Blood on the Sand

The English have Calais under seige.  Archibald Tanner is preparing his guns to bombard the city.  Meanwhile Berenger Fripper and his vintaine of archers have been captured at sea before they could arrive at Calais to aid the English army.  They were taken to prison in Dunkirk.  Their only prospect is torture and death.

Surprisingly, the same man who captured the vintane, also rescues them from certain death.  He had not liked being overruled by the French on his promise of good treatment for the captives.  On the return trip, Berenger noticed a fleet of ships awaiting to sail in a nearby river.  After he reported it to Sir John de Sully, it was discovered that they had disappeared.  If they weren’t bringing soldiers to lift the siege at Calais, could they have been sent to help the Scots prepare for an invasion of England?

Berenger is under suspicion for being in the pay of the French because he and his vintane escaped from the French.  Also, how could he have an idea that the French fleet was headed to Scotland?

Berenger and his vintaine are then sent to the Northern Marches to warn of a potential invasion.  They are to guard the actual messenger being sent.  He is warned that if the messenger doesn’t make it, he will be regarded as a traitor.

The messenger, Andrew Retford, is only a fifteen year old boy, but he is cocky.  Berenger warns him that he is to follow his orders, for his own safety.  But, can they make it to deliver the message without any casualties?  Unfortunately, they are ambushed twice and lose three men including Retford.  Is there a traitor amongst the vintaine?

Having delivered the message to the Archbishop of York, the vintaine is now sent to the north to help stop the Scottish invasion.  At Barnard’s Castle Berenger is appointed captain of all the archers.  Fortunately, the English were victorious over the Scots.  Now the vintaine can return to Calais.

Breaking into Calais is not going to be easy, though, even with siege guns.  Men must bend to the will of kings, and so it is for the vintaine and the soldiers of France.  Author Michael Jecks historical novel is based on events in the past, and is full of action, treachery, spies, injuries and deaths.   Well written, the reader feels that they are a part of the action.  A very good read.