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The Vintener Trilogy #3
Blood of the Innocents: The Vintener trilogy
The third thrilling novel in the Vintener trilogy from the master of historical adventure, Michael Jecks, focuses on the years after the Siege of Calais during the Hundred Years’ War—perfect for fans of Bernard Cornwell and Conn Iggulden.
Following the events in Fields of Glory and Blood on the Sand , this powerful conclusion to the Vintener trilogy continues the action ten years after winning Calais. During this time, the men have endured the plague and witnessed other tribulations, and now they must engage in the incredible battle of Poitiers. Tightly plotted, and packed with rich historical detail, Jecks brings the epic events of real history to vivid life in Blood of the Innocents .
Following the events in Fields of Glory and Blood on the Sand , this powerful conclusion to the Vintener trilogy continues the action ten years after winning Calais. During this time, the men have endured the plague and witnessed other tribulations, and now they must engage in the incredible battle of Poitiers. Tightly plotted, and packed with rich historical detail, Jecks brings the epic events of real history to vivid life in Blood of the Innocents .
576 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2016
89 people are currently reading
165 people want to read
About the author
Michael Jecks
122 books625 followersMichael Jecks is a best-selling writer of historical novels. The son of an Actuary, and the youngest of four brothers, he worked in the computer industry before becoming a novelist full time in 1994
He is the author of the internationally popular Templar series, perhaps the longest crime series written by a living author. Unusually, the series looks again at actual events and murders committed about the early fourteenth century, a fabulous time of treachery, civil war, deceit and corruption. Famine, war and disease led to widespread despair, and yet the people showed themselves to be resilient. The series is available as ebooks and all paper formats from Harper Collins, Headline and Simon and Schuster. More recently he has completed his Vintener Trilogy, three stories in his Bloody Mary series, and a new Crusades story set in 1096, Pilgrim's War, following some of the people in the first Crusade on their long pilgrimage to Jerusalem. He has also written a highly acclaimed modern spy thriller, Act of Vengeance.
His books have won him international acclaim and in 2007 his Death Ship of Dartmouth was shortlisted for the Harrogate prize for the best crime novel of the year.
A member of the Society of Authors and Royal Literary Society, Jecks was the Chairman of the Crime Writers' Association in 2004-2005. In 2005 he became a member of the Detection Club.
From 1998 he organised the CWA Debut Dagger competition for two years, helping unpublished authors to win their first contracts He judged the CWA/Ian Fleming Steel Dagger Award for three years.
Michael Jecks is a popular speaker at literary festivals and historical meetings. He is a popular after-dinner and motivational speaker and has spoken at events from Colombia to Italy, Portugal to Alaska.
His own highlights are: being the Grand Marshal of the first parade at the New Orleans 2014 Mardi Gras, designing the Michael Jecks fountain pen for Conway Stewart, and being the International Guest of Honour at the Crime Writers of Canada Bloody Words convention.
Michael lives, walks, writes and paints in North Dartmoor.
He is the author of the internationally popular Templar series, perhaps the longest crime series written by a living author. Unusually, the series looks again at actual events and murders committed about the early fourteenth century, a fabulous time of treachery, civil war, deceit and corruption. Famine, war and disease led to widespread despair, and yet the people showed themselves to be resilient. The series is available as ebooks and all paper formats from Harper Collins, Headline and Simon and Schuster. More recently he has completed his Vintener Trilogy, three stories in his Bloody Mary series, and a new Crusades story set in 1096, Pilgrim's War, following some of the people in the first Crusade on their long pilgrimage to Jerusalem. He has also written a highly acclaimed modern spy thriller, Act of Vengeance.
His books have won him international acclaim and in 2007 his Death Ship of Dartmouth was shortlisted for the Harrogate prize for the best crime novel of the year.
A member of the Society of Authors and Royal Literary Society, Jecks was the Chairman of the Crime Writers' Association in 2004-2005. In 2005 he became a member of the Detection Club.
From 1998 he organised the CWA Debut Dagger competition for two years, helping unpublished authors to win their first contracts He judged the CWA/Ian Fleming Steel Dagger Award for three years.
Michael Jecks is a popular speaker at literary festivals and historical meetings. He is a popular after-dinner and motivational speaker and has spoken at events from Colombia to Italy, Portugal to Alaska.
His own highlights are: being the Grand Marshal of the first parade at the New Orleans 2014 Mardi Gras, designing the Michael Jecks fountain pen for Conway Stewart, and being the International Guest of Honour at the Crime Writers of Canada Bloody Words convention.
Michael lives, walks, writes and paints in North Dartmoor.
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
July 3, 2017
Author Michael Jecks has written a very fitting capstone to his Vintener Trilogy about the first 10 years of the Hundred Years War between France and England. This novel takes place 10 years after the events in the previous novel, Blood on the Sand , but all of the major characters return. However the main character, Fripper Berenger, is a very different man and a lot darker than his portrayal in the previous novels. He is portrayed as a man who has fought one too many battles, seen one to many innocent deaths, he has also lost his wife and child to the Black Death and really hasn’t come to grips with the loss. In many ways he is a broken soul.
As the novel opens, Fripper is the leader of an independent band of mercenaries (Routiers). They have just taken over a town with a very strategic bridge and his men are upset that he won’t let them plunder and rape. His idea is to use the town a base and charge tolls to use the bridge to keep the band fed and out of more combat. The men don’t see it that way, and Fripper is expelled from the band. As he leaving the area, some of his previous companions ambush him and the woman he is protecting. While the woman and her children are killed, Fripper survives though wounded and goes to a local monastery for treatment and to heal. While he is there, not only do his physical wounds heal, but his spiritual ones also start healing. While he is at the monastery an important subplot is introduced. Someone is raping and crucifying young women. These murders are being investigated by the bailiff of a nearby town. While Fripper and the Bailiff are looking at one of the bodies, both the Monastery and the town are attacked, looted and burned and the bailiff’s wife is taken by the raiders. Fripper and the Bailiff join forces to find out who raided their homes and also recover the Bailiff's wife.
While all this is going on, Edward, the Black Prince is preparing his grand Chevauchee into France and is looking for men to fill out his ranks. Most of the characters from the previous novels are in Edward’s Army and Fripper eventually joins up with them and is offered his old Vintenine back. However it comes with some concern because of his mental state. Also eventually joining the army is Fripper’s old band.
The author draws a very dark picture of a medieval army on the march. The raiding and indiscriminate killing and what it does to the population are very well done. He also shows the politics of the French court as they try to decide on just what to do about the English.
The novel culminates at the Battle of Poitiers. His portrayal of the battle is excellent. I personally feel he is on par with Bernard Cornwell is depicting the medieval battlefield and the soldiers who occupy it. The author depicts the battle as a close run thing that the English could have easily lost. The confusion in the French command is once again portrayed well and as probably the major cause of the French defeat. Mr. Jecks really puts the reader into the midst of the Men-at-Arms and the archers who fought the battle. Their exhilaration and adrenalin rush during combat, the exhaustion and soul searching after are extremely well done. The storyline does not forget the role of early gunpowder weapons and their dangers. As in the first two novels, the master gunner has a major role, as do his helpers. I found this part fascinating.
As to the ending, I thought it was very appropriate. It harkens back to the author's Templar Mystery series a bit
The main problem I had with the novel is with continuity. Mr. Jecks keep switching who is telling the tale. He goes from Fripper, to the Bailiff’s wife, to members of his old band, to the gunners of the Prince’s Army, and sometimes it can be hard to follow.
All in all this is a very good read – I would rate it 4.25 stars if GR allowed, so I rounded down
As the novel opens, Fripper is the leader of an independent band of mercenaries (Routiers). They have just taken over a town with a very strategic bridge and his men are upset that he won’t let them plunder and rape. His idea is to use the town a base and charge tolls to use the bridge to keep the band fed and out of more combat. The men don’t see it that way, and Fripper is expelled from the band. As he leaving the area, some of his previous companions ambush him and the woman he is protecting. While the woman and her children are killed, Fripper survives though wounded and goes to a local monastery for treatment and to heal. While he is there, not only do his physical wounds heal, but his spiritual ones also start healing. While he is at the monastery an important subplot is introduced. Someone is raping and crucifying young women. These murders are being investigated by the bailiff of a nearby town. While Fripper and the Bailiff are looking at one of the bodies, both the Monastery and the town are attacked, looted and burned and the bailiff’s wife is taken by the raiders. Fripper and the Bailiff join forces to find out who raided their homes and also recover the Bailiff's wife.
