Now thats history, 26 Jun 2008
An excellent book that teaches history as if it were an adventure. Yes its a brief view but packs so much punch. Edward 3rd, Henry V, the Black Prince, Crecy, Agincourt, Poitiers and so much more. Speaks many volumes as to the growth of the two main protagonists interwoven with peoples whose identity has long been engulfed by modern geography.
An excellent read and a good book.

entertaining read, 12 Aug 2007
Don't read this if you want a more detailed analysis of the Hundred Years war, but for the interested layman I found this a very enjoyable read. One caveat. As one of the previous reviewers comments , the author does not shy from detailing the atrocities dealt to the French by the English. However...... doesn't culpability lie to some extent with the invasion by William the Conqueror. The king of England and the ruling class were still culturally quite French and had reasonably legitimate claims to French territory. And lets not forget the destruction of the Anglo scandanavian kingdom of England by William and his French Normans, and in particular, the "harrying of the north" that they inflicted on the northern English. A cruel and barbaric event as bad as anything the English dealt the French later.

A tabloid view of the Hundred Years War, 08 Sep 2004
Desmond Seward is a commercial historical writer and this book looks at the events and battles of Hundred Years War purely through English eyes. The book covers the great English victories over the French at Crecy, Poitiers and Agincourt together with rise of the Longbow as the supreme battlefield weapon.

My first concern with this book is that Seward doesn't publish any of his sources, so for a novice on the subject one is unable to check for further reading if interested in a certain incident he covers. His descriptions of the battles and other incidents are always totally biased towards the English and he does tend to give us a rather tabloid style of reporting when relating the events and characters involved. Saying that, the book does suck you in and is written in an entertaining style, with the hardback version being very well illustrated.

For those who know little about the HYW this is a reasonable account, but it does have severe limitations due to the complexity and time scale of the subject it attempts to cover. The book will leave you hungry for more information, and although Seward doesn't supply you with any pointers, you will find a wealth of superb books out there which are also far more accurate and detailed than this. Anything by Dr Anne Curry for example.

Superb intoduction to a fascinating period..., 11 Dec 2003
The book does exactly what it says on the cover... it's a brief (but suprisingly detailed) look at a very long, very bloody conflict between two great nations in a period of many changes. He handles the political events of the period with care, never overpowering the reader with to much data.

The battle descriptions are fantastic, some of the best I've read outside of historical fiction. The Hundred Years War is in my opinion one of the most interesting periods of history and Seward does it justice, describing in detail the colourful characters of the period including Edward the Black Prince, Henry V and the mad Charles VI of France (he thought he was made of glass... not to good a conviction when in battle)...

This book will leaving you desperate for more information on the period, I would recommend any of the Osprey books to do with the period (in particular that on Crecy), The Bowmen of England by Featherstone is also a good light read... and of course the Jonathon Sumption epic histories...

A hundred years never seemed so short a time!, 23 Sep 2003
As the typical student of history at school, I found the subject tedious and irrelevant. Not so with this book. The years flew past as the author gave us enough information to identify with the main characters, enough details of the main events without becoming overwhelming and enough of the gory details to keep us interested! Holidays to South western France will never be the same again. This is history without the corderouy jackets, without the essays, warts and all. Fascinating.
PS It is no wonder the French still do not trust us as a nation.

It's almost as if the nine years that have passed since the publication ofTrial by Battle, the first volume of Jonathan Sumption's ongoing history of the Hundred Years War, never happened, so seamlessly does Trial By Firecontinue the narrative.

Trial by Fire documents the continuing relentless domination of France by Edward III from the fall of Calais in 1347 to his decision in 1369 to add the French coat of arms to those of England on his seals in celebration of his apparent triumph. Along the way we see the French reduced to a squabbling rabble after the Battle of Poitiers in 1356 which resulted in revolutions in Paris and the countryside. Sumption is too shrewd an observer to tell such a one-sided history and he is at pains to point out that however impressive the English victories may have seemed, the scale of them was largely illusory and short-lived.

Whatever the perception of the Hundred Years War as an epic conflict between two nation states, the reality was far more complicated. Both the English and the French camps were made up of a series of uneasy and shifting alliances. So who actually won never became clear--at least not until long after the swords had been sheathed. For instance, after King John II had been captured at Poitiers, the French were forced into a humiliating treaty which handed over much of France to King Edward. But John conveniently, or inconveniently, depending which way you look at it, died shortly after and his successor Charles V decided there were good reasons to no longer recognise the agreement. Seen like this, Edward's decision to add the French coat of arms to the English looks more like an empty gesture than an expression of all-conquering might.

As with the first volume, Sumption writes with engaging simplicity, making sense of the apparently pointless and bringing together a cast of thousands into a homogenous digestible whole. -- John Crace

Now thats history, 26 Jun 2008
An excellent book that teaches history as if it were an adventure. Yes its a brief view but packs so much punch. Edward 3rd, Henry V, the Black Prince, Crecy, Agincourt, Poitiers and so much more. Speaks many volumes as to the growth of the two main protagonists interwoven with peoples whose identity has long been engulfed by modern geography.
An excellent read and a good book.

entertaining read, 12 Aug 2007
Don't read this if you want a more detailed analysis of the Hundred Years war, but for the interested layman I found this a very enjoyable read. One caveat. As one of the previous reviewers comments , the author does not shy from detailing the atrocities dealt to the French by the English. However...... doesn't culpability lie to some extent with the invasion by William the Conqueror. The king of England and the ruling class were still culturally quite French and had reasonably legitimate claims to French territory. And lets not forget the destruction of the Anglo scandanavian kingdom of England by William and his French Normans, and in particular, the "harrying of the north" that they inflicted on the northern English. A cruel and barbaric event as bad as anything the English dealt the French later.

A tabloid view of the Hundred Years War, 08 Sep 2004
Desmond Seward is a commercial historical writer and this book looks at the events and battles of Hundred Years War purely through English eyes. The book covers the great English victories over the French at Crecy, Poitiers and Agincourt together with rise of the Longbow as the supreme battlefield weapon.

My first concern with this book is that Seward doesn't publish any of his sources, so for a novice on the subject one is unable to check for further reading if interested in a certain incident he covers. His descriptions of the battles and other incidents are always totally biased towards the English and he does tend to give us a rather tabloid style of reporting when relating the events and characters involved. Saying that, the book does suck you in and is written in an entertaining style, with the hardback version being very well illustrated.

For those who know little about the HYW this is a reasonable account, but it does have severe limitations due to the complexity and time scale of the subject it attempts to cover. The book will leave you hungry for more information, and although Seward doesn't supply you with any pointers, you will find a wealth of superb books out there which are also far more accurate and detailed than this. Anything by Dr Anne Curry for example.

Superb intoduction to a fascinating period..., 11 Dec 2003
The book does exactly what it says on the cover... it's a brief (but suprisingly detailed) look at a very long, very bloody conflict between two great nations in a period of many changes. He handles the political events of the period with care, never overpowering the reader with to much data.

The battle descriptions are fantastic, some of the best I've read outside of historical fiction. The Hundred Years War is in my opinion one of the most interesting periods of history and Seward does it justice, describing in detail the colourful characters of the period including Edward the Black Prince, Henry V and the mad Charles VI of France (he thought he was made of glass... not to good a conviction when in battle)...

This book will leaving you desperate for more information on the period, I would recommend any of the Osprey books to do with the period (in particular that on Crecy), The Bowmen of England by Featherstone is also a good light read... and of course the Jonathon Sumption epic histories...

A hundred years never seemed so short a time!, 23 Sep 2003
As the typical student of history at school, I found the subject tedious and irrelevant. Not so with this book. The years flew past as the author gave us enough information to identify with the main characters, enough details of the main events without becoming overwhelming and enough of the gory details to keep us interested! Holidays to South western France will never be the same again. This is history without the corderouy jackets, without the essays, warts and all. Fascinating.
PS It is no wonder the French still do not trust us as a nation.

