Date - 13th August 2026
Book Title - Azingcourt
Author - Bernard Cornwell
I must have read my copy of Azingcourt at least four times since I bought it in 2011. It is one of my favourite books, and I genuinely love Bernard Cornwell's writing. I think that his style, and this book in particular, has helped to shape my writing style as an author, and it will be a book that I always reocmmend to any history lover.
Genre - Historical Fiction
Year Released - 2008
Length - 453 pages
Series or Standalone - standalone
How I Read - paperback
Other Adaptations - audiobook
Summary
When archer Nicholas Hook causes trouble in his hometown, he flees to become a mercenary in Henry V’s army, he embarks on a journey to the battlefields of France. Whilst there, he witnesses the Sack of Soissons and, together with a French woman (Melisande) he rescued, must make the perilous journey across France to regroup with the English army.
Perspective - Third Person, Past Tense
Tropes - Commoner Hero, Corrupt Institutions, Forced Proximity, Found Family, Grey Morality, Redemption
Triggers - Death, Religious Fanatacism, Sexual Assault, Torture, Violence
Review
Setting and Atmosphere
One thing I love about all of Cornwell’s writing is that he doesn’t shy away from the real-life grittiness of historical warfare. Whilst Azingcourt has a romance element to the story, it is certainly not a romanticised retelling of history. The battles are bloody and visceral, the church is filled with corruption, and he’s open about the diseases that ran rampant through medieval battlefields.
Characters and Development
The protagonist, Nicholas Hook, is a refreshing character in terms of historical fiction. Unlike many novels in the genre, he is a commoner and outlaw, rather than a noble or person with noble backing from the start. This is similar to Richard Sharpe in Cornwell’s Sharpe series, and is a style of character that he writes well. Hook is immediately portrayed as a morally grey and not law-abiding character, which sets up the gritty tone of the novel from the get-go. As the story is told predominantly through his perspective, you feel the same level of disdain and distrust towards the nobility and the church as Hook does.
Cornwell could quite easily have focused solely on the experiences of a man throughout the novel, but instead he uses Melisande to show the treatment of women during the Hundred Years’ War. The fact that her connection with Hook is forged through trauma and necessity shows the harsh realities of what many vulnerable women suffered at the time, in a way that is realistic but also not distasteful.
The camaraderie between Hook and his fellow soldiers brings a slightly lighter mood to the gritty story, and humanises the soldiers on the battlefield. Father Christopher is one figure who lightens the mood of the novel slightly, which is a stark contrast from the other clergymen within the story. This is a nice little nod to the fact that, whilst many individuals in the key institutions were corrupt, some figures still looked out for others.
Unlike many historical fiction novels, the king, nobles and clergymen aren’t romanticised in the story. Henry V, for instance, is portrayed as a pious and strategic individual rather than a hero. As the novel follows the perspective of an Englishman, the introduction of the fictional Seigneur de Lanferelle paints the French nobility as the antagonists.
Pacing and Plot Development
As with all historical fiction, Cornwell is somewhat limited in the plot by the real-life events of the era. For example, he can’t alter the real events in order to suit his purposes. In this regard, Cornwell masterfully maintains the pacing throughout the book, knowing when to fast forward time and when to cover consecutive days, in order to maintain your engagement throughout the novel. The areas that could be considered as filler are used to deepen your understanding of Hook’s world, and don’t feel unnecessary in the slightest.
Prose and Writing Style
The language used in Azingcourt can be slightly tricky at times if you’re not familiar with historical terminology. If you’re not comfortable with profanity in books then you may struggle with this read, as he doesn’t shy away from the coarse language of commoners.
However, the style itself makes for a good read. Cornwell describes things in detail, and engages all of the senses in his writing to really immerse you into his world. His writing is a perfect example of show-don’t-tell, weaving the historical lore into the geography and storycraft effortlessly. Whilst the novel is written in the third person, it sticks with Hook’s perspective throughout the story, making you feel invested in the protagonist’s future.
The action scenes are brutal and fast-paced, bringing the sense of urgency and the feeling that you’re watching it happen in front of you. In contrast, Cornwell also knows how and when to use the slower-paced moments to build the atmosphere and tension in his work.
Historical Note
Like any novel by Bernard Cornwell, Azingcourt is very well researched and therefore a highly enjoyable read for any history lover. There is a map at the start of the book to show you the route that the English army took to Azingcourt, which you can refer to during reading to get a feel of where Hook is.
There’s also a whole 17 page ‘Behind the Battle’ section at the end of the novel, sharing Cornwell’s historical note, the importance of the longbow, Shakespeare’s Henry V’s St. Crispin’s Day speech, the Azingcourt Carol, and an interview with Mark Urban. All of this proves just how much research was done for the novel, and is a testament to Cornwell’s efforts towards historical accuracy with his fiction.
Similar to:
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| The Wold and the Raven (Steven A. McKay) |
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| Master of War (David Gilman) |
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