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Sir John Hawkwood #1
Crécy: The Age of the Archer
A hero’s journey begins in an exhilarating new series by Griff Hosker.
In 1335 the Black Death was just thirteen years away from England but there were other threats and dangers. Young John Hawkwood is forced to leave his home and seek a life in London. There he learns how to survive and, more importantly, how to fight. Leaving his life as an apprentice tailor he follows the army and King Edward to fight the Scots. He has a skill; he can not only use a bow, but he can use a sword and his mind. It is the start of a life of war for the young man.
He fights first in the Low Countries at the battle of Cadzand before heading to Gascony to fight under the charismatic leader and cousin of the King, Lord Henry Plantagenet. As he fights so his skills improve and the novel follows his progress until he fights in the two great battles of 1346, Crécy and Neville’s Cross.
This is just the start for John Hawkwood who will become, in the fullness of time, one of the greatest condottiere the world has ever seen, a man who, at the Battle of Castagnaro in 1387, shows the world that he was a great leader, too.
In 1335 the Black Death was just thirteen years away from England but there were other threats and dangers. Young John Hawkwood is forced to leave his home and seek a life in London. There he learns how to survive and, more importantly, how to fight. Leaving his life as an apprentice tailor he follows the army and King Edward to fight the Scots. He has a skill; he can not only use a bow, but he can use a sword and his mind. It is the start of a life of war for the young man.
He fights first in the Low Countries at the battle of Cadzand before heading to Gascony to fight under the charismatic leader and cousin of the King, Lord Henry Plantagenet. As he fights so his skills improve and the novel follows his progress until he fights in the two great battles of 1346, Crécy and Neville’s Cross.
This is just the start for John Hawkwood who will become, in the fullness of time, one of the greatest condottiere the world has ever seen, a man who, at the Battle of Castagnaro in 1387, shows the world that he was a great leader, too.
234 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 22, 2020
400 people are currently reading
807 people want to read
About the author
Griff Hosker
305 books419 followersI was born in 1950 in Lancashire and attended a boy’s grammar school. After qualifying as an English and Drama teacher in 1972, I worked in the North East of England for the next 35 years. During that time I did write, mainly plays, pantos and musicals for the students at the three schools in which I worked.
When I stopped teaching I set up my own consultancy firm and worked as an adviser in schools and colleges in the North East of England. The new Conservative Government ended that avenue of work and in 2010 I found that I had time on my hands; having started work at the age of 15 I found the lack of work not to my liking and used the time to research the Roman invasion of Britain and begin to create a novel. The result was The Sword of Cartimandua.
My decision to begin writing was one of the best I have ever taken.
griff-signature-360x57
When I stopped teaching I set up my own consultancy firm and worked as an adviser in schools and colleges in the North East of England. The new Conservative Government ended that avenue of work and in 2010 I found that I had time on my hands; having started work at the age of 15 I found the lack of work not to my liking and used the time to research the Roman invasion of Britain and begin to create a novel. The result was The Sword of Cartimandua.
My decision to begin writing was one of the best I have ever taken.
griff-signature-360x57
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 61 reviews
June 18, 2020
I won this book in a goodreads drawing.
The second son of a well to do man is forced to leave his home during the 1300's. He becomes an archer in the army. He just happens to be big, fast, smart, and lucky. From being a tyro, he works his way to becoming a captain of the archers. He becomes wealthy looting and pillaging.
Not too bad, although Hawkwood is too good to be true.
The second son of a well to do man is forced to leave his home during the 1300's. He becomes an archer in the army. He just happens to be big, fast, smart, and lucky. From being a tyro, he works his way to becoming a captain of the archers. He becomes wealthy looting and pillaging.
Not too bad, although Hawkwood is too good to be true.
August 12, 2021
2.5 stars. I truly enjoyed the tale, less so the writing style.
July 20, 2025
3.5 ⭐️
This really felt like a Great Value version of The Last Kingdom, meaning when you read the ingredient list it says the same as the name brand yet somehow under delivers.
It replicates the same 1st person storytelling and involves medieval England, however the timeframe is around 600 years later.
I liked this book a good bit but I kept comparing it to the Last Kingdom and it just wasn’t coming close to as good as that. The character isn’t as fun and the action scenes aren’t as good. Hosker does everything just fine and I’ll still be continuing but I’ll be tempering my expectations.
This book follows Sir John Hawkwood, who was a real life mercenary who was apparently a badass warrior and archer. I’ve done very little research on him because I don’t want his history to spoil my reading experience with this series.
Yes I’m avoiding spoilers that’s are over 500 years old, leave me alone.
This really felt like a Great Value version of The Last Kingdom, meaning when you read the ingredient list it says the same as the name brand yet somehow under delivers.
It replicates the same 1st person storytelling and involves medieval England, however the timeframe is around 600 years later.
I liked this book a good bit but I kept comparing it to the Last Kingdom and it just wasn’t coming close to as good as that. The character isn’t as fun and the action scenes aren’t as good. Hosker does everything just fine and I’ll still be continuing but I’ll be tempering my expectations.
This book follows Sir John Hawkwood, who was a real life mercenary who was apparently a badass warrior and archer. I’ve done very little research on him because I don’t want his history to spoil my reading experience with this series.
Yes I’m avoiding spoilers that’s are over 500 years old, leave me alone.
February 1, 2021
A slightly unusual read on a factional level with the history, dates, equipment and practice of the day explained within a story written in the first person; an unusual writing style but interesting and at times quite journalistic and simplistic in its stories and tales. I found it a little clumsy as well on a literary level repeating bits and pieces of information and as an opener to a series perhaps not strong enough to make me want to read whatever follows up.
That said the book is written in a very naive and innocent way leading the reader through the journey to manhood and warrior in the heroes own words. Violent and graphic as was the realities of the times, and touching at others in the innocence of youth being shattered by the circumstance of those that seek to go to war, and the penalties, and rewards that brings.
Overall enjoyable, by an author with a fine pedigree; and one who I will be tipping my toes into in the not too distant future with his novel 1914. A different time and a different war, but I look forward to what path Mr Hosker selects for his characters in that.
I can't give it 5 stars as it didn't grab me but a short and worthwhile read for someone with an interest in ancient and medieval history..... Book 2 is on the shelf; time will tell if it's any the better and to win that final star from me.
That said the book is written in a very naive and innocent way leading the reader through the journey to manhood and warrior in the heroes own words. Violent and graphic as was the realities of the times, and touching at others in the innocence of youth being shattered by the circumstance of those that seek to go to war, and the penalties, and rewards that brings.
Overall enjoyable, by an author with a fine pedigree; and one who I will be tipping my toes into in the not too distant future with his novel 1914. A different time and a different war, but I look forward to what path Mr Hosker selects for his characters in that.
I can't give it 5 stars as it didn't grab me but a short and worthwhile read for someone with an interest in ancient and medieval history..... Book 2 is on the shelf; time will tell if it's any the better and to win that final star from me.
October 13, 2020
Yet another brilliant book from Griff Hosker. Another one sitting book.
As mentioned in my reviews of his two "Lord Edward's Archer" series (when is the next instalment out?) I re-enact as a 14thC English archer, so beware any author whose books I read that deals with medieval English archers as I am taking notes! With Griff I don't have to worry as his descriptions of the archers and what they could achieve and their equipment and arrow supplies etc, are spot on (I see he used Mike Loads writings as one of his reference books and, as Loads is not that good when it comes to understanding the efficiency of the English warbow, so I am extra impressed).
The author packs in a lot of background information, such as the standing of Jews in England in the reign of Edward III, the distinction between a knight (which is a rank) and a man-at-arms, the sumptry laws etc. The only "fact" I found incorrect is that at the end, where certain words and expressions are explained; the Bastard Sword is said to be a two handed weapon, yet it is a hand-and-a-half sword and can be used single and double handed as, indeed, John Hawkwood uses it in the story.
Hosker, like me when I write historical fiction, cannot resist throwing in hints on his own preferences, and here the best ale comes from Burton-on-Trent (quality beer has to have its water "Burtonised" ) and for quality ale one has to have English or Flemish ales.
There are a couple of typos, and, I know from reading my own published books they are almost impossible to avoid. The one that amused me was Hawkwood knowing how to "steel" rather than "steal". Having said that I was pleased to see "gaol" rather than the American "jail".
There is plenty of action and blood letting but Hosker manages to avoid the excess of many authors and I am happy for my 11 year old grandson to read his books as a result.
Hawkwood is a very interesting self made man (David Gilman's fictional Thomas Blackstone in his Master of War series follows a similar path) and there were so many self made men in Edward III's time, Including my ancestor http://lynboxell.tripod.com/siralan.htm.
Others have given an outline of the story, so I won't duplicate their efforts, but I will just add that it covers, The battle of Cadzand, the Gascon Chevauchee of Henry of Lancaster, the battles of Crecy and Neville's Cross and the defeat of the French attempt to break the siege of Calais - and, yes, a man as valued as John Hawkwood could have taken part in all that action.
Oh, something that made me snigger: at the end of the story John Hawkwood's Italian friend, Giovanni gets shipped back to England disguised as an injured archer who has lost an eye. "Have you ever heard of a one eyed archer?" Hawkwood asks the sea captain. Err, yes, well, I only have one eye and I am an archer - I also have a finger on my string hand missing too!
As mentioned in my reviews of his two "Lord Edward's Archer" series (when is the next instalment out?) I re-enact as a 14thC English archer, so beware any author whose books I read that deals with medieval English archers as I am taking notes! With Griff I don't have to worry as his descriptions of the archers and what they could achieve and their equipment and arrow supplies etc, are spot on (I see he used Mike Loads writings as one of his reference books and, as Loads is not that good when it comes to understanding the efficiency of the English warbow, so I am extra impressed).
The author packs in a lot of background information, such as the standing of Jews in England in the reign of Edward III, the distinction between a knight (which is a rank) and a man-at-arms, the sumptry laws etc. The only "fact" I found incorrect is that at the end, where certain words and expressions are explained; the Bastard Sword is said to be a two handed weapon, yet it is a hand-and-a-half sword and can be used single and double handed as, indeed, John Hawkwood uses it in the story.
Hosker, like me when I write historical fiction, cannot resist throwing in hints on his own preferences, and here the best ale comes from Burton-on-Trent (quality beer has to have its water "Burtonised" ) and for quality ale one has to have English or Flemish ales.
There are a couple of typos, and, I know from reading my own published books they are almost impossible to avoid. The one that amused me was Hawkwood knowing how to "steel" rather than "steal". Having said that I was pleased to see "gaol" rather than the American "jail".
There is plenty of action and blood letting but Hosker manages to avoid the excess of many authors and I am happy for my 11 year old grandson to read his books as a result.
Hawkwood is a very interesting self made man (David Gilman's fictional Thomas Blackstone in his Master of War series follows a similar path) and there were so many self made men in Edward III's time, Including my ancestor http://lynboxell.tripod.com/siralan.htm.
Others have given an outline of the story, so I won't duplicate their efforts, but I will just add that it covers, The battle of Cadzand, the Gascon Chevauchee of Henry of Lancaster, the battles of Crecy and Neville's Cross and the defeat of the French attempt to break the siege of Calais - and, yes, a man as valued as John Hawkwood could have taken part in all that action.
Oh, something that made me snigger: at the end of the story John Hawkwood's Italian friend, Giovanni gets shipped back to England disguised as an injured archer who has lost an eye. "Have you ever heard of a one eyed archer?" Hawkwood asks the sea captain. Err, yes, well, I only have one eye and I am an archer - I also have a finger on my string hand missing too!
June 22, 2024
Nice one!
The characters are manufactured well enough.
Interesting thought to have Sir John Hawkwood serve as an archer at Crecy.
The characters are manufactured well enough.
Interesting thought to have Sir John Hawkwood serve as an archer at Crecy.
June 4, 2021
Firstly the good……not much actually. It was an interesting and very violent period of history that makes it worth writing about, but unfortunately it has been done so much better by other authors.
It’s been a long time since I’ve read such a poorly edited book. The first half in particular is full of repetition, spelling mistakes (steal vs. steel for example) and poor punctuation.
I actually quite enjoyed it as a story but it lacks depth, realism and back ground detail and as such it never builds the plot or characters.
I suppose that’s what can happen when you self-publish. It must be too easy to think that your book is perfect and doesn’t need thoroughly checking and
critiquing.
Two stars seems about right, and I’ve no idea how it got so many 4 and 5 star reviews. A 5-star review would mean the book was perfect, but this even has typos on the back cover!
It’s been a long time since I’ve read such a poorly edited book. The first half in particular is full of repetition, spelling mistakes (steal vs. steel for example) and poor punctuation.
I actually quite enjoyed it as a story but it lacks depth, realism and back ground detail and as such it never builds the plot or characters.
I suppose that’s what can happen when you self-publish. It must be too easy to think that your book is perfect and doesn’t need thoroughly checking and
critiquing.
Two stars seems about right, and I’ve no idea how it got so many 4 and 5 star reviews. A 5-star review would mean the book was perfect, but this even has typos on the back cover!
June 26, 2024
There are many good historical novelists out there like Gilman, Follett, Iggulden, Harris and Hosker is in there solid amongst them.
I’ve previously read the author’s excellent Viking themed Dragonheart series and enjoyed those books very much.
The writer knows how to bring his characters to life, describes a battle scene in enough gritty detail to make you feel the blows of the broadsword on your armour, taste the warm trickle of blood in your mouth and smell the rotten stench of entrails copiously spilling out over the battlefield. His description of the Longbow, its function and place in medieval warfare must’ve come from extensive usage himself of the weapon and extensive study of the subject.
Also his portrayal of the plague and its spread during the time frame covered here rings with historical authenticity.
Marston York, who seems to have narrated many of Hosker’s novels, continues his on with his excellent audio portrayal here.
I’ve previously read the author’s excellent Viking themed Dragonheart series and enjoyed those books very much.
The writer knows how to bring his characters to life, describes a battle scene in enough gritty detail to make you feel the blows of the broadsword on your armour, taste the warm trickle of blood in your mouth and smell the rotten stench of entrails copiously spilling out over the battlefield. His description of the Longbow, its function and place in medieval warfare must’ve come from extensive usage himself of the weapon and extensive study of the subject.
Also his portrayal of the plague and its spread during the time frame covered here rings with historical authenticity.
Marston York, who seems to have narrated many of Hosker’s novels, continues his on with his excellent audio portrayal here.
January 10, 2025
This is an engaging account of medieval life and warfare through the perspective of an English archer. The story manages to capture the challenges and harshness of 14th-century survival.
Hawkwood’s journey from apprentice tailor to skilled fighter is interesting but feels rushed, especially as he seems to master archery and fighting so easily. He also always happens to be in the right place to come to the notice of King Edward and the Black Prince. A bit of poetic licence!
The depictions of war highlight its violence and destruction and underscore the Hawkwood’s unsympathetic nature, making him hard to connect with. Moments of compassion, such as his concern for young Michael, seem a little inconsistent in comparison.
The action sequences are vivid and feel authentic, so this would be an informative read for fans of historical fiction, despite some character and pacing issues.
Hawkwood’s journey from apprentice tailor to skilled fighter is interesting but feels rushed, especially as he seems to master archery and fighting so easily. He also always happens to be in the right place to come to the notice of King Edward and the Black Prince. A bit of poetic licence!
The depictions of war highlight its violence and destruction and underscore the Hawkwood’s unsympathetic nature, making him hard to connect with. Moments of compassion, such as his concern for young Michael, seem a little inconsistent in comparison.
The action sequences are vivid and feel authentic, so this would be an informative read for fans of historical fiction, despite some character and pacing issues.
August 12, 2025
In this book Griff Hosker provides a fictionalized version of John Hawkwood's early years. Very little is known about this part of his life, so Hosker made liberal use of his imagination artistic license to fill in the details.
What we get is a damn good coming of age story with lots of action. We follow John from his rather difficult childhood, through a brief period as an apprentice tailor in London, and on to his life as a longbowman and his development as a warrior.
Griff Hosker obviously did a lot of research before/while writing this book. The details of the brutality of 14th century warfare in Britain and France are very well done (not for the squeamish!).
This was my first Griff Hosker book. I reckon I will read more.
Solid 4 stars.
What we get is a damn good coming of age story with lots of action. We follow John from his rather difficult childhood, through a brief period as an apprentice tailor in London, and on to his life as a longbowman and his development as a warrior.
Griff Hosker obviously did a lot of research before/while writing this book. The details of the brutality of 14th century warfare in Britain and France are very well done (not for the squeamish!).
This was my first Griff Hosker book. I reckon I will read more.
Solid 4 stars.
January 25, 2022
I found this book to be repetitive and not all that interesting. It is written in the first-person and the main character spends a lot of time patting himself on the back. I found him annoying. There are a lot of battles described but not the strategy involved. It was just a lot of shooting arrows and hacking. Again, the main character, John, won battles almost single-handedly in his telling of it. The relationships and personal parts of the story were certainly not flushed out well at all. Finally, after listening to half the book, I quit.
May 1, 2023
I have come across the name John Hawkwood numerous times in some of my readings. I wanted to know more, so I started this series. I had never read any of Mr. Hosker's books before. Once beginning, I was swept up in the story. It is well written, and flows nicely. Lots of battles and intrigue! The one thing that stood out for me in this book was the importance of the English longbow in this era, and how it was used so effectively. I felt sorry for the French, who had no answer. I look forward to continuing the story!
February 4, 2021
Another Hosker hero.
After the early medieval years of the Anarchy and the Crusade stories, Crecy sees 2 game changing incidents. The first was the advent of the cannon which makes its appearance here and secondly beginning of the Black Death which decimated Europe. It is with these in mind that we see John Hawkswood and learn of his semi fictional life in France and the Low Countries. Looking forward to hearing from him again.
After the early medieval years of the Anarchy and the Crusade stories, Crecy sees 2 game changing incidents. The first was the advent of the cannon which makes its appearance here and secondly beginning of the Black Death which decimated Europe. It is with these in mind that we see John Hawkswood and learn of his semi fictional life in France and the Low Countries. Looking forward to hearing from him again.
June 4, 2020
Great start to a new series
I am always intrigued by who Mr. Hosker will choose as a main character. This time he chose a real individual who lived an incredible life. I enjoy the way the characters are imbued with persona and I am a huge fan of the fighting action. I almost feel myself ducking when the steel is singing.
I am always intrigued by who Mr. Hosker will choose as a main character. This time he chose a real individual who lived an incredible life. I enjoy the way the characters are imbued with persona and I am a huge fan of the fighting action. I almost feel myself ducking when the steel is singing.
June 18, 2020
A Tale about John Hawkwood.
John Hawkwood was one of the most famous mercenary captains of his day. The author has taken some liberties with Hawkwood’s life but handles the historical context well. There isn’t much nuance in the character development but I don’t think that’s the point of the book.
John Hawkwood was one of the most famous mercenary captains of his day. The author has taken some liberties with Hawkwood’s life but handles the historical context well. There isn’t much nuance in the character development but I don’t think that’s the point of the book.
June 21, 2020
Robuster
Good story. Well told . I liked the protagonist , his side kicks and the back story. Each character was well crafted. There towards the end the “”action scenes and the descriptions were a little much”” .
If this is the genre you enjoy then it will be a good book for you.
I do recommend this book .
Good story. Well told . I liked the protagonist , his side kicks and the back story. Each character was well crafted. There towards the end the “”action scenes and the descriptions were a little much”” .
If this is the genre you enjoy then it will be a good book for you.
I do recommend this book .
August 12, 2020
Very enjoyable read
This was a very enjoyable read. I like to read adventurous books with backgrounds steep in real history and actually events. I find myself switching to google often to look at battlefield maps and boning up on background material. The characters are a bit over the top in heroic stature... but that is part of the enjoyment. Well done. He is a fine author.
This was a very enjoyable read. I like to read adventurous books with backgrounds steep in real history and actually events. I find myself switching to google often to look at battlefield maps and boning up on background material. The characters are a bit over the top in heroic stature... but that is part of the enjoyment. Well done. He is a fine author.
January 21, 2025
I think I've been reading too many Griff Hoskar books at once. There barely feels like there are any stakes in this book, as the main character just wades through the historical events passing around him, seemingly invincible. While the book has enough going on that I finished it, I definitely was wanting it to go by faster. The battle descriptions are probably the saving grace of the books.
January 28, 2025
An interesting piece of historical fiction, based on the real life person who became leader of The White Company. The author writes in first person, and filled in quite a bit with events, drama, emotions, and extra characters.
The story of a man rising from an abused boy and abused apprentice to an archer in the Prince's forces and finally to hero in a key battle.
The story of a man rising from an abused boy and abused apprentice to an archer in the Prince's forces and finally to hero in a key battle.
January 29, 2025
I kept expecting the actual story to start thinking that the bizarre writing style was because we were just getting some backstory. How on earth is this rated so highly?? It sounds like the author wrote out a bunch of dot points for the story, fleshed out three of them (all battles), then wrote ‘the end’. I found it incredibly repetitive and very poorly written.
June 11, 2025
The road to glory.
An easy five stars for a well written novel covering the early career of John Hawkwood. The battles are frequent and well described while not being too gory. The author has an excellent grasp of medieval warfare and equipment used. An outstanding start to what promises to be a gripping series. Highly recommended.
An easy five stars for a well written novel covering the early career of John Hawkwood. The battles are frequent and well described while not being too gory. The author has an excellent grasp of medieval warfare and equipment used. An outstanding start to what promises to be a gripping series. Highly recommended.
June 3, 2020
Excellent
The introduction of John Hawkwood as a young boy growing into the character he becomas as a warrior and his ambitions are something to look forward to in future adventures!
The introduction of John Hawkwood as a young boy growing into the character he becomas as a warrior and his ambitions are something to look forward to in future adventures!
July 24, 2020
Again a gripping story to be followed by a gripping series
Another good book which makes an excellent read and as usual a good mixture of historical facts. I look forward to the next in the series.
Another good book which makes an excellent read and as usual a good mixture of historical facts. I look forward to the next in the series.
July 29, 2020
New story and series!!!
Refreshing, page turning, gripping,exciting, what more need I say? Griff writes in a style that doesn't bog you down, is easy to read and follow. I can't wait for the second book in the series!!!
Refreshing, page turning, gripping,exciting, what more need I say? Griff writes in a style that doesn't bog you down, is easy to read and follow. I can't wait for the second book in the series!!!
November 3, 2020
Another winner
A fine blend of fact and fiction.
Set in one of my favourite historical periods and with the authors usual expertise at producing likeable characters.
I look forward to reading the rest of the series.
A fine blend of fact and fiction.
Set in one of my favourite historical periods and with the authors usual expertise at producing likeable characters.
I look forward to reading the rest of the series.
February 18, 2021
Great read
A young boy who developed into an archer and uses his brains to overcome life's problems while at the same time gaining experience with a sword and axe. I am looking forward to book 2
A young boy who developed into an archer and uses his brains to overcome life's problems while at the same time gaining experience with a sword and axe. I am looking forward to book 2
April 30, 2021
Another Great Series
Gritty, great characters, and good story. When I want to read/listen to a sure bet, I pick up one of the many books by this author. John Hawkwood's story is immersed in England's longbow history. The narrator is excellent.
Gritty, great characters, and good story. When I want to read/listen to a sure bet, I pick up one of the many books by this author. John Hawkwood's story is immersed in England's longbow history. The narrator is excellent.
May 31, 2021
Good read. By some strange coincidence this was the second book on Crecy. The mixture of history lesson and fiction worked well for me. It prompted a number of trips to history books, Google and the like. I wonder Griff Hosker finds enough time for the research displayed in this book.
June 27, 2022
Good story with an interesting historical background and engaging characters, but Hosker needs to learn to use fewer exclamation points. It reads a little like an extended text message from your overexcited friend.
July 12, 2022
a great start to a terrific story
This part of history is always fascinating. Grid Hosker treats us to a view that follows other authors but that is unique in his story telling.
Be prepared to be unable to stop reading once you begin.
This part of history is always fascinating. Grid Hosker treats us to a view that follows other authors but that is unique in his story telling.
Be prepared to be unable to stop reading once you begin.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 61 reviews