An engrossing and very detailed study, 14 May 2006
Sumtion's treatment of the 100 years war brings to life a period of history which is frequently dissected by UK students into just the three major pitched battle victories of Crecy, Poitiers and Agincourt. This overlooks the complexity of fourteenth century French regional and national politics and the many twists and turns which characterised this protracted conflict. This book, along with the equally excellent predecessor, puts that right with some considerable flair. The story is alive with memorable characters who are brought vividly to life in a narrative history which commbines admirable scholarship with a fluid and very readable style. Shelby Foote set the standard of narrative history in his three volume study of the American Civil war and Sumption is a worthy peer. My only quibble is that at this rate we will have to wait another 40 years for the completion of what is probably a 6 volume series!

Definitive work, 12 Apr 2002
Vol II of Mr Sumption's history of the Hundred Years War is as much of a delight as its predecessor. His knowledge of his subject is exhaustive, yet he never allows his narrative to become bogged down or convoluted, even when explaining the most intricate political manoeuverings. Clarity and ease of comprehension are obviously two of Mr Sumption's goals, and he succeeds completely in both respects.

I found the in-depth analysis of the revolt of the Parisian commoners (following the disastrous Battle of Poitiers and the capture of the French King by the English) of particular interest. I have read several one-volume histories of the War and I do not recall any of them making more than passing reference to this episode. Obviously, in a multi-volume history Mr Sumption has more space in which to fully explain events, yet the revolt is of great importance to understanding the social and economic disasters that befell France as a result of this period of the War. It is also illuminating in respect to the later history of Paris and that city's "tradition" of revolution. Similarly, the attention to the ravages of the notorious companies brings home forcefully the sufferings experienced by France and her people.

Although this is an excellent book, I could not in good faith recommend it to those who have only a passing interest in the subject - one of the several good one-volume histories would be sufficient to cover the major events of the War. For those who want a more in-depth understanding, however, I do not believe that Mr Sumptions's work has been bettered.

Like the earlier reviewer, I am eagerly awaiting Volume III and sincerely hope that Mr Sumption will not wait so long to produce this next volume as he did between Volumes I & II. I am sure I am not the only person who wishes that he would retire from the Bar and concentrate on history (although our motives are probably different).

Continuing the stunning work of Volume 1, 31 Dec 2001
Sumption simply takes off with Volume II in the same style that one so many admirers in the first volume.

'Trial by Fire' takes us through the lowest ebb of the French crown: John II a prisoner in London; 'companies' of mercanaries terrorising and laying waste to the country. Edward III was probably the strongest monarch in Europe at that time and yet, by the time of his death, had not pressed home his advantage in any kind of decisive manner.

Sumption takes us through the strategy and thinking of the English Crown while also showing how much of the activity done in his name was really beyond his control and, perhaps, not in his long term interest.

This is amazing stuff. Easy to read, informative and exciting.

I can't wait 'till volume III !!!!

Now thats history, 26 Jun 2008
An excellent book that teaches history as if it were an adventure. Yes its a brief view but packs so much punch. Edward 3rd, Henry V, the Black Prince, Crecy, Agincourt, Poitiers and so much more. Speaks many volumes as to the growth of the two main protagonists interwoven with peoples whose identity has long been engulfed by modern geography.
An excellent read and a good book.

entertaining read, 12 Aug 2007
Don't read this if you want a more detailed analysis of the Hundred Years war, but for the interested layman I found this a very enjoyable read. One caveat. As one of the previous reviewers comments , the author does not shy from detailing the atrocities dealt to the French by the English. However...... doesn't culpability lie to some extent with the invasion by William the Conqueror. The king of England and the ruling class were still culturally quite French and had reasonably legitimate claims to French territory. And lets not forget the destruction of the Anglo scandanavian kingdom of England by William and his French Normans, and in particular, the "harrying of the north" that they inflicted on the northern English. A cruel and barbaric event as bad as anything the English dealt the French later.

A tabloid view of the Hundred Years War, 08 Sep 2004
Desmond Seward is a commercial historical writer and this book looks at the events and battles of Hundred Years War purely through English eyes. The book covers the great English victories over the French at Crecy, Poitiers and Agincourt together with rise of the Longbow as the supreme battlefield weapon.

My first concern with this book is that Seward doesn't publish any of his sources, so for a novice on the subject one is unable to check for further reading if interested in a certain incident he covers. His descriptions of the battles and other incidents are always totally biased towards the English and he does tend to give us a rather tabloid style of reporting when relating the events and characters involved. Saying that, the book does suck you in and is written in an entertaining style, with the hardback version being very well illustrated.

For those who know little about the HYW this is a reasonable account, but it does have severe limitations due to the complexity and time scale of the subject it attempts to cover. The book will leave you hungry for more information, and although Seward doesn't supply you with any pointers, you will find a wealth of superb books out there which are also far more accurate and detailed than this. Anything by Dr Anne Curry for example.

Superb intoduction to a fascinating period..., 11 Dec 2003
The book does exactly what it says on the cover... it's a brief (but suprisingly detailed) look at a very long, very bloody conflict between two great nations in a period of many changes. He handles the political events of the period with care, never overpowering the reader with to much data.

The battle descriptions are fantastic, some of the best I've read outside of historical fiction. The Hundred Years War is in my opinion one of the most interesting periods of history and Seward does it justice, describing in detail the colourful characters of the period including Edward the Black Prince, Henry V and the mad Charles VI of France (he thought he was made of glass... not to good a conviction when in battle)...

This book will leaving you desperate for more information on the period, I would recommend any of the Osprey books to do with the period (in particular that on Crecy), The Bowmen of England by Featherstone is also a good light read... and of course the Jonathon Sumption epic histories...

A hundred years never seemed so short a time!, 23 Sep 2003
As the typical student of history at school, I found the subject tedious and irrelevant. Not so with this book. The years flew past as the author gave us enough information to identify with the main characters, enough details of the main events without becoming overwhelming and enough of the gory details to keep us interested! Holidays to South western France will never be the same again. This is history without the corderouy jackets, without the essays, warts and all. Fascinating.
PS It is no wonder the French still do not trust us as a nation.

An engrossing and very detailed study, 14 May 2006
Sumtion's treatment of the 100 years war brings to life a period of history which is frequently dissected by UK students into just the three major pitched battle victories of Crecy, Poitiers and Agincourt. This overlooks the complexity of fourteenth century French regional and national politics and the many twists and turns which characterised this protracted conflict. This book, along with the equally excellent predecessor, puts that right with some considerable flair. The story is alive with memorable characters who are brought vividly to life in a narrative history which commbines admirable scholarship with a fluid and very readable style. Shelby Foote set the standard of narrative history in his three volume study of the American Civil war and Sumption is a worthy peer. My only quibble is that at this rate we will have to wait another 40 years for the completion of what is probably a 6 volume series!

Definitive work, 12 Apr 2002
Vol II of Mr Sumption's history of the Hundred Years War is as much of a delight as its predecessor. His knowledge of his subject is exhaustive, yet he never allows his narrative to become bogged down or convoluted, even when explaining the most intricate political manoeuverings. Clarity and ease of comprehension are obviously two of Mr Sumption's goals, and he succeeds completely in both respects.

I found the in-depth analysis of the revolt of the Parisian commoners (following the disastrous Battle of Poitiers and the capture of the French King by the English) of particular interest. I have read several one-volume histories of the War and I do not recall any of them making more than passing reference to this episode. Obviously, in a multi-volume history Mr Sumption has more space in which to fully explain events, yet the revolt is of great importance to understanding the social and economic disasters that befell France as a result of this period of the War. It is also illuminating in respect to the later history of Paris and that city's "tradition" of revolution. Similarly, the attention to the ravages of the notorious companies brings home forcefully the sufferings experienced by France and her people.

Although this is an excellent book, I could not in good faith recommend it to those who have only a passing interest in the subject - one of the several good one-volume histories would be sufficient to cover the major events of the War. For those who want a more in-depth understanding, however, I do not believe that Mr Sumptions's work has been bettered.

Like the earlier reviewer, I am eagerly awaiting Volume III and sincerely hope that Mr Sumption will not wait so long to produce this next volume as he did between Volumes I & II. I am sure I am not the only person who wishes that he would retire from the Bar and concentrate on history (although our motives are probably different).

Continuing the stunning work of Volume 1, 31 Dec 2001
Sumption simply takes off with Volume II in the same style that one so many admirers in the first volume.

'Trial by Fire' takes us through the lowest ebb of the French crown: John II a prisoner in London; 'companies' of mercanaries terrorising and laying waste to the country. Edward III was probably the strongest monarch in Europe at that time and yet, by the time of his death, had not pressed home his advantage in any kind of decisive manner.

Sumption takes us through the strategy and thinking of the English Crown while also showing how much of the activity done in his name was really beyond his control and, perhaps, not in his long term interest.

This is amazing stuff. Easy to read, informative and exciting.

I can't wait 'till volume III !!!!

A superb analysis, 16 Feb 2005
Medieval society accepted war as part of life, Allmand writes as much in the first chapter of his book: "It was part of the divine plan, linked with famine, flood and plague as a manifestation of God's punishment for sins committed." It was part of the natural order and as such armed conflicts were a common enough feature of medieval life. There are few such conflicts however, which enjoy the fame that the Hundred Years War presently does. Today, it is one of the most famous, most notable conflicts in the history of both England and France, being studied intricately by experts and popular among ordinary people as well. So much so in fact, that certain events and themes are now the subject of national legend on both sides of the Channel. For example, the stories of Joan of Arc in France or the pride held for the lethal accuracy and skill of the English longbows. As a consequence of the interest in this period, there have been many accounts and publications on the subject; a small number perhaps might equal the standard of Allmand's.

Coming from a background with very little previous knowledge of the conflict, I found Allmand's text easy to read and very informative. In the first two chapters Allmand describes in detail the course and possible causes of the war. Summarising everything from the breakdown of the historic feudal order in England and France, through the successful English campaigns culminating in the victories at Crécy (1346), Poitiers (1356) and Agincourt (1415) to the recovery and eventual success of the French. Allmand's account on the conflict itself, while comparatively short, was only surpassed by the surprising amount of depth and concise detail that meant that a potentially complicated description was grasped with relative ease.

The following chapters deal with many themes including justification for the conflict, concepts of chivalry and other contemporary views regarding the war. Allmand also addresses the military objectives of the English, military and naval organization, recruitment, and the raising of taxes. These chapters are similar in style to the account of the conflict itself. Writing concisely, Allmand gets the main points across easily, setting out the specifics and details of the period and at the same time raising a number of questions which he develops later in the book. These focus around the idea that the war was a major agent of change; because the war was on such a scale, its effects were not limited to the battle-field and the nation as a whole became increasingly involved. For example, when discussing taxation and the raising of funds, Allmand writes: "It would be a mistake to think that the war was directed and paid for by Paris or Westminster alone... local autonomy, energy, and initiatives were all exercised for the best purpose, the defence of the common good itself." It is this theme of a 'national effort' and a 'common good' that Allmand takes up in the second half of the book.

Allmand notes the marked increase in public participation of the war. This can be seen in many areas, but a good example is contemporary literature. The number of contemporary writings, which discussed the subject of the war, show that there was certainly a growing interest in it. Obviously there were many different types of literature, and it is worth noting that some were very anti in their stance to the conflict, but the fact that they were being written show that the war was the subject for much discussion. In France especially feelings of great intensity were being provoked and many took a 'nationalist' stance. This, Allmand writes, was an engineered response on behalf of the authorities who "needed a conscious and continuous interest in the affairs of war among the different elements of the population." It is suggested that the war needed some form of continuous justification so that it would continue to be supported; Allmand identifies this as an early form of propaganda.

This came in many forms, but all of them had one aim in mind "to encourage and secure the widest possible involvement of a nation in war." Such propaganda included accounts of victories being circulated (in many parish churches there was a 'notice board' which displayed such material) and the use of the church who prayed for their nations armies. There were even celebrations, like those seen in the capital when the Black Prince returned from his victory at Poitiers with the King of France as his prisoner. Many more examples could be listed in which the two countries experienced an awakening of their national pride, to the extent that Allmand writes: "it was the long war with England which was the most influential single factor to contribute to the growing awareness of French nationhood in this age." It is certainly true that this awakening of national pride affected France far more than it did in England, it was after all a country with internal factions and foreign soldiers on it soil. This scale of involvement would affect any town or out-laying settlement that was unlucky enough to be either the target of a pro-longed raid (chevauchées) or just caught in the crossfire. Therefore the average French peasant would be far more aware of the war than any English one.

This rise in national identity is a subject that Allmand explores in much depth, indeed, it has not been given justice in this review but in an effort to sum up, Allmand writes that the war was an agent of great change. As well as revolutions on the battlefield and in the organised mechanics of fighting a war, Allmand paid particular attention to the awakening of a national identity. This idea is something that I personally found very interesting and informative, the extent to which it is true is obviously debatable, but I found myself unable to raise any serious objections.

Allmand's book is worthy of high praise. By combining a detailed account of the war with sections on the wider implications of the conflict, he produced a detailed and enjoyable text on the subject. The broad focus that Allmand uses is commendable, and his arguments so convincing and persuasive that I found it very hard to criticise them.

old style, 30 Jun 2004
I got interested in the 100 years war and a brainy friend told me this was the best general intro. I suppose all the facts and analysis are very credible, but this often felt like it was addressing academics rather than the general reader, and at times felt like it was point-scoring. So I'm still in the market for a new-style not-dry book on the subject

The best introduction to this subject., 19 Apr 2001
Allmand writes clearly and persuasively about the Hundred Years War. This clarity means that it is an essential text for any student of the Hundred Years War. It is also enjoyable to read and easy to follow. He sets forth the course and possible causes of the war in the first two chapters of the book. He then goes on to discuss the reactions to defeat and warfare, paying particular interest to notions of 'nationalism' and propaganda. He places the conflict in its wider, social and economic context and in this respect it is certainly a definitive text.

It's almost as if the nine years that have passed since the publication ofTrial by Battle, the first volume of Jonathan Sumption's ongoing history of the Hundred Years War, never happened, so seamlessly does Trial By Firecontinue the narrative.

Trial by Fire documents the continuing relentless domination of France by Edward III from the fall of Calais in 1347 to his decision in 1369 to add the French coat of arms to those of England on his seals in celebration of his apparent triumph. Along the way we see the French reduced to a squabbling rabble after the Battle of Poitiers in 1356 which resulted in revolutions in Paris and the countryside. Sumption is too shrewd an observer to tell such a one-sided history and he is at pains to point out that however impressive the English victories may have seemed, the scale of them was largely illusory and short-lived.

Whatever the perception of the Hundred Years War as an epic conflict between two nation states, the reality was far more complicated. Both the English and the French camps were made up of a series of uneasy and shifting alliances. So who actually won never became clear--at least not until long after the swords had been sheathed. For instance, after King John II had been captured at Poitiers, the French were forced into a humiliating treaty which handed over much of France to King Edward. But John conveniently, or inconveniently, depending which way you look at it, died shortly after and his successor Charles V decided there were good reasons to no longer recognise the agreement. Seen like this, Edward's decision to add the French coat of arms to the English looks more like an empty gesture than an expression of all-conquering might.

As with the first volume, Sumption writes with engaging simplicity, making sense of the apparently pointless and bringing together a cast of thousands into a homogenous digestible whole. -- John Crace

Now thats history, 26 Jun 2008
An excellent book that teaches history as if it were an adventure. Yes its a brief view but packs so much punch. Edward 3rd, Henry V, the Black Prince, Crecy, Agincourt, Poitiers and so much more. Speaks many volumes as to the growth of the two main protagonists interwoven with peoples whose identity has long been engulfed by modern geography.
An excellent read and a good book.

entertaining read, 12 Aug 2007
Don't read this if you want a more detailed analysis of the Hundred Years war, but for the interested layman I found this a very enjoyable read. One caveat. As one of the previous reviewers comments , the author does not shy from detailing the atrocities dealt to the French by the English. However...... doesn't culpability lie to some extent with the invasion by William the Conqueror. The king of England and the ruling class were still culturally quite French and had reasonably legitimate claims to French territory. And lets not forget the destruction of the Anglo scandanavian kingdom of England by William and his French Normans, and in particular, the "harrying of the north" that they inflicted on the northern English. A cruel and barbaric event as bad as anything the English dealt the French later.

A tabloid view of the Hundred Years War, 08 Sep 2004
Desmond Seward is a commercial historical writer and this book looks at the events and battles of Hundred Years War purely through English eyes. The book covers the great English victories over the French at Crecy, Poitiers and Agincourt together with rise of the Longbow as the supreme battlefield weapon.

