What do you think?
Rate this book
Arrows of Albion #2
Kemp: Passage at Arms
A brilliant medieval action thriller perfect for fans of Bernard Cornwell, Matthew Harffy and Giles Kristian
It is 1347 and the French, after a crushing defeat at Crécy, are licking their wounds while their king raises a new army. Locked into a fruitless siege, the English are camped in the marshes around Calais. Among them is foot soldier and archer Martin Kemp, whose dreams of serving his king and reliving the chivalrous adventures of King Arthur’s Knights of the Round Table are tempered by the gory and brutal reality of siege warfare. Having narrowly escaped death in a surprise attack from the French, Kemp sees a chance for a reprieve when a shaky truce is signed. But can there really be peace for a man like Kemp?
A fitting sequel to the acclaimed Kemp: The Road to Crécy, Kemp: Passage at Arms is packed with authentic period detail and narrative verve, and cements Jonathan Lunn’s reputation as one of the most entertaining historical thriller writers working today.
Arrows of Albion series Kemp: The Road to Crécy Kemp: Passage at Arms437 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 23, 2018
211 people are currently reading
95 people want to read
About the author
Jonathan Lunn
34 books28 followersPseudonym of Daniel Hall
Born in London, Jonathan Lunn started writing at the age of fifteen. He studied history at the University of Leicester, where he became involved in politics. He worked for six years as a spin doctor in local government, but decided to leave politics behind and concentrate on his writing. He is the author of a series of naval adventure stories, described as "the Victorian Hornblower", based around the eponymous hero of the first book, Killigrew R.N. (2000). The series now runs to six books, the most recent of which was Killigrew and the Sea Devil (2005). Entertaining and historically accurate, the series is shortly to be re-launched in Italy. He has also written two books under his real name, Daniel Hall, and currently lives in Bristol.
Born in London, Jonathan Lunn started writing at the age of fifteen. He studied history at the University of Leicester, where he became involved in politics. He worked for six years as a spin doctor in local government, but decided to leave politics behind and concentrate on his writing. He is the author of a series of naval adventure stories, described as "the Victorian Hornblower", based around the eponymous hero of the first book, Killigrew R.N. (2000). The series now runs to six books, the most recent of which was Killigrew and the Sea Devil (2005). Entertaining and historically accurate, the series is shortly to be re-launched in Italy. He has also written two books under his real name, Daniel Hall, and currently lives in Bristol.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
December 9, 2019
A wonderful story very well written, the hero Martin Kemp displaying his compassion, courage and loyalty in buckets full. I loved the book and would recommend it to anyone young at heart.
January 29, 2022
As enjoyable as the first book in the Arrows of Albion series. Martin Kemp is already developing as an interesting lead character: uncertain and faltering socially but growing into a confident young man while totally ruthless and focused when in physical combat.
January 20, 2019
More please of Martin Kemp, soon I hope! He is a deep, dark character, heroic and bad bad at the same time. The adventures and scrapes.keep you glued to the narrative as the suspense and tension mounts. A good read if you like me enjoy the historical genre, not without interest, ing facts and information It only.to be hoped.that further adventures for the English bowman are forthcoming..
More please of Martin Kemp. He is a deep, dark character, heroic and bad at the same time. The adventures and scrapes keep you glued to the narrative as the suspense and tension mounts. A good read if like me you enjoy the historical genre. It is only to be hoped.that further adventures for the English bowman are soon forthcoming!
More please of Martin Kemp. He is a deep, dark character, heroic and bad at the same time. The adventures and scrapes keep you glued to the narrative as the suspense and tension mounts. A good read if like me you enjoy the historical genre. It is only to be hoped.that further adventures for the English bowman are soon forthcoming!
February 4, 2025
The book, for much of the story, deals with the complications of Joan, the Fair Maid of Kent, and just who she is, or isn't, married to. Elizabeth Chadwick is currently writing a novel about Joan (though she is using a French name for her for some reason). It will be interesting to see how Lunn & Chadwick's stories match. For more on Joan see: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joan_of_Kent
The book also deals with The Great, or Black, Death.
Martin Kemp is involved with all sorts of goings on and for parts of the story is in very uncomfortable captivity. The book ends with the un-chivalrous attempt by the French to retake Calais. Kemp is proving to be something of a super hero in the Richard Sharpe mould.
I didn't find the book captivating and it was finished as quickly as it was due to a long wait whilst my wife was attending a hospital out-patient clinic (6 hours wait!).
As in "The Road to Calais" the fact that the author is not a re-enactment archer is very obvious to someone, such as myself, who is. The author has archers holding the draw on a heavy war bow (80lb-175lb draw weight) whilst they aim and keep it drawn, an act which, in reality can only be held for 2-3 seconds and not the length the author indicates. A long war bow hung from a the pommel of a horse's saddle? At 6-7feet long? I don't think so and the archers still sometimes "fire" as if they are using a musket. Oh well: French executing crims with the hung-drawn-quartered method? Well Google AI says so, but gives no examples and, as far as I am aware and can find, it was a very English-then British thing. I will concede "heater shields" even though that is a modern term.
In places it is rather "Hollywood" in the old 1950s sense. As in Hop-along Cassidy, The Cisco Kid, Roy Rogers, etc. men get knocked out with a single hit to teh chin and stay unconscious for ages so don't need tying up.
So, is it a bad book? Not really: I have the next in the series ready for my next read, but whether I will read all seven books in the series remains to be seen.
The book also deals with The Great, or Black, Death.
Martin Kemp is involved with all sorts of goings on and for parts of the story is in very uncomfortable captivity. The book ends with the un-chivalrous attempt by the French to retake Calais. Kemp is proving to be something of a super hero in the Richard Sharpe mould.
I didn't find the book captivating and it was finished as quickly as it was due to a long wait whilst my wife was attending a hospital out-patient clinic (6 hours wait!).
As in "The Road to Calais" the fact that the author is not a re-enactment archer is very obvious to someone, such as myself, who is. The author has archers holding the draw on a heavy war bow (80lb-175lb draw weight) whilst they aim and keep it drawn, an act which, in reality can only be held for 2-3 seconds and not the length the author indicates. A long war bow hung from a the pommel of a horse's saddle? At 6-7feet long? I don't think so and the archers still sometimes "fire" as if they are using a musket. Oh well: French executing crims with the hung-drawn-quartered method? Well Google AI says so, but gives no examples and, as far as I am aware and can find, it was a very English-then British thing. I will concede "heater shields" even though that is a modern term.
In places it is rather "Hollywood" in the old 1950s sense. As in Hop-along Cassidy, The Cisco Kid, Roy Rogers, etc. men get knocked out with a single hit to teh chin and stay unconscious for ages so don't need tying up.
So, is it a bad book? Not really: I have the next in the series ready for my next read, but whether I will read all seven books in the series remains to be seen.
July 15, 2018
Another Page Turner
The second inthe series continues the adventures and conflict of the archer Kemp.This one is more plotting and intrigue than battle but still an enjoyable read that is well written with a good pace.
The second inthe series continues the adventures and conflict of the archer Kemp.This one is more plotting and intrigue than battle but still an enjoyable read that is well written with a good pace.
August 30, 2018
Complex plot
Lunn has a way of keeping you in suspense without an overly contrived plot. There is a challenge in keeping the protagonist alive with perpetual heroic acts, however the plot consistently covers a need to stretch one's imagination beyond the possible
Lunn has a way of keeping you in suspense without an overly contrived plot. There is a challenge in keeping the protagonist alive with perpetual heroic acts, however the plot consistently covers a need to stretch one's imagination beyond the possible
September 16, 2018
Another ancient Brit longbowmen &his travails.
Anyone that enjoys tales of war fought by commoners & knights with the famous machine gun of the day, the English longbow will enjoy this 2nd of a 2 parter.
Anyone that enjoys tales of war fought by commoners & knights with the famous machine gun of the day, the English longbow will enjoy this 2nd of a 2 parter.
October 23, 2018
Brilliant
Did not want the adventure to end so trust there is book 3. The characters portrayed appear so real combined with the actual 'historical' figures. The different periods of this country's history is truly fascinating.
Did not want the adventure to end so trust there is book 3. The characters portrayed appear so real combined with the actual 'historical' figures. The different periods of this country's history is truly fascinating.
December 6, 2022
Fast paced action
Good read that guides you though a gripping period in history. You gain some insights into how it was to live in the period whist being pulled along by a gripping yarn.
Good read that guides you though a gripping period in history. You gain some insights into how it was to live in the period whist being pulled along by a gripping yarn.
June 1, 2024
how enjoyable learning about history can be!
The plot is set tight, putting this book in Alexandre Dumas league, which is not a small compliment. It’s like jumping in a Time Machine witnessing the cruelty of the Middle Ages civilization.
The plot is set tight, putting this book in Alexandre Dumas league, which is not a small compliment. It’s like jumping in a Time Machine witnessing the cruelty of the Middle Ages civilization.
September 2, 2024
Passage at Arms
Excellent story mostly plausible, written with skill. Read voraciously the 5 stars are deserved. Totally on board with Arrows of Albion. A great accompaniment to my favourite hobby Archery. I will take up my Longbow with renewed vigour.
Excellent story mostly plausible, written with skill. Read voraciously the 5 stars are deserved. Totally on board with Arrows of Albion. A great accompaniment to my favourite hobby Archery. I will take up my Longbow with renewed vigour.
July 16, 2018
Great
Wow!!! So surprised to read in some books that knights lived beyond30 years of age when you read of all the fighting that they did.
Wow!!! So surprised to read in some books that knights lived beyond30 years of age when you read of all the fighting that they did.
July 30, 2018
Loved it
Loved it, just could not put it down! Brought the period alive in a top roaring tale. Well done Kemp!
Loved it, just could not put it down! Brought the period alive in a top roaring tale. Well done Kemp!
December 2, 2018
Good read
I like this series. Has a good pace, believable, and well told. It’s been a while since I’ve read a kindle book I’ve liked. I recommend it.
I like this series. Has a good pace, believable, and well told. It’s been a while since I’ve read a kindle book I’ve liked. I recommend it.
December 11, 2018
Book 2
Not as good as the first book of the series but still entertaining. Looking forwards to reading the 3rd one.
Not as good as the first book of the series but still entertaining. Looking forwards to reading the 3rd one.
May 21, 2022
Good Book
I found book two of this series much more engaging and a good read from start to finish. Looking forward to book 3
I found book two of this series much more engaging and a good read from start to finish. Looking forward to book 3
December 23, 2023
Another entertaining light read centred around the pale of Calais. Slightly unlikely story, but fun.
May 1, 2020
It is a wonderful book. Yet I rate it 1 star because I'm so frustrated that there will be no third book of the series in the foreseeable future.
It's just bollocks that Lunn does not continue this series!
It's just bollocks that Lunn does not continue this series!
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews