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A King's Gamble: The Neville's Cross Campaign 1346
Ambition. Betrayal. Bloodshed.
In 1346, with Edward III battling the French at Crécy during the opening phase of the Hundred Years’ War, Scotland's King David II sees his chance. England's armies are overseas. The northern border is wide open and victory seems inevitable.
However, what starts as an opportunistic invasion quickly unravels. Questionable leadership, internal rivalries and English resilience combine to turn the campaign into one of the worst disasters in Scottish history.
A King’s Gamble is a narrative-driven non-fiction book that tells the gripping true story of the 1346 campaign in England's northern border counties. From the siege of Liddel Strength to the final epic battle at Neville’s Cross, it brings to life the chaos, courage and cruelty of medieval warfare.
Nick McLean blends vivid storytelling with sharp historical insight. Written with dark humour and a soldier’s eye for detail, this is a fast-paced account that refuses to sugar-coat the reality of war. Readers will meet kings, knights, raiders and rogues and witness one of Britain’s most decisive but least remembered battles.
What to
A vivid, no-nonsense account of the 1346 campaign in northern England
Ground-level scenes through fictional foot soldier perspectives
Strategic analysis without academic overkill
Clear, accessible writing for history fans of all levels-
Perfect for readers of Bernard Cornwell, Dan Jones and Michael Livingston. A must-read for anyone interested in the medieval period, Anglo-Scottish warfare, and the brutal campaigns that shaped Britain.
- Praise from Amazon Readers for A King's
"Never dull...the way history is meant to be written.""This is the book I wish I had written.""Informative, fun and easy to read. Highly recommended.""Superb...well researched and entertaining"
As featured the Northern Echo, Yahoo News and Durham Magazine
In 1346, with Edward III battling the French at Crécy during the opening phase of the Hundred Years’ War, Scotland's King David II sees his chance. England's armies are overseas. The northern border is wide open and victory seems inevitable.
However, what starts as an opportunistic invasion quickly unravels. Questionable leadership, internal rivalries and English resilience combine to turn the campaign into one of the worst disasters in Scottish history.
A King’s Gamble is a narrative-driven non-fiction book that tells the gripping true story of the 1346 campaign in England's northern border counties. From the siege of Liddel Strength to the final epic battle at Neville’s Cross, it brings to life the chaos, courage and cruelty of medieval warfare.
Nick McLean blends vivid storytelling with sharp historical insight. Written with dark humour and a soldier’s eye for detail, this is a fast-paced account that refuses to sugar-coat the reality of war. Readers will meet kings, knights, raiders and rogues and witness one of Britain’s most decisive but least remembered battles.
What to
A vivid, no-nonsense account of the 1346 campaign in northern England
Ground-level scenes through fictional foot soldier perspectives
Strategic analysis without academic overkill
Clear, accessible writing for history fans of all levels-
Perfect for readers of Bernard Cornwell, Dan Jones and Michael Livingston. A must-read for anyone interested in the medieval period, Anglo-Scottish warfare, and the brutal campaigns that shaped Britain.
- Praise from Amazon Readers for A King's
"Never dull...the way history is meant to be written.""This is the book I wish I had written.""Informative, fun and easy to read. Highly recommended.""Superb...well researched and entertaining"
As featured the Northern Echo, Yahoo News and Durham Magazine
258 pages, Paperback
Published July 7, 2025
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
September 7, 2025
This book is an extraordinary achievement. The period is brought wonderfully to life. I've never read a non-fiction book like it, and I read a lot. It has all the grace of Bernard Cornwell at his best. You can practically feel the mud sticking to your boots.
The campaign is not one I am well versed in, which is why I picked this up at a local bookshop in Durham when I visited the city. The book is funny, in a dry style, but the depth of research is evident - the bibliography stretches for pages.
Very accessible and highly recommended to fans of fiction and non-fiction alike.
The campaign is not one I am well versed in, which is why I picked this up at a local bookshop in Durham when I visited the city. The book is funny, in a dry style, but the depth of research is evident - the bibliography stretches for pages.
Very accessible and highly recommended to fans of fiction and non-fiction alike.
August 31, 2025
The battle of Neville’s cross at the start of the 100 years war is such an important battle but almost certainly overlooked or unknown. Had David II and his Scottish army won the day and beaten the outnumbered English army just outside of Durham, history might have been very different. Edward III just after his famous win at the battle of Crećy might have been forced to return home and not press on with the siege of Calais. Could the 100 years war been over before it had even started? Been a local lad living 11 mile from the battle site I throughly enjoyed this book and could not put it down once
I picked it up and managed to read it on a Sunday afternoon.
I picked it up and managed to read it on a Sunday afternoon.
November 9, 2026
Really well written book. Good fun too - a proper page turner.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews