Vagabond by Bernard Cornwell. This was a new author for me. I only just hear about these historical fiction novels from a running friend of mine over coffee the other week. Then I found one at a second hand charity shop on the way home from visiting my mum. $3.50 in good condition seem fair enough and worth a try.
It only took a couple of pages and I was totally hooked and even making extra time to squeeze a few more pages in. I really like the way these historical fiction books build a colourful story around historical events. I find it boring just to read all the dates but as soon as the the author turns these historical leaders into people with real life issues and problems it comes a lot more interesting. In this book the main character was English long bow archer involved in a lot of well known battles but was also involved to some side adventures try hunting down the lost holy grail. The last three pages of the book then detailed the more recognized historical time line.
The only bad part of this book was it was the middle one of a three part series. I am now on the hunt for books one and three which when found might mean a reread of Vagabond.
It looks like Mr Bernard Cornwell has a lot of other books too and one Netflix series based on The Saxon Stories series. I remember watching shows called "The Last Kingdom" and liking it too.