For the King's Favor by Elizabeth Chadwick

"When Roger Bigod arrives at King Henry II's court to settle a bitter inheritance dispute, he becomes enchanted with Ida de Tosney, young mistress to the powerful king. A victim of Henry's seduction and the mother of his son, Ida sees in Roger a chance to begin a new life. But Ida pays an agonizing price when she leaves the king, and as Roger's importance grows and he gains an earldom, their marriage comes under increasing strain. Based on the true story of a royal mistress and the young lord she chose to marry, For the King's Favor is Elizabeth Chadwick at her best."
(from the publisher)

my thoughts:

I've heard so much about Elizabeth Chadwick's ability to make the medieval world come alive that I was very much looking forward to reading one of her novels. She did not disappoint -- For the King's Favor was a memorable tale of love, honor, duty, and sacrifice. Chadwick's writing made this period in history come alive, and the characters were richly drawn.

As a favored mistress of King Henry II, Ida de Tosney is duty-bound to serve her king and, as a result, gives birth to a son. But she longs for her own family with a husband of her choice, and she sees the honorable and noble knight, Roger Bigod, as the key to her future and independence from the king. In order to marry Bigod, however, Ida must make the ultimate sacrifice and leave her son, William, to be raised as a royal in the care of the court of King Henry.

Roger Bigod must also remain in the king's favor as he is attempting to recover his lands which were lost by his father's rebellious actions against the king. His stepmother, Gundreda, and half-brothers fight Roger every step, as they contend that they are the legitimate heirs of the vast inheritance and earldom.

The love story of Ida and Roger is a poignant one; together they struggle with their own deep wounds from the past, deal with the strains of long separations, and continue to build a future together at Framlingham Castle. A superb tale, and I'm looking forward to reading Chadwick's The Greatest Knight and The Scarlet Lion.


5/5 stars

Title: For the King's Favor
Author: Elizabeth Chadwick
Sourcebooks
2010
525 pages
genre: historical fiction

The Sunne in Splendour by Sharon Kay Penman

"In this beautifully rendered modern classic, Sharon Kay Penman redeems Richard III --vilified as the bitter, twisted, scheming hunchback who murdered his nephews, the princes in the Tower--from his maligned place in history with a dazzling combination of research and storytelling.

Born into the treacherous courts of fifteenth-century England, in the midst of what history has called the War of the Roses, Richard was raised in the shadow of his charismatic brother, King Edward IV. Loyal to his friends and passionately in love with one woman who was denied him, Richard emerges as a gifted man far more sinned against than sinning." (from the publisher)

my thoughts:

No doubt about it, Sharon Kay Penman is completely deserving of her reputation as a meticulous researcher and dedicated historian. In this revisionist version of the life and times of Richard III, Penman blends the facts with convincing evidence that this much-maligned historical figure was in actuality an admirable man, devoted to his family, highly principled, and incapable of carrying out the murders of his nephews (the princes in the tower).

I found this book to be very enlightening and enriching, challenging me as I read it in chunks and then taking some time to reflect. (I even kept a little notebook handy to jot down important notes about the plot and the many historical figures involved in the War of Roses.) I consider myself to be a general reader of historical fiction, so my background in this period is very limited. I'm not a history major, nor am I well-versed in any particular English historical period, so perhaps this novel would have moved along faster if I was better informed about the details of the reign of Edward IV and Richard III. It was daunting in the amount of political detail and history -- a span of thirty-three years -- and it took me a while to really hit my stride with this book. The book is divided into four sections, and it wasn't until the last portion of the book that I really began to feel a connection to it. Overall, I'm very glad to have read The Sunne in Splendour , and I plan on reading Penman's Here Be Dragons in the future.

On a side note, I was watching an interview with Sharon Kay Penman and was fascinated (and horrified) to learn that while she was in the process of writing this novel, the original manuscript of The Sunne in Splendour (representing several years of research and writing) was stolen from her car! (She jokingly blamed it on Tudor ghosts, but admitted that she was actually devastated by the incident.) Here is part 1 of the interview where she discusses her mystery books and her historicals.



4/5 stars

Title: The Sunne in Splendour
Author: Sharon Kay Penman
931 pages
St. Martin's Press
1982
historical fiction

A Morbid Taste for Bones by Ellis Peters

"In the remote Welsh mountain village of Gwytherin lies the grave of Saint Winifred. Now, in 1137, the ambitious head of Shrewsbury Abbey has decided to acquire the sacred remains for his Benedictine order. Native Welshman Brother Cadfael is sent on the expedition to translate and finds the rustic villagers of Gwytherin passionately divided by the Benedictine's offer for the saint's relics. Canny, wise, and all too worldy, he isn't surprised when this taste for bones leads to bloody murder.

The leading opponent to moving the grave has been shot dead with a mysterious arrow, and some say Winifred herself held the bow. Brother Cadfael knows a carnal hand did the killing. But he doesn't know that his plan to unearth a murderer may dig up a case of love and justice...where the wages of sin may be scandal or Cadfael's own ruin." (from the publisher)

my thoughts:

I first became acquainted with Ellis Peters and her mystery series when I read her historical fiction work, The Heaven Tree Trilogy. Ellis Peters is a pen name for Edith Pargeter, an author that has been receiving much attention on the historical fiction blogs lately due to Sourcebook's upcoming release of the Brothers of Gwynedd Quartet. I also am participating in A Tournament of Reading Challenge hosted by Medieval Bookworm, so I thought this would be a good time to give the series a try.

At only 197 pages, this cozy mystery is perfect for a quick read, but while it is short, it's rich in period details of monastic life and 12th century life, with a tight, clever plot.

Brother Cadfael is at the heart of this introductory medieval mystery, a very likeable, prosaic Benedictine monk who is skilled in the art of herbal medicine. He has come to the monastic way of life later than most after experiencing battles as a soldier in the Crusades, time spent as a sea captain, and a few well-enjoyed dalliances with women. These life experiences have given Brother Cadfael a peace about his religious way of life, as well as a realistic understanding of human nature and matters of the heart.

When the head of the Shrewsbury Abbey decides that it would be beneficial for the Order to obtain the sacred remains of a martyred saint buried in the Welsh village of Gwytherin, Cadfael is dispatched along with five other brothers to bring the sacred remains back in a reliquary. The monks were not prepared for the strong opposition from the residents of the village, and unfortunately find themselves suspects when a very vocal opponent is found murdered.

Using his skills from the battlefield and intuition, Brother Cadfael is drawn into the mystery surrounding the murder and must use his medical skills and powers of observation to understand the motive for the killing, the true cause of death, and find the murderer... a medieval CSI, if you will. A subplot of lovers kept apart by the social mores of the day adds a little romance to the mystery. A bit of a slow start and some minors characters were hard to keep straight since they were not adequately fleshed out, but an exciting, page-turning ending with a touch of wry humor and poetic justice gave it a strong finish.

For a complete list of all the Brother Cadfael mysteries, click here.


3/5 stars

Title: A Morbid Taste for Bones
Author: Ellis Peters
Publisher: Hachette Book Group
1977
197 pages
genre: medieval mystery

The Founding - Book 1 in the Morland Dynasty by Cynthia Harrod-Eagles

"Against the turbulent years of the Wars of the Roses, an epic saga unfolds of passion, hatred, conflict, and fierce desires. The Founding of the Morland Dynasty..." (from the publisher)

my thoughts:

Curiosity about this mega-historical fiction series prompted me to explore book #1 of the Morland Dynasty, a series which recently has reached thirty-two volumes in total. While it's doubtful that I will ever complete all thirty plus volumes, (you can put money on it that I won't--I'm such a slow reader!), it is a worthwhile series for those with an interest in English history and family sagas.

The first book establishes the Morland family as wealthy Yorkshire sheep farmers and landowners in the fifteenth century. Edward Morland arranges a marriage for his son, Robert, with the proud and haughty Eleanor Courteney; while she has no dowry to bring to the marriage, she has royal connections which, together with her husband's wealth, brings power and prestige to the Morland family. Robert quickly comes to adore his wife, and she takes on her role as a dutiful but dispassionate wife; she secretly loves another man.

Births and deaths, politics and battles, secret loves and family angst, the Morland family has its share of prosperity and tragedy...over several generations and the period of the Wars of the Roses, Eleanor emerges as the family matriarch who, over the course of her life, staunchly supports the Yorks and suffers the loss of many family members to that cause.

While there was a nice balance of period history and family storyline, I found the most interesting aspect of the book was the way the author brought the fifteenth century to life with details of everyday living; fashions, food, marriages, the mindset of people during this time in history...it was all very well done and well researched.

For a complete listing of the series and information on the Morland Dynasty, click here.

