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The Hundred Years' War #3
The Fallen Sword
Uncover the traitor. End what you started.
Rejoining the English army laying siege to Calais, Simon Merrivale discovers that the conspiracy against the thrones of England and France has regrouped and gathered force.
New allies have joined their ranks, including a dark secret society known as the Pilgrims, and the Holy Roman Empire and the Knights of Saint John have also been drawn in.
Ambush and murder in the war-torn fields of Flanders, clandestine meetings in ruined castles and assassination attempts in the streets of Bruges and Paris all follow, as Merrivale relentlessly hunts the conspirators, in an attempt to finally reveal the turncoat at its heart.
Rejoining the English army laying siege to Calais, Simon Merrivale discovers that the conspiracy against the thrones of England and France has regrouped and gathered force.
New allies have joined their ranks, including a dark secret society known as the Pilgrims, and the Holy Roman Empire and the Knights of Saint John have also been drawn in.
Ambush and murder in the war-torn fields of Flanders, clandestine meetings in ruined castles and assassination attempts in the streets of Bruges and Paris all follow, as Merrivale relentlessly hunts the conspirators, in an attempt to finally reveal the turncoat at its heart.
439 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 12, 2022
16 people are currently reading
40 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
April 14, 2022
In the 1300's there is an ongoing war. With attempts on the kings lives and false coins appearing Merrivale and Tiphaine search for the man of the north and the Pilgrim's who are gathering forces to overthrow the French and English thrones. There is a list of suspects who are close to the kings that might have grievances.
Evil lurks in the shadows waiting for the perfect opportunity to strike killing those close to Merrivale and the kings.
Intricate details of the settings makes you feel as though you are there like in the movies. It's written in old English which I love.
Thank you Netgalley and the author for a digital copy. Read and reviewed voluntarily and the opinions expressed here are unbiased and entirely my own
Evil lurks in the shadows waiting for the perfect opportunity to strike killing those close to Merrivale and the kings.
Intricate details of the settings makes you feel as though you are there like in the movies. It's written in old English which I love.
Thank you Netgalley and the author for a digital copy. Read and reviewed voluntarily and the opinions expressed here are unbiased and entirely my own
June 17, 2024
While the English army besieges Calais, Philippa of Hainault, Queen of England, is in Bruges to broker a marriage between her daughter and the count of Flanders, currently a prisoner. The queen comes under attack, and five of her men are dead.
The boatmen have been strangled, with catgut ligatures—probably by the musicians, suspected to be connected to the secret society of Pilgrims, mercenaries for hire.
Simon Merrivale the herald and Tiphaine de Tesson the queen’s lady seek information on the renewed conspiracy against the English crown. Three men are meeting in secret: an English courtier to King Edward and two courtiers to King Philippe, John of Hainault and Guy de Béthune. The Englishman, the ‘man from the north’, plans “to redraw the map of Europe”.
In an ever-widening spiral of conspiracies, the French crown, the papal throne and the throne of the Romans are all under threat. The Knights of St John also have a role to play.
Across war-torn Flanders Merrivale and his allies dodge ambushes and conduct secret meetings in ruined castles. Neither are Paris nor Bruges safe from assassins’ knives.
People betray their friends and switch allegiances, but in the end, the English take Calais, and the traitor’s identity is revealed.
The cast of characters is huge, most real historical figures, but a list at the front of the book helps to keep track. I was almost lost by Chapter 6 and remained almost lost throughout. Right up to the dramatic conclusion, new characters are entering the picture. Even simply to know the identities, much less to understand the intricate political intrigues, of all these personages must have required prodigious research. The plot is as wonderfully complex as European history was at that time—and as difficult to follow.
Book 3 in the Hundred Years’ War series.
This review was originally written for Historical Novels Review.
The boatmen have been strangled, with catgut ligatures—probably by the musicians, suspected to be connected to the secret society of Pilgrims, mercenaries for hire.
Simon Merrivale the herald and Tiphaine de Tesson the queen’s lady seek information on the renewed conspiracy against the English crown. Three men are meeting in secret: an English courtier to King Edward and two courtiers to King Philippe, John of Hainault and Guy de Béthune. The Englishman, the ‘man from the north’, plans “to redraw the map of Europe”.
In an ever-widening spiral of conspiracies, the French crown, the papal throne and the throne of the Romans are all under threat. The Knights of St John also have a role to play.
Across war-torn Flanders Merrivale and his allies dodge ambushes and conduct secret meetings in ruined castles. Neither are Paris nor Bruges safe from assassins’ knives.
People betray their friends and switch allegiances, but in the end, the English take Calais, and the traitor’s identity is revealed.
The cast of characters is huge, most real historical figures, but a list at the front of the book helps to keep track. I was almost lost by Chapter 6 and remained almost lost throughout. Right up to the dramatic conclusion, new characters are entering the picture. Even simply to know the identities, much less to understand the intricate political intrigues, of all these personages must have required prodigious research. The plot is as wonderfully complex as European history was at that time—and as difficult to follow.
Book 3 in the Hundred Years’ War series.
This review was originally written for Historical Novels Review.
May 3, 2025
The climax to the Simon Merrivale series.
The King's herald is back in besieged Calais trying to discover the identity of 'the man from the north' and other conspirators who plan to bring down the monarchies in both England and France. Who are the mysterious Pilgrims with their strange secret passwords? Why are the knights of St John involved and who is behind the devaluing of currencies across northern Europe? Why is Flanders so influential and who really wants to become the next Pope?
Travelling to Paris and France with the Queen's lady, Tiphaine, Merrivale has to decide who is friend and who is foe. Betrayal, treason and treachery ensure a high body count. Murders in the dark, clandestine meetings, new friends and enemies spin the tale into a complex plot with a hair-raising outcome.
I wish I had read this instalment of the story closer to part 2 ('A Clash of Lions') as I had lost the thread of the narrative. A long list of characters at the start, including many historical figures, is not my favourite format and when reading an ebook it's just not practical to flip back and forth. The first part of the book was baffling in consequence – a 'the story so far' introduction would have been helpful for me.
However, I love the way this husband/wife partnership write and they have created a wonderful window into fourteenth century English history. Perhaps I should start again with 'A Flight of Arrows' and re-read the triology back-to-back.
The King's herald is back in besieged Calais trying to discover the identity of 'the man from the north' and other conspirators who plan to bring down the monarchies in both England and France. Who are the mysterious Pilgrims with their strange secret passwords? Why are the knights of St John involved and who is behind the devaluing of currencies across northern Europe? Why is Flanders so influential and who really wants to become the next Pope?
Travelling to Paris and France with the Queen's lady, Tiphaine, Merrivale has to decide who is friend and who is foe. Betrayal, treason and treachery ensure a high body count. Murders in the dark, clandestine meetings, new friends and enemies spin the tale into a complex plot with a hair-raising outcome.
I wish I had read this instalment of the story closer to part 2 ('A Clash of Lions') as I had lost the thread of the narrative. A long list of characters at the start, including many historical figures, is not my favourite format and when reading an ebook it's just not practical to flip back and forth. The first part of the book was baffling in consequence – a 'the story so far' introduction would have been helpful for me.
However, I love the way this husband/wife partnership write and they have created a wonderful window into fourteenth century English history. Perhaps I should start again with 'A Flight of Arrows' and re-read the triology back-to-back.
August 3, 2024
The third and final entry in AJ MacKenzie's 'The Hundred Years War' series which, truth to be told, did not turn out at all as I expected.
By which I mean I was expecting something Cornwell-like; an action-adventure set during the period of The Hundred Years War between France and England over the throne of France.
What I got instead was a (I felt) slow-burner of a mystery over three novels, with the war really only providing the backdrop as the herald Simon Merrivale investigates a shadowy conspiracy amongst the nobles of both sides
The fault in expectation, of course, was wholly mine.
This follows on from the largely-Scotland set A Clash of Lions, itself following on from A Flight of Arrows, with Merrivale now back in France as the English besiege the key city of Calais. I have to say, I did find parts of this novel to drag on a bit: for me, it never really gripped me as much as parts of the previous entry did. One of those novels (and series) that I'm happy enough to have read, but not to the point where I would - yet - search out more by the author.
By which I mean I was expecting something Cornwell-like; an action-adventure set during the period of The Hundred Years War between France and England over the throne of France.
What I got instead was a (I felt) slow-burner of a mystery over three novels, with the war really only providing the backdrop as the herald Simon Merrivale investigates a shadowy conspiracy amongst the nobles of both sides
The fault in expectation, of course, was wholly mine.
This follows on from the largely-Scotland set A Clash of Lions, itself following on from A Flight of Arrows, with Merrivale now back in France as the English besiege the key city of Calais. I have to say, I did find parts of this novel to drag on a bit: for me, it never really gripped me as much as parts of the previous entry did. One of those novels (and series) that I'm happy enough to have read, but not to the point where I would - yet - search out more by the author.
June 14, 2022
Engrossing.
I read the reviews and the write ups on this series and I was going to pass. That would have been a big mistake. Simon Merrivale, herald to the king is both intelligent and brave. He carries no weapons so the only thing protecting him is his heralds tabard even though he lives a very dangerous life. I don't go into the story too much because you're better off reading it yourself.
Needless to say, this series is excellent. Great supporting characters and a superb storyline.
If you like historical fiction, you will love this series. I highly recommend it.
I read the reviews and the write ups on this series and I was going to pass. That would have been a big mistake. Simon Merrivale, herald to the king is both intelligent and brave. He carries no weapons so the only thing protecting him is his heralds tabard even though he lives a very dangerous life. I don't go into the story too much because you're better off reading it yourself.
Needless to say, this series is excellent. Great supporting characters and a superb storyline.
If you like historical fiction, you will love this series. I highly recommend it.
January 15, 2023
Great series
I enjoyed reading all three books in this series, but I have to say I preferred the first two. Not sure why, maybe because there were more battle scenes and therefore more action. I’d like to have known if Simon and Tiphaine finally got together, but maybe we can just make up our own minds about that. I’d definitely recommend all three books in the series: good historical detail and character development together with great story-telling.
I enjoyed reading all three books in this series, but I have to say I preferred the first two. Not sure why, maybe because there were more battle scenes and therefore more action. I’d like to have known if Simon and Tiphaine finally got together, but maybe we can just make up our own minds about that. I’d definitely recommend all three books in the series: good historical detail and character development together with great story-telling.
September 12, 2022
I struggled through this turgid and rambling tale in the hopes that the ending would make it all worthwhile. It didn't.
As so often these days we find protagonists whose motives and actions are unrealistic and baddies who are impervious to detection, capture or killing yet almost "simple" in their thinking.
All a pity since the co-authors have the scholarship to do better.
As so often these days we find protagonists whose motives and actions are unrealistic and baddies who are impervious to detection, capture or killing yet almost "simple" in their thinking.
All a pity since the co-authors have the scholarship to do better.
October 24, 2022
fantastic end to a superb trilogy
Just wow - the twists and turns in this final novel are just superb- I just hope the authors allow Merrivale to find love with Tiphanie and that their adventures continue
Just wow - the twists and turns in this final novel are just superb- I just hope the authors allow Merrivale to find love with Tiphanie and that their adventures continue
May 1, 2023
Lacks plot detail
The book reads like it was intended for young adults. There is very little detail, as if the author has not researched any background info. Thus the story is too linear.
The book reads like it was intended for young adults. There is very little detail, as if the author has not researched any background info. Thus the story is too linear.
June 5, 2022
Exciting Reading
This trilogy is so well researched with factual and historical background makes it compelling reading. I simply could not put it down.
This trilogy is so well researched with factual and historical background makes it compelling reading. I simply could not put it down.
July 25, 2024
The final in a written trilogy, it's a great read but not as good as Bernard Cornwell's medieval adventures.
January 18, 2026
Was in two minds to give this three stars but the latter half of the book was fantastic. A complicated plot however and would only recommend to those who have knowledge of the siege of Calais etc
March 8, 2023
The final one in the trilogy is a good read and quite modern (if not a little cliche in some ways). It has its "Die Hard", even James-Bond-against-Spectre moments (as if that matters).
I felt this was well written and quite gripping... a real "who is the villain?" quality throughout.
Glad I read it.
I felt this was well written and quite gripping... a real "who is the villain?" quality throughout.
Glad I read it.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews