Blood Divide: A novel of Flodden Field

by John Sadler

Overview

Flodden , September 1513. Across a boggy valley, two armies confront each other. The Scots, backed by European allies, have superior numbers and the latest cannon to challenge a depleted English force. The English are furious and humiliated that they are not fighting alongside King Henry against their real enemy in France. The Battle of Flodden would prove one of the bloodiest ever fought on British soil, shaping Scottish national identity to this day. Sir Thomas Howard, shrewd but ancient, leads the English forces. Alexander, 3rd Lord Hume, bold but impetuous, leads the Scots. Isabella Hoppringle, Abbess of Coldstream, young and determined, struggles to keep her footing among the tides of violence. John Heron, Bastard of Ford, swaggering, violent, and disreputable, the black sheep of a good English family, finds profit while men die. Blood Divide sets us right at the heart of the action; the stink, sweat and fear, the curtain of red mist.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781782640899
Publisher:	SPCK (Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge)
Publication date:	10/24/2014
Edition description:	New Edition
Pages:	352
Product dimensions:	5.00(w) x 7.70(h) x 3.70(d)

About the Author

John Sadler is a very experienced miliary historian, a fellow of the Royal Historical Society, and the author of more than two dozen books. He is a very experienced and much travelled battlefield tour guide covering most major conflicts in the UK, Europe and North Africa

Editorial Reviews

Medieval historic fiction gets the 'Sharpe' makeover, gripping, visceral and accessible, devoid of sentiment, laced with dark humour.

September 1513. Two armies faced each other. The Battle of Flodden would prove one of the bloodiest ever fought on British soil. The Scots, backed by European allies, superior numbers and the latest cannon, faced a depleted English force furious at being kept away from the real fighting in France. Five centuries on, and the slaughter still occupies a core position in Scottish mythology and in the pantheon of heroic failures. John Sadler brings this critical battle vividly to life through a handful of key characters. Sir Thomas Howard, shrewd but ancient, leads the English forces; Alexander, 3rd Lord Hume, bold but impetuous, leads the Scots. Isabella Hoppringle, Abbess of Coldstream, young and determined, hub of a web of influential women throughout the Scottish borders, struggles to keep her footing among the tides of violence. John Heron, Bastard of Ford, swaggering, violent and disreputable, the black sheep of a good English family, is confident of finding profit while men die. Blood Divide puts you in the heart of the action; the stink, sweat and fear, the curtain of red mist.

From the Publisher