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The Wars of the Roses Saga #3
The Seeds of War
The Medieval family saga continues! Perfect for fans of Conn Iggulden, Robyn Young, Alison Weir and Anthony Riches.
England goes to war with France…
England, 1327
After years of turmoil, England is once again at peace as Edward III takes the throne.
But warlike Edward has ambitions to finally rule Scotland, in addition to pursuing his claim to the crown of France in right of his mother, Isabella.
He needs men about him he can trust, and no-one answers that description better than Sir Henry Bywater, whose only ambition is to fight for the interests of the nation, declining all offers of advancement in return.
While fighting in both Scotland and France, Henry forms a friendship with Edmund Albrighton, a skilled master of the longbow.
The friendship deepens into a tight family bond when Edmund marries Henry’s sister, Eleanor.
As the Hundred Years War with France grinds on, the nation suffers through the Black Death and it looks like England could once more be thrown into disarray…
But can the Bywater family make it through unscathed?
THE SEEDS OF WAR is the third historical novel in The Wars of the Roses Saga Series.
THE WARS OF THE ROSES SAGA
BOOK The Royal Hammer
BOOK The Squandered Crown
BOOK The Seeds of War
England goes to war with France…
England, 1327
After years of turmoil, England is once again at peace as Edward III takes the throne.
But warlike Edward has ambitions to finally rule Scotland, in addition to pursuing his claim to the crown of France in right of his mother, Isabella.
He needs men about him he can trust, and no-one answers that description better than Sir Henry Bywater, whose only ambition is to fight for the interests of the nation, declining all offers of advancement in return.
While fighting in both Scotland and France, Henry forms a friendship with Edmund Albrighton, a skilled master of the longbow.
The friendship deepens into a tight family bond when Edmund marries Henry’s sister, Eleanor.
As the Hundred Years War with France grinds on, the nation suffers through the Black Death and it looks like England could once more be thrown into disarray…
But can the Bywater family make it through unscathed?
THE SEEDS OF WAR is the third historical novel in The Wars of the Roses Saga Series.
THE WARS OF THE ROSES SAGA
BOOK The Royal Hammer
BOOK The Squandered Crown
BOOK The Seeds of War
- GenresHistorical Fiction
216 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 9, 2026
About the author
David Field
118 books24 followersLibrarian note:
There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.
This profile may contain books from multiple authors of this name.
There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.
This profile may contain books from multiple authors of this name.
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
October 11, 2026
The Seeds of War is aptly named. Edward III is now on the throne, but he is not content to just rule England; he battles Scotland and then France endlessly. If you enjoy reading the particulars of battle strategies, the author has clearly done his research well beyond the successes of Crécy and Poitiers. I found the details of the English longbow archers during the Hundred Years' War fascinating and marveled that the French continually underestimated their lethality in battle.
I've been looking forward to this book, knowing the timeline would include the escapades of Edward the Black Prince and the 1348 outbreak of the Black Plague in western Europe. The details of keeping the royal family quarantined at Windsor Castle reignited memories of the COVID pandemic in 2020. The story of the Bywater family continues, with more than a few surprises as they add new branches to their family tree. By the end of The Seeds of War, we can clearly see The War of the Roses on the horizon, based on decisions Edward III makes regarding his successor. David Field's writing keeps me enthralled and makes me grateful that I didn't live in Medieval times.
I've been looking forward to this book, knowing the timeline would include the escapades of Edward the Black Prince and the 1348 outbreak of the Black Plague in western Europe. The details of keeping the royal family quarantined at Windsor Castle reignited memories of the COVID pandemic in 2020. The story of the Bywater family continues, with more than a few surprises as they add new branches to their family tree. By the end of The Seeds of War, we can clearly see The War of the Roses on the horizon, based on decisions Edward III makes regarding his successor. David Field's writing keeps me enthralled and makes me grateful that I didn't live in Medieval times.
October 16, 2026
David Field has cemented his place among the greats of medieval historical fiction, and The Seeds of War, the third installment of The Wars of the Roses Saga, is perhaps his strongest work yet. For fans of Conn Iggulden, Robyn Young, and Anthony Riches, this book is an absolute must-read that perfectly captures the brutal, complex, and politically volatile landscape of 14th-century England.
The narrative picks up in 1327, a fascinating turning point in history. Edward III has taken the throne, and while England enjoys a fragile peace, the young King’s ambition is a roaring fire. Field expertly navigates the tricky political waters of Edward’s claim to the French crown and his determination to subdue Scotland. But what makes this novel truly shine isn't just the royal politics it’s the boots-on-the-ground perspective of Sir Henry Bywater.
I particularly appreciated the character arc of Henry. In a world where everyone is scrambling for advancement and titles, Henry’s sole ambition is to fight for his nation, declining personal gain. This makes him a refreshing and deeply honorable protagonist. His friendship with Edmund Albrighton, a master of the longbow, is the emotional core of the book. Watching their bond deepen from comrades-in-arms to family through Edmund's marriage to Henry's sister, Eleanor, grounds the grand historical sweep in genuine human emotion.
Field does not shy away from the grim realities of the era. The looming shadow of the Black Death and the relentless grind of the Hundred Years' War create a palpable sense of dread and tension. The question of whether the Bywater family can survive unscathed kept me turning pages late into the night. This is meticulously researched, face-paced, and utterly immersive. If you are looking for a historical saga that balances battlefield grit with courtly intrigue, look no further. Five stars.
The narrative picks up in 1327, a fascinating turning point in history. Edward III has taken the throne, and while England enjoys a fragile peace, the young King’s ambition is a roaring fire. Field expertly navigates the tricky political waters of Edward’s claim to the French crown and his determination to subdue Scotland. But what makes this novel truly shine isn't just the royal politics it’s the boots-on-the-ground perspective of Sir Henry Bywater.
I particularly appreciated the character arc of Henry. In a world where everyone is scrambling for advancement and titles, Henry’s sole ambition is to fight for his nation, declining personal gain. This makes him a refreshing and deeply honorable protagonist. His friendship with Edmund Albrighton, a master of the longbow, is the emotional core of the book. Watching their bond deepen from comrades-in-arms to family through Edmund's marriage to Henry's sister, Eleanor, grounds the grand historical sweep in genuine human emotion.
Field does not shy away from the grim realities of the era. The looming shadow of the Black Death and the relentless grind of the Hundred Years' War create a palpable sense of dread and tension. The question of whether the Bywater family can survive unscathed kept me turning pages late into the night. This is meticulously researched, face-paced, and utterly immersive. If you are looking for a historical saga that balances battlefield grit with courtly intrigue, look no further. Five stars.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews