Hi Mr. Cornwell.

I just finished 1356.  As expected, the usual high-quality of your narrative came through again!  It seems to me that of the “big three” battles of the Hundred Years War, Poitier was the closest, and the one that the French had the best chance of winning.  It was also interesting to see here that the longbow did not play the decisive role, but rather the sheer fighting quality of the English.  It gives the lie to the idea that the English only won because of their archers.  King Jean should have not dismissed the Dauphin’s entire column; rather he should have sent him back to camp with a strong escort while the column went to the rear as a possible reserve.  But I think the big culprit in the French defeat was the Duke of Orleans.  If he had not quit the field, de Buch’s flank attack would have been against him, and the King would still have had his third column in position to counter it.  Is it known what his motive for fleeing was?  Was he ever punished for it?
Lastly, I urge you to not dismiss the idea of one last Thomas of Hookton novel someday.  He deserves closure to his career, and the Black Prince’s last major battle at Najera is the place to give it to him.  Maybe this time, Thomas can search for the gonfalon of Santiago, and you can tie it in to Sharpe’s Rifles.

Alan Kempner