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Medieval #3
A Knight and a Spy 1412
A new war with France. A deadly assassin. A kingdom to claim.
With Henry the Fourth’s hold on the English throne weakening, his putative heir must choose a side as a new conflict with France threatens. Sir James de Grispere, knight of the royal household and spy for Sir Richard Whittington, is forced to deal with treachery and deceit on the dark streets of London, Paris and Florence.
Sir James faces his nemesis at the Parisian court, a hotbed of murder, intrigue and duplicity, where Whittington warns him that ‘not all that is deadly is clothed in maille.’ The Western Schism within the papacy brings England to the point of financial ruin, and Sir James is tasked with a perilous mission – to take the papal levy overland to Italy to secure stability for the realm.
The road to Florence is long and perilous and not all are as they seem. With spies and assassins in every shadow, can Sir James and his companions survive the deadly journey to Italy, or is he - and those he holds dear - destined to fall?
A Knight and a Spy 1412 is the third book in the new Medieval series by Simon Fairfax
With Henry the Fourth’s hold on the English throne weakening, his putative heir must choose a side as a new conflict with France threatens. Sir James de Grispere, knight of the royal household and spy for Sir Richard Whittington, is forced to deal with treachery and deceit on the dark streets of London, Paris and Florence.
Sir James faces his nemesis at the Parisian court, a hotbed of murder, intrigue and duplicity, where Whittington warns him that ‘not all that is deadly is clothed in maille.’ The Western Schism within the papacy brings England to the point of financial ruin, and Sir James is tasked with a perilous mission – to take the papal levy overland to Italy to secure stability for the realm.
The road to Florence is long and perilous and not all are as they seem. With spies and assassins in every shadow, can Sir James and his companions survive the deadly journey to Italy, or is he - and those he holds dear - destined to fall?
A Knight and a Spy 1412 is the third book in the new Medieval series by Simon Fairfax
430 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 8, 2022
163 people are currently reading
34 people want to read
About the author
Simon Fairfax
23 books27 followersSimon Fairfax writes in three different genres: International financial thrillers, medieval fiction and Classic Westerns.
He is a former Chartered Surveyor, Editor of an online polo magazine (having played for a number of years) and practiced martial arts, fencing and shooting. He now restore old classic sports cars for fun.
As a lover of crime thrillers and espionage, Simon turned what is seen by others as a dull 9 – 5 job into something that is exciting, as close to real life as possible, with Rupert Brett, his unwilling hero.
The medieval series now has 6 books released in a 6 book series. The first A Knight and a Spy 1410 set in a tumultuous time at the English court. It tells the story of Jamie de Grispere squire in training and his two companions as they fight the French to save Calais, Welsh treason and Scottish revolts. The final book in the series, A Knight and a Spy 1415 is now available.
Details of all his books can be found at www.simonfairfax.com or email him at simonfairfaxauthor@gmail.com
He is a former Chartered Surveyor, Editor of an online polo magazine (having played for a number of years) and practiced martial arts, fencing and shooting. He now restore old classic sports cars for fun.
As a lover of crime thrillers and espionage, Simon turned what is seen by others as a dull 9 – 5 job into something that is exciting, as close to real life as possible, with Rupert Brett, his unwilling hero.
The medieval series now has 6 books released in a 6 book series. The first A Knight and a Spy 1410 set in a tumultuous time at the English court. It tells the story of Jamie de Grispere squire in training and his two companions as they fight the French to save Calais, Welsh treason and Scottish revolts. The final book in the series, A Knight and a Spy 1415 is now available.
Details of all his books can be found at www.simonfairfax.com or email him at simonfairfaxauthor@gmail.com
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
March 3, 2022
My review assumes that the reader has already finished 1410 and 1411. Otherwise, don’t squander time, and go read those novels!
Book #3 of Simon Fairfax’s Medieval Series has our three heroes once again sleuthing and slicing their way through danger. This book, like its two predecessors, covers a one-year period of time. However, 1412 is a bit of a departure from 1410 and 1411. Whereas the previous two books in the series took place predominantly in England and France, a large part of 1412 takes place in Italy. Further, 1412 somewhat diminishes the roles of Cristo and especially Mark, focusing primarily on Jamie (Sir James de Grispere). Also, 1412 finds the internecine bickering between Henry and his oldest son extinguished, while it heats up between the crown’s heir and Prince Thomas.
In this go-round, the fight between the Burgundians and Armagnacs is a central theme of the book. In fact, a good portion of the book follows the heroic trio as they carefully dodge contested territory, accompanied as usual by the war horse Richard and Forest, Jamie’s faithful Wolfhound. But larger roles are assumed by two additional travelers: Cristo’s fiancé Alessandria and Jamie’s sister Jeanette. Their travels across the top part of France, down into Bologna, and finally in Florence provide plenty of adventures and brushes with death. I’d go more into detail but don’t want to spoil it for prospective readers.
Another major plot theme is the vicious hostility between the Alberti and Albizzi families of Florence. Fairfax provides a taste of how 15th century mafia infighting is a no-holds barred struggle that unfortunately impacts innocent bystanders.
Fairfax has allowed for some maturation to the trio. Jamie has become a bit jaded and perhaps more aggressive; Cristo has mellowed a bit (but not totally); and Mark is now a happily married man with responsibilities back in England. This doesn’t detract from the book’s appeal, and in fact prevents 1412 from being more of the same.
My one criticism is that the map of Jamie’s travels was reduced to a half-page and is hard to read. Also, a map of medieval Florence would have been welcomed.
1412 is a worthy successor to 1410 and 1411. It has me pining for 1413 already.
Book #3 of Simon Fairfax’s Medieval Series has our three heroes once again sleuthing and slicing their way through danger. This book, like its two predecessors, covers a one-year period of time. However, 1412 is a bit of a departure from 1410 and 1411. Whereas the previous two books in the series took place predominantly in England and France, a large part of 1412 takes place in Italy. Further, 1412 somewhat diminishes the roles of Cristo and especially Mark, focusing primarily on Jamie (Sir James de Grispere). Also, 1412 finds the internecine bickering between Henry and his oldest son extinguished, while it heats up between the crown’s heir and Prince Thomas.
In this go-round, the fight between the Burgundians and Armagnacs is a central theme of the book. In fact, a good portion of the book follows the heroic trio as they carefully dodge contested territory, accompanied as usual by the war horse Richard and Forest, Jamie’s faithful Wolfhound. But larger roles are assumed by two additional travelers: Cristo’s fiancé Alessandria and Jamie’s sister Jeanette. Their travels across the top part of France, down into Bologna, and finally in Florence provide plenty of adventures and brushes with death. I’d go more into detail but don’t want to spoil it for prospective readers.
Another major plot theme is the vicious hostility between the Alberti and Albizzi families of Florence. Fairfax provides a taste of how 15th century mafia infighting is a no-holds barred struggle that unfortunately impacts innocent bystanders.
Fairfax has allowed for some maturation to the trio. Jamie has become a bit jaded and perhaps more aggressive; Cristo has mellowed a bit (but not totally); and Mark is now a happily married man with responsibilities back in England. This doesn’t detract from the book’s appeal, and in fact prevents 1412 from being more of the same.
My one criticism is that the map of Jamie’s travels was reduced to a half-page and is hard to read. Also, a map of medieval Florence would have been welcomed.
1412 is a worthy successor to 1410 and 1411. It has me pining for 1413 already.
May 30, 2023
I’ve enjoyed reading the next instalment in Simon Fairfax’s series of novels about the adventures of Sir James de Grispere, Mark of Cornwall and Cristoforo Corio.
The attention to historical detail and the artistic licence in using these to aid the plot enhanced my enjoyment.
I particularly welcomed the larger role of the women in this story. It didn’t detract from whatever Jamie, Mark and Cristoforo needed to do, but added a realistic element that reflected how these men were growing into maturity in their personal lives.
I look forward to reading the next novel.
My only quibble was the extortionate cost involved in buying a second hand paperback copy of this book.
Simon, I know this is not your fault. However, it is a reflection of how much I wanted to read your book that I was prepared to spend over £16!
The attention to historical detail and the artistic licence in using these to aid the plot enhanced my enjoyment.
I particularly welcomed the larger role of the women in this story. It didn’t detract from whatever Jamie, Mark and Cristoforo needed to do, but added a realistic element that reflected how these men were growing into maturity in their personal lives.
I look forward to reading the next novel.
My only quibble was the extortionate cost involved in buying a second hand paperback copy of this book.
Simon, I know this is not your fault. However, it is a reflection of how much I wanted to read your book that I was prepared to spend over £16!
December 8, 2022
This is the third in a series and you are firmly recommended to read 1410 and 1411 in order to live the sequence.
Yet again an excellent yarn interweaving the complicated European politics of the time with the characters.
The style allows the reader to feel the times and the atmosphere. I thoroughly enjoyed the book and am looking forward to 1413.
Yet again an excellent yarn interweaving the complicated European politics of the time with the characters.
The style allows the reader to feel the times and the atmosphere. I thoroughly enjoyed the book and am looking forward to 1413.
February 13, 2025
Great book. Historical information is first class. Highly recommended
February 3, 2025
A very interesting book.
As a lover of British history I find Simon's series, not so much gripping, but more to the adventure with the fact that he uses historical events. Ready and waiting to read the next of Sir James adventure, assuming my wife allows me the time.😀😀😀.
As a lover of British history I find Simon's series, not so much gripping, but more to the adventure with the fact that he uses historical events. Ready and waiting to read the next of Sir James adventure, assuming my wife allows me the time.😀😀😀.
January 14, 2022
I was sorry to finish this! Another jaunt across England, France and this time Italy, with Jamie and his compatriots supporting King and Country on their travels. I enjoyed the descriptions of people and places which make one feel part of the story and help to keep the story sweeping along. Excitement is plentiful and Jamie does not disappoint! As I said before, I'm looking forward to 1413! The story in 1412 finished with plenty of clues as to what could happen next to our friends!
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews