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Fortune's Knave: The Making of William the Conqueror
Brings to life the legendary historical figure of William the Conqueror, beginning with his turbulent childhood as the illegitimate son and only heir of the Duke of Normandy. By the author of Command of the King.
When Robert of Normandy dies while on pilgrimage to the Holy Land, he not only leaves behind the peasant woman Herleve and their illegitimate son William, he leaves his duchy in turmoil. There are many claimants to Robert's duchy, but the claimants and their allies do not count on Herleve's determination to see her son inherit, or on William's precicious leadership and battle skills. Not much more than a child, William makes the most of his alliances-with King Henry of France, with Count Baldwin of Flanders, and most significantly of all with the count's beautiful, independent daughter Matilda. The bargain they strike will have far-reaching consequences for not only Norman but lands beyond.
When Robert of Normandy dies while on pilgrimage to the Holy Land, he not only leaves behind the peasant woman Herleve and their illegitimate son William, he leaves his duchy in turmoil. There are many claimants to Robert's duchy, but the claimants and their allies do not count on Herleve's determination to see her son inherit, or on William's precicious leadership and battle skills. Not much more than a child, William makes the most of his alliances-with King Henry of France, with Count Baldwin of Flanders, and most significantly of all with the count's beautiful, independent daughter Matilda. The bargain they strike will have far-reaching consequences for not only Norman but lands beyond.
269 pages, Hardcover
First published September 10, 1992
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About the author
Mary Lide
13 books7 followersMary Lide is an historian and award-winning poet who received her M.A. from Oxford University.
Her first novel, Ann of Cambray, won the Romantic Times' New Historical Fiction Award.
For works of this author entered under other names, search also under: and Mary Lomer.
Her first novel, Ann of Cambray, won the Romantic Times' New Historical Fiction Award.
For works of this author entered under other names, search also under: and Mary Lomer.
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
March 27, 2010
Hard to believe an author can make William of Normandy boring...
...but unfortunately Lide's managed to do it. Known to history as William the Conqueror, this book covers William's life before his conquest of England. When his father dies unexpectedly whilst returning from pilgrimage to the Holy Land, an illegitimate William inherits the Duchy of Normandy. Beset on all sides from rival claimants, he is forced into hiding when an attempt is made on his life. The rest of the book details his efforts to raise forces to regain his duchy, as well as his relationship and marriage to Matilda of Flanders.
*yawn*
There is nothing worse than an author who takes a fascinating bit of history and makes it dull as dirt and I only managed to finish this by skimming a great deal. William, known as a formidable and ruthless warrior comes off more like a limp wet noodle in this one, and while I'm not generally a fan of highly detailed battle scenes these were just tedious. As for his relationship with Matilda? No, we don't really know much about that but there were sure a couple of WTF moments for me. Sneaking out and meeting up with William in the stables? Her attendant leaves her alone to pray in the chapel and William's able to get her off to a side room and they engage in some very heavy petting when they aren't even betrothed?
Oh that's right - I'm supposed to remember it's all just FICTION and look the other way. Not. I still expect a good story and one that keeps me entertained while being educated at the same time, and this book most definitely does not do that. Perhaps I'm forever spoiled by Helen Hollick's Harold the King and Valerie Anand's Gildenford trilogy, but Lide's William just bored me to tears. Not recommended.
...but unfortunately Lide's managed to do it. Known to history as William the Conqueror, this book covers William's life before his conquest of England. When his father dies unexpectedly whilst returning from pilgrimage to the Holy Land, an illegitimate William inherits the Duchy of Normandy. Beset on all sides from rival claimants, he is forced into hiding when an attempt is made on his life. The rest of the book details his efforts to raise forces to regain his duchy, as well as his relationship and marriage to Matilda of Flanders.
*yawn*
There is nothing worse than an author who takes a fascinating bit of history and makes it dull as dirt and I only managed to finish this by skimming a great deal. William, known as a formidable and ruthless warrior comes off more like a limp wet noodle in this one, and while I'm not generally a fan of highly detailed battle scenes these were just tedious. As for his relationship with Matilda? No, we don't really know much about that but there were sure a couple of WTF moments for me. Sneaking out and meeting up with William in the stables? Her attendant leaves her alone to pray in the chapel and William's able to get her off to a side room and they engage in some very heavy petting when they aren't even betrothed?
Oh that's right - I'm supposed to remember it's all just FICTION and look the other way. Not. I still expect a good story and one that keeps me entertained while being educated at the same time, and this book most definitely does not do that. Perhaps I'm forever spoiled by Helen Hollick's Harold the King and Valerie Anand's Gildenford trilogy, but Lide's William just bored me to tears. Not recommended.
March 12, 2021
Great tale of William's life before 1066.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews