The first in Michael Jecks acclaimed Vintener series set in the Hundred Years War.
Berenger Fripper is the leader of twenty hard-bitten English archers at the beginning of the Crécy campaign. Edward III is determined to pursue his claims to the French throne. Despite numerous fight, he still seeks the great battle that will defeat his enemy once and for all. He seeks a decisive victory. Determined to bring the French King to his knees, Edward launches his boldest attack yet.
This is not chivalrous war. This is to be a chevauchée so violent, so ruthless, that the French must come and fight him. Edward will fight against every peasant, every villager, every town, every city. All in his path will be destroyed, and now one will be left unchanged. Least of all the men of Sir John de Sully’s band of archers. Their vintener, Berenger Fripper, and his men must fight the whole way from the landings on the beaches to Paris and up to the Somme. This is their story, the story of Grandarse, Donkey, Will, Clip, Gil and all the others who joined Edward III on his most daring, most dangerous, most brutal and most glorious campaign.