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Description

Go with God and Fight Like the Devil. A fascinating hero and the pursuit of a sword with mythical power - this is the remarkable new novel by Britain's master storyteller, which culminates at the Battle of Poitiers in 1356. The Hundred Years War rages on and the bloodiest battles are yet to be fought. Across France, towns are closing their gates, the crops are burning and the country stands alert to danger. The English army, victorious at the Battle of Crecy and led by the Black Prince, is invading again and the French are hunting them down. Thomas of Hookton, an English archer known as Le Batard, is under orders to seek out the lost sword of St Peter, a weapon said to grant certain victory to whoever possesses her. As the outnumbered English army becomes trapped near the town of Poitiers, Thomas, his men and his sworn enemies meet in an extraordinary confrontation that ignites one of the greatest battles of all time.

Bernard Cornwell was born in London, raised in Essex and worked for the BBC for eleven years before meeting Judy, his American wife. Denied an American work permit he wrote a novel instead and has been writing ever since. He and Judy divide their time between Cape Cod and Charleston, South Carolina.

Praise for Bernard Cornwell: 'The best battle scenes of any writer I've ever read, past or present. Cornwell really makes history come alive.' George R.R. Martin Praise for The Burning Land: 'Cornwell draws a fascinating picture of England as it might have been before anything like England existed' The Times Praise for AZINCOURT: 'This is a magnificent and gory work' Daily Mail 'The historical blockbuster of the year' Evening Standard 'A runaway success' Observer Praise for Bernard Cornwell: 'The characterisation, as ever, is excellent...And one can only admire the little touches that bring the period to life. He can also claim to be a true poet of both the horror and the glory of war.' Sunday Telegraph This is typical Cornwell, meticulously researched, massive in scope, brilliant in execution'. News of the World 'He's called a master story-teller. Really he's cleverer than that.' Telegraph