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Bigod #2
To Defy A King
From acclaimed novelist Elizabeth Chadwick comes a story of huge emotional power set against the road to Magna Carta and the fight to bring a tyrant king to heel.The privileged daughter of one of the most powerful men in England, Mahelt Marshal's life changes dramatically when her father is suspected of treachery by King John. Her brothers become hostages and Mahelt is married to Hugh Bigod, heir to the earldom of Norfolk. Adapting to her new life is hard, but Mahelt comes to love Hugh deeply; however, defying her father-in-law brings disgrace and heartbreak.When King John sets out to subdue the Bigods, Mahelt faces a heartbreaking battle, fearing neither she, nor her marriage, is likely to survive the outcome . . .Winner of the RNA Historical Novel Award 2011, TO DEFY A KING is magnificent in scope and detail, with characters that leap off the page - this is historical fiction at its finest.
561 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 6, 2010
227 people are currently reading
4246 people want to read
About the author
Elizabeth Chadwick
48 books3,260 followersBest selling historical novelist Elizabeth Chadwick won a Betty Trask Award for her first novel The Wild Hunt. She has been shortlisted for the UK's mainstream Best Romantic Novel of the Year Award 4 times and longlisted twice. Her novel The Scarlet Lion about the great William Marshal and his wife Isabelle de Clare, has been selected by Richard Lee, founder of the Historical Novel Society as one of the landmark historical novels of the last ten years.
When not at her desk, she can be found taking long walks with the dog, baking cakes, reading books (of course!) exploring ruins, listening to various brands of rock and metal music, and occasionally slaving over a steaming cauldron with re-enactment society Regia Anglorum.
When not at her desk, she can be found taking long walks with the dog, baking cakes, reading books (of course!) exploring ruins, listening to various brands of rock and metal music, and occasionally slaving over a steaming cauldron with re-enactment society Regia Anglorum.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 344 reviews
February 18, 2017
3.5 stars. I didn't like this as much as the others in the series, partly because there were so many characters that I didn't like - it's during King John's reign, so I guess you have to expect some of that. Chadwick got me feeling angry about lots of characters - King John, of course, and his nephew, Ida's son, but also Roger Bigod, who really disappointed me. I thought he was made of better stuff after quite liking him in For the King's Favor. Now that I look back, I realize there were hints in that book of who he would become.
I also felt Mahelt's frustration at her powerlessness in the face of men, her isolation from her family, and her struggles to meet the very different expectations of her marriage family. I liked that she didn't give up in spite of everything, and didn't lose her spirit. Not for lack of being squashed! It was realistic for her time, but I don't have to like it.
The other reason I didn't like this as much is that Mahelt's viewpoint was really limited. She wasn't able to take as active a role in the Bigod family as her mother did in the Marshal household. Much of the real action took place either by messenger, or in her husband Hugh's point of view, which was still peripheral. I'm glad I had read The Scarlet Lion because the central events were more directly explored there from William Marshal's point of view.
I also felt Mahelt's frustration at her powerlessness in the face of men, her isolation from her family, and her struggles to meet the very different expectations of her marriage family. I liked that she didn't give up in spite of everything, and didn't lose her spirit. Not for lack of being squashed! It was realistic for her time, but I don't have to like it.
The other reason I didn't like this as much is that Mahelt's viewpoint was really limited. She wasn't able to take as active a role in the Bigod family as her mother did in the Marshal household. Much of the real action took place either by messenger, or in her husband Hugh's point of view, which was still peripheral. I'm glad I had read The Scarlet Lion because the central events were more directly explored there from William Marshal's point of view.
April 16, 2012
I appreciate that the author stayed true to history and did her research, however, I felt like I was always waiting for action. While there is plenty of conflict throughout this book, it always seemed like too docile and true action seemed to be avoided. There were too few moments of excitement which, in a book that includes war, was a bit disappointing. Everything was described well enough to be envisioned, but I never truly felt like it came to life for me. I felt no connection with Mahelt and could never figure out how I felt about her. The disconnect between the main character and myself may have caused an ever greater divide between me and the actual story, but I kept thinking that something would happen to really grab me. I never found that.
It is a good book and I love how much research and truth it represents, but my constant thirst for action which was never quenched leads to this book being just being 'okay' in my opinion.
It is a good book and I love how much research and truth it represents, but my constant thirst for action which was never quenched leads to this book being just being 'okay' in my opinion.
May 24, 2010
If you are looking to immerse yourself in medieval England, look no farther than this novel. Not only will you feel as tho you are really in the story, but you will gasp in shock, smile, chuckle here and there, and at one point, shed a tear or two. On top of all that, you will also learn about King John's reign and the rebellions that ensued throughout.
To read full review: http://wwwbookbabe.blogspot.com/2010/...
To read full review: http://wwwbookbabe.blogspot.com/2010/...
January 4, 2021
4 and 1/2 Stars - Brilliant Telling of Love in the midst of Terrible Times in King John’s England
October is Medieval month on the blog and I’m beginning with a great story.
Set in 13th century England, this 6th in the William Marshal/Bigod series is the story of Mahelt Marshall, the eldest daughter of William and Isabelle Marshall, and her marriage to Hugh Bigod, heir to the earldom of Norfolk. If you read The Greatest Knight and The Scarlet Lion first, you will have a solid foundation for this story.
The villain of the story is King John, a cruel tyrant, a murderer of children and a despoiler of women, particularly those wed to his barons. But this is also the love story of Mahelt and Hugh and how their love survived those horrible times. Mahelt is spirited and courageous, like her father and Hugh is a steady, loyal man who loves his wife.
The story begins as the young Mahelt is taken into the Bigod family to be protected until her marriage to Hugh. Then her brothers become King John’s hostages and Mahelt and Hugh are quickly married as her father leaves for his property in Ireland. She must grow up and quickly to handle all she is presented with, including a father-in-law who treats her like chattel.
When King John sets out to subdue the Bigods and her young son is taken hostage, Mahelt faces a heartbreaking battle, fearing neither she, nor her marriage, will survive.
A brilliant weaving of historical fact with fiction that brings this period in England’s history to life. I thoroughly enjoyed it.
October is Medieval month on the blog and I’m beginning with a great story.
Set in 13th century England, this 6th in the William Marshal/Bigod series is the story of Mahelt Marshall, the eldest daughter of William and Isabelle Marshall, and her marriage to Hugh Bigod, heir to the earldom of Norfolk. If you read The Greatest Knight and The Scarlet Lion first, you will have a solid foundation for this story.
The villain of the story is King John, a cruel tyrant, a murderer of children and a despoiler of women, particularly those wed to his barons. But this is also the love story of Mahelt and Hugh and how their love survived those horrible times. Mahelt is spirited and courageous, like her father and Hugh is a steady, loyal man who loves his wife.
The story begins as the young Mahelt is taken into the Bigod family to be protected until her marriage to Hugh. Then her brothers become King John’s hostages and Mahelt and Hugh are quickly married as her father leaves for his property in Ireland. She must grow up and quickly to handle all she is presented with, including a father-in-law who treats her like chattel.
When King John sets out to subdue the Bigods and her young son is taken hostage, Mahelt faces a heartbreaking battle, fearing neither she, nor her marriage, will survive.
A brilliant weaving of historical fact with fiction that brings this period in England’s history to life. I thoroughly enjoyed it.
July 14, 2016
The William Marshal saga concludes with the story of Mahelt, William Marshal’s eldest and (presumably) most favored daughter. In this novel, we follow her as a young girl arguing with her brothers over a game of knights, her early betrothal and marriage to Hugh Bigod of Norfolk, her happy but sometimes complicated married life, her father’s falling out of favor with the English king, and the decisions she and her husband have to make to stay afloat against the tides of war.
To Defy a King is the only book from the series to have a woman as a central character—and one who had led such an extraordinary life at that. Here, Mahelt Marshal is everything a woman in her time normally isn’t: she is brave, outspoken and strong-willed. She is also stubborn and impulsive, which sometimes get her into trouble. In a “man’s world”, she easily upsets the conventional balance of things, and her father-in-law often thinks how her wings need clipping off. Fortunately for Mahelt, her father dotes on her, and her husband, while not always supportive of her candor, trusts and respects her judgment all the same.
I liked how the author has explored Mahelt’s relationship with the people around her. She grows up loved and sheltered, and desires the same kind of affinity with her marriage family. Indeed, life with Hugh has been fortunate for her, as he is not only kind and loving but is also patient in dealing with her forceful nature. Even when her loyalty between her blood family and Hugh is tested during the discord in King John’s reign, Hugh remains her steadfast partner and champion. She cherishes the maternal affection of her mother-in-law Ida de Tosney but is also aggrieved by her weakness and palpable partiality to her first-born son (who is born out of a previous liaison with King Henry II). Mahelt has also been constantly at odds with her father-in-law, Roger Bigod, although their stiff relationship has thawed a bit in the end.
Historical facts are interposed suitably in this fictional recounting of Mahelt’s life. King John starts to doubt her father’s loyalty and tries to harass him in any way he can think of. I’ve first known King John from another Chadwick book (The Champion), but it is here where I learned more about his loathsome nature and the deplorable things he did during his reign that led his barons to draft the Magna Carta. He was so despicable that I didn’t even feel sorry for him when he died miserable and in pain.
I’m a bit sad though about how married life has turned out for Roger Bigod and Ida de Tosney in this book, especially when they have beaten the odds to prove their love in The Time of Singing (William Marshal #4). Here,
Politics in these modern times is dirty, but I think medieval politics is by far dirtier, and it seems unthinkable—and more so terrible—that anyone from Mahelt’s time could be damaged or put into an uncompromising position just because a king willed it so. Having said that, it also made me appreciate the honorable path William Marshal and the Bigods had taken, which significantly served as an antecedent to keeping a check-and-balance of sovereignty in the years to come.
Overall, I enjoyed this read. I’m not only entertained by it but am also reminded to value history more and not forget about the valiant people from the past who led us to where we are now.
To Defy a King is the only book from the series to have a woman as a central character—and one who had led such an extraordinary life at that. Here, Mahelt Marshal is everything a woman in her time normally isn’t: she is brave, outspoken and strong-willed. She is also stubborn and impulsive, which sometimes get her into trouble. In a “man’s world”, she easily upsets the conventional balance of things, and her father-in-law often thinks how her wings need clipping off. Fortunately for Mahelt, her father dotes on her, and her husband, while not always supportive of her candor, trusts and respects her judgment all the same.
I liked how the author has explored Mahelt’s relationship with the people around her. She grows up loved and sheltered, and desires the same kind of affinity with her marriage family. Indeed, life with Hugh has been fortunate for her, as he is not only kind and loving but is also patient in dealing with her forceful nature. Even when her loyalty between her blood family and Hugh is tested during the discord in King John’s reign, Hugh remains her steadfast partner and champion. She cherishes the maternal affection of her mother-in-law Ida de Tosney but is also aggrieved by her weakness and palpable partiality to her first-born son (who is born out of a previous liaison with King Henry II). Mahelt has also been constantly at odds with her father-in-law, Roger Bigod, although their stiff relationship has thawed a bit in the end.
Historical facts are interposed suitably in this fictional recounting of Mahelt’s life. King John starts to doubt her father’s loyalty and tries to harass him in any way he can think of. I’ve first known King John from another Chadwick book (The Champion), but it is here where I learned more about his loathsome nature and the deplorable things he did during his reign that led his barons to draft the Magna Carta. He was so despicable that I didn’t even feel sorry for him when he died miserable and in pain.
I’m a bit sad though about how married life has turned out for Roger Bigod and Ida de Tosney in this book, especially when they have beaten the odds to prove their love in The Time of Singing (William Marshal #4). Here,
Politics in these modern times is dirty, but I think medieval politics is by far dirtier, and it seems unthinkable—and more so terrible—that anyone from Mahelt’s time could be damaged or put into an uncompromising position just because a king willed it so. Having said that, it also made me appreciate the honorable path William Marshal and the Bigods had taken, which significantly served as an antecedent to keeping a check-and-balance of sovereignty in the years to come.
Overall, I enjoyed this read. I’m not only entertained by it but am also reminded to value history more and not forget about the valiant people from the past who led us to where we are now.
May 30, 2011
Another incredible novel by Chadwick!!! Love, love, love her... she is one of the BEST historian fiction writers ever!!!
January 6, 2023
We are both what time has wrought of us
As I have written in a few other reviews of Chadwick's novels - she is a master in bringing to life the medieval world and creating fascinating complex characters. I love reading her books. Yet, it was another one that lacks in action, in a plot that would make my heartbeat increase (especially that many events I knew from previous parts of the series). I appreciate that the author wants to be historically accurate as much as possible, but, perhaps, it could have been a bit more gripping story.
Still, a great novel, worth reading - without a doubt.
[4.5 stars]
PS If you are interested in what happened next (and at the same time, but from another perspective) I would recommend (if you haven't read it yet) Welsh Princes Series by Sharon Kay Penman. The first part of the series is i.a. about Joanna, the illegitimate daughter of King John, and the second is about Eleanor, the legitimate daughter of King John. Eleanor was (for a few years) the second wife of Will, William Marshal's heir, which we won't know from Elizabeth Chadwick's series because the marriage took place a few years after the series plot ended.
May 21, 2010
To Defy A King tells the story of Mahelt Marshal, favourite daughter of the powerful William Marshal, Earl of Pembroke. At fourteen Mahelt is married to Hugh, eldest son of Roger and Ida Bigod. Hugh’s half-brother is William of Salisbury (known as William Longespee), and his half-brother is King John. The book is all about divided loyalties: Hugh and Longespee have an uneasy relationship and Mahelt finds herself caught between the family she was born into and the one she married into. As the country descends into civil war, Hugh and Mahelt find themselves on the opposite side to Longespee and to Mahelt’s beloved father.
I wasn’t sure at first how much I would like Mahelt, who is very headstrong, a little spoiled and begins the book with a lot of growing up to do. But while she does have the occasional Fallon Carrington moment, once she married Hugh I found myself totally on her side. A paradox of historical fiction is that while readers usually prefer feisty heroines, in the past assertiveness was not appreciated in women and strong-willed females usually suffered for their lack of pliability. While Mahelt develops into a very appealing heroine, she pays the price for her rebelliousness more than once.
The theme of rebellion comes to the fore in the years leading up to Magna Carta, as the king’s relationship with his barons steadily deteriorates. While this novel is written from the point of view of the barons driven to breaking point by King John’s abuse of his power, Elizabeth Chadwick brings balance to the narrative by allowing us to glimpse John’s point of view. My favourite character was Longespee, who is caught between his identification with his royal heritage, his loyalty to John and the connection he feels to his Bigod relatives. Longespee can’t manage to break free from his rivalry with Hugh, and this leads him into some misbehaviour, so I was glad that he eventually gets the opportunity to redeem himself.
According to the author interview at the back of the book, this novel went through six drafts: as a result, the text is as smooth and rich as hot chocolate, and just as delicious. Enjoy!
I wasn’t sure at first how much I would like Mahelt, who is very headstrong, a little spoiled and begins the book with a lot of growing up to do. But while she does have the occasional Fallon Carrington moment, once she married Hugh I found myself totally on her side. A paradox of historical fiction is that while readers usually prefer feisty heroines, in the past assertiveness was not appreciated in women and strong-willed females usually suffered for their lack of pliability. While Mahelt develops into a very appealing heroine, she pays the price for her rebelliousness more than once.
The theme of rebellion comes to the fore in the years leading up to Magna Carta, as the king’s relationship with his barons steadily deteriorates. While this novel is written from the point of view of the barons driven to breaking point by King John’s abuse of his power, Elizabeth Chadwick brings balance to the narrative by allowing us to glimpse John’s point of view. My favourite character was Longespee, who is caught between his identification with his royal heritage, his loyalty to John and the connection he feels to his Bigod relatives. Longespee can’t manage to break free from his rivalry with Hugh, and this leads him into some misbehaviour, so I was glad that he eventually gets the opportunity to redeem himself.
According to the author interview at the back of the book, this novel went through six drafts: as a result, the text is as smooth and rich as hot chocolate, and just as delicious. Enjoy!
February 28, 2024
As with all the other books that I have read from Elizabeth Chadwick, this one was just as amazing! I have never read a book so fast, and it was just an absolute page turner and easy read! Mediaeval historical fiction has to be my absolute favourite and this book did not disappoint.
abandoned
June 23, 2018This was as well written as the rest of her books, but they just give me such anxiety now. The characters' paths to happiness are never easy and I always feel a little sad. I don't like feeling sad.
December 16, 2017
Based on real life people, but extrapolated and embellished by Chadwick's imagination. This continues the saga of the Marshal family through their daughter Mahelt who married
into the Bigod family, another powerful family that controlled Eastern England. We follow her as a young girl,her early betrothal and marriage to Hugh Bigod of Norfolk, her father’s falling out of favor with the king John, and the decisions she and her husband have to make to stay afloat against the tides of war.From my perspective, it felt less the story of one woman but more of two families. While there is plenty of conflict throughout this book I felt no connection with Mahelt William Marshal’s eldest and most favored daughter. The author tried to present her as headstrong, high-spirited,opinionated person,independent attitude and curiosity about politics etc but mature with age. I did not get such an impression.I did not read it in this book. For me, from the beginning of the book, she leaves the impression of a spoiler brat.I did not see her maturity with age. I see her only as woman who makes hasty decisions. (she was, in fact, a powerful woman - although much later in life)
Although the book has many characters I did not read a single sentence between Roger Bigod and his younger son
- Roger Bigod gives his opinion about everything but not about the arrest of his younger son,
- or Roger Bigod serious conversation with William Longespee (since one is non-stop around the king and king's half-brother and another very important man in the king's administration as a lawyer - considering the events and visiting, they should have some conversation in book
(although they are not the main characters but they are in almost every second ,third scene)
-I’m a bit sad though about how married life has turned out for Roger Bigod and Ida de Tosney in this book. ( since their nice story is presented in the first book maybe the author could devote a little more attention to their divergence)
But as I said before based on real life people, but extrapolated and embellished by Chadwick's imagination. If you read only as a historical fiction romance, the both books are good. Definitely not in the same class as authors pevious books on William Marshall-so far her best books.
I've read much better, more thoroughly researched medieval fiction.
into the Bigod family, another powerful family that controlled Eastern England. We follow her as a young girl,her early betrothal and marriage to Hugh Bigod of Norfolk, her father’s falling out of favor with the king John, and the decisions she and her husband have to make to stay afloat against the tides of war.From my perspective, it felt less the story of one woman but more of two families. While there is plenty of conflict throughout this book I felt no connection with Mahelt William Marshal’s eldest and most favored daughter. The author tried to present her as headstrong, high-spirited,opinionated person,independent attitude and curiosity about politics etc but mature with age. I did not get such an impression.I did not read it in this book. For me, from the beginning of the book, she leaves the impression of a spoiler brat.I did not see her maturity with age. I see her only as woman who makes hasty decisions. (she was, in fact, a powerful woman - although much later in life)
Although the book has many characters I did not read a single sentence between Roger Bigod and his younger son
- Roger Bigod gives his opinion about everything but not about the arrest of his younger son,
- or Roger Bigod serious conversation with William Longespee (since one is non-stop around the king and king's half-brother and another very important man in the king's administration as a lawyer - considering the events and visiting, they should have some conversation in book
(although they are not the main characters but they are in almost every second ,third scene)
-I’m a bit sad though about how married life has turned out for Roger Bigod and Ida de Tosney in this book. ( since their nice story is presented in the first book maybe the author could devote a little more attention to their divergence)
But as I said before based on real life people, but extrapolated and embellished by Chadwick's imagination. If you read only as a historical fiction romance, the both books are good. Definitely not in the same class as authors pevious books on William Marshall-so far her best books.
I've read much better, more thoroughly researched medieval fiction.
March 24, 2011
Once again, Elizabeth Chadwick perfectly blends together a well-researched historical saga with a tender, caring romance. Her characters are well-drafted and I love the glimpses at daily medieval life alongside the sweeping major battles.
For having an arranged marriage, I'd say Mahelt got extremely lucky! You couldn't ask for a better husband than Hugh. Strong, jaw-droppingly handsome, a great father, and always fighting for what's right-those are just a few of his qualities. Hugh never tried to reign Mahelt in or dampen her wild spirit and I loved that about him. Did I mention how handsome he was?
There was one thing about the book that upset me though. I absolutely loved the previous book, "For the King's Favor" and I completely fell in love with Roger Bigod along with Ida. Roger and Ida are Hugh's parents and I was looking forward to seeing them again. I fully understand Roger's conflict with Mahelt, and even enjoyed it, because they were such opposites. Mahelt was so wild and Roger so by-the-book, it was fun to watch them butt heads as they became family. However, I didn't like the portrayal of Roger's relationship with his wife at all. It's disheartening as a reader to get so attached to characters and see them have their happily ever after, only to see it shattered in the next book. It makes me wary that next time Hugh will be made out to be the bad guy and stop caring about Mahelt, even though he was so wonderful in this book.
I really enjoyed this historical saga, even though some of my old favorites from the series weren't portrayed as I'd hoped.
book sent by publisher in exchange for an honest review
reviewed for http://inthehammockblog.blogspot.com
For having an arranged marriage, I'd say Mahelt got extremely lucky! You couldn't ask for a better husband than Hugh. Strong, jaw-droppingly handsome, a great father, and always fighting for what's right-those are just a few of his qualities. Hugh never tried to reign Mahelt in or dampen her wild spirit and I loved that about him. Did I mention how handsome he was?
There was one thing about the book that upset me though. I absolutely loved the previous book, "For the King's Favor" and I completely fell in love with Roger Bigod along with Ida. Roger and Ida are Hugh's parents and I was looking forward to seeing them again. I fully understand Roger's conflict with Mahelt, and even enjoyed it, because they were such opposites. Mahelt was so wild and Roger so by-the-book, it was fun to watch them butt heads as they became family. However, I didn't like the portrayal of Roger's relationship with his wife at all. It's disheartening as a reader to get so attached to characters and see them have their happily ever after, only to see it shattered in the next book. It makes me wary that next time Hugh will be made out to be the bad guy and stop caring about Mahelt, even though he was so wonderful in this book.
I really enjoyed this historical saga, even though some of my old favorites from the series weren't portrayed as I'd hoped.
book sent by publisher in exchange for an honest review
reviewed for http://inthehammockblog.blogspot.com
June 23, 2011
Another amazing spirited emotional read from Elizabeth Chadwick. This is a great follow up to The Scarlet Lion. This time Chadwick takes us on the journey of Mahelt Marshal (William's strong willed daughter.) If you have not read The Scarlet Lion that is OK. This is a stand alone book. If you love History and have not read Chadwick, you are missing out!
January 27, 2021
I quite enjoyed the last Elizabeth Chadwick that I read. This was not as enjoyable for me. I quite like historical novels if they involves monarchy. This sadly had too many battles for my liking.
The writing style was easy to read though.
The writing style was easy to read though.
August 4, 2021
A very emotional read. Even though this is listed as #5 in the William Marshal series it is centered on the marriage of his oldest daughter, Mahelt Marshal, and the heir to the Earl of Norfolk, Hugh Bigod. This is during the reign of cruel King John and the historical events leading up to the signing of the Magna Carta. Well written historical fiction/romance.
February 28, 2011
My thoughts:
Another great book by Chadwick. It's a fascinating era with a cruel king, and the daily struggle to survive the political turmoil.
This is the story of Mahelt Marshal and Hugh Bigod, who married because of an alliance. Her father is not always King John's favourite person, and her brothers are taken to become his hostages, while the rest of the family goes to Ireland. King John tries to keep his country together, but he takes out more taxes, and tries to seduce his noble's wives. All while The Bigod's try to keep their heads down.
I did like Mahelt, but she was also a bit of a, oh I do not know, but she could be irritating. She did one truly foolish thing, and then she complained. She also talked back and sure she wanted to do what is right so that was sort of good. But during that time you could not just do the right thing. That would get you killed. Sometimes one has to follow and wait for a better opportunity. Also like Hugh mentions in the book, his family did the same thing the Marshal's did, but she never found in fault in her family. I just felt like she was lucky to have a husband like Hugh, cos someone else would have surely slapped her around. I was also a bit sad to see how Roger's and Ida's marriage had turned out (The King's Favor.)
Ok, a long passage about poor Mahelt. Do not get me wrong, this was amazing historical fiction because of the setting. King John is a total creep, Hugh's half-brother Longspee is an ass. It's the time of the Magna Charta, wars with France, trouble with Scotland and Wales. The political intrigues are great, and the Bigod's were a family in the midst of it all.
And again Chadwick has taken people that has lived a long time ago and given them life. Sure some things might be wrong since much has been lost, and there is always artistic freedom. But I like the tale told. This was truly a time I had to stop myself from going online to see what truly happened. Instead I waited it out so not to spoil this book.
Recommendation and final thoughts:
A big yes for historical fans. There is love, war, politics, a wicked king and the daily life of a noble family in 13th century England. I could not put it down.
March 9, 2011
I've previously read 'The Champion', 'The Greatest Knight' and 'The Falcons of Montabard' by Elizabeth Chadwick. I was looking forward to reading Chadwick's newest novel 'To Defy a King' and was thrilled to have won an advance copy from the publishers here through GoodReads' First Reads, thank you Sourcebooks.
Set in England in from 1204 to 1218 Chadwick shows the reader England's conflicts with France, Wales, Scotland, Ireland and the Roman Church as well as the internal conflicts between King John and the English nobility that lead to the drafting of the Magna Carta.
'To Defy a King' is a perfect blend of history and fiction. I love that Chadwick shares in the Author's Note how she continues to research this period and these historical figures and as she's learned more about them has incorporated what she's learned into her subsequent novels.
It was interesting to learn the expected behavior of a daughter-in-law and the loyalty her marriage family would expect. Chadwick illustrates how politics directly affected the Marshall and Bigod families and brings to life the worry and fear that a mother would have after having her sons taken for ransom by the king. The culture and the politics are completely distant and foreign to our contemporary values today but Chadwick brings what once was very real to life again with details of daily life including food, dress and furnishings.
I enjoyed learning about these historical figures and the politics of the period. Reading this novel reminded me of the novels 'Roselynde' and 'Alinor' by Roberta Gellis, which also take place during the reign of King John. Gellis paints John in an even darker light than Chadwick does in 'To Defy a King'.
Overall a very well written, obviously well researched and thoroughly enjoyable novel that I would recommend to fans of historical fiction. One mark of a truly good book is that once you are done you find yourself wanting to return to that place again. I found that to be true when I was finished, I missed these characters. I'm looking forward to reading more about them in Chadwick's novels 'For the King's Favor' and 'The Scarlet Lion'.
Set in England in from 1204 to 1218 Chadwick shows the reader England's conflicts with France, Wales, Scotland, Ireland and the Roman Church as well as the internal conflicts between King John and the English nobility that lead to the drafting of the Magna Carta.
'To Defy a King' is a perfect blend of history and fiction. I love that Chadwick shares in the Author's Note how she continues to research this period and these historical figures and as she's learned more about them has incorporated what she's learned into her subsequent novels.
It was interesting to learn the expected behavior of a daughter-in-law and the loyalty her marriage family would expect. Chadwick illustrates how politics directly affected the Marshall and Bigod families and brings to life the worry and fear that a mother would have after having her sons taken for ransom by the king. The culture and the politics are completely distant and foreign to our contemporary values today but Chadwick brings what once was very real to life again with details of daily life including food, dress and furnishings.
I enjoyed learning about these historical figures and the politics of the period. Reading this novel reminded me of the novels 'Roselynde' and 'Alinor' by Roberta Gellis, which also take place during the reign of King John. Gellis paints John in an even darker light than Chadwick does in 'To Defy a King'.
Overall a very well written, obviously well researched and thoroughly enjoyable novel that I would recommend to fans of historical fiction. One mark of a truly good book is that once you are done you find yourself wanting to return to that place again. I found that to be true when I was finished, I missed these characters. I'm looking forward to reading more about them in Chadwick's novels 'For the King's Favor' and 'The Scarlet Lion'.
February 14, 2015
Reading a Chadwick book is a dangerous proposition if one has any time-sensitive responsibilities -- because the reader just cannot help getting lost somewhere in the Middle Ages. In To Defy a King, Chadwick transports us to King John's reign, focusing on Mahelt, the beloved daughter of the renowned William Marshal (with whom we fell in love in The Greatest Knight and The Scarlet Lion).
We first meet her in 1204 as a 10-year-old loudly protesting the unfairness of not being able to play a knight in her older brothers' game because she is a girl. We then follow her through the next fourteen years, during which we see increasing evidence of her independence, her spirit, and her determination. When William falls out with King John (not surprisingly given John's mercurial, paranoid nature) and decides to head to his lands in Ireland, he first arranges 12-year-old Mahelt's marriage to Hugh Bigod, the Earl of Norfolk's heir. Mahelt and Hugh come to love one another, despite the Earl's pointed disapproval of Mahelt's seemingly rebellious behavior and her determination to remain loyal to her Marshal family, a loyalty often at odds with the interests of the Bigod family.
Living as a noble under King John, a king we love to hate, is not easy. John takes Mahelt's brothers as hostages, pursues Mahelt (who deliciously puts him in his place at one point), and threatens her marriage and family. To further complicate matters, Hugh's half-brother, William Longespée, is also King John's half-brother -- the relationship between Hugh and William is fraught with underlying tensions. But Mahelt (and Hugh) persevere.
As usual, Chadwick brings the Middle Ages alive with vibrant characters, a compelling story, and vivid historical details. Just be sure to clear your calendar beforehand.
ETA: Hey, FTC, I received this book for free through Goodreads First Reads.
We first meet her in 1204 as a 10-year-old loudly protesting the unfairness of not being able to play a knight in her older brothers' game because she is a girl. We then follow her through the next fourteen years, during which we see increasing evidence of her independence, her spirit, and her determination. When William falls out with King John (not surprisingly given John's mercurial, paranoid nature) and decides to head to his lands in Ireland, he first arranges 12-year-old Mahelt's marriage to Hugh Bigod, the Earl of Norfolk's heir. Mahelt and Hugh come to love one another, despite the Earl's pointed disapproval of Mahelt's seemingly rebellious behavior and her determination to remain loyal to her Marshal family, a loyalty often at odds with the interests of the Bigod family.
Living as a noble under King John, a king we love to hate, is not easy. John takes Mahelt's brothers as hostages, pursues Mahelt (who deliciously puts him in his place at one point), and threatens her marriage and family. To further complicate matters, Hugh's half-brother, William Longespée, is also King John's half-brother -- the relationship between Hugh and William is fraught with underlying tensions. But Mahelt (and Hugh) persevere.
As usual, Chadwick brings the Middle Ages alive with vibrant characters, a compelling story, and vivid historical details. Just be sure to clear your calendar beforehand.
ETA: Hey, FTC, I received this book for free through Goodreads First Reads.
March 12, 2011
Thoughts so far, as I'm reading, is that there isn't too much "history" in this historical fiction. For the most part there has only been character development, which I'm assuming will trail off. And while the characters are interesting, there has been essentially 150 pages of build-up.
Other notes - because I'm reading a pre-sale book - there are some typos. For example, every possessive "s" has a quote after it instead of an apostrophe, like "knights" fee" instead of "knights' fee". Also, I found a sentence on page 155 that didn't actually make sense. You can glean the meaning, but still - was surprising.
And now I've finished the book....overall, I expected better.
This is the first Elizabeth Chadwick book that I've read. And from what I've seen, she's written a lot of historical fictions, some of which were about the Marshal family. The historical aspects of the novel did pick up as the war, and hence the plot, progressed. After reading the "Author's Notes" at the end of the book, I was impressed with the amount of details that were historically accurate. Even some of the minor characters were true to life and, now that I think back on the book, it brings a different light to things. I almost wish I had known about some of those details before. But I definitely did enjoy reading about the relationships between England, France, Ireland, and Wales during that time, knowing that there was some accuracy to it. That is part of the draw of historical fictions, though.
There were some aspects of the characters that I found to be confusing, specifically the main female lead, Mahelt. The book touted her as being the main character, the focus upon which the book was centered, since she was this strong, powerful person. And while she was not - by any stretch of the imagination - "obedient", conservative, demure, or even adhered to typical decorum - she did not impress me as being in any way "powerful." She did two things that were noteworthy of being courageous or brave: one was when she was relatively young (maybe 15yrs old) and admittedly foolhardy, the other was essentially her writing a letter of help without her husband's permission. Other than that, her "acts of defiance" were to "walk as if she were a queen" when she was insulted or condescended, then "stalk out of the room." It wasn't until I read the "Author's Notes" that I learned that she was, in fact, a powerful woman - although much later in life. By blood her family were marshals, or the head of household security for the King of England. Her father was William Marshal, 1st Earl of Pembroke (there's a Wiki page about him). After all of her brothers and sisters died, of which there were many, she became the Marshal in the mid 1200s. I'd say that, considering the epoch and "place" of women at that time, this was a rather lofty position for her to be. For that I would consider her powerful. For everything that was discussed or shown in this book, I would say only "spirited" and maybe possibly "rebellious" would fit.
It seemed that all of the published (positive) criticisms placed in/on the book, even the back of the book, proclaimed Mahelt to be the main character. From my perspective, it felt less the story of one woman but more of two families. A very large portion of the story was given to narrating the male lead's life and thoughts, her husband, Hugh. And there was a lot of interaction between the two families - who were sometimes allies and sometimes enemies, but still connected by the marriage of the two lead characters. Why not say /this/ in the summaries? Why put forward this woman about whom only half of the book was written? Why sexualize her on the back cover? (-- which was a little weird, I must say. I felt this also gave the book a certain "lean" in a direction it didn't take, almost false advertising. It was also strange that they used two different female models for the photography. That being said, I did like the cover reminiscent of a Queen on a deck of cards.) I found the whole novel had a direction that was not properly shown at the beginning of the book.
Another, much smaller, aspect of the book that really irked me was when the story briefly diverged to show the plot line of Hugh and Mahelt's eldest son, who was 6yrs old at the time. While the boy was shown to be scared and homesick, I also felt that he was given a level of self-awareness that is not at all customary to a rather small child. He was facing some hardships, the first in his life, and wanted to be brave - so he pretended that he was a knight. I thought that was good and made sense with what children do. But then he was described to want reassurance and to see his father who would "recognize his fears and immediately banish them." I felt this much too lofty a description for his emotional state. I'm sure that he was scared and that he missed his parents, but to know that he specifically wanted reassurance, or that his father would do more than just comfort him and make the "bad men" go away, was too far.
Also - while reading this novel I was often reminded of R.R. Martin's series "Song of Ice and Fire". And while clearly the latter is a fantasy novel, the stories still take place around the same time in the evolution of a people and a race. I liked how Martin used more words and speaking patterns associated with the time, also, he had more elaborate descriptions of the customs, food, and clothing. I felt his novel to be more pleasing to my overall imaginative senses.
Other notes - because I'm reading a pre-sale book - there are some typos. For example, every possessive "s" has a quote after it instead of an apostrophe, like "knights" fee" instead of "knights' fee". Also, I found a sentence on page 155 that didn't actually make sense. You can glean the meaning, but still - was surprising.
And now I've finished the book....overall, I expected better.
This is the first Elizabeth Chadwick book that I've read. And from what I've seen, she's written a lot of historical fictions, some of which were about the Marshal family. The historical aspects of the novel did pick up as the war, and hence the plot, progressed. After reading the "Author's Notes" at the end of the book, I was impressed with the amount of details that were historically accurate. Even some of the minor characters were true to life and, now that I think back on the book, it brings a different light to things. I almost wish I had known about some of those details before. But I definitely did enjoy reading about the relationships between England, France, Ireland, and Wales during that time, knowing that there was some accuracy to it. That is part of the draw of historical fictions, though.
There were some aspects of the characters that I found to be confusing, specifically the main female lead, Mahelt. The book touted her as being the main character, the focus upon which the book was centered, since she was this strong, powerful person. And while she was not - by any stretch of the imagination - "obedient", conservative, demure, or even adhered to typical decorum - she did not impress me as being in any way "powerful." She did two things that were noteworthy of being courageous or brave: one was when she was relatively young (maybe 15yrs old) and admittedly foolhardy, the other was essentially her writing a letter of help without her husband's permission. Other than that, her "acts of defiance" were to "walk as if she were a queen" when she was insulted or condescended, then "stalk out of the room." It wasn't until I read the "Author's Notes" that I learned that she was, in fact, a powerful woman - although much later in life. By blood her family were marshals, or the head of household security for the King of England. Her father was William Marshal, 1st Earl of Pembroke (there's a Wiki page about him). After all of her brothers and sisters died, of which there were many, she became the Marshal in the mid 1200s. I'd say that, considering the epoch and "place" of women at that time, this was a rather lofty position for her to be. For that I would consider her powerful. For everything that was discussed or shown in this book, I would say only "spirited" and maybe possibly "rebellious" would fit.
It seemed that all of the published (positive) criticisms placed in/on the book, even the back of the book, proclaimed Mahelt to be the main character. From my perspective, it felt less the story of one woman but more of two families. A very large portion of the story was given to narrating the male lead's life and thoughts, her husband, Hugh. And there was a lot of interaction between the two families - who were sometimes allies and sometimes enemies, but still connected by the marriage of the two lead characters. Why not say /this/ in the summaries? Why put forward this woman about whom only half of the book was written? Why sexualize her on the back cover? (-- which was a little weird, I must say. I felt this also gave the book a certain "lean" in a direction it didn't take, almost false advertising. It was also strange that they used two different female models for the photography. That being said, I did like the cover reminiscent of a Queen on a deck of cards.) I found the whole novel had a direction that was not properly shown at the beginning of the book.
Another, much smaller, aspect of the book that really irked me was when the story briefly diverged to show the plot line of Hugh and Mahelt's eldest son, who was 6yrs old at the time. While the boy was shown to be scared and homesick, I also felt that he was given a level of self-awareness that is not at all customary to a rather small child. He was facing some hardships, the first in his life, and wanted to be brave - so he pretended that he was a knight. I thought that was good and made sense with what children do. But then he was described to want reassurance and to see his father who would "recognize his fears and immediately banish them." I felt this much too lofty a description for his emotional state. I'm sure that he was scared and that he missed his parents, but to know that he specifically wanted reassurance, or that his father would do more than just comfort him and make the "bad men" go away, was too far.
Also - while reading this novel I was often reminded of R.R. Martin's series "Song of Ice and Fire". And while clearly the latter is a fantasy novel, the stories still take place around the same time in the evolution of a people and a race. I liked how Martin used more words and speaking patterns associated with the time, also, he had more elaborate descriptions of the customs, food, and clothing. I felt his novel to be more pleasing to my overall imaginative senses.
December 22, 2020
Overall I enjoyed this historical fiction/romance book. I did some research during my reading on the lives of the people mentioned here and found so much that shows what a well researched novel this is. This is the first book of this series I read and so had no expectations about the people and their lives other than knowing the real historical timeline of things. Elizabeth Chadwick is a good writer and I will be reading more of her books.
June 10, 2024
Very interesting in parts, very slow in others. I was somewhat annoyed that this book doesn't cover any new ground time-wise and only covers things we've already seen but from another's POV. I'd have liked to skip some of the things when Mahelt was very young and then tighten things up the rest of the book so we could have seen how things were after the death of her father and how she ended up with a new husband so quickly after the first one dies. This series loves to focus on the same years over and over again but just viewing them from different angles. Can we ever move forward?
October 19, 2018
I really enjoyed this book. A good historical read, strong female character in Mahelt , good love interest in Hugh , villainy in King John and battles .
This book kept my attention all the way fhrough .,
This book kept my attention all the way fhrough .,
June 28, 2017
Enjoyable, but I found the first half quite slow. A good, solid read, but not my favourite of Chadwick's many and marvellous works.
August 13, 2017
My first Elizabeth Chadwick and I loved it! I don't give out 5 stars easily but this is a story with all the things I love - historical drama based on history, fleshed out characters, tension, intrigue and a great 2-year courtship. I'll be searching to find more of her work to read!
January 18, 2018
Fabulous ❤️
March 13, 2025
Another wonderful novel
How inspirational is Elizabeth Chadwick! She brings her characters to vibrant life and lets us live in the swirling complexity of bygone ages. Without her insights I would never have discovered William Marshall, nor marvelled at his genius and greatness.
Thank you, Elizabeth. I am in awe!
How inspirational is Elizabeth Chadwick! She brings her characters to vibrant life and lets us live in the swirling complexity of bygone ages. Without her insights I would never have discovered William Marshall, nor marvelled at his genius and greatness.
Thank you, Elizabeth. I am in awe!
March 15, 2011
After reading four of Elizabeth Chadwick’s books I don’t think that there is anything she can do wrong in writing this genre. The characters are wonderful – fleshed out, individual, not stereotypical and graceful. The blend of action scenes and emotional scenes are well balanced. You come away from each of these books wanting more!
To Defy a King is no exception to the above. Even though most of the characters and many of the major events have been present in some way in several of her other books, Elizabeth Chadwick has a way of making them feel fresh and new each time. This is a wonderful quality because you still feel like the characters are familiar but you are getting a new take on them and their world. A perfect case in point – my feelings toward Roger Bigod are very different in To Defy a King than in For the King’s Favor. In King’s Favor, I loved Roger – I thought his romance with Ida was sweet and he was determined to preserve what was his. In To Defy a King I found that his character frustrated me because he seemed to have lost part of what I had loved about him – his connection with his wife. I also loved getting to see more of the Marshall brood – still from an insider perspective, from Mehelt, but she becomes a little of an estranged insider. It was also wonderful to see more of William Longspee – I enjoyed getting to see him grow up in King’s Favor and now we get to see more of his interaction with his half-brothers and how he grows into a man.
Elizabeth Chadwick really knows how to make believable relationships between her characters. I really loved watching the development of the relationship between Mehelt and Hugh. She was a very young girl when they first met and he was several years older. Seeing what they think of each other as time goes on was interesting. The way their relationship unfolds felt so true - even in regard to modern relationships, although we don’t get married quite so young. There is love, passion, frustration, anger, forgiveness, and acceptance.
The author is phenomenal at creating vivid scenes for the reader. When you are reading you will be completely swallowed up by the world and feel that you are right there too. The smells, sounds and visual stimuli are front and center in her writing.
I don’t think I can put in writing how much I enjoy reading these books. These characters are not just people created in an imagination; they feel like flesh and blood. This book is now my second favorite of the 4 - but I don't think anything will top The Greatest Knight for me. I’m not sure what the next USA release will be, I think Lady of the English comes out in September, but regardless of what it is I can’t wait to read it!
This book was received for review from the publisher - I was not compensated for my opinions and the above is my honest review.
To Defy a King is no exception to the above. Even though most of the characters and many of the major events have been present in some way in several of her other books, Elizabeth Chadwick has a way of making them feel fresh and new each time. This is a wonderful quality because you still feel like the characters are familiar but you are getting a new take on them and their world. A perfect case in point – my feelings toward Roger Bigod are very different in To Defy a King than in For the King’s Favor. In King’s Favor, I loved Roger – I thought his romance with Ida was sweet and he was determined to preserve what was his. In To Defy a King I found that his character frustrated me because he seemed to have lost part of what I had loved about him – his connection with his wife. I also loved getting to see more of the Marshall brood – still from an insider perspective, from Mehelt, but she becomes a little of an estranged insider. It was also wonderful to see more of William Longspee – I enjoyed getting to see him grow up in King’s Favor and now we get to see more of his interaction with his half-brothers and how he grows into a man.
Elizabeth Chadwick really knows how to make believable relationships between her characters. I really loved watching the development of the relationship between Mehelt and Hugh. She was a very young girl when they first met and he was several years older. Seeing what they think of each other as time goes on was interesting. The way their relationship unfolds felt so true - even in regard to modern relationships, although we don’t get married quite so young. There is love, passion, frustration, anger, forgiveness, and acceptance.
The author is phenomenal at creating vivid scenes for the reader. When you are reading you will be completely swallowed up by the world and feel that you are right there too. The smells, sounds and visual stimuli are front and center in her writing.
I don’t think I can put in writing how much I enjoy reading these books. These characters are not just people created in an imagination; they feel like flesh and blood. This book is now my second favorite of the 4 - but I don't think anything will top The Greatest Knight for me. I’m not sure what the next USA release will be, I think Lady of the English comes out in September, but regardless of what it is I can’t wait to read it!
This book was received for review from the publisher - I was not compensated for my opinions and the above is my honest review.
March 1, 2011
I won this book in a Goodreads Firstreads giveaway. Thank you very much.
I have several Elizabeth Chadwick books in my "to read" list, but haven't started them. I thought I should read them in order, beginning with "The Greatest Knight", but I can never find that one at the library or at my local used book store. When I read the description for "To Defy a King", I thought it was a stand-alone, not part of a continuing story. So my bad, I have now started reading the series out of order. The good news is that "To Defy a King" does stand on its own. It provided plenty of background to make the current story understandable without reading the prior ones.
This is the story of Mahelt Marshal Bigod, a very real woman who lived in the early 13th century. Daughter of an earl, wife of the heir to an earldom, Mahelt was a strong, capable, sometimes brash young woman. The book chronicles the years leading up to her marriage and her life as a young wife and mother, amidst the turmoil of the final years of King John's reign. This is an interesting period in English history, as the king was evil and the kingdom's nobles were split between those who were loyal to him (Mahelt's father) and those who defied him (Mahelt's family by marriage), leading to civil war.
The book is well-written. I enjoyed the picture of a noble woman's role in 13th century England. There is plenty of political intrigue, war, family life, and love to make the characters come alive. While I sometimes enjoy the sexy Philippa Gregory-style historical scandals, I appreciated that this author kept the love scenes to a minimum; there were enough to understand the characters but the book didn't focus on that. The characters were multi-dimensional, their relationships were complex, and the struggle between doing what is necessary (right) and what is honorable (also right) was well illustrated.
Here is my only complaint: this woman led a fascinating life, and there is information in the afterword about the rest of Mahelt's life. There is a very compelling continuing story there, and I'm not sure why the book didn't cover this character's entire life. Oh, unless the author plans to do that in another book... ah, now I get it. And, yes, if that's the case, I'll want to read that one, too. This is good quality historical fiction.
I have several Elizabeth Chadwick books in my "to read" list, but haven't started them. I thought I should read them in order, beginning with "The Greatest Knight", but I can never find that one at the library or at my local used book store. When I read the description for "To Defy a King", I thought it was a stand-alone, not part of a continuing story. So my bad, I have now started reading the series out of order. The good news is that "To Defy a King" does stand on its own. It provided plenty of background to make the current story understandable without reading the prior ones.
This is the story of Mahelt Marshal Bigod, a very real woman who lived in the early 13th century. Daughter of an earl, wife of the heir to an earldom, Mahelt was a strong, capable, sometimes brash young woman. The book chronicles the years leading up to her marriage and her life as a young wife and mother, amidst the turmoil of the final years of King John's reign. This is an interesting period in English history, as the king was evil and the kingdom's nobles were split between those who were loyal to him (Mahelt's father) and those who defied him (Mahelt's family by marriage), leading to civil war.
The book is well-written. I enjoyed the picture of a noble woman's role in 13th century England. There is plenty of political intrigue, war, family life, and love to make the characters come alive. While I sometimes enjoy the sexy Philippa Gregory-style historical scandals, I appreciated that this author kept the love scenes to a minimum; there were enough to understand the characters but the book didn't focus on that. The characters were multi-dimensional, their relationships were complex, and the struggle between doing what is necessary (right) and what is honorable (also right) was well illustrated.
Here is my only complaint: this woman led a fascinating life, and there is information in the afterword about the rest of Mahelt's life. There is a very compelling continuing story there, and I'm not sure why the book didn't cover this character's entire life. Oh, unless the author plans to do that in another book... ah, now I get it. And, yes, if that's the case, I'll want to read that one, too. This is good quality historical fiction.
March 14, 2011
Elizabeth Chadwick has done it again with another outstanding piece of literature that will be a must have keeper for anyone who loves the artful writing of a true historical novelist.
This book is an extension of the William Marshall fame but that of his eldest daughter who was the apple of his eye and the seed that didn't fall far from the tree so to speak. A dutiful daughter who is not only beautiful, elegant and refined but also spirited and headstrong.
Mahelt Marshall is a rare character for the time. Bethrowed at a young age to Hugh Bigod, married a few years later and sent to her marriage family for protection when her own blood family must seek refuge in Ireland as they haven fallen out of favor with King John. Mahelt has been taught well her role in life and knows that this is as it must be as life is ever so unpredictable.
Hugh Bigod is his father's son. A man of honor who stands up for his beliefs steadfastly. He knows his place as heir and tries his hardest to make things go smooth when his new wife joins the family. Will he be able to bridle Mahelt is the magic question. Will he make the right decisions when chaos evolves from a whisper to full outright danger. The story will show Hugh's growth and where his true dedication stands as it evolves.
This is a vivid action packed story of trust, family, honor, evil, unforeseen dangers as well as those in open sight and so much more that it will have you on the end of your seat throughout the book. I lived the action scenes, smelled the scents of the country life, felt the stares of those in court jealous of this family's station in life. It is all so real that you can't help but use all of your senses to try and melt into the pages of the story.
It really is astounding how a good author can bring to life so vividly words on a page to seem as if they are actual clips of a time so long ago and insert them into the here and now. Elizabeth Chadwick has this particular rare talent. An author I will endear for quite some time to come.
This book is an extension of the William Marshall fame but that of his eldest daughter who was the apple of his eye and the seed that didn't fall far from the tree so to speak. A dutiful daughter who is not only beautiful, elegant and refined but also spirited and headstrong.
Mahelt Marshall is a rare character for the time. Bethrowed at a young age to Hugh Bigod, married a few years later and sent to her marriage family for protection when her own blood family must seek refuge in Ireland as they haven fallen out of favor with King John. Mahelt has been taught well her role in life and knows that this is as it must be as life is ever so unpredictable.
Hugh Bigod is his father's son. A man of honor who stands up for his beliefs steadfastly. He knows his place as heir and tries his hardest to make things go smooth when his new wife joins the family. Will he be able to bridle Mahelt is the magic question. Will he make the right decisions when chaos evolves from a whisper to full outright danger. The story will show Hugh's growth and where his true dedication stands as it evolves.
This is a vivid action packed story of trust, family, honor, evil, unforeseen dangers as well as those in open sight and so much more that it will have you on the end of your seat throughout the book. I lived the action scenes, smelled the scents of the country life, felt the stares of those in court jealous of this family's station in life. It is all so real that you can't help but use all of your senses to try and melt into the pages of the story.
It really is astounding how a good author can bring to life so vividly words on a page to seem as if they are actual clips of a time so long ago and insert them into the here and now. Elizabeth Chadwick has this particular rare talent. An author I will endear for quite some time to come.
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