With my latest manuscript submitted I have greatly enjoyed getting back to reading some historical fiction and am pleased to kicking off the blog tour for Fields of Glory by Michael Jecks.
Blurb
1346. France.
King Edward III is restless. Despite earlier victories the French crown remains intact. Determined to bring France under his own rule, Edward has devised a new plan of attack–one which he believes will finally bring the French army to its knees: a final, cataclysmic battle...
Berenger Fripper, Vintener of a pox-ridden mob of sixteen who make up the Vintaine of Sir John de Sully, storms the beaches of Normandy to bring victory to their king. But the French are nowhere to be seen...
And so Berenger leads his Vintaine through France and onward to battle-the Battle of Crécy–one which will both bond and break his men and be a decisive turning point in the Hundred Years’ War.
Review
Fields of Glory is an epic telling of the journey of a group of English soldiers on their progress from landing at Normandy to the Battle of Crécy. Through the chapters we come to know each character, their struggles, quirks, strengths and weaknesses, and how they come together to support and protect each other in their efforts to ensure they all return home. Edward III has decided to bring France to its knees and these men (amongst many others) are integral to his plans, but not all those who have made the journey are supportive of each other and a young lady, dealing with her own personal battles, divides the men from their Welsh comrades. Through her and the men we are introduced to the customs, beliefs, and superstitions of the period.
The French are unwilling to meet Edward III in battle, forcing the English to wreak havoc across France in an effort to force the enemy to fight. On their journey the men face individual battles, but they share skirmishes and their desire to live. The characters; Berenger, Clip, Ed, Grandarse (yes that’s his name!) and others, bring a personal perspective to this turbulent period and Jecks has created a multitude of personalities adding depth to the storyline and viewpoints of facing the French in battle. Sadly, it is not just the French who the men need to be wary of, and one scene left me shocked and saddened; the reality of fourteenth century war. I won’t say any more than that but I’m sure those that have read this will know which scene I am referring to.
Jecks sets an exciting pace as he builds towards the epic Battle of Crécy and brings the reader amongst the midst of Berenger and his men whilst also covering the battle on a larger scale and the effects and devastation of the modern weapon of gunpowder and cannon. There are some gory fighting scenes depicted so vividly so can hear the clanging of weapons and imagine men falling to their death.
I have since learned that this book is the first in a series and I am now looking forward to continuing the journey with the men, or at least, those who remain…
You can follow the tour via the accounts noted in the above image.
Thank you to Michael Jecks, Rachel’s Rare Resources, and Boldwood Books for having me on the tour.
I hope you have enjoyed this post. If you have read Fields of Glory I would love to hear what you thought.
This sounds good. I'll be picking up a copy. Great review, Amy!