4/5 stars

Title: The Founding
Author: Cynthia Harrod-Eagles
1980
527 pages
genre: historical fiction

The Heaven Tree Trilogy by Edith Pargeter

I have actually been waiting a long time to write this post; as a matter of fact, I first found this tome by Edith Pargeter at the library last year, and I have been working my way through it inch by inch like a bookworm. Truth is, it is a fantastic collection, but like the writings of Dorothy Dunnett or Sharon Kay Penman, I had to move slowly to give it thoughtful, careful attention to fully enjoy its richness.

I'm certainly not going to try to critique her writing or even give it a review --let's just say that it is a work that anyone who enjoys rich, vivid, sweeping melodramatic historicals would enjoy, so I'm sharing this treasure that is a true gem.


The Heaven Tree Trilogy by Edith Pargeter collection of works: The Heaven Tree, The Green Branch, and The Scarlet Seed.

"Set on the volatile, hotly disputed Welsh border, this full-bodied, swift-moving story of deadly politics, clashing armies, and private passions sweeps the reader into its characters' grand quest for justice and vengeance. The trilogy focuses on Harry Talvace, who bears stamped on his face the lineage of Shrewsbury's Norman conquerors. Born to aristocratic parents and nursed by a stone mason's wife, he grows up fiercely loyal to his breast-brother, the sunny, irresistibly charming Adam. Harry also discovers that he has a gift--the ability to carve stone with the sure hand of genius.

In his fifteenth year, Harry's devotion to Adam and his obsession to sculpt set into motion the thrilling tale of The Heaven Tree. Rebelling against his father and fleeing England to save Adam, Harry finds his destiny entangled in the affairs of commoners and kings, divided by two women -- the courageous dark-haired Gilleis and the beautiful courtesan Benedetta--and pledged to the brooding, mysterious Lord of Parfois, Ralf Isambard, who sponsors Harry's monumental creation of a cathedral.
And while Wales and France challenge England's crown, these men and women follow their desires toward jealously, pitiless revenge, and passion so madly glorious neither time nor a merciless execution can end it.

In Volume Two, The Green Branch, Harry's son, young Harry Talvace, is drawn into the fabulous intrigues of the court of Llewelyn, Prince of North Wales, and bound by blood oath to find and kill his father's old enemy, Esambard. Yet the threads that bind his life to the ruthless Isambard are not so easily severed, as Harry falls under the spell of the aging warrior Lord.

The Scarlet Seed, Volume Three, brings full circle this tale of implacable enmity and unshakeable loyalty. As a kingdom shudders under the flames of civil war and captor becomes captive, the final siege of Parfois creates a climax to this tale so majestic, noble, and heartbreaking, no reader will ever forget it."
(from the publisher)

4.5/5 stars

There are other works by this author that I'm hoping to read sometime before I depart from this earth.....if only there will be enough time.....!

The Brothers of Gwynedd Quartet (Sunrise in the West, The Dragons at Noonday, The Hounds of Sunset, Afterglow and Nightfall) Set in Wales at the time of the
Plantagenets, this is a saga of the descendants of Llewelyn the Great

Writing under the name Ellis Peters, there is also The Brother Cadfael medieval mystery series

Title: The Heaven Tree Trilogy
Author: Edith Pargeter
Warner Books
1960
899 pages
genre: historical fiction

Tournament of Reading Challenge 2010

I'm adding one more reading challenge for 2010, the Tournament of Reading Challenge that is hosted by Medieval Bookworm.

This challenge is designed to get us all reading a little more medieval literature in 2010. The challenge will run from January 1st to December 31st, 2010, and will be hosted at Medieval Bookworm. Challenge genres include history, medieval literature, and historical fiction. Medieval, for simplicity of definition, will be from 500-1500, and literature from all over the world is welcome, not just western Europe. There are 3 levels:

Peasant – Read 3 medieval books of any kind.
Lord – Read 6 medieval books, at least one of each kind.
King – Read 9 medieval books, at least two of each kind.

I have at least three books planned for this challenge, but I may increase my numbers as the year progresses. (There are several suggested readings for this challenge on the sign-up post.)

l. The Greatest Knight by Elizabeth Chadwick
2. Here Be Dragons by Sharon Kay Penman
3,4,5. The Heaven Tree Trilogy by Edith Pergeter (counts as three books)
6. to be selected

Bring on the chainmail!