My first concern with this book is that Seward doesn't publish any of his sources, so for a novice on the subject one is unable to check for further reading if interested in a certain incident he covers. His descriptions of the battles and other incidents are always totally biased towards the English and he does tend to give us a rather tabloid style of reporting when relating the events and characters involved. Saying that, the book does suck you in and is written in an entertaining style, with the hardback version being very well illustrated.

For those who know little about the HYW this is a reasonable account, but it does have severe limitations due to the complexity and time scale of the subject it attempts to cover. The book will leave you hungry for more information, and although Seward doesn't supply you with any pointers, you will find a wealth of superb books out there which are also far more accurate and detailed than this. Anything by Dr Anne Curry for example.

Superb intoduction to a fascinating period..., 11 Dec 2003
The book does exactly what it says on the cover... it's a brief (but suprisingly detailed) look at a very long, very bloody conflict between two great nations in a period of many changes. He handles the political events of the period with care, never overpowering the reader with to much data.

The battle descriptions are fantastic, some of the best I've read outside of historical fiction. The Hundred Years War is in my opinion one of the most interesting periods of history and Seward does it justice, describing in detail the colourful characters of the period including Edward the Black Prince, Henry V and the mad Charles VI of France (he thought he was made of glass... not to good a conviction when in battle)...

This book will leaving you desperate for more information on the period, I would recommend any of the Osprey books to do with the period (in particular that on Crecy), The Bowmen of England by Featherstone is also a good light read... and of course the Jonathon Sumption epic histories...

A hundred years never seemed so short a time!, 23 Sep 2003
As the typical student of history at school, I found the subject tedious and irrelevant. Not so with this book. The years flew past as the author gave us enough information to identify with the main characters, enough details of the main events without becoming overwhelming and enough of the gory details to keep us interested! Holidays to South western France will never be the same again. This is history without the corderouy jackets, without the essays, warts and all. Fascinating.
PS It is no wonder the French still do not trust us as a nation.

An engrossing and very detailed study, 14 May 2006
Sumtion's treatment of the 100 years war brings to life a period of history which is frequently dissected by UK students into just the three major pitched battle victories of Crecy, Poitiers and Agincourt. This overlooks the complexity of fourteenth century French regional and national politics and the many twists and turns which characterised this protracted conflict. This book, along with the equally excellent predecessor, puts that right with some considerable flair. The story is alive with memorable characters who are brought vividly to life in a narrative history which commbines admirable scholarship with a fluid and very readable style. Shelby Foote set the standard of narrative history in his three volume study of the American Civil war and Sumption is a worthy peer. My only quibble is that at this rate we will have to wait another 40 years for the completion of what is probably a 6 volume series!

Definitive work, 12 Apr 2002
Vol II of Mr Sumption's history of the Hundred Years War is as much of a delight as its predecessor. His knowledge of his subject is exhaustive, yet he never allows his narrative to become bogged down or convoluted, even when explaining the most intricate political manoeuverings. Clarity and ease of comprehension are obviously two of Mr Sumption's goals, and he succeeds completely in both respects.

I found the in-depth analysis of the revolt of the Parisian commoners (following the disastrous Battle of Poitiers and the capture of the French King by the English) of particular interest. I have read several one-volume histories of the War and I do not recall any of them making more than passing reference to this episode. Obviously, in a multi-volume history Mr Sumption has more space in which to fully explain events, yet the revolt is of great importance to understanding the social and economic disasters that befell France as a result of this period of the War. It is also illuminating in respect to the later history of Paris and that city's "tradition" of revolution. Similarly, the attention to the ravages of the notorious companies brings home forcefully the sufferings experienced by France and her people.

Although this is an excellent book, I could not in good faith recommend it to those who have only a passing interest in the subject - one of the several good one-volume histories would be sufficient to cover the major events of the War. For those who want a more in-depth understanding, however, I do not believe that Mr Sumptions's work has been bettered.

Like the earlier reviewer, I am eagerly awaiting Volume III and sincerely hope that Mr Sumption will not wait so long to produce this next volume as he did between Volumes I & II. I am sure I am not the only person who wishes that he would retire from the Bar and concentrate on history (although our motives are probably different).

Continuing the stunning work of Volume 1, 31 Dec 2001
Sumption simply takes off with Volume II in the same style that one so many admirers in the first volume.

'Trial by Fire' takes us through the lowest ebb of the French crown: John II a prisoner in London; 'companies' of mercanaries terrorising and laying waste to the country. Edward III was probably the strongest monarch in Europe at that time and yet, by the time of his death, had not pressed home his advantage in any kind of decisive manner.

Sumption takes us through the strategy and thinking of the English Crown while also showing how much of the activity done in his name was really beyond his control and, perhaps, not in his long term interest.

This is amazing stuff. Easy to read, informative and exciting.

I can't wait 'till volume III !!!!

A superb analysis, 16 Feb 2005
Medieval society accepted war as part of life, Allmand writes as much in the first chapter of his book: "It was part of the divine plan, linked with famine, flood and plague as a manifestation of God's punishment for sins committed." It was part of the natural order and as such armed conflicts were a common enough feature of medieval life. There are few such conflicts however, which enjoy the fame that the Hundred Years War presently does. Today, it is one of the most famous, most notable conflicts in the history of both England and France, being studied intricately by experts and popular among ordinary people as well. So much so in fact, that certain events and themes are now the subject of national legend on both sides of the Channel. For example, the stories of Joan of Arc in France or the pride held for the lethal accuracy and skill of the English longbows. As a consequence of the interest in this period, there have been many accounts and publications on the subject; a small number perhaps might equal the standard of Allmand's.

Coming from a background with very little previous knowledge of the conflict, I found Allmand's text easy to read and very informative. In the first two chapters Allmand describes in detail the course and possible causes of the war. Summarising everything from the breakdown of the historic feudal order in England and France, through the successful English campaigns culminating in the victories at Crécy (1346), Poitiers (1356) and Agincourt (1415) to the recovery and eventual success of the French. Allmand's account on the conflict itself, while comparatively short, was only surpassed by the surprising amount of depth and concise detail that meant that a potentially complicated description was grasped with relative ease.

The following chapters deal with many themes including justification for the conflict, concepts of chivalry and other contemporary views regarding the war. Allmand also addresses the military objectives of the English, military and naval organization, recruitment, and the raising of taxes. These chapters are similar in style to the account of the conflict itself. Writing concisely, Allmand gets the main points across easily, setting out the specifics and details of the period and at the same time raising a number of questions which he develops later in the book. These focus around the idea that the war was a major agent of change; because the war was on such a scale, its effects were not limited to the battle-field and the nation as a whole became increasingly involved. For example, when discussing taxation and the raising of funds, Allmand writes: "It would be a mistake to think that the war was directed and paid for by Paris or Westminster alone... local autonomy, energy, and initiatives were all exercised for the best purpose, the defence of the common good itself." It is this theme of a 'national effort' and a 'common good' that Allmand takes up in the second half of the book.

Allmand notes the marked increase in public participation of the war. This can be seen in many areas, but a good example is contemporary literature. The number of contemporary writings, which discussed the subject of the war, show that there was certainly a growing interest in it. Obviously there were many different types of literature, and it is worth noting that some were very anti in their stance to the conflict, but the fact that they were being written show that the war was the subject for much discussion. In France especially feelings of great intensity were being provoked and many took a 'nationalist' stance. This, Allmand writes, was an engineered response on behalf of the authorities who "needed a conscious and continuous interest in the affairs of war among the different elements of the population." It is suggested that the war needed some form of continuous justification so that it would continue to be supported; Allmand identifies this as an early form of propaganda.

This came in many forms, but all of them had one aim in mind "to encourage and secure the widest possible involvement of a nation in war." Such propaganda included accounts of victories being circulated (in many parish churches there was a 'notice board' which displayed such material) and the use of the church who prayed for their nations armies. There were even celebrations, like those seen in the capital when the Black Prince returned from his victory at Poitiers with the King of France as his prisoner. Many more examples could be listed in which the two countries experienced an awakening of their national pride, to the extent that Allmand writes: "it was the long war with England which was the most influential single factor to contribute to the growing awareness of French nationhood in this age." It is certainly true that this awakening of national pride affected France far more than it did in England, it was after all a country with internal factions and foreign soldiers on it soil. This scale of involvement would affect any town or out-laying settlement that was unlucky enough to be either the target of a pro-longed raid (chevauchées) or just caught in the crossfire. Therefore the average French peasant would be far more aware of the war than any English one.

This rise in national identity is a subject that Allmand explores in much depth, indeed, it has not been given justice in this review but in an effort to sum up, Allmand writes that the war was an agent of great change. As well as revolutions on the battlefield and in the organised mechanics of fighting a war, Allmand paid particular attention to the awakening of a national identity. This idea is something that I personally found very interesting and informative, the extent to which it is true is obviously debatable, but I found myself unable to raise any serious objections.

Allmand's book is worthy of high praise. By combining a detailed account of the war with sections on the wider implications of the conflict, he produced a detailed and enjoyable text on the subject. The broad focus that Allmand uses is commendable, and his arguments so convincing and persuasive that I found it very hard to criticise them.

old style, 30 Jun 2004
I got interested in the 100 years war and a brainy friend told me this was the best general intro. I suppose all the facts and analysis are very credible, but this often felt like it was addressing academics rather than the general reader, and at times felt like it was point-scoring. So I'm still in the market for a new-style not-dry book on the subject

The best introduction to this subject., 19 Apr 2001
Allmand writes clearly and persuasively about the Hundred Years War. This clarity means that it is an essential text for any student of the Hundred Years War. It is also enjoyable to read and easy to follow. He sets forth the course and possible causes of the war in the first two chapters of the book. He then goes on to discuss the reactions to defeat and warfare, paying particular interest to notions of 'nationalism' and propaganda. He places the conflict in its wider, social and economic context and in this respect it is certainly a definitive text.

An engrossing and very detailed study, 14 May 2006
Sumtion's treatment of the 100 years war brings to life a period of history which is frequently dissected by UK students into just the three major pitched battle victories of Crecy, Poitiers and Agincourt. This overlooks the complexity of fourteenth century French regional and national politics and the many twists and turns which characterised this protracted conflict. This book, along with the equally excellent predecessor, puts that right with some considerable flair. The story is alive with memorable characters who are brought vividly to life in a narrative history which commbines admirable scholarship with a fluid and very readable style. Shelby Foote set the standard of narrative history in his three volume study of the American Civil war and Sumption is a worthy peer. My only quibble is that at this rate we will have to wait another 40 years for the completion of what is probably a 6 volume series!

Definitive work, 12 Apr 2002
Vol II of Mr Sumption's history of the Hundred Years War is as much of a delight as its predecessor. His knowledge of his subject is exhaustive, yet he never allows his narrative to become bogged down or convoluted, even when explaining the most intricate political manoeuverings. Clarity and ease of comprehension are obviously two of Mr Sumption's goals, and he succeeds completely in both respects.

I found the in-depth analysis of the revolt of the Parisian commoners (following the disastrous Battle of Poitiers and the capture of the French King by the English) of particular interest. I have read several one-volume histories of the War and I do not recall any of them making more than passing reference to this episode. Obviously, in a multi-volume history Mr Sumption has more space in which to fully explain events, yet the revolt is of great importance to understanding the social and economic disasters that befell France as a result of this period of the War. It is also illuminating in respect to the later history of Paris and that city's "tradition" of revolution. Similarly, the attention to the ravages of the notorious companies brings home forcefully the sufferings experienced by France and her people.

Although this is an excellent book, I could not in good faith recommend it to those who have only a passing interest in the subject - one of the several good one-volume histories would be sufficient to cover the major events of the War. For those who want a more in-depth understanding, however, I do not believe that Mr Sumptions's work has been bettered.

Like the earlier reviewer, I am eagerly awaiting Volume III and sincerely hope that Mr Sumption will not wait so long to produce this next volume as he did between Volumes I & II. I am sure I am not the only person who wishes that he would retire from the Bar and concentrate on history (although our motives are probably different).

Continuing the stunning work of Volume 1, 31 Dec 2001
Sumption simply takes off with Volume II in the same style that one so many admirers in the first volume.

'Trial by Fire' takes us through the lowest ebb of the French crown: John II a prisoner in London; 'companies' of mercanaries terrorising and laying waste to the country. Edward III was probably the strongest monarch in Europe at that time and yet, by the time of his death, had not pressed home his advantage in any kind of decisive manner.

Sumption takes us through the strategy and thinking of the English Crown while also showing how much of the activity done in his name was really beyond his control and, perhaps, not in his long term interest.

This is amazing stuff. Easy to read, informative and exciting.

I can't wait 'till volume III !!!!

It's almost as if the nine years that have passed since the publication ofTrial by Battle, the first volume of Jonathan Sumption's ongoing history of the Hundred Years War, never happened, so seamlessly does Trial By Firecontinue the narrative.

Trial by Fire documents the continuing relentless domination of France by Edward III from the fall of Calais in 1347 to his decision in 1369 to add the French coat of arms to those of England on his seals in celebration of his apparent triumph. Along the way we see the French reduced to a squabbling rabble after the Battle of Poitiers in 1356 which resulted in revolutions in Paris and the countryside. Sumption is too shrewd an observer to tell such a one-sided history and he is at pains to point out that however impressive the English victories may have seemed, the scale of them was largely illusory and short-lived.

Whatever the perception of the Hundred Years War as an epic conflict between two nation states, the reality was far more complicated. Both the English and the French camps were made up of a series of uneasy and shifting alliances. So who actually won never became clear--at least not until long after the swords had been sheathed. For instance, after King John II had been captured at Poitiers, the French were forced into a humiliating treaty which handed over much of France to King Edward. But John conveniently, or inconveniently, depending which way you look at it, died shortly after and his successor Charles V decided there were good reasons to no longer recognise the agreement. Seen like this, Edward's decision to add the French coat of arms to the English looks more like an empty gesture than an expression of all-conquering might.

As with the first volume, Sumption writes with engaging simplicity, making sense of the apparently pointless and bringing together a cast of thousands into a homogenous digestible whole. -- John Crace

Now thats history, 26 Jun 2008
An excellent book that teaches history as if it were an adventure. Yes its a brief view but packs so much punch. Edward 3rd, Henry V, the Black Prince, Crecy, Agincourt, Poitiers and so much more. Speaks many volumes as to the growth of the two main protagonists interwoven with peoples whose identity has long been engulfed by modern geography.
An excellent read and a good book.

entertaining read, 12 Aug 2007
Don't read this if you want a more detailed analysis of the Hundred Years war, but for the interested layman I found this a very enjoyable read. One caveat. As one of the previous reviewers comments , the author does not shy from detailing the atrocities dealt to the French by the English. However...... doesn't culpability lie to some extent with the invasion by William the Conqueror. The king of England and the ruling class were still culturally quite French and had reasonably legitimate claims to French territory. And lets not forget the destruction of the Anglo scandanavian kingdom of England by William and his French Normans, and in particular, the "harrying of the north" that they inflicted on the northern English. A cruel and barbaric event as bad as anything the English dealt the French later.

A tabloid view of the Hundred Years War, 08 Sep 2004
Desmond Seward is a commercial historical writer and this book looks at the events and battles of Hundred Years War purely through English eyes. The book covers the great English victories over the French at Crecy, Poitiers and Agincourt together with rise of the Longbow as the supreme battlefield weapon.

My first concern with this book is that Seward doesn't publish any of his sources, so for a novice on the subject one is unable to check for further reading if interested in a certain incident he covers. His descriptions of the battles and other incidents are always totally biased towards the English and he does tend to give us a rather tabloid style of reporting when relating the events and characters involved. Saying that, the book does suck you in and is written in an entertaining style, with the hardback version being very well illustrated.

For those who know little about the HYW this is a reasonable account, but it does have severe limitations due to the complexity and time scale of the subject it attempts to cover. The book will leave you hungry for more information, and although Seward doesn't supply you with any pointers, you will find a wealth of superb books out there which are also far more accurate and detailed than this. Anything by Dr Anne Curry for example.

Superb intoduction to a fascinating period..., 11 Dec 2003
The book does exactly what it says on the cover... it's a brief (but suprisingly detailed) look at a very long, very bloody conflict between two great nations in a period of many changes. He handles the political events of the period with care, never overpowering the reader with to much data.

The battle descriptions are fantastic, some of the best I've read outside of historical fiction. The Hundred Years War is in my opinion one of the most interesting periods of history and Seward does it justice, describing in detail the colourful characters of the period including Edward the Black Prince, Henry V and the mad Charles VI of France (he thought he was made of glass... not to good a conviction when in battle)...

This book will leaving you desperate for more information on the period, I would recommend any of the Osprey books to do with the period (in particular that on Crecy), The Bowmen of England by Featherstone is also a good light read... and of course the Jonathon Sumption epic histories...

A hundred years never seemed so short a time!, 23 Sep 2003
As the typical student of history at school, I found the subject tedious and irrelevant. Not so with this book. The years flew past as the author gave us enough information to identify with the main characters, enough details of the main events without becoming overwhelming and enough of the gory details to keep us interested! Holidays to South western France will never be the same again. This is history without the corderouy jackets, without the essays, warts and all. Fascinating.
PS It is no wonder the French still do not trust us as a nation.

An engrossing and very detailed study, 14 May 2006
Sumtion's treatment of the 100 years war brings to life a period of history which is frequently dissected by UK students into just the three major pitched battle victories of Crecy, Poitiers and Agincourt. This overlooks the complexity of fourteenth century French regional and national politics and the many twists and turns which characterised this protracted conflict. This book, along with the equally excellent predecessor, puts that right with some considerable flair. The story is alive with memorable characters who are brought vividly to life in a narrative history which commbines admirable scholarship with a fluid and very readable style. Shelby Foote set the standard of narrative history in his three volume study of the American Civil war and Sumption is a worthy peer. My only quibble is that at this rate we will have to wait another 40 years for the completion of what is probably a 6 volume series!

Definitive work, 12 Apr 2002
Vol II of Mr Sumption's history of the Hundred Years War is as much of a delight as its predecessor. His knowledge of his subject is exhaustive, yet he never allows his narrative to become bogged down or convoluted, even when explaining the most intricate political manoeuverings. Clarity and ease of comprehension are obviously two of Mr Sumption's goals, and he succeeds completely in both respects.

I found the in-depth analysis of the revolt of the Parisian commoners (following the disastrous Battle of Poitiers and the capture of the French King by the English) of particular interest. I have read several one-volume histories of the War and I do not recall any of them making more than passing reference to this episode. Obviously, in a multi-volume history Mr Sumption has more space in which to fully explain events, yet the revolt is of great importance to understanding the social and economic disasters that befell France as a result of this period of the War. It is also illuminating in respect to the later history of Paris and that city's "tradition" of revolution. Similarly, the attention to the ravages of the notorious companies brings home forcefully the sufferings experienced by France and her people.

Although this is an excellent book, I could not in good faith recommend it to those who have only a passing interest in the subject - one of the several good one-volume histories would be sufficient to cover the major events of the War. For those who want a more in-depth understanding, however, I do not believe that Mr Sumptions's work has been bettered.

Like the earlier reviewer, I am eagerly awaiting Volume III and sincerely hope that Mr Sumption will not wait so long to produce this next volume as he did between Volumes I & II. I am sure I am not the only person who wishes that he would retire from the Bar and concentrate on history (although our motives are probably different).

Continuing the stunning work of Volume 1, 31 Dec 2001
Sumption simply takes off with Volume II in the same style that one so many admirers in the first volume.

'Trial by Fire' takes us through the lowest ebb of the French crown: John II a prisoner in London; 'companies' of mercanaries terrorising and laying waste to the country. Edward III was probably the strongest monarch in Europe at that time and yet, by the time of his death, had not pressed home his advantage in any kind of decisive manner.

Sumption takes us through the strategy and thinking of the English Crown while also showing how much of the activity done in his name was really beyond his control and, perhaps, not in his long term interest.

This is amazing stuff. Easy to read, informative and exciting.

I can't wait 'till volume III !!!!

A superb analysis, 16 Feb 2005
Medieval society accepted war as part of life, Allmand writes as much in the first chapter of his book: "It was part of the divine plan, linked with famine, flood and plague as a manifestation of God's punishment for sins committed." It was part of the natural order and as such armed conflicts were a common enough feature of medieval life. There are few such conflicts however, which enjoy the fame that the Hundred Years War presently does. Today, it is one of the most famous, most notable conflicts in the history of both England and France, being studied intricately by experts and popular among ordinary people as well. So much so in fact, that certain events and themes are now the subject of national legend on both sides of the Channel. For example, the stories of Joan of Arc in France or the pride held for the lethal accuracy and skill of the English longbows. As a consequence of the interest in this period, there have been many accounts and publications on the subject; a small number perhaps might equal the standard of Allmand's.

Coming from a background with very little previous knowledge of the conflict, I found Allmand's text easy to read and very informative. In the first two chapters Allmand describes in detail the course and possible causes of the war. Summarising everything from the breakdown of the historic feudal order in England and France, through the successful English campaigns culminating in the victories at Crécy (1346), Poitiers (1356) and Agincourt (1415) to the recovery and eventual success of the French. Allmand's account on the conflict itself, while comparatively short, was only surpassed by the surprising amount of depth and concise detail that meant that a potentially complicated description was grasped with relative ease.

The following chapters deal with many themes including justification for the conflict, concepts of chivalry and other contemporary views regarding the war. Allmand also addresses the military objectives of the English, military and naval organization, recruitment, and the raising of taxes. These chapters are similar in style to the account of the conflict itself. Writing concisely, Allmand gets the main points across easily, setting out the specifics and details of the period and at the same time raising a number of questions which he develops later in the book. These focus around the idea that the war was a major agent of change; because the war was on such a scale, its effects were not limited to the battle-field and the nation as a whole became increasingly involved. For example, when discussing taxation and the raising of funds, Allmand writes: "It would be a mistake to think that the war was directed and paid for by Paris or Westminster alone... local autonomy, energy, and initiatives were all exercised for the best purpose, the defence of the common good itself." It is this theme of a 'national effort' and a 'common good' that Allmand takes up in the second half of the book.

Allmand notes the marked increase in public participation of the war. This can be seen in many areas, but a good example is contemporary literature. The number of contemporary writings, which discussed the subject of the war, show that there was certainly a growing interest in it. Obviously there were many different types of literature, and it is worth noting that some were very anti in their stance to the conflict, but the fact that they were being written show that the war was the subject for much discussion. In France especially feelings of great intensity were being provoked and many took a 'nationalist' stance. This, Allmand writes, was an engineered response on behalf of the authorities who "needed a conscious and continuous interest in the affairs of war among the different elements of the population." It is suggested that the war needed some form of continuous justification so that it would continue to be supported; Allmand identifies this as an early form of propaganda.

This came in many forms, but all of them had one aim in mind "to encourage and secure the widest possible involvement of a nation in war." Such propaganda included accounts of victories being circulated (in many parish churches there was a 'notice board' which displayed such material) and the use of the church who prayed for their nations armies. There were even celebrations, like those seen in the capital when the Black Prince returned from his victory at Poitiers with the King of France as his prisoner. Many more examples could be listed in which the two countries experienced an awakening of their national pride, to the extent that Allmand writes: "it was the long war with England which was the most influential single factor to contribute to the growing awareness of French nationhood in this age." It is certainly true that this awakening of national pride affected France far more than it did in England, it was after all a country with internal factions and foreign soldiers on it soil. This scale of involvement would affect any town or out-laying settlement that was unlucky enough to be either the target of a pro-longed raid (chevauchées) or just caught in the crossfire. Therefore the average French peasant would be far more aware of the war than any English one.

This rise in national identity is a subject that Allmand explores in much depth, indeed, it has not been given justice in this review but in an effort to sum up, Allmand writes that the war was an agent of great change. As well as revolutions on the battlefield and in the organised mechanics of fighting a war, Allmand paid particular attention to the awakening of a national identity. This idea is something that I personally found very interesting and informative, the extent to which it is true is obviously debatable, but I found myself unable to raise any serious objections.

