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Арлекин. Скиталец. Еретик
Конфликт между Англией и Францией в XIV веке вылился в Столетнюю войну, в Европе свирепствуют грабежи и насилие. Пасхальным утром 1342 года в английскую деревню Хуктон врываются арбалетчики под предводительством человека, который носит "дьявольское имя" Арлекин, и похищают из храма реликвию - по слухам, это не что иное, как Святой Грааль... Сын погибшего в схватке настоятеля, молодой лучник Томас, не подозревая, что с Арлекином его связывают кровные узы, клянется отомстить за убитых и возвратить пропажу, за которой отправляется во Францию. Однако власть предержащие не намерены уступать простолюдину святыню - она может даровать победу в войне. Скитаясь в поисках сокровища по некогда плодородным, а ныне выжженным землям, герой оказывается в царстве Черной смерти - чумы. Он вступает в схватку с религиозными фанатиками, спасая от костра красавицу Женевьеву, и тем самым наживает новых врагов, которые объявляют на него охоту...
Исторические романы "Арлекин", "Скиталец", "Еретик" об английском лучнике Томасе из Хуктона - в одном томе.
Исторические романы "Арлекин", "Скиталец", "Еретик" об английском лучнике Томасе из Хуктона - в одном томе.
992 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2002
About the author
Bernard Cornwell
544 books19.5k followersCornwell was born in London in 1944. His father was a Canadian airman, and his mother, who 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 birth 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 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.) In 1987, he also published Redcoat, an American Revolutionary War novel set in Philadelphia during its 1777 occupation by the British.
After publishing eight 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 Scoundrel, a political thriller, 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, Azincourt, 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.
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 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.) In 1987, he also published Redcoat, an American Revolutionary War novel set in Philadelphia during its 1777 occupation by the British.
After publishing eight 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 Scoundrel, a political thriller, 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, Azincourt, 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.
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Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews
July 19, 2018
¿Quiere saber más de esta trilogía, sin spoilers? Visite:
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January 2, 2015
While I don't consider these to be masterpieces of fiction, they provided a good window into the insanity of the Hundred Years War. The savagery and human tragedy of this conflict have never been more clear to me. The quest for the grail itself seems almost too obvious a device for this journey from battle to battle and region to region, but it does perhaps shine a light on the religious fanaticism that was playing out against a more cynical political and economic conflict, and that was often recruited to the ends of the rich and powerful. Thomas, with his own internal conflicts, is a nice microcosm of the struggles, sufferings and hopes of the era.
Also, for someone who is just taking up the longbow, the trilogy also proved to be great 'archery porn'. If I could ever put an arrow through a bracelet at 100 paces, I'd be one step closer to bliss...
Also, for someone who is just taking up the longbow, the trilogy also proved to be great 'archery porn'. If I could ever put an arrow through a bracelet at 100 paces, I'd be one step closer to bliss...
January 22, 2009
I have enjoyed Cornwell's style of historical fiction despite the anti-Christian bias usually displayed by his heroes. There's usually a "good" Christian thrown in the mix (Galahad in the Winter King Series, Fathers Pyrlig and Beocca in the Saxon Stories) but the main character seems generally to be pagan, and highly contemptuous of the Christian religion.
This series differs in that regard; Thomas of Hookton is a devout, if not very pious, Christian through all three books.
The underlying plot in each book revolves around discovering holy relics, but the real draw of the books is the description of life as an English Longbowman during the Hundred Years' War.
This series differs in that regard; Thomas of Hookton is a devout, if not very pious, Christian through all three books.
The underlying plot in each book revolves around discovering holy relics, but the real draw of the books is the description of life as an English Longbowman during the Hundred Years' War.
May 28, 2013
Bernard Cornwell
An entertaining read with a review of the the war between England and France but the descriptions of the battles were too long. And I know horses died but I don't need the details, creating pictures like a horse walking away from the battle with its entrails hanging out. The third was the best simply because there were less fight scenes.
An entertaining read with a review of the the war between England and France but the descriptions of the battles were too long. And I know horses died but I don't need the details, creating pictures like a horse walking away from the battle with its entrails hanging out. The third was the best simply because there were less fight scenes.
September 23, 2012
Not sure how to classify this one - it's a mix of history and non-fiction. History told through the eyes of a fictional character. The protagonist has his own backstory and motivations but he ends up on the english side of the battle at Crecy.
I enjoyed the story - not a lot, but enough for me to finish the story. There are 3 books in the series, but I think I'm OK having just read this one.
I enjoyed the story - not a lot, but enough for me to finish the story. There are 3 books in the series, but I think I'm OK having just read this one.
