1414 is the fifth and penultimate book in Simon Fairfax’s A Knight and a Spy series. I have really enjoyed the entire series, and I will be sorry to come to its end with 1415. I recommend that any reader new to these adventures of Sir Jamie de Grispere begin with the first book, 1410. In it, the main characters of Jamie, Mark of Cornwall, and Christofor Corio of Italy are introduced. In 1414, Fairfax refers quite a few times to events that occurred in the earlier novels, so familiarity with them will definitely enhance the reader’s experience.

So, what happens in 1414? The novel opens with a grim scene: a large group of adherents to a religious sect, Lollardism, is about to be executed for heresy and treason. The new king of England, Henry V, is consolidating his power, even as some of his closest advisors and courtiers scheme to overthrow him.

Sir Richard Whittington once again turns to Jamie de Grispere for a delicate assignment: accompany an English embassy traveling to France to negotiate a treaty with the French king, Charles of Aragon. He is offering his daughter to wed Henry V. The Armagnacs support Charles, but Duke John of Burgundy is still threatening to pull a coup. He is also offering his daughter as a bride to Henry. Lord Scrope is leading the English embassy, but Jamie has doubts regarding his loyalty to Henry V. The negotiations end in disaster, with the French insulting the honor of Henry. They consider him to be young, overly pious, and reluctant to use force. They plan to take advantage of his perceived weakness.

Back in England, Henry is having trouble getting enough ships to form a navy. He needs a strong maritime force to back up his planned invasion of France. Meanwhile, in Cornwall, there are some suspicious things happening. Mark learns that his father has been “approved” (accused by a person awaiting trial) of arson and thrown in jail. The legal system is very corrupt, and he is danger of losing all of his land, which will be taken over by the local lord. Jamie and Christo accompany Mark to his hometown to try to unravel all of the legal machinations being used to strip his family of their land.

On the continent, the geopolitical situation is heating up. The Armagnacs and Burgundians are reaching an agreement that will allow a united France to face England. King Sigismund of Germany has called a religious council to meet at Constance, and England, Germany, Italy, and Scandinavia have gathered there to discuss how to deal with France and the schismatic popes. As always at these diplomatic gatherings, there are all kinds of deadly intrigue.

In 1414, Jamie has matured into a formidable courtier as well as knight. He is fully aware of the potential treachery everyone is capable of, and he is able to anticipate assassination plots before they can be carried out. He also owns land and has a title, bestowed on him by a grateful King Henry V after the trials he underwent in 1413.

Fairfax has researched life in medieval England and France extensively, and even though Jamie, Christo, and Mark are fictional characters, they act within known historical events. There is not much swordplay in 1414, but the stage has been set for Henry’s invasion of France to reclaim the lands he believes he rightfully rules. 1415 should be quite an adventure!