Bernard Cornwell · 2012 · overland

Bernard Cornwell's 2012 novel, fourth of the Grail Quest, set a decade after the first three. Thomas of Hookton now leads a mercenary company in Gascony and is sent to find la Malice, the sword of St Peter, which several people believe will decide the war. The hunt runs across southern France and ends where the Black Prince is brought to battle at Poitiers.

1. 1
   Castillon d'Arbizon

   Ten years after the Grail, Thomas commands the Hellequin, a company of archers and men-at-arms making a living out of the war in Gascony - and is ordered to find a sword that is supposed to make its bearer unbeatable.

2. 2
   Carcassonne

   The search crosses the south, through walled towns, monasteries and the wreckage of a country that has been fought over for twenty years - with a cardinal's men and a Scottish enemy hunting the same relic.

3. 3
   Poitiers

   The Black Prince's raiding army is cut off near Poitiers by a French force four times its size and made to fight - and the archers, dismounted men-at-arms and a hedge decide it, ending with a king of France taken prisoner.