In the year of grace 1345, Sir Roger Baron de Tourneville is gathering an army to join King Edward III in the war against France. A most astonishing event occurs: a huge silver ship descends through the sky and lands in a pasture beside the little village of Ansby in northeastern Lincolnshire.
The alien Wersgorix are quite expert at taking over planets. But this time they're encountering something new; they've launched their invasion against free Englishmen! Sir Roger becomes inspired. He intends for the aliens to fly the ship to help vanquish the infidel. Unexpectedly, they find themselves where no man has gone before.
After reading Three Hearts and Three Lions, I went looking for more from Poul Anderson. This highly entertaining adventure is really imaginative. At the same time the English characters adhere to the correct cultural standards and thoughts of medieval times. It's a nice juggling act, facilitated by having a village priest narrate the story.
In one sense this is a kissing cousin to A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court by Mark Twain but with a lighter hand and a comic tongue in cheek. For example:
"We have one prisoner who speaks Latin -- "A fun romp all round!
"I would not say that, sire," I interrupted. "His declensions are atrocious, and what he does to irregular verbs may not be described in gentle company."
Ah, it's a delightful book. It's been ages since I last read it. I need to dig out my copy and read it again.
ReplyDelete