Jonathan Sumption

One of Sumption's recurring themes through the whole of his history of the Hundred Years War is that because France was much more populous and (largely therefore, in an age of near-subsistence economies) richer, the English could only be successful when they were united under effective leadership while the French were simultaneously divided. That was very much the case in 1422, but the following three decades may largely be characterized as a story of the revival of the French monarchy while show more the English one started to crumble. Rising French tax revenues and declining English ones inexorably turned the tide on the battlefield.

Inevitably, the brief but spectacular career of Joan of Arc gets extensive coverage. Sumption, though, doesn't seem too impressed by her personally, and believes that the English siege of Orléans would most likely have failed even without her intervention. Her importance, as he sees it, was largely psychological, and her effect was to accelerate, rather than cause, the French recovery.

The high quality of Sumption's writing is sustained through this final volume, but editing seemed to be slightly laxer (a sign of the changing circumstances of the publishing industry I guess?). The book would have benefited from being read on paper because the maps are hard to read on my e-reader. show less

Sumptions justifies a the title of this fourth volume of his history of the Hundred Years' War by listing a whole slew of "cursed kings" in the foreword, but chief of them is obviously the sad figure of Charles VI of France, during whose decades of mental illness France is wracked first by civil war, then by English conquest and continuing civil war.

But a curse of a different kind may be said to have struck Henry V, who was struck down by disease in the prime of life, his conquest of France show more half-finished. His death left the guardians of his infant heir duty-bound to carry it on, but simultaneously too weak to complete it and too strong to be kicked out quickly, condemning both kingdoms to another generation of war.

Sumption's narrative remains lucid and engaging, despite the confusing multitude of events and personalities. I'm looking forward to getting started on the fifth and final volume. show less

This is the best synthesis of a terribly confusing conflict. Of the three volumes published so far, this book is the most challenging. It is a competent review of the period that succeeded the great English victories of Edward III. But it has a sad tale to tell from the English point of view. Edward III, worn out, retires from the active command. His successors are lesser men, incapable of completing the conquest of France. Into the bargain, no battlefield successes means no flow of ransoms show more to fuel the military machine, or keep up morale in the face of a successful French guerrilla War.
The French have learned to avoid pitched battles, and substitute surprise attacks on the cities and castles held by the English. In addition, Flanders is worn down by the constant pressure exerted by the Dukes of Burgundy, who is busily expanding his appanage. the matter of Brittany leads to fruitless but expensive English expeditions, and are coupled with John of Gaunt's wasteful attempts to secure the throne of Castile. Nothing works, Edward dies,,, and is then replaced...er...succeeded by Richard II.
Volume three of this the work remains a triumph due to the depth of learning and narrative skills that Jonathan Sumpton brings to the task. show less

Part 2 of a narrative history of the 100 years war. Sumption superbly marshals his facts and thoughts to provide an exciting and readable account of this period of history. From the extensive references and bibliography supplied this has been a tremendous undertaking. it is a complicated history and Sumptions achievement here is to make some sense of it all.

It is however more than just a narrative history. Sumption is also able to some extent to leave the reader with an idea of how and why show more men thought and acted as they did. Portraits of the principle characters such as Edward III, The Black Prince, John II, Charles V, and the King of Navarre emerge from the narrative. There are insights into the rules of chivalry, which somehow existed at the same time as some of the most brutal hand to hand fighting and lack of respect for human life. There is also plenty of space given to the important battles and their aftermath: Poitiers, the capture of the French King, Najera, the great company's of 1360 and 1367 are all vividly brought to life. Plenty of maps with troop movements are supplied to enable one to follow the story

A major thread running through this period is the issue of financing an army and getting into a position to be effective. Logistical and supply problems more often than not were instrumental in the success or failure of a campaign and Sumption is able to provide much of these details and still keep the narrative flowing. The war of course spread to Scotland, Flanders, Spain, the Papal states and all this is coherently woven into the story.

My only slight quibble is that the proof reading could have been a bit better and Dax is not in the foothills of the Pyrenees. (My goodness I sound like a reviewer from the TLS)

On now to part 3 which I believe has recently been published. show less