About the Author

A foreign correspondent, Barry Renfrew has covered wars in Afghanistan, Africa and the former Soviet Union during 30 years of reporting on political upheaval across the globe. On two occasions he was caught in bombing raids. His reporting won a number of major journalism awards, including The Associated Press Top Reporting Award; he was twice a finalist for The Pulitzer Prize for international reporting. In addition to extensive experience as a war and defence correspondent, Renfrew has a life-long interest in British colonial military history. Previous publications include: Forgotten Regiments and Wings of Empire.

About the Book

On 25 October 1415, a trapped and vastly-outnumbered force of exhausted and demoralised English archers and men-at-arms faced a colossal army of French knights on a desolate field in northern France. What took place that day became one of the greatest moments of the Hundred Years’ War and English history.

Based on chronicles of the times, Agincourt 1415: Field of Blood is a dramatic, minute-by-minute retelling of the battle as seen through the eyes of the commanders and soldiers on both sides.

This is a brutal, bloody and captivating retelling of a major British victory written by a Pulitzer Price finalist This work sets a new standard for historical fiction.

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Q & A

Q. What inspired you to write the book?

A. Agincourt was one of the greatest battles in history, an incredible feat by a small, ragged English army outnumbered by a vast French force. I’ve always wanted to try to convey not just what happens in a battle, but also what it’s like to be there, and this is a perfect setting.

Q. Sell the book in 10 words!

A. Puts you in the front of the English battle line.

Q. What are you writing next?

A. A lot of my work centres on writing traditional history books. Agincourt was a change because it is based on facts, but retold minute by minute like a movie. Now I’m doing a book about the forgotten soldiers of the West Indies.

Q. Which historical fiction do you enjoy reading?

A. Historical fiction can be the best way to understand history. My favourite writers are Robert Graves and J.G. Farrell who recreate the past with the precision of a historian and the story-telling skills of the best novelists.

Q. What are your Desert Island books?

A. Moby Dick and the Oxford History of England (which is a bit of a cheat at 14 volumes).

Q. Secret of good writing?

A. Every writer would give their lifeblood for the answer to this question. For me it’s telling a story as clearly and simply as possible while still capturing all the details, emotions and feelings of an event.

Where to Buy

Pen & Sword