Bibliography

Date first published	2002
ISBN Number	0 00225966 4
Page Count	371 h/b
h/b= hardback : p/b= paperback

Storyline

Thomas of Hookton, having survived the battle of Crécy, is sent by the king on a mission to discover more about his father's strange inheritance, which seems connected to the Holy Grail. This, Christendom's greatest relic, was thought to guarantee victory to whoever held it. But caught up in a battle against an army invading the north of England, Thomas finds that he is not the only person pursuing the Grail and that his rivals will stop at nothing to defeat him.

Thomas returns to his birthplace in the hope that he may find - among the ruins of his old home and his father's church - some indication of his father's secrets and his family's destiny. There he discovers more about his father, but puts himself into even greater danger as the only holder of rare knowledge. returning to France, Thomas finds old comrades and rediscovers a lost love. Then in terrible circumstances, he at last comes face to face with his enemy and cousin - the elusive Guy Vexille, Count of Astarac.

Archers and mercenaries , kings and monks, cardinals and noblemen of every hue - and one lady - bring the whole fourteenth century world brilliantly alive, amidst countries at war and a family in search of it's lost inheritance.

Review

It has taken me a long time (too long) to get around to reviewing this book. This has only happened due to the emergence of another book featuring Thomas of Hookton - but not part of this, the original series.

I'm glad that I have had a chance to read the story, and reflect on the trilogy. This set of stories were set at the same time as the Sharpe novels were being written, and I think that this may have clouded my judgement about the quality of the story. I tried to compare Thomas with Richard Sharpe - which doesn't work, although they are of the same ilk.

Looking at the story all the elements are there, the love story, a new companion, and the mission, along with a bit of Scots bashing - which makes a change from French bashing albeit a brief respite!

Unusually for a Cornwell book there is an element which has not been cleared up, it is not something that you would pick up, and that is the fate of Eleanor, and Father Hobbe. Although you are to assume that they are both dead, but Thomas does not see the bodies, and just accepts they are dead.

Thomas also has a large array of enemies, hunting him at every turn, and also facing people using him to get at his former lover. This all ends with Thomas in the hands of a deranged Priest of the Inquisition - and yes I think all those who worked for this organisation were deranged!

Thomas eventually overcomes his enemies, and in a most satisfying way, but there are still battles to come.

The book as you would expect is full of glorious detail, and the Battle of Durham, is fascinating, showing how good planning and terrain awareness can overcome a bigger force. It seems obvious that the Scots lost in part due to the Kings lack of experience, but also because of division between the commanders, however it takes good opposing commanders to spot the weakness and fully exploit it.

Similarly the battle of Calais is marked by over confidence, and also blind obedience of the commanders. The Duke makes it clear the other commanders should not leave their posts, even though the main force, having sprung it's very clever trap, is eventually annihilated by a sally from the port.

Both battles are well written and fully of (gory) detail - but then that is part of the joy of a Cornwell novel. So go out and buy it!

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