Crécy

Name: Crécy
Rating: 4.3 (54 reviews)

by Richard Foreman Book 1 in the Men-at-Arms series.

First published 2024

Amazon

4.1(54)

Edward III’s 1346 campaign has brought the English army deep into France and forced it to give battle against superior numbers. Sixteen-year-old Edward of Woodstock commands the vanguard and must earn the military reputation later attached to the Black Prince. William Gower, a fictional man-at-arms in the prince’s service, is instead sent with the spy Sir Hugh Grey into enemy territory.

Their intelligence mission threatens to keep Gower away from the field while Philip VI’s army closes on the English position. The novel combines espionage with a reconstruction of Crécy’s archery, terrain and close combat. Its emphasis remains on service: the prince, professional soldiers and informants are all required to accept risks created by Edward III’s wider dynastic war.