Allmand's book is worthy of high praise. By combining a detailed account of the war with sections on the wider implications of the conflict, he produced a detailed and enjoyable text on the subject. The broad focus that Allmand uses is commendable, and his arguments so convincing and persuasive that I found it very hard to criticise them.

old style, 30 Jun 2004
I got interested in the 100 years war and a brainy friend told me this was the best general intro. I suppose all the facts and analysis are very credible, but this often felt like it was addressing academics rather than the general reader, and at times felt like it was point-scoring. So I'm still in the market for a new-style not-dry book on the subject

The best introduction to this subject., 19 Apr 2001
Allmand writes clearly and persuasively about the Hundred Years War. This clarity means that it is an essential text for any student of the Hundred Years War. It is also enjoyable to read and easy to follow. He sets forth the course and possible causes of the war in the first two chapters of the book. He then goes on to discuss the reactions to defeat and warfare, paying particular interest to notions of 'nationalism' and propaganda. He places the conflict in its wider, social and economic context and in this respect it is certainly a definitive text.

An engrossing and very detailed study, 14 May 2006
Sumtion's treatment of the 100 years war brings to life a period of history which is frequently dissected by UK students into just the three major pitched battle victories of Crecy, Poitiers and Agincourt. This overlooks the complexity of fourteenth century French regional and national politics and the many twists and turns which characterised this protracted conflict. This book, along with the equally excellent predecessor, puts that right with some considerable flair. The story is alive with memorable characters who are brought vividly to life in a narrative history which commbines admirable scholarship with a fluid and very readable style. Shelby Foote set the standard of narrative history in his three volume study of the American Civil war and Sumption is a worthy peer. My only quibble is that at this rate we will have to wait another 40 years for the completion of what is probably a 6 volume series!

Definitive work, 12 Apr 2002
Vol II of Mr Sumption's history of the Hundred Years War is as much of a delight as its predecessor. His knowledge of his subject is exhaustive, yet he never allows his narrative to become bogged down or convoluted, even when explaining the most intricate political manoeuverings. Clarity and ease of comprehension are obviously two of Mr Sumption's goals, and he succeeds completely in both respects.

I found the in-depth analysis of the revolt of the Parisian commoners (following the disastrous Battle of Poitiers and the capture of the French King by the English) of particular interest. I have read several one-volume histories of the War and I do not recall any of them making more than passing reference to this episode. Obviously, in a multi-volume history Mr Sumption has more space in which to fully explain events, yet the revolt is of great importance to understanding the social and economic disasters that befell France as a result of this period of the War. It is also illuminating in respect to the later history of Paris and that city's "tradition" of revolution. Similarly, the attention to the ravages of the notorious companies brings home forcefully the sufferings experienced by France and her people.

Although this is an excellent book, I could not in good faith recommend it to those who have only a passing interest in the subject - one of the several good one-volume histories would be sufficient to cover the major events of the War. For those who want a more in-depth understanding, however, I do not believe that Mr Sumptions's work has been bettered.

Like the earlier reviewer, I am eagerly awaiting Volume III and sincerely hope that Mr Sumption will not wait so long to produce this next volume as he did between Volumes I & II. I am sure I am not the only person who wishes that he would retire from the Bar and concentrate on history (although our motives are probably different).

Continuing the stunning work of Volume 1, 31 Dec 2001
Sumption simply takes off with Volume II in the same style that one so many admirers in the first volume.

'Trial by Fire' takes us through the lowest ebb of the French crown: John II a prisoner in London; 'companies' of mercanaries terrorising and laying waste to the country. Edward III was probably the strongest monarch in Europe at that time and yet, by the time of his death, had not pressed home his advantage in any kind of decisive manner.

Sumption takes us through the strategy and thinking of the English Crown while also showing how much of the activity done in his name was really beyond his control and, perhaps, not in his long term interest.

This is amazing stuff. Easy to read, informative and exciting.

I can't wait 'till volume III !!!!

An engrossing and very detailed study, 14 May 2006
Sumtion's treatment of the 100 years war brings to life a period of history which is frequently dissected by UK students into just the three major pitched battle victories of Crecy, Poitiers and Agincourt. This overlooks the complexity of fourteenth century French regional and national politics and the many twists and turns which characterised this protracted conflict. This book, along with the equally excellent predecessor, puts that right with some considerable flair. The story is alive with memorable characters who are brought vividly to life in a narrative history which commbines admirable scholarship with a fluid and very readable style. Shelby Foote set the standard of narrative history in his three volume study of the American Civil war and Sumption is a worthy peer. My only quibble is that at this rate we will have to wait another 40 years for the completion of what is probably a 6 volume series!

Definitive work, 12 Apr 2002
Vol II of Mr Sumption's history of the Hundred Years War is as much of a delight as its predecessor. His knowledge of his subject is exhaustive, yet he never allows his narrative to become bogged down or convoluted, even when explaining the most intricate political manoeuverings. Clarity and ease of comprehension are obviously two of Mr Sumption's goals, and he succeeds completely in both respects.

I found the in-depth analysis of the revolt of the Parisian commoners (following the disastrous Battle of Poitiers and the capture of the French King by the English) of particular interest. I have read several one-volume histories of the War and I do not recall any of them making more than passing reference to this episode. Obviously, in a multi-volume history Mr Sumption has more space in which to fully explain events, yet the revolt is of great importance to understanding the social and economic disasters that befell France as a result of this period of the War. It is also illuminating in respect to the later history of Paris and that city's "tradition" of revolution. Similarly, the attention to the ravages of the notorious companies brings home forcefully the sufferings experienced by France and her people.

Although this is an excellent book, I could not in good faith recommend it to those who have only a passing interest in the subject - one of the several good one-volume histories would be sufficient to cover the major events of the War. For those who want a more in-depth understanding, however, I do not believe that Mr Sumptions's work has been bettered.

Like the earlier reviewer, I am eagerly awaiting Volume III and sincerely hope that Mr Sumption will not wait so long to produce this next volume as he did between Volumes I & II. I am sure I am not the only person who wishes that he would retire from the Bar and concentrate on history (although our motives are probably different).

Continuing the stunning work of Volume 1, 31 Dec 2001
Sumption simply takes off with Volume II in the same style that one so many admirers in the first volume.

'Trial by Fire' takes us through the lowest ebb of the French crown: John II a prisoner in London; 'companies' of mercanaries terrorising and laying waste to the country. Edward III was probably the strongest monarch in Europe at that time and yet, by the time of his death, had not pressed home his advantage in any kind of decisive manner.

Sumption takes us through the strategy and thinking of the English Crown while also showing how much of the activity done in his name was really beyond his control and, perhaps, not in his long term interest.

This is amazing stuff. Easy to read, informative and exciting.

I can't wait 'till volume III !!!!

Now thats history, 26 Jun 2008
An excellent book that teaches history as if it were an adventure. Yes its a brief view but packs so much punch. Edward 3rd, Henry V, the Black Prince, Crecy, Agincourt, Poitiers and so much more. Speaks many volumes as to the growth of the two main protagonists interwoven with peoples whose identity has long been engulfed by modern geography.
An excellent read and a good book.

entertaining read, 12 Aug 2007
Don't read this if you want a more detailed analysis of the Hundred Years war, but for the interested layman I found this a very enjoyable read. One caveat. As one of the previous reviewers comments , the author does not shy from detailing the atrocities dealt to the French by the English. However...... doesn't culpability lie to some extent with the invasion by William the Conqueror. The king of England and the ruling class were still culturally quite French and had reasonably legitimate claims to French territory. And lets not forget the destruction of the Anglo scandanavian kingdom of England by William and his French Normans, and in particular, the "harrying of the north" that they inflicted on the northern English. A cruel and barbaric event as bad as anything the English dealt the French later.

A tabloid view of the Hundred Years War, 08 Sep 2004
Desmond Seward is a commercial historical writer and this book looks at the events and battles of Hundred Years War purely through English eyes. The book covers the great English victories over the French at Crecy, Poitiers and Agincourt together with rise of the Longbow as the supreme battlefield weapon.

My first concern with this book is that Seward doesn't publish any of his sources, so for a novice on the subject one is unable to check for further reading if interested in a certain incident he covers. His descriptions of the battles and other incidents are always totally biased towards the English and he does tend to give us a rather tabloid style of reporting when relating the events and characters involved. Saying that, the book does suck you in and is written in an entertaining style, with the hardback version being very well illustrated.

For those who know little about the HYW this is a reasonable account, but it does have severe limitations due to the complexity and time scale of the subject it attempts to cover. The book will leave you hungry for more information, and although Seward doesn't supply you with any pointers, you will find a wealth of superb books out there which are also far more accurate and detailed than this. Anything by Dr Anne Curry for example.

Superb intoduction to a fascinating period..., 11 Dec 2003
The book does exactly what it says on the cover... it's a brief (but suprisingly detailed) look at a very long, very bloody conflict between two great nations in a period of many changes. He handles the political events of the period with care, never overpowering the reader with to much data.

The battle descriptions are fantastic, some of the best I've read outside of historical fiction. The Hundred Years War is in my opinion one of the most interesting periods of history and Seward does it justice, describing in detail the colourful characters of the period including Edward the Black Prince, Henry V and the mad Charles VI of France (he thought he was made of glass... not to good a conviction when in battle)...

This book will leaving you desperate for more information on the period, I would recommend any of the Osprey books to do with the period (in particular that on Crecy), The Bowmen of England by Featherstone is also a good light read... and of course the Jonathon Sumption epic histories...

A hundred years never seemed so short a time!, 23 Sep 2003
As the typical student of history at school, I found the subject tedious and irrelevant. Not so with this book. The years flew past as the author gave us enough information to identify with the main characters, enough details of the main events without becoming overwhelming and enough of the gory details to keep us interested! Holidays to South western France will never be the same again. This is history without the corderouy jackets, without the essays, warts and all. Fascinating.
PS It is no wonder the French still do not trust us as a nation.

An engrossing and very detailed study, 14 May 2006
Sumtion's treatment of the 100 years war brings to life a period of history which is frequently dissected by UK students into just the three major pitched battle victories of Crecy, Poitiers and Agincourt. This overlooks the complexity of fourteenth century French regional and national politics and the many twists and turns which characterised this protracted conflict. This book, along with the equally excellent predecessor, puts that right with some considerable flair. The story is alive with memorable characters who are brought vividly to life in a narrative history which commbines admirable scholarship with a fluid and very readable style. Shelby Foote set the standard of narrative history in his three volume study of the American Civil war and Sumption is a worthy peer. My only quibble is that at this rate we will have to wait another 40 years for the completion of what is probably a 6 volume series!

Definitive work, 12 Apr 2002
Vol II of Mr Sumption's history of the Hundred Years War is as much of a delight as its predecessor. His knowledge of his subject is exhaustive, yet he never allows his narrative to become bogged down or convoluted, even when explaining the most intricate political manoeuverings. Clarity and ease of comprehension are obviously two of Mr Sumption's goals, and he succeeds completely in both respects.

I found the in-depth analysis of the revolt of the Parisian commoners (following the disastrous Battle of Poitiers and the capture of the French King by the English) of particular interest. I have read several one-volume histories of the War and I do not recall any of them making more than passing reference to this episode. Obviously, in a multi-volume history Mr Sumption has more space in which to fully explain events, yet the revolt is of great importance to understanding the social and economic disasters that befell France as a result of this period of the War. It is also illuminating in respect to the later history of Paris and that city's "tradition" of revolution. Similarly, the attention to the ravages of the notorious companies brings home forcefully the sufferings experienced by France and her people.

Although this is an excellent book, I could not in good faith recommend it to those who have only a passing interest in the subject - one of the several good one-volume histories would be sufficient to cover the major events of the War. For those who want a more in-depth understanding, however, I do not believe that Mr Sumptions's work has been bettered.

Like the earlier reviewer, I am eagerly awaiting Volume III and sincerely hope that Mr Sumption will not wait so long to produce this next volume as he did between Volumes I & II. I am sure I am not the only person who wishes that he would retire from the Bar and concentrate on history (although our motives are probably different).

Continuing the stunning work of Volume 1, 31 Dec 2001
Sumption simply takes off with Volume II in the same style that one so many admirers in the first volume.

'Trial by Fire' takes us through the lowest ebb of the French crown: John II a prisoner in London; 'companies' of mercanaries terrorising and laying waste to the country. Edward III was probably the strongest monarch in Europe at that time and yet, by the time of his death, had not pressed home his advantage in any kind of decisive manner.

Sumption takes us through the strategy and thinking of the English Crown while also showing how much of the activity done in his name was really beyond his control and, perhaps, not in his long term interest.

This is amazing stuff. Easy to read, informative and exciting.

I can't wait 'till volume III !!!!

A superb analysis, 16 Feb 2005
Medieval society accepted war as part of life, Allmand writes as much in the first chapter of his book: "It was part of the divine plan, linked with famine, flood and plague as a manifestation of God's punishment for sins committed." It was part of the natural order and as such armed conflicts were a common enough feature of medieval life. There are few such conflicts however, which enjoy the fame that the Hundred Years War presently does. Today, it is one of the most famous, most notable conflicts in the history of both England and France, being studied intricately by experts and popular among ordinary people as well. So much so in fact, that certain events and themes are now the subject of national legend on both sides of the Channel. For example, the stories of Joan of Arc in France or the pride held for the lethal accuracy and skill of the English longbows. As a consequence of the interest in this period, there have been many accounts and publications on the subject; a small number perhaps might equal the standard of Allmand's.

Coming from a background with very little previous knowledge of the conflict, I found Allmand's text easy to read and very informative. In the first two chapters Allmand describes in detail the course and possible causes of the war. Summarising everything from the breakdown of the historic feudal order in England and France, through the successful English campaigns culminating in the victories at Crécy (1346), Poitiers (1356) and Agincourt (1415) to the recovery and eventual success of the French. Allmand's account on the conflict itself, while comparatively short, was only surpassed by the surprising amount of depth and concise detail that meant that a potentially complicated description was grasped with relative ease.

The following chapters deal with many themes including justification for the conflict, concepts of chivalry and other contemporary views regarding the war. Allmand also addresses the military objectives of the English, military and naval organization, recruitment, and the raising of taxes. These chapters are similar in style to the account of the conflict itself. Writing concisely, Allmand gets the main points across easily, setting out the specifics and details of the period and at the same time raising a number of questions which he develops later in the book. These focus around the idea that the war was a major agent of change; because the war was on such a scale, its effects were not limited to the battle-field and the nation as a whole became increasingly involved. For example, when discussing taxation and the raising of funds, Allmand writes: "It would be a mistake to think that the war was directed and paid for by Paris or Westminster alone... local autonomy, energy, and initiatives were all exercised for the best purpose, the defence of the common good itself." It is this theme of a 'national effort' and a 'common good' that Allmand takes up in the second half of the book.

Allmand notes the marked increase in public participation of the war. This can be seen in many areas, but a good example is contemporary literature. The number of contemporary writings, which discussed the subject of the war, show that there was certainly a growing interest in it. Obviously there were many different types of literature, and it is worth noting that some were very anti in their stance to the conflict, but the fact that they were being written show that the war was the subject for much discussion. In France especially feelings of great intensity were being provoked and many took a 'nationalist' stance. This, Allmand writes, was an engineered response on behalf of the authorities who "needed a conscious and continuous interest in the affairs of war among the different elements of the population." It is suggested that the war needed some form of continuous justification so that it would continue to be supported; Allmand identifies this as an early form of propaganda.

This came in many forms, but all of them had one aim in mind "to encourage and secure the widest possible involvement of a nation in war." Such propaganda included accounts of victories being circulated (in many parish churches there was a 'notice board' which displayed such material) and the use of the church who prayed for their nations armies. There were even celebrations, like those seen in the capital when the Black Prince returned from his victory at Poitiers with the King of France as his prisoner. Many more examples could be listed in which the two countries experienced an awakening of their national pride, to the extent that Allmand writes: "it was the long war with England which was the most influential single factor to contribute to the growing awareness of French nationhood in this age." It is certainly true that this awakening of national pride affected France far more than it did in England, it was after all a country with internal factions and foreign soldiers on it soil. This scale of involvement would affect any town or out-laying settlement that was unlucky enough to be either the target of a pro-longed raid (chevauchées) or just caught in the crossfire. Therefore the average French peasant would be far more aware of the war than any English one.

This rise in national identity is a subject that Allmand explores in much depth, indeed, it has not been given justice in this review but in an effort to sum up, Allmand writes that the war was an agent of great change. As well as revolutions on the battlefield and in the organised mechanics of fighting a war, Allmand paid particular attention to the awakening of a national identity. This idea is something that I personally found very interesting and informative, th