No, being a soldier during a fourteenth-century war definitely was no bed of roses, except for the thorns. There is camaraderie, banter, love and anger between each member and at times I forgot that I was reading a medieval novel - often feeling as apt and relatable as a modern war novel. This was not the story of glorious battle and chivalry but, a long hard slog through mud, blood and spilled guts.

The Essex Dogs of the title are a small group of men-at-arms and archers who fought in the Hundred Years War between England and France as a part of King Edward III's forces. At times it felt a bit like a cross between Blackadder, Robin Hood’s merry man and a bunch of English lads drinking in Ibiza. The ending of this one, which seems to work to set up the series as a whole more than anything, certainly points to that. The relationships between characters in "The Essex Dogs" are reminded me of the deep connections formed between soldiers in the 506th Regiment. Despite its author’s professional background, the novel’s relationship to history is notably loose and irreverent.Yep, England wanted what France had either rightfully taken, or illegally seized, all depending on your POV.

Frequently carried out after many days of travelling by foot, in barren landscapes and unrelenting heat. But I have read and enjoyed books by Dan Jones in the past and so when the title came up I added it to my TBR list.The story is told primarily from the perspective of the common soldier in such time and in such a campaign and the telling is crude, vulgar, and assorted other unpleasant adjectives and is probably entirely accurate to the reality of war at this time. I am a huge Cornwell fan so instantly picked this novel up as it was touted to ‘stand shoulder to shoulder with Bernard Cornwell’. We get to know the individual members of the Essex Dogs who, as a medieval band of brothers, try to protect each other and try to stay alive. Entertaining and displaying a deep knowledge of the way wars were fought during the Hundred Tears War, this was a solid story.

Truth skillfully weaves together the characters, including Nico; his brother, Sebastian; Sebastian’s wife, Fannie; and the “heartless deceiver” Udo. I was expecting the history as handle by this historian to be completely accurate and he suggested that that wasn't so. Dan Jones has ventured into historical fiction with this book, blending real historical events and figures with fictional elements to create an engaging narrative.This book starts out brilliantly following a small group of ten soldiers (Englishmen, Scotsmen, Welsh folk and others), the Essex Dogs, as they arrive on the shores of Normandy in 1346 to storm the beaches and take France for King Edward III. The story does illicit a certain window of the personalities and idea's of the time, but nevertheless still comes up a little short.

They walk; they ride; they fight and when they win, burn down whole villages, killing or chasing away the common folk who live there. It is a book that you just enjoy reading, it is pure fun and something I will recommend to fantasy lovers as a great entry of historical fiction to try.Those who know their history will know where this book will end, but Dan Jones injects a whole dose of unexpected twists and turns that keep you on your toes, whilst also allowing him to explore a whole range of themes. Rape is heavily implied too by the author without gratuitously dwelling on this dark aspect of medieval conquest.