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Agincourt

by Bernard Cornwell

3.89 · rating details · 2,852 ratings · 464 reviews

"The greatest writer of historical adventures today" ("Washington Post") tackles his richest, most thrilling subject yet--the heroic tale of Agincourt.

Young Nicholas Hook is dogged by a cursed past--haunted by what he has failed to do and banished for what he has done. A wanted man in England, he is driven to fight as a mercenary archer in France, wh

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Hardcover, 451 pages

Published January 1st 2009 by HarperCollins (first published January 1st 2008)

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Feb 12, 2009

Michael rated it

Shelves: read-in-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 train...more

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Dec 16, 2010

Barbara rated it

· review of another edition

I, too, am a fan of the middle ages. I, too, am glad I don't live there. In addition to all the comments already made about this book, with which I agree, I want to add that I got a huge kick out of Sir Robert Cornwall, who could swear as poetically and inventively as my father did.

I'm within four discs from the end and they still haven't gotten to Agincourt yet. Hmmm.
They got to Agincourt. What a lot of hacking and slashing! It's fascinating to hear how much influence a p...more

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Dec 09, 2010

Michael Ames rated it

· review of another edition

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 und...more

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Dec 03, 2008

Bob rated it

· review of another edition

Unfortunately, I read this after reading Cormac McCarthy's 'All The Pretty Horses'. I think I'd have liked it much better if I hadn't. The death toll feels about the same in both books, but Cornwell is writing an adventure, so if he kills off 3,000 in a day, it seems to be all in a day's work. McCarthy can get more feeling into one murder that happens out of the narrator's sight.
On the plus side he really seems to have done his research (though at the end of the book he recommends Robert H...more

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Aug 09, 2011

Lorna added it · review of another edition

This is the February 2010 book for our local book group. I've never read a Bernard Cornwell novel before, though husband Nick is a great fan of the Sharpe books by the same author.

By chance, I read Judith Barker's excellent factual history, Agincourt, only about six months ago, and Cornwell acknowledges this as a considerable source for his novel. The story of Agincourt is a familiar one, from Shakespeare's Henry V (including through the 1944 Laurence Olivier film in my case) if nowhere else; it...more

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Mar 19, 2009

Aaron rated it

· review of another edition

I have always been a big fan of the Middle Ages. Well, let me rephrase that. I find it interesting, but I definitely would not have wanted to live back then.

I ran across a number of book reviews for this while doing orders for books at work, and after I read Jondude's review, I knew that I had to move it to the top of my to-read pile. I am really glad that I did.

It all starts with Nicholas Hook in the English countryside. He works as a forester, someone who maintains the ...moreI have always been a big fan of the Middle Ages. Well, let me rephrase that. I find it interesting, but I definitely would not have wanted to live back then.

I ran across a number of book reviews for this while doing orders for books at work, and after I read Jondude's review, I knew that I had to move it to the top of my to-read pile. I am really glad that I did.

It all starts with Nicholas Hook in the English countryside. He works as a forester, someone who maintains the local noble's forest by hunting game and preventing poachers from doing the same. He is of the lower working class and is basically a good person, but he finds himself on the run after getting in trouble in his village. His family has a multi-generation blood feud with another family in town that has led to no shortage of deaths on either side. The most recent incident ends with him hitting a priest, an ally of the other family, who is about to rape a young woman.

Hook ends up serving in France, supporting the Burgundian resistance to French overrule. Things come to a head at Soissons, a small city in the northeast, and the French massacre, rape, and pillage their own people, many of them women and children. It is there that Nicholas rescues Melisande, a French bastard of a local lord who has placed her in a nunnery for safety. Obviously, that didn't work out as planned.

As a result of his actions at Soissons, Hook finds himself back in England with the new lord willing to take him into service despite his past errors. They will all be serving in Henry V's army as they attack France in the hopes of supporting Henry's claim to the French throne. Hook, a master archer, finds himself in the center of all the action thanks to his skills as the English attack and capture an unimportant port village and strike out across France to ensure success.

It is these actions that place a smaller English force at Agincourt, where they will have to take on a superior force of French nobleman. Throughout the book, Hook finds strength in the images of St. Crispin and his brother St. Crispinian, who visit him regularly when he most needs support.

The book artfully takes the reader through the various battle scenes. Cornwell does nothing to spare the reader the harsh details of medieval warfare. Swords pierce various body parts, leaving trails of viscera, intestines, and other lovely images.

If you like high action, this is probably a book that you will enjoy this one. There is a strong Author's Note at the conclusion that shows how Cornwell used a number of legitimate resources to base his book upon. This includes details like character names, setting details, and battle techniques.(less)

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Feb 26, 2009

Anne rated it

· review of another edition

The latest from my favorite living novelist. The archer series makes the 100 years war come to life in vivid color, complete with all the gore and horror of battle that we've come to expect from Cornwell. The lead characters in this series are not as engaging as Cornwell's Richard Sharpe, but perhaps that's because in the archer series, it is the long yew bow itself that steals every scene. Cornwell illustrates the military superiority of the longbow to every other weapon available at the tim...more

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Oct 05, 2011

David Rasner rated it

"The greatest writer of historical adventures today" tackles his richest, most thrilling subject yet—the heroic tale of Agincourt.

Young Nicholas Hook is dogged by a cursed past—haunted by what he has failed to do and banished for what he has done. A wanted man in England, he is driven to fight as a mercenary archer in France, where he finds two things he can love: his instincts as a fighting man, and a girl in trouble. Together they survive the notorious massacre at ...more

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Jul 28, 2011

Tim rated it

· review of another edition

Shelves: reviewed, historical-fiction

My first BC book and a great change out of the world of Fantasy, for example. This book sort of activated an interest in historical fiction, though still at a very low level. It's great to read about one of the battles of the 100-year war and thus learn while reading a fascinating story. It's easy to connect with the main character (Nick Hook) and the feelings he has for a French girl, for his brother.. how he's determined to succeed, how he fights mental battles with his arch enemies (Perill br...more

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Feb 22, 2011

Anna Engel rated it

· review of another edition

Cornwell's writing style bothers me; it did in Stonehenge and it did in Agincourt. His use of commas vs. semicolons needs work and I itched to insert corrections so that the text flowed more smoothly. He also favors short, simple sentences at the ends of chapters and sections in the mistaken belief that they have more impact and create suspense. Some authors do this well; Cornwell does not.

The story follows outlaw Nick Hook throughout English holdings in both Britain and France. So...more

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Jan 31, 2011

Paul Pessolano rated it

· review of another edition

Bernard Cornwell is the author of approximately 30 books. Some are in sequence (ig The Sharpe Novels). "Agincourt" is a stand alone novel that ranks up there with his best novels. I was reading 100 plus pages a night and could not get enough.

"Agincourt" is an historical novel that has its basis in the English victory over the French. The battle was immortalized in Shakespeare's "Henry V". Although there is so skepticism about the number of participa...more

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Nov 22, 2010

David rated it

· review of another edition

Shelves: completed

Bernard Cornwell really cranks up the heat of battle in this fine historical novel. I always like a writer who is confident enough in the quality of his work that he can take time to write a note at the end and tell where he deviated from history, or where he just guessed a few things.

However, the wonderful historical information at the back of this book (the author's notes on touring the battlefield, Henry V's speech from Shakespeare's play, a Carol to Henry V, and an interview w...moreBernard Cornwell really cranks up the heat of battle in this fine historical novel. I always like a writer who is confident enough in the quality of his work that he can take time to write a note at the end and tell where he deviated from history, or where he just guessed a few things.

However, the wonderful historical information at the back of this book (the author's notes on touring the battlefield, Henry V's speech from Shakespeare's play, a Carol to Henry V, and an interview with the author telling why he choose to tell the story from the archer's point of view, which all make for interesting reading-- AFTER you've read the novel, are not the appeal here. The appeal here is the story of a medieval band of brothers, fighting for the landed gentry because they believe it is the right thing to do, and the blood and guts of battle that made images similar to the film BRAVEHEART flash in my mind as I read this book. It is blood and guts, down in the trenches writing.

The appeal doesn't stop there. First, Cornwell does an excellent job of getting the reader to care about those men. He does so by having his story follow Nicholas Hook, who tends game for his Lord and has an ongoing feud with another family. This feud raises its ugly head over and over throughout the plot.

Oddly enough, Cornwell presents the gentry, the landed nobility, in such a noble light as to be almost beyond belief. While he writes the story of the common man caught up in a struggle between kings (The King of England was claiming that the throne of France was rightly his) and yet with few exceptions, all of these commoners seem to have a great respect for the nobility, even those nobles on the opposite side. But note that I said ALMOST beyond belief. After some careful thinking I realized that this attitude towards nobility would have been very strong amongst common men or else the nobility would not have existed. I would have expected our hero to resent being bonded to a Lord-- but he seems delighted. Wouldn't he have to have a postive attitude about serving a Lord just to survive?

Of course he would have to show respect. Cornwell, with few exceptions shows these gentrys as being noble in character and therefore worthy of respect. There are no Priunce John types in this book. No despots or wicked nobles. Some are a bit selfish, but we never seen any real oppression going on with the exception of the religious persecution of the Lollards.

This was a great book, a wonderful historical novel, and worth reading.

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Aug 15, 2010

Durdles rated it

· review of another edition

Shelves: historical-fiction

With Cornwell you know what you are going to get and he rarely fails to deliver. I've read a few of the Sharpe books as well as Stonehenge and Vagabond and have a pile of his ready to read on my shelves. The weaving of a fictional story into factual events is not bettered by anyone although, with such a famous and well known tale previously told by Shakespeare among many others, I was a bit apprehensive. However we are in safe hands. The reseach is meticulous, the author admits where he stretc...more

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Aug 01, 2010

Diana rated it

· review of another edition

Shelves: historical-fiction, audio-book

Great historical fiction by Bernard Cornwell. This is a single volume by an author who is known for his trilogies and of course his Sharpe's series. Cornwell's writing is clear and substantial, the language is never strained or contrived. The characters, as in all historical fiction, play second fiddle to the events and setting, but they are well-drawn and have sufficient depth so that the reader cares about them and their outcome. If you don't have a stomach for violence or an interest in battl...more

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May 06, 2010

Richard rated it

Books about wars and battles have to do three things: 1. Match the Iliad in scope; put you unequivocally into the scene; leave you with the understanding that ultimately no good comes from wars and battles. Agincourt gets really, really close to meeting the criteria. Like the Iliad, Agincourt has memorable characters who do great deeds, and like the Iliad many of them die in the most grotesque ways, and also like the Iliad, the gods are fickle. Bernard Cornwell has the mastery to put you i...more

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Mar 02, 2010

Benjamin rated it

· review of another edition

Shelves: historical-fiction

This novelization of this famous battle makes an easy read as long as you can abide the depictions of violence, and I mean the skull crushing, teeth flying, eye-stabbing kind with all the attendant blood and gore. It was a violent period; hand-to-hand combat, the long bow notwithstanding, was the norm. As far as I can tell, the author followed the historical evidence fairly closely, embellishing by telling the story through the eyes of a superior bowman.

This is an easy way to absor...more

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Feb 07, 2010

Susan Garrett rated it

Shelves: historical-fiction

I'd loved the Sharpe series on TV, but hadn't dipped into the books. I'd even downloaded a digital sample of Agincourt from Amazon for the iphone Kindle app, read the first few pages, then passed.

