A fascinating recreation of the world of one of England’s most charismatic monarchs

The young Edward III’s destruction of the French army at Crecy in 1346 and capture of Calais marked a new era in European history. Edward’s claim to be King of France could be pressed home and enormous rewards of land and treasure were available both to the king and to the close companions who had made the victory possible. This is a book about knighthood, battle tactics and grand strategy, but it is also about fashion, literature and the privates lives of everyone from queens to freebooters. Barber’s book is a remarkable achievement - but also an extremely enjoyable one.