Hello Bernard, my boys (8 & 10 years) and I are really, really looking forward to the new Azincourt novel. They are fascinated by the long bow – we are currently working our way through Harlequin (with some creative editing due to their age). With regards to Azincourt, I recently saw a documentary that claimed the long bow perhaps wasn’t the decisive factor in Henry’s army or indeed in the outcome of the battle. Claims were made that archers were employed due to their cheap daily rate and their numbers were used merely to bulk out the army size. It also states that the cheap metal used for the Bodkin arrow-heads was not strong enough to pierce the ‘new’ steel that was used for the French Knights armour. The main factors in the victory would appear to be a combination of mud and poor French leadership. Without wishing for you to give too much of your story away, do you touch on these factors, do they agree with your own research and conclusions?

Please would you also consider turning your talents to the events during 1066. There seem to be some real characters that would benefit from your touch (Harald Hardrason for instance) and the circumstances leading up to and during the battle would give a fantastic opportunity for an Uhtred style adventure. Thanks, as always. Dean Tams, Cumbraland.