But then came an NPR interview with Cornwell about his upcoming new Saxon series novel . . . and I decided to go back and take a look at Agincourt. What intrigued me was that a man who had made his fortune on series novels wrote a one-off. Oh the lead character is interesting enough to go ...moreI'd loved the Sharpe series on TV, but hadn't dipped into the books. I'd even downloaded a digital sample of Agincourt from Amazon for the iphone Kindle app, read the first few pages, then passed.

But then came an NPR interview with Cornwell about his upcoming new Saxon series novel . . . and I decided to go back and take a look at Agincourt. What intrigued me was that a man who had made his fortune on series novels wrote a one-off. Oh the lead character is interesting enough to go series and Cornwell said he may come back to revisit Nicholas Hook, archer, at THE archery battle in history, but the knowledge that this book was meant to be complete unto itself intrigued me.

I confess that my knowledge of Agincourt is limited to the significance of the battle in the history of the great to-and-from between England and France in a period of time when opportunities for bodily cleanliness were neither common nor commonly sought . . . not so much. After having read Cornwell's book, I think I have a better grasp on both the battle and its significance to military history, as well as to the period.

War is hell and Cornwell does a solid job in convincing you that no matter hopw bad war is now, it was infinitely worse for the boots on the ground back in the day when the long bow was the height of military technology. I suspect that after having read Agincourt, I'd have a fair chance of running a siege against a town of that period, because I now understand the viewpoint of the seiger and the beseiged, the weapons at hand, and the dangers involved.

The book avoids becoming pedantic by providing the reader with main characters who maintain a moral abiguity, although who would consider themselves good people if pushed for a judgment. There's a dearth of women, but the women who are present (and there are is at least one main character of the female persuasion) are important to the plot. Even the bat-shit insane recurring villain of the piece seems in step with this society. You can believe these people were real and that they lived in this well-delineated harsh existence in which upward-mobility more often than not meant being hanged by the neck from the nearest tree.

A friend of mine told me recently that she doesn't want to read books in which people are dirty. There's a lot of dirt in this book, along with blood, and horrible injuries, and bad decisions. This isn't a romance, it's a you-are-there moment in literature where you gain an appreciation for the people who used the weapons you see in the Leed's armory museum. You understand why they did what they did and you're very, very glad that you didn't have to be there at the time.

Which, one supposes, is a very good thing for an author to have accomplished. Thank you, NPR, for making me take a second look at this book.(less)

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Aug 19, 2009

Bill rated it

· review of another edition

Recommends it for: History buffs, fans of historical fiction.

Recommended to Bill by: Kathy Hightower

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. This was my first experience "reading" an audio book. I enjoyed the experience and will do it again very soon. I find I can enjoy books more often than simply reading by itself. For example, I walk for exercise - and spent a lot of time listening to this book.
Agincourt was a well-researched novel centering on Henry V's campaign against the French during the hundred years war (1337-1453). Our protagonist is one Nicholas Hook - a fugitive long bowman whose crime was striking a...more

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Aug 15, 2009

Wilfred Berkhof rated it

· review of another edition

Shelves: fiction

On our last trip I was left without a book for the flight back home, so whilst shopping at Asda I saw this Bernard Cornwell book on sale for only 3 pounds. Now I've always wanted to give Cornwell a go. Now for 3 pounds you can't really go wrong and it proved to be a well spend 3 pounds.

Although the book does have a quite standard story line with no real surprising turns and shockers that does make for a fun easy read. Cornwell's easy prose also makes for a fast read, so perfect for a...more

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Jul 26, 2009

Annika rated it

· review of another edition

Just finished this one......I knew I'd like it before I even picked it up off the shelf - athough never having read any Cornwell before, he was the author behind the swashbuckling 'Sharpe' TV series I was addicted to throughout my teenage years, so the likelihood of a good story was pretty high. Also, I admit, I'm slightly, if not completely addicted to historical novels....probably something to do with my love of 'past-times pretending', no more on that. I think I probably connected with the em...more

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Apr 21, 2009

Thermalsatsuma rated it

· review of another edition

Shelves: book-a-week-2009

Nicholas Hook is an Englishman, an archer and an outlaw.

After falling foul of a rapacious priest he escapes hanging by joining a band of archers fighting in France. He witnesses treachery and massacre at Soissons and hears the voices of the twin saints of that town, Crispin and Crispinian, before he returns to England where he relates his story to King Henry V and finds a place for himself in the company of Sir John Cornwell where he will return to France to fight again. He will take...more

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Aug 05, 2011

Brian Davis rated it

Shelves: history

Best book I've read (audio) in a long time! I couldn't help myself from telling friends and family about the story as I listening to it.

The main character, an English archer - Nicholas (Nick) Hook, had me "Hooked" from the start.

I knew nothing about the Battle of Agincourt prior to reading this book but it left me facinated. Part history, part love story, and full-time ACTION!

I wasn't expecting the level of detail the author provided in helping the reader understand the era (141...more

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Feb 03, 2009

James rated it

· review of another edition

My love of Agincourt comes directly from the Bard himself, and by extension the superb Kenneth Brannagh film of Henry V. Bearing that in mind, imagine how intrigued I was to find that Bernard Cornwell, renowned for his historical fictions, was writing a novel of that most famous battle. Did it live up to my expectations? Well no, but it's still a good book, and if the subject matter interests you I encourage you to pick it up.

I will say one thing for Cornwell, and that is that he cer...moreMy love of Agincourt comes directly from the Bard himself, and by extension the superb Kenneth Brannagh film of Henry V. Bearing that in mind, imagine how intrigued I was to find that Bernard Cornwell, renowned for his historical fictions, was writing a novel of that most famous battle. Did it live up to my expectations? Well no, but it's still a good book, and if the subject matter interests you I encourage you to pick it up.

I will say one thing for Cornwell, and that is that he certainly does his research. There were lots of great little period details throughout and Cornwell does well in ensuring that these details are relayed naturally through the storytelling, as opposed to cramming endless minutiae down our throats at every turn. Of course not all his facts should be taken as canon, especially where the actual battle of Agincourt is concerned. Scholars argue to this day about topics such as how many men each side had, how many died, the true impact of the longbow, and more. So again, if the subject matter interests you I encourage you to do your own research.

Typical for historical fictions our story is grounded in a small group non-historical characters who interact with the real life figures and take part in the historical events we are witnessing. In this case the story centers around an archer named Nicholas Hook, and the people that are important in his life. I'm OK with that approach as it tends to work, yet this approach is also my major complaint in this tale.

You see, I never find myself caring that much for Hook and his friends in this book. Cornwell's writing follows the approved style for historical fiction to the tee, and in doing so, providing a juxtaposition between the "real life" of the characters and the real history, both elements of the story are robbed of effectiveness. I never really grow attached to Hook, or even get a clear picture of the man, as he marches inexorably towards the climax of the book. The characters are interesting, but frequently seem unfinished and vague. In this respect Cornwell could learn from Patrick OBrian's wonderful characterizations.

From the historical side of things, the storytelling is relatively clear, but lacking in passion, and it seems as if Cornwell missed an opportunity to humanize the brutal warfare of times past. Frequently a casual comment is made about hundreds or thousands of men dying in battle (and this is usually in-your-face, brutal, vicious warfare) and then we move on, as if it were nothing. This seeming read-by-numbers approach really takes you away from the gritty reality at times and robs this book of the humanity that often makes tales of warfare so poignant.

In the end I did enjoy this book, yet found it was a missed opportunity to really bring the story of Agincourt to life, relying instead on a formulaic style that lacks sound and fury. Regardless, it is a good book and, as stated earlier, if this sort of story interests you then your time is not wasted here.

