mud was almost impossible to fight in. The second, the archers. Making the main character an archer just really brings this book to life.
This book is one of the most richly detailed historical fiction books I have ever read. Be prepared, this battle is devastating. DO NOT GET ATTACHED. That is all I will say on the matter. I rate this book 5 out of 5 stars.
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