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The Archer's Tale (The Grail Quest #1)

by Bernard Cornwell

3.95 · rating details · 2,987 ratings · 200 reviews

A brutal raid on the quiet coastal English village of Hookton in 1342 leaves but one survivor: a young archer named Thomas. On this terrible dawn, his purpose becomes clear -- to recover a stolen sacred relic and pursue to the ends of the earth the murderous black-clad knight bearing a blue-and-yellow standard, a journey that leads him to the courageous rescue of a beautif

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Paperback, 374 pages

Published November 8th 2005 by HarperCollins Publishers (first published 2000)

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Sep 21, 2008

Sam rated it

Recommends it for: ISR supervisors who desire to punish their students

ZZZzzzZZ...wait...huh? Why was I sleeping...? Oh, yeah. I was reading The Archer's Tale. Duh.

With that statement, I shouldn't really need to say more, but I will anyway.

Forcing myself into reading this book (originally it just sat there and I found myself unsure of whether or not I actually cared about finishing it), I managed to fight through 400 pages of post-Middle Ages fetid turd. Why do I call it that, you ask?

Though the premise of the book begins wi...more

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Jan 02, 2011

Richard Denning rated it

Met Bernard Cornwell for a book signing for this book (or one of the others in the series.) I remember him speaking of the difference between the ease of learning how to use a musket and the years needed to learn how to fire a Longbow. Although as he pointed out they both led to dead Frenchman so job done!!

Maybe not as powerful a series as Sharpe BUT still well done and having been to Crecy (and Agincourt) I feel he made a good stab at the description.

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Nov 17, 2011

Shannon rated it

Invigorating, fairly accurate for the times and gritty telling of the life of a medieval archer during the time of the Hundreds Year War (i.e. a name coined by historians much after the era).

FYI: The Hundred Years War went on and off from 1337 to 1453 A.D.
Basically, the best way to see this, without me waxing eloquent or turning this into a term paper is: view this as a fight between two distant cousins who both had a claim to the French throne (i.e their ancestors had been m...moreInvigorating, fairly accurate for the times and gritty telling of the life of a medieval archer during the time of the Hundreds Year War (i.e. a name coined by historians much after the era).

FYI: The Hundred Years War went on and off from 1337 to 1453 A.D.
Basically, the best way to see this, without me waxing eloquent or turning this into a term paper is: view this as a fight between two distant cousins who both had a claim to the French throne (i.e their ancestors had been married to each other at one point, thus, distant cousins). Then, toss in diseases that wiped out thousands of people, bickering French royal family members, bickering French nobility and the English having the edge (i.e. they had better taxation for calling up the troops and divying out supplies, as well as better tactics/stategies, better leaders
and the war bow . . . it wasn't called the long bow until much later). Okay, one more thing, the French got beat up pretty bad until the very end, when they began to reclaim over half of their lost territories . .. enter Joan of Arc, etc.

Cornwell's first book of the trilogy focuses on a young man who is learning to become an archer is a small english village along the coast. His father is the parish priest who has a secret of a long and noble past. Anyway, the village is raided by French raiders and one of them turns out to be his distant cousin who is searching for an old lance suppossedly being the lance that was used on Jesus Christ.

So the young archer, seeking revenge and wanting to learn his craft, leaves to join the English king as he wages war against the French on the throne. What follows are a series of skirmishes, raids and gritty fights. Along the way he also has a few affairs with women, and, the first one, who is something of a sub character with her own plots, jilts him as seems to happen to the more popular Sharpe character.

Our young archer also encounters an enemy knight, who serves as a thorn in his side, and, well, tries to kill him during several instances. Tale ends with the young archer having to go to the southern parts of France, during off war season times, to heal a friend and further investigate what his cousin is up to (i.e. BTW, since the trilogy title gives it away, it's a search for the Holy Grail b/c the cousin is from a heretic line called the Cathars who were believed to have held the Grail).