November 20, 2018
This is another of my charity shop purchases. The narrative tells how Thomas of Hookton leaves his native Dorset to fight against the French in Brittany and, afterward, at the battle of Crecy in Picardy. It is a tale of longbows and butchery, especially when England's archers swarm into the Norman city of Caen. And over it all, like a dream, hovers the Grail which is the epitome of chivalry and Christian decency, qualities which are in desperately short supply as the armies of France and England struggle at the beginning of what will be known as the Hundred Years War. The story follows the classic plot line - a young man forced into the world to make something of himself. In the case of Thomas of Hookton he succeeds but not before he's had to a lot of fighting and lovemaking. It was a good read.
January 8, 2022
Cornwell's trilogy of books about the Hundred Years War between England and France and the quest undertaken by his fictional protagonist Thomas of Hookton to find the Holy Grail is not as great an achievement as his Saxon Tales, in my opinion. But his gifts for creating sympathetic characters and for realistic description of military engagements are very much on view in these books, and I found them to be extremely enjoyable. Readers looking for a story about the Grail as magical as 'Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade' may be disappointed. These books are not about magic, but about people searching for meaning during a violent and calamitous period of Western history. Highly recommended.
March 20, 2023
A true master of historical fiction! ''The Grail Quest'' takes you back to the 12th century. A 4 book series that has a full cast of kings, monks, cardinals, mercenaries, and plain killers. Takes you to a time that makes you truly grateful we are blessed to live now instead of then.
May 11, 2017
A bit slow at the start but soon had me hooked! A really great epic book and I look forward to read the rest of the books.
July 23, 2017
Yes
A master story teller who stands well above everyone else. Highly recommended and I am looking forward to reading another one of his books.
A master story teller who stands well above everyone else. Highly recommended and I am looking forward to reading another one of his books.
September 14, 2019
Engaging. A good story
I liked the three book, I enjoy reading this author's books, full of small interesting historical facts, well written, they take you on a journey.
I liked the three book, I enjoy reading this author's books, full of small interesting historical facts, well written, they take you on a journey.
October 31, 2020
Loved every page !!
August 19, 2021
A good page-Turner
Historically interesting with great fight scenes and descriptions.
Just a bit too often ‘with one mighty bound he was free’, but nevertheless very enjoyable.
Historically interesting with great fight scenes and descriptions.
Just a bit too often ‘with one mighty bound he was free’, but nevertheless very enjoyable.
March 11, 2015
I really enjoyed the whole series. The combat sequences described by Cornwell are really vivid and provide a real sense of what live during the period for a professional soldier/archer would be like.
While I found the third book got slightly bogged down with the story, I didn't take away from the overall quality of the series.
5 stars based on how much I enjoyed the series. Will start reading other Cornwell books.
While I found the third book got slightly bogged down with the story, I didn't take away from the overall quality of the series.
5 stars based on how much I enjoyed the series. Will start reading other Cornwell books.
January 21, 2013
Enjoyable historical fiction about the Hundred Years Wars. It follows the story of Thomas of Hookton, an English archer, going into battle against France in the 14th century. Easy to read and does offer some insight in to the war. Starting the 2nd book called Vagabond.
April 29, 2014
If you are a fan of historical fiction, this book won't disappoint. I knew, vaguely, of the English archers- but what fun to have it all spelled out for me in detail. Not too much 'battle' detail and plenty of historical detail.
October 16, 2011
If you like books about the grail quest, this is awesome. Have the 2nd in the series ready to start.
August 2, 2012
Excellent series, very good story on the quest for the holy grail.
January 9, 2013
I just finished Archers Tale. It was enchanting.
May 2, 2013
Well written just not my cup of tea!!! Lots of battle scenes....
September 3, 2013
As with everything I have read of Mr. Cornwell's, this is a great story and a fun read.
July 27, 2013
A good place to learn about the futility of war and warfare strategies in the fourteenth century.
February 22, 2014
Super
it takes a while to read 3 books in 1 but totally worth it.
Read this if you like historical fiction.
it takes a while to read 3 books in 1 but totally worth it.
Read this if you like historical fiction.
January 24, 2015
The books are great!I loved the exciting battles and fights . I recommend them to all the fans of historical fiction.
November 27, 2019
De longe, longe, longe, um dos melhores livros medievais que já li.
October 29, 2021
Loved it.
March 28, 2022
One of Cornwell's best
September 7, 2011
A very interesting story about the long bows of English fighting lore.
March 8, 2013
Once started, couldn't stop reading.
Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews