THE BLESSED TRADE

(MARJORIE WARD)

This is the story of the British soldier in the age of fighting as a profession, from Anglo-Saxon times to the French Revolution.  It is not the history of campaigns and regiments but of the men who went to war; their story told in their own words.

Marjorie Ward has assembled an enthralling collection of original narratives written by men like the poet at the Battle of Maldon in 991, the chroniclers of the Crusades, the splendid Corporal Todd – and by Kit Ross, surely the most remarkable woman ever to have worn the King’s Coat.  The story these people tell is a harsh one: marching, deserting, punishment, hunger, looting and just enduring the squalor and danger of campaigning.  There are, though, glorious moments, when the horrors of war are redeemed by fortitude and self-sacrifice, and by what has been the chief mark of the ‘Tommy’ for a thousand years: a wry and tough sense of humour.

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This 1995 1^st edition hardback publication is in very good overall condition.  The pages are tightly bound and are free from tears (other than the top corner on the front endpaper roughly cut away; see photograph), creases, and significant marks.  The dustjacket displays some rubbing and light knocks to the edges and corners (see photograph).  The book runs to 300 pages (21.5cm x 13cm), includes an interesting bibliography and useful index.