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Feb 05, 2012

Benjamin Thomas rated it

· review of another edition

Shelves: historical-fiction, historical-fiction-britain

I love the way Bernard Cornwell can take history and make it come alive. This is the story of the famous battle of Agincourt (Azincourt in French) that took place in October of 1415, as told through the eyes of an English archer. The battle is famous mostly for the overwhelming odds that Henry V's army faced against a superior French army, as well as for being immortilized in Shakespeare's Henry V. The battle was also instrumental in elevating the use of the English longbow as that era's most...more

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Mar 16, 2011

Kelly rated it

Great historical fiction...that being said, I'd say 80% of this book is comprised of brutal, detailed, gory battle scenes so I finally had to skim some of it near the end. I could not take any more knives slashing through people's eyeballs (and poleaxes crushing skulls with the accompanying blood pouring out of helmets). Not a book for the faint of heart when it comes to war or violence (with rape and pillage). I had to kind of mentally compartmentalize it while I was reading because it is pre...more

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Jun 18, 2010

Jim rated it

Shelves: historicalish-fiction, this-sceptred-isle, fiction

I liked this; it was well-written, well-paced, and kept my interest throughout. However, through most of it, I felt like I had read the same before. It's very much like Cornwell's earlier book The Archer's Tale, which told the story of an English archer, culminating in the battle of Crecy.

The respective protagonists of both books are from the lower orders and manage to overcome dodgy pasts through their prowess in battle. At both Crecy and Agincourt, English archers were instrumental...more

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Aug 31, 2011

Jati Indrapramasto rated it

· review of another edition

this is simply a masterpiece. Cornwell writes history the way i would have loved to read in high school. granted, this IS a historical fiction, but the description of the setting, the war and the politics, each contributes to one of the best middle ages war description i have ever read.

it gave none of that pretentious high class royal treatment so very common in the stories of kings and knights. this story is dirty, intricate, with an obsessive amount of detail. and FINALLY i can rea...more

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Mar 15, 2010

Faith Mortimer rated it

· review of another edition

A well researched historic novel about Agincourt written by an author who excells in 'battle' themed tales, be it set in England, France, Spain or America.
Agincourt is one of those epic battles, fought between the English and their ever-long enemies, the French. Against all odds the English go on to win despite two extremely ill matched armies in appalling conditions.
Centre to the story is the main character, Nicholas Hook who is an archer; but no ordinary archer, but a master of the...more

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Jun 10, 2009

Coy rated it

Recommended to Coy by: Mike Enzi, Angela McKay

I found this book not only thoughroughly entertaining, but informative as well. There was never a dull moment. Cornwell writes in a straightforward manner and his characters follow suit. His characters are both likeable and realistic. He doesn't go overboard with them or with the historical setting. He sticks to his guns and I plan to stick with this author for more books. He's prolific and I'm glad. Agincourt will not be my last battle.

This book was similar to Pillars of the E...more

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Apr 15, 2009

Bookmarks Magazine rated it

Shelves: may-june-2009

Shakespeare immortalized Agincourt in his historical play, King Henry V, through the eyes of England's king. Although King Henry still makes some prominent appearances, Agincourt examines this battle from the perspective of a common soldier. Critics agreed that the nonstop action and gory violence may not appeal to all readers. But those interested in military historical fiction will find Agincourt a compelling read that exposes the hunger, cold, blood, and scheming power plays of battle. A few

...more

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About Bernard Cornwell

Cornwell was born in London in 1944. His father was a Canadian airman, and his mother 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 mother's maiden name, Cornwe...moreCornwell was born in London in 1944. His father was a Canadian airman, and his mother 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 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 that 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.) He also published Redcoat, an American Revolutionary War novel set in Philadelphia during its 1777 occupation by the British, in 1987.

After publishing 8 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 a political thriller called Scoundrel 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 is titled Azincourt and 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.(less)

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