Once again, the overall focus is on the fights and the archer's use of the war bow and the dramatic impact it had on enemy knights. There is an especially good focus on the Battle of Crecy, focusing on it for over fifty pages and with several points of view.

FYI: The Battle of Crecy was in 1346. It stands out as one of the earlier English victories because it was quite close. The English won b/c of the war bow, excellent strategy/tactics, some luck and the fact that the French had very poor tactics/strategy (i.e. rather than outflanking the British, they charged; rather than picking the British off piece by piece, they charged forward
in a poor fashion).

Enjoy! (less)

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Jun 15, 2011

Deb rated it

Shelves: 2011-books-read, kindled

Thomas of Hookton is the bastard son of a mysterious priest in a tiny coastal English village in 1343. Preserved in the village church is a valuable relic - the lance which St. George used to slay the dragon. Thomas' life is changed for ever when a band of French invaders destroy the village, slay his father, and steal the lance. Thomas vows revenge, and becomes an expert archer winding up in France at the beginning of the 100 Years War, fighting with the English army led by Edward III. Thom...more

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Jan 25, 2011

Alex Telander rated it

Shelves: books-read-in-2002

Prominent author Bernard Cornwell, famed for the Richard Sharpe series and the Arthurian Warlord trilogy, begins anew with a series set in a time of immense change.

It is the fourteenth century, the Hundred Years War is about to begin (lasting until 1428); the Black Plague has already begun ravaging Europe and taking life; and then there is still the Great Schism to come (a time where three popes ruled and the entire area of Christian Europe was excommunicated).

Our hero is Tho...moreProminent author Bernard Cornwell, famed for the Richard Sharpe series and the Arthurian Warlord trilogy, begins anew with a series set in a time of immense change.

It is the fourteenth century, the Hundred Years War is about to begin (lasting until 1428); the Black Plague has already begun ravaging Europe and taking life; and then there is still the Great Schism to come (a time where three popes ruled and the entire area of Christian Europe was excommunicated).

Our hero is Thomas of Hookton. In 1343 his town was sacked and pillaged by the marauding French, and everyone was killed except him. Now years have passed and he is fighting for the English army against the French; the stage is set for the Hundred Years War, while in the back of his mind lurks a revenge against the people who razed his town and killed his friends and family They have stolen a relic from his church, the lance that was supposedly used by Saint George to slay the dragon.

The crux and closure of the novel involves the first monumental battle of the Hundred Years War, the Battle of Crécy, the first great win for the English against the French. It is here that Thomas of Hookton, one of the best archers in all of Europe, will fight for the English, as well as avenge the destruction and death that he has suffered for so long, and in the course of battle, the famous lance of Saint George will shine like a beacon, as Thomas fights to reclaim what was stolen from him.

Once again Bernard Cornwell outdoes himself in this wonderful new series. While the writing is not a high literary level, the book is nevertheless compelling, and the history extremely well researched. Cornwell skillfully weaves in the details and facts of the period, serving as a colorful world for the strong characters to interact with.

The reader quickly learns that the reason England is so victorious against the French is because of the infamous longbow (a later coined term). We even see the first cannons ever used by Edward III, which fail pitifully and are used more in hope than effect. Cornwell ends the novel with the Battle of Crécy, setting himself up for a complete series of one of the most major wars in the history of civilization.

Originally published on March 4th 2002.

For over 500 book reviews, and over 40 exclusive author interviews (both audio and written), visit BookBanter.(less)

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Jul 25, 2010

Maria Myers rated it

I heard Bernard Cornwell interviewed on NPR last year sometime, and he was very entertaining. He had a funny and cute irreverence I had hoped my college history professors would have (none of them did). At the time, R was also complaining about how boring her European history class was, specifically, the Hundred Year's War. I thought I'd try this out to see if I could recommend it to her. The history I remember best comes mostly from reading historical novels, and the follow up reading I did...moreI heard Bernard Cornwell interviewed on NPR last year sometime, and he was very entertaining. He had a funny and cute irreverence I had hoped my college history professors would have (none of them did). At the time, R was also complaining about how boring her European history class was, specifically, the Hundred Year's War. I thought I'd try this out to see if I could recommend it to her. The history I remember best comes mostly from reading historical novels, and the follow up reading I did to check the facts.

This book was OK. Not great, but OK. I felt that Cornwell did a good job creating distinct characters from the historical figures. None of them were just nobles or yeomen. Thomas,the archer of The Archer's Tale, is definitely more than just a hero or a thug. He's flawed; he's smart, but makes dumb mistakes; he's loyal, but he struggles with the burden of loyalty. He's a guy caught in intrigues, mysteries and battles much bigger than himself. He's not sure he wants anything to do with them, but neither is he sure he can live with himself if he walks away.

There is plenty of intrigue and mystery going on. Thomas is the son of a priest, who joins the army when his village is plundered and his family is killed. He hasn't got anything else to do. The Hundred Years War has begun, and he winds up in France. Besides trying to survive the enemy, Thomas has to survive a jealous knight. He stumbles across the man he believes responsible for his father's murder,a secret about his father's family, and a mystery related to the Holy Grail.

Cornwell doesn't shrink from the dirty business of war. Towns are sacked, women are raped and killed. Soldiers eat whatever they can, and kill in brutal, bloody ways. The story was interesting, and I was thoroughly involved with how it was going to play out. But, there isn't any character yet that I feel a great affection for. Maybe humor would help that? I haven't felt an emotional hook yet. Yet, because The Archer's Tale is the first part of a trilogy. Hopefully, it will have a little more of the Cornwell's interview humor. (less)

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Jan 19, 2010

Tomid Ælsop is currently reading it · review of another edition

Just finished the prologue. Am reading this concurrently with another Cornwell book, Azincourt, set 100 years later. I had high hopes to begin with because Cornwell has such a high reputation. But both these books are weird. Harlequin is more so.

Lines like "John farted and everyone laughed" and "somebody went for a piss" cause my eyebrows to ascend on most pages because I didn't expect such juvenile coarseness from the merry old gentleman pictured on the first pag...more

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Jan 02, 2011

Blysse rated it

Shelves: books-read-in-2011

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. Of a mind to try a different genre, I picked up this book, which is Book 1 in the Grail Quest Series. For international readers, I read this book as 'Harlequin' but it is retitled as 'The Archer's Tale' in the USA so as not to be confused the bodice-ripping bosom-heaving Harlequin Romances. While the author snipes on his website that there is bodice ripping in these books, I would disagree.

The book is based on real life events at the start of the Hundred Years War, actually a series of...more

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Aug 31, 2011

Jim rated it

· review of another edition

Shelves: middle-ages, historical-novels

I have read enough of Bernard Cornwell's historical novels to see how the formulas are made to click into place. What would have been sheer delight to me a few years back now strikes the more blasé reader that I've become as good, but no longer quite fresh.

With The Archer's Tale (published in England as Harlequin, a title which in the U.S. is redolent of bodice-ripping), Cornwell begins his Holy Grail trilogy, set in France during the Hundred Years War. The hero is a young Englishman ...more

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Mar 02, 2009

Ed rated it

· review of another edition

Recommends it for: Historical Fiction and Cornwell fans,

Shelves: historical-fiction, reviewed

I am constantly surprised, though I shouldn't be, at Cornwell's ability to re-create an historical era.

In this story,(also titled "Harlequin" in its British Edition) the first of The three book "Grail" series, Thomas of Hookton, becomes an archer in the army of Edward the 2nd at the beginning of the Hundred Year's war between England and France (mid 14th century).

In typical Cornwell style, Thomas overcomes his low birth (he's the bastard son of a pr...more

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Jan 24, 2011

Andrew Hill rated it

Better than 3 stars, worse than 4...

I have read and enjoyed Cornwell's Anglo-Saxon chronicles, but I am not a fan of his Sharpe novels. I thought I'd try this series, which describes the adventures of a young English archer, Thomas of Hookton, during the early stages of the 100 years' war. Though not as compelling as the story of Uhtred ("The Last Kingdom" is an excellent book, and a few others in that series come close to that standard), "The Archer's Tale" does ju...more

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Oct 18, 2010

Jon rated it

· review of another edition

I love Bernard Cornwell's starkly vicious take on historical fiction. Can't quite figure if he has found the perfect formula and reuses it for different stories or if he's just telling the same story over and over again. Either way, I'm a geek for the stuff.

The Archer's Tale isn't any different. It's the story of an archer during the 100 years war, the height of that military units dominance on the battlefield, partly because of English reliance on the longbow and partly because ...more

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Jun 16, 2010

Rusty rated it

· review of another edition

Shelves: historical-fiction

This is a quick and exciting tale about Thomas, a young man who becomes an outstanding archer excelling in battle. The tale depicts his war-time adventures and his relationships with those for and with whom he works. Thomas is an ideal hero, young, enthusiastic, hard-working and ethical. This is the first of two books about Thomas. The second is The Vagabond. Together they make up Bernard Cornwell's Grail Quest series. I truly enjoyed The Archer's Tale. I enjoy books when the author spends...more

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Jan 14, 2011

Kelanth, in tenebris lux tua rated it

· review of another edition

Shelves: romanzo-storico

Dopo la mia recensione sulla saga di Re Artù, recensisco ancora questo autore molto bravo che deve principalmente il suo successo internazionale per la saga di "Sharpe", credo arrivata al decimo o undicesimo libro, che ho in libreria ma che non ho ancora iniziato. Per tornare alla recensione di oggi, credo che tutti più o meno sanno cosa sia stata la "Guerra dei Cent'anni" (per chi non lo sa e vuole approfondire: http://it.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guerra_dei_... ), che vide contrap...more

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Dec 04, 2010

Willowfaerie rated it

I love Bernard Cornwell, but I have to admit, it took me forever to get through this book. I’m not quite sure why Thomas’ story was not as compelling for me as some of Cornwell’s other heroes. I think maybe I prefer it Cornwell writes in first person point of view as opposed to third person, because his first person accounts just come alive and delve so deep into the main character. The descriptions of the battles seemed to go on forever as well, and I didn’t feel that sense of urgency I feel ...more

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Sep 27, 2011

Sherry rated it

The Archer's Tale was a problematic read for me. The historical accuracy was a real draw (but I can see how it would be hard to wade through, since it's very thorough). Having a history minor helps with this novel.

That said, some portions were too accurate. I've read books with violence and rape before, so it wasn't that I couldn't get through it, it was how completely unmoved the characters seemed. The main character spends the book more-or-less on a quest to revenge the raiding...more

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Dec 31, 2010

bookczuk rated it

Shelves: audio, met-the-author, favorite-author, made-me-look-something-up, taught-me-something, thank-you-charleston-county-library

Bernard Cornwell has a gift -- not just of story-telling, but of conveying "realness" in his books. The Archer's Tale was no exception. Historical vibrancy, not just accuracy. The characters in this book become real individuals, the more you read. You befriend them, loathe them, root for them, mourn for them... At one point, when things looked particularly bleak for Thomas, I took a breath, and realized that if he died at this point in the book, Cornwell would have had to have caj...more

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Jun 15, 2010

Robert rated it

I read this some time ago and really enjoyed it. Somehow, i never got back to "Vagabond," and "Heretic," which continue the story of Thomas Hookton and the Hundred Years' War between England and France. I had already read all of the Sharpe novels, by Cornwell, which deal with an English foot soldier, who rises from the ranks to become an officer in the army during the Napoleonic era. As with everything else that I've read by Cornwell, "The Archer's Tale" was ente...more

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Dec 03, 2010

Kyle rated it

Shelves: own, historic-fiction, series

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

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Feb 28, 2009

Terri rated it

Shelves: own, historical-fiction, favorites

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I even, after little consideration, went ahead and gave it 4 stars, surprising myself in the process. It wasn't until I sat down to do this review that I actually realised that, yes, I did really like it.
I don't read Cornwell's Sharpe's series and am only interested in reading books of his such as the Saxon Series, Stonehenge & the Warlord Chronicles. This is the first in the Grail Quest series. The other two are Vagabond and Heretic. Here in Australia, th...moreI thoroughly enjoyed this book. I even, after little consideration, went ahead and gave it 4 stars, surprising myself in the process. It wasn't until I sat down to do this review that I actually realised that, yes, I did really like it.
I don't read Cornwell's Sharpe's series and am only interested in reading books of his such as the Saxon Series, Stonehenge & the Warlord Chronicles. This is the first in the Grail Quest series. The other two are Vagabond and Heretic. Here in Australia, this book is published under the title 'Harlequin', in America, it is published under the title 'The Archer's Tale'.
Thomas of Hookton is a great character. A bit of a handsome rogue with his dark good looks, black hair and habit of dressing only in black. He is a 14th century 'sniper' - to coin the modern day term - and a good one to boot.
In his chosen career as a longbowman (archer) in the English army fighting in France under King Edward, he develops into a rather reclusive, distant character who quickly gains the respect of the band of archer's he travels with, by using both his well honed skill and his Oxford educated wits.
This first book of the Grail Quest series starts off with the massacre of Thomas' English village of Hookton by the equally dark, though more malevolent, 'Harlequin'. It is then, as the lone survivor, that he decides to pick up his black longbow and head to France to fight for King Edward. The book then concludes with the battle of Crecy and the beginning of the Hundred Years war.
There are battles, all historically accurate, there are women, there is raping, pillaging and plundering. There are brutal massacre's and bloody combat. There is also, amid Cornwell's smooth story telling, a good tale being told here and I look forward to following Thomas into Vagabond and then into Heretic as his path is changed by a promise to a father, a priest, a lord and a King.
He is a reluctant Grail seeker who would rather be leading his own band of archer's into bloody battle instead of travelling throughout France and England in search of a Grail he doesn't think exists.(less)

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Jul 04, 2011

Jim rated it

This is a well researched first book of a trilogy by this author; the story begins in 1342, roughly the beginning of the hundred years war between England and France. As the book progresses, you are given a lesson in fourteenth century tactics of warfare as well as descriptions of the various types of weapons that we see in museums these days. All of this occurs within the context of a very real human drama involving five or six different main actors, and several other minor characters.
...more

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Aug 23, 2011

Christine Blachford rated it

· review of another edition

Plot: Thomas of Hookton’s village was ravaged by the French so to take revenge, he travels with the King’s army and takes part in several battles, becoming very popular in Will Skeat’s band of archers. Oh, and he has his own score to settle as well.

Characters: Thomas is a regular guy who turns out to be a bit of a hero. I rather prefer Will Skeat, though.

Style Of Writing: Lots of history, very inclusive, typical Bernard Cornwell.

Overall Opinion: I really enjoyed this book and when I’d finished I...more

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Oct 19, 2009

Sarah rated it

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

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Jan 18, 2012

Nathan rated it

· review of another edition

Sharpe with a longbow. No, that's not fair. Sharpe with a longbow and self doubts. Young man has his village wiped out by French raiders and joins Edward III's army to seek revenge. He makes the standard Cornwellian officer-class enemy, meets up with the standard Cornwellian lady-in-distress (two, actually) and gets involved in the standard Cornwellian historic-battle-as-book-climax set piece. Oh, and there is some side plot about family heritage and holy relics, but that's not important right n...more

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Aug 10, 2011

Howard White rated it

Shelves: historical-fiction

Nobody does war and warfare better than Bernard Cornwell. Best known for his "Sharpe" books set, largely, during the Napoleonic era. Cornwell is one of those rare authors--Gore Vidal comes to mind immediately--who write well AND prolifically. "The Archer's Tale" is the first of three in Cornwell's "Grail Series," tracing the adventures of Thomas of Hookton, an English archer in the mid-14th century. Despite the series' title, you're not going to find sword and sorce...more

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Nov 11, 2011

Richard rated it

Shelves: 2011

You know I love Bernard Cornwell, so there isn't any reason to think I wouldn't love this. The interesting twists are in the comedic reversals than run throughout, and the 14th century religious conspiracy shenanigans around the spear that pierced Christ's side. Mr. Cornwell did his usual excellent research to bring the period alive, and as usual, the good guys are likable, the bad guys are awful, and the battles are excellent. Not as usual, there's one female character who's a mixed bag of m...more

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May 24, 2011

Spencer rated it

Bernard Cornwell's The Archers Tale, was an awesome book and a terrific read. I really enjoyed it to the point that i had felt compelled to write a review about it. The book is about a Archer in the English army during 1342, who on quest for the Holy Grail. This book is very suspensful and keeps you guessing. The story is written in a way that suggest that the narriator knows the main character. Thomas, the main character was portrayed as a rebel to society. Over all I highly reconmend this book...more

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Aug 23, 2010

Eagleheart rated it

Shelves: historical-fiction

I got into Bernard Cornwell because of the Sharpe Series. I thought, hey, this Thomas of Hookton might just be another Richard Sharpe!

I was wrong. So wrong.

I mean, once you get past the cliche "rogue antihero who's surprisingly attractive AND really good with a certain weapon, oh and he's on a REVENGE MISSION" then I guess it's interesting, but not enough for me to want to pick up the other books in the Grail Quest series.

You can read his other novel...more

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Sep 13, 2011

Laura Stone rated it

· review of another edition

This book was recommended to me by a coworker and it certainly explains a lot about him. I found this book to be entertaining, if archaic, borderline sexist, and irritatingly "boyish". I am sure that is the audience. At any rate, I found the writing to be lacking style (and honestly at times just grammatically incorrect). Still, I enjoyed the plot arc and development of the main character. Also, the author apparently does a lot of research to make sure his claims are accurate, so if th...more

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Feb 08, 2010

Susan rated it

Bernard Cornwell is a master historical fiction storyteller. In this tale, Thomas Hookton's village is raided and everyone murdered. He vows to seek revenge and return a holy relic that was stolen and the cause of the massacre. This is book one in the Holy Grail series.

Cornwell paints detailed scenes with his words and it's hard not to be thrust into battle along side the English. The descriptions of the battles are so detailed that you get a clear sense of what war was like. It m...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)

More about Bernard Cornwell...

Books by Bernard Cornwell

The Last Kingdom (The Saxon Stories, #1)

The Pale Horseman (The Saxon Stories, #2)

Lords of the North (The Saxon Stories, #3)

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Quotes from The Archer's Tale

“You'll call me a damned Jew, a Christ murderer, a secret worshipper of pigs and a kidnapper of christian children.' This was all said cheerfully. 'How absurd! Who would want to kidnap children, Christian or otherwise? Vile things. The only mercy of children is that they grow up, as my son has but then, tragically, they beget more children. We do not learn life's lessons.” — 3 people liked it

“Pelos ossos de Deus, Tom, o diabo fez um serviço ruim quando trepou com sua mãe.” — 2 people liked it

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title link	preview: The Archer's Tale
avg rating	preview: The Archer's Tale Goodreads rating: 3.95 (2987 ratings)
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BBCode	[url=http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/68531.The_Archer_s_Tale?utm_medium=api&utm_source=blog_book][img]http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1170692874m/68531.jpg[/img][/url] [url=http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/68531.The_Archer_s_Tale?utm_medium=api&utm_source=blog_book]The Archer's Tale by Bernard Cornwell[/url]

The Archer's Tale (The Grail Quest #1)

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