These ten characters constitute a portrayal of the common English soldier’s life during the invasion, which culminates at the famous battle of Crecy.Īll throughout, the descriptions of France are engaging and easy to follow for those who – like me – are largely unfamiliar with this particular chapter of history. The other band members include two intimidating warriors named Scotsman and Millstone, a shrewd soldier of small stature named Pismire, as well as five English and Welsh archers that include the youngest member of the group: a youth named Romford. You’d think an elderly priest might provide stability and guidance to the group, yet Father is a wild card who constantly rocks the boat.

These include ‘Father’, a priest gone rogue and increasingly bereft of his wits, who is a highly original and engaging creation by Jones. In this way, this experienced and dogged leader gains the quiet respect of his colourful, unruly comrades. I say ‘almost’, because there is one thing that still drives Loveday: ensuring that he looks out for all of his men and brings them back home safely. He has also suffered a terrible, personal loss in life, which has left his existence almost bereft of meaning. The band is led by the sombre Loveday FitzTalbot, a jaded veteran who has spent years on end fighting for his country. Jones brings each of these men to life with aplomb, painting a vivid, credible picture of a motley crew with compelling backstories. The band contains men from Essex, yet also places as far flung as Scotland and Wales. This army is also the invasion force that storms France in 1337, thereby kicking off the bloody Hundred Years’ War. The titular Essex Dogs are a band of ten men who form part of a company in the English army led by King Edward III. Because apart from being full of grimdark undertones to match the best dark fantasy out there, Essex Dogs is delivered in a confident and compelling voice, one which breathes new life into the Hundred Years’ War.

Martin – arguably the godfather of Grimdark fantasy fiction – as being the inspiration for him to write this fictional tale. In his debut’s Author’s Note, Jones credits a dinner with the superstar author of A Game Of Thrones, George R.R. Incidentally, the latter even appeared in a very interesting video about the Middle Ages with Dan Jones, which one can watch on YouTube. These admirers and fans include Jones’ fellow historians like Simon Sebag Montefiore, as well as legendary Guns n’ Roses bassist Duff McKagan. Essex Dogs is the fictional debut of acclaimed historian Dan Jones, whose previous bestselling non-fiction titles like Power and Thrones have gained him countless and diverse admirers and fans.

Essex dogs dan jones