While all this is going on, Edward, the Black Prince is preparing his grand Chevauchee into France and is looking for men to fill out his ranks. Most of the characters from the previous novels are in Edward’s Army and Fripper eventually joins up with them and is offered his old Vintenine back. However it comes with some concern because of his mental state. Also eventually joining the army is Fripper’s old band.
The author draws a very dark picture of a medieval army on the march. The raiding and indiscriminate killing and what it does to the population are very well done. He also shows the politics of the French court as they try to decide on just what to do about the English.
The novel culminates at the Battle of Poitiers. His portrayal of the battle is excellent. I personally feel he is on par with Bernard Cornwell is depicting the medieval battlefield and the soldiers who occupy it. The author depicts the battle as a close run thing that the English could have easily lost. The confusion in the French command is once again portrayed well and as probably the major cause of the French defeat. Mr. Jecks really puts the reader into the midst of the Men-at-Arms and the archers who fought the battle. Their exhilaration and adrenalin rush during combat, the exhaustion and soul searching after are extremely well done. The storyline does not forget the role of early gunpowder weapons and their dangers. As in the first two novels, the master gunner has a major role, as do his helpers. I found this part fascinating.
As to the ending, I thought it was very appropriate. It harkens back to the author's Templar Mystery series a bit
The main problem I had with the novel is with continuity. Mr. Jecks keep switching who is telling the tale. He goes from Fripper, to the Bailiff’s wife, to members of his old band, to the gunners of the Prince’s Army, and sometimes it can be hard to follow.
All in all this is a very good read – I would rate it 4.25 stars if GR allowed, so I rounded down
September 14, 2020
Excellent trilogy of books. Would recommend this to anyone that takes an interest in the Hundred Years War. The trilogy follows a Vintenar over the 10 or so years between landing in France for the Crecy campaign and the Black Prince's victory at Poitiers. Berenger Fripper is the main character and, despite the extraordinary challenges he faces and the horrific world he currently resides, his humanity is very relatable. He is not your traditional 'goodie' and at times is not easy to like but you feel every emotion, every soaking wet night in a French field, every sacked town and every ounce of guilt for the destruction left behind along the way. Like any proud Englishman, I still get shivers reading about the crushing victories over the Scots and French of this time, which these books have. However, what I wasn't prepared for was the twangs of guilt and shame. This book touches on the destruction of France in a way that other authors haven't as much. The tragic loss of life and livelihood suffered by the French peasantry and lower classes is tough to read at times. Excellent adventure, historical, violent thriller with some great characters along the way.
October 19, 2016
Blood of the Innocence : The Vintener Trilogy – This is the last in the 'trilogy.' While a great read and possible to read as a 'stand alone,' I would recommend reading the titles sequentially if you can. Like the preceding titles (Fields of Glory and Blood on the Sand), they are not for the 'faint of heart.' That said, if one likes excellent historical research with stories well woven into the historical framework, you will appreciate the efforts into both research and story telling that Jecks provides his readership. The trilogy covers a segment of the early years of the 100 Years War (1337 to 1453; multiple campaigns), approximately the first 10 year period. History buffs and those with military experience are certain to appreciate any or all of the titles. I have the majority of Jecks' works to include those where he was a contributing author along with others. I will leave it at, 'I keep coming back for more and retain the titles that I have acquired.' While future characters would change, I can see the potential for stories in another period of this war. Whatever Jecks decides, I have not been disappointed in his works to date.
October 7, 2016
Michael Jecks returns to the vintainer trilogy with the final book Blood of the Innocents. It's ten years on since Crecy. Berenger is not with the army. His company votes him out and he leaves with the woman he was protecting and her sons. Fripper is stalked and avoids death but not a serious wound. Recovering at an abbey he is rethinking the past years. Events draw him back to the army and he once more is with Chip, Dogbreath, Grandarse, Sir John and a few others. The big battle is at Poitiers. The choice Berenger makes at the end was a satisfying end to the trilogy. At first I found it a bit confusing as you are in one place in one paragraph and in the next you have different characters in a different spot. The brutality of war, the blood, wasted lives, and destruction is very clear. War then was up close and personal as you were face to face with your enemy.
February 1, 2026
Be warned that this novel is both extremely violent and bloody with little or no compassion, as was the times.
This is the third in the Vintaine Series. Prince Edward, King John of France, King Charles of Navarre, and Sir John de Sully are all real characters who participated in the Hundred Years War. We also pick up the fictional characters, Berengar Fripper, his band of mercenaries, and other fighting groups. A short word about Sir John de Sully is needed here. He was a remarkable man who fought mounted in full armor, well into his 80's. He was called the Knight of a thousand battles, and fought at both Crécy and Piotiers. He lived to be 105 in an age that most people didn't live to see their 50s.
It's almost ten years since we first met the band of men under Fripper. Ed, the founding, has grown and is still working with Archibald the gynour (one who works with cannons). He and Béatrice, the woman who took care of him, both work the cannons during battles.
When they take the town of Uzerche, they discover unspeakable horrors against the inhabitants, men, women, and children alike. But the worst is a young girl who has been assaulted, crucified on a wheel, tortured, and horribly murdered. Denisot, the Bailff of Domps, is determined to find the killer and bring him to justice.
Berenger and his former second in command, Will, has broken off and formed a rival band to Fripper's. He lies to the commanders, like Sir John, so Fripper has to not only lead his band, fight the French, but also try to protect himself against Will's slander. Will has also murdered a French woman and her two small boys just because Fripper was protecting them from the mercenaries in Will's band.
This just scratches the surface of a very complex story. I made a lot of notes to keep track of the several storylines. Once again Michael Jecks has delivered a stunning novel, with historical accuracy!
This is the third in the Vintaine Series. Prince Edward, King John of France, King Charles of Navarre, and Sir John de Sully are all real characters who participated in the Hundred Years War. We also pick up the fictional characters, Berengar Fripper, his band of mercenaries, and other fighting groups. A short word about Sir John de Sully is needed here. He was a remarkable man who fought mounted in full armor, well into his 80's. He was called the Knight of a thousand battles, and fought at both Crécy and Piotiers. He lived to be 105 in an age that most people didn't live to see their 50s.
It's almost ten years since we first met the band of men under Fripper. Ed, the founding, has grown and is still working with Archibald the gynour (one who works with cannons). He and Béatrice, the woman who took care of him, both work the cannons during battles.
When they take the town of Uzerche, they discover unspeakable horrors against the inhabitants, men, women, and children alike. But the worst is a young girl who has been assaulted, crucified on a wheel, tortured, and horribly murdered. Denisot, the Bailff of Domps, is determined to find the killer and bring him to justice.
Berenger and his former second in command, Will, has broken off and formed a rival band to Fripper's. He lies to the commanders, like Sir John, so Fripper has to not only lead his band, fight the French, but also try to protect himself against Will's slander. Will has also murdered a French woman and her two small boys just because Fripper was protecting them from the mercenaries in Will's band.
This just scratches the surface of a very complex story. I made a lot of notes to keep track of the several storylines. Once again Michael Jecks has delivered a stunning novel, with historical accuracy!
June 22, 2021
Blood of the Innocents completes an outstanding three-book saga. The story follows a company of English archers throughout a brutal campaign rampaging across France during the Hundred Years War. Berenger Fripper, a vintener (think: first sergeant or company commander), anchors the storyline as he wrestles with both his internal and external struggles with the horror of war—especially war of this time—and how it has affected him, the landscape, the people, and his compatriots. The exploration of the inanity and failed logic of why we fight, which is then expertly painted with a grim backdrop of debased humanity, is a fascinating throughline. Each book improves upon the last and the story will stick with you for a long time to come. Jecks really nails this.
April 25, 2022
The finale to this trilogy doesn't pull any blows. The reader is marched through victorious battle, and then plunged into grief. There are some body blows with beloved characters in the body count - As always Jecks captured the trudge and drudge of war, alongside the exciting action with expert execution of swordplay and battle. I'm no fighter but felt I was right there amidst the action.
A very satisfying ending with -
As is the way, kings and those in power move on only to gain more power, waging more wars at other's cost.
This is bittersweet as I got book grief at leaving Berenger & his crew
A very satisfying ending with -
As is the way, kings and those in power move on only to gain more power, waging more wars at other's cost.
This is bittersweet as I got book grief at leaving Berenger & his crew
January 6, 2018
the third and final part of the Vitainer trilogy is set a decade after parts 1 and 2. the characters have all moved on, and plague has changed Fripper's life beyond measure. alone, his wife and child dead, he becomes a mercenary and a drunk, before war again intervenes, providing him with salvation of sorts.
interwoven with this is the brutal rape and murder of several young girls. Fripper must find the guilty party.
all in all, Michael has excelled himself here, a brilliant read, slow burning but building up to a dramatic conclusion.
interwoven with this is the brutal rape and murder of several young girls. Fripper must find the guilty party.
all in all, Michael has excelled himself here, a brilliant read, slow burning but building up to a dramatic conclusion.
March 6, 2018
Great story, truly hate to see it end, as well as the Vintener trilogy finished. Compelling stories, engaging subplots, and detailed characters. Wonderful to watch the change of Berenger Fripper through each book. From dutiful soldier to exhausted veteran, yearning for peace & tranquility. Changed by his experiences and losses, he transforms with age. Thank you, Michael Jecks, for these three books.
September 17, 2018
For me this was the best book of the Vintener trilogy. Incredibly depressing at times, it shows a civilisation living day to day in the most uncertain of times. A time when life for the poor, at any rate, was cheap. At the centre is a man struggling to come to terms with loss of family and friends and yet keep his moral compass intact. A remarkable Trilogy that makes me want to explore and understand the mid-twelfth century a little more.
May 21, 2022
I’m sure some would rate this book highly but I struggled to get through it! I realised soon after I started it that it was not really my thing as it was too violent with warfare and horrific brutality and butchery of innocent people. I decided to read it because it was advertised as being in the style of Conn Iggulden and Bernard Cromwell - both authors I enjoy. But I did not find this to be the case and also I had not read the other books in this trilogy so it was probably my own fault that I didn’t enjoy it!
December 23, 2020
A Brilliant last book of the trylogy concerning the middle ages following a group of archers
fighting the French aristocracy from the battle of Acracy to the capture of the French king.These three books have really been an excellent read,and I wish to congratulate
the author for his wonderful penmanship. many thanks.
fighting the French aristocracy from the battle of Acracy to the capture of the French king.These three books have really been an excellent read,and I wish to congratulate
the author for his wonderful penmanship. many thanks.
August 12, 2021
Excellent
As an ardent admirer of Michael Jecks and having read the complete set of his Templar series, the Vintener books were just as brilliant. I feel that there ought to be more of the Templa r series?
As an ardent admirer of Michael Jecks and having read the complete set of his Templar series, the Vintener books were just as brilliant. I feel that there ought to be more of the Templa r series?
November 5, 2021
A phenomenal trilogy
This is a superb historic novel that grips all the way. It allows strong association of the main characters and touchs on the futility of war. Highly reccomendecd
This is a superb historic novel that grips all the way. It allows strong association of the main characters and touchs on the futility of war. Highly reccomendecd
March 6, 2019
Not as gripping as the previous elements in this tale.
March 4, 2022
Poorly written with the story jumping about all over the place. I had to go back far too many times.
Read
May 11, 2022Loved it, wish I had read the first two but wasn' necessary.
July 12, 2022
Enjoyable adventure set during the Poitiers campaign.
December 11, 2025
This third installment of the Vintaine series did not disappoint. An enjoyed read.
January 18, 2021
I learned a lot
Not only did I learned a lot about the condition of women, nuns, and children during the Hundred Years War, and the war itself, but this was a very captivating read. Great characters, turning points. I might read the two previous books in the series.
Not only did I learned a lot about the condition of women, nuns, and children during the Hundred Years War, and the war itself, but this was a very captivating read. Great characters, turning points. I might read the two previous books in the series.
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews