If you are familiar with English history then you know one of their greatest military rivals was France and that the greatest conflict between these two Medieval superpowers was the 100 Years War. Though it did not actually last for exactly 100 years, and several lengthy periods of temporary peace interrupted it. This conflict involved five generations of kings and more countries than just England and France. When king Louis X of France died and left only a female heir in his absence his brother, Philip V, concluded that women should not hold the position of a royal throne and thus ascended as the next French monarch himself. Convenient, right? Ironically, by admission of his own law, Philip's own daughters were not allowed to inherit the kingdom and upon his passing the crown was given to the king's younger brother, Charles IV. But of course, like most European monarchs, he did not last long.
Before this, there had been a gradual rise of tension between England and France. But things only worsened with Charles IV's death. Having a French mother and English father only complicated things. The French nobles never wanted to call Isabella their queen, since she and her lover were suspect of the death of the late English king, Edward II. Through this, territorial disputes arose. While England claimed a territory in southwest France called Gascony, France claimed it also as their own. Soon after this war was officially declared.
The English had won many victories, most notably the Battle of Agincourt. Through these victories their grip on France tightened and more control was given to their Burgundian allies. Not all was well however. King Henry V fell ill and suddenly died. With his death, a 9 month old son was left behind. Henry V gave his brother, the Duke of Bedford, John Lancaster, command of the campaign in France and also temporary rule of England. The duke experienced several victories, one of which weakened the Scots so severely that they were no longer a significant fighting force for the remainder of the war, thus leaving France without their most prominent ally.
This was not the end of the war. Shortly after the Duke of Bedford became the English royal regent the notable figure Joan of Arc appeared and revived the French cause to rule themselves free of any English monarchy. She was very successful, galvanizing the French army toward several victories and overtaking multiple English strongholds along the Loire River.
Around this same time, the young English king-to-be, Henry VI, came of age and claimed the English crown. Joan of Arc's campaign did not go on long and she was soon captured by Burgundy, who burned her at the stake. Though the French war maiden died young, her labors were not in vain and the English gradually lost control. While some wanted to defend their territories, other Englishmen desired for peace talks with France. The war officially ended in 1453 at the Battle of Castillion with a sound French victory.
Now, picture if you will the French resurgence gaining strength before Joan of Arc makes her appearance in 1428. Additionally, John Lancaster, the Lord Protector of England, attempts to murder his nephew and rightful heir of England, Henry VI. This is where my book strays from actual history and becomes a "what if" scenario. The English withdraw from France in the years prior to the book's first chapter. The Duke of Bedford's power grab invites civil war. Meanwhile, the overzealous French king, Charles VII, seeks complete control of France by routing the English-loyal Burgundy forces.
Our hero, a farmhand from Colchester, is caught up in the middle of this strife and forced out of a comfortable and happy life. Lancastrian: The Knight of Colchester follows William as France plots revenge and the Lancaster dynasty scheme to control England as their own. During this journey, William meets up with a group of knights who hold fast to the beliefs of Christian hospitality and chivalry and together they fight to restore their beloved England amidst the threatening prospect of total war in Europe.
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