Daughters of the Grail

by Elizabeth Chadwick

Thirteenth-century France. Bridget has grown up mastering the mystical gifts of her ancestor, Mary Magdalene, whose unbroken female lineage has kept a legacy of wisdom alive for a thousand years. But the all-powerful Catholic Church has sworn to destroy Bridget for using her healing talents and supernatural abilities.
Bridget's duty to continue the bloodline leads her into the arms of Raoul de Montvallant--a Catholic. But when the Church's savage religious intolerance causes Raoul to turn rebel, a terrible vengeance is exacted by Simon de Montfort, the unstoppable Catholic leader of a crusade against peaceful "heretics."
As war rages on, it is the children of these passionate souls, Magda and Dominic, who must strive to preserve the ancient knowledge for future generations, and find the love and courage to endure....

Genres: Historical Fiction, Historical, Fiction, France, Medieval, Historical Romance, Romance

441 pages, Paperback

First published October 15, 1993

About the author

Best 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.

Reviews

[Misfit · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is really one of the best books I have ever read. It's not Gone With the Wind or the Far Pavilions, but it's pretty darn close. So much of the historical fiction I read is centered in England, Scotland and Wales, and I enjoyed reading about this period in history in southern France and about a religion I knew nothing about (having not yet read The DaVinci Code).

This was an exciting tale of Cathars, Knights Templar, evil priests, Bridget and her daughter Magda - descended from Mary Magdelene, all battling the Roman Catholic Church that is bent on destroying them, and finishes with a heart-stopping page turning, can't put it down until it's done finish. It always astounds me the evil that men will do in the name of "god", and that it continues to this day.

I had found this book used in the US last year, and the first time I read it I knew nothing about Simon DeMontfort (the second) and what he tried to accomplish for England before his tragic end. Although I know the part he plays in this novel, with his illegitimate half brother Dominic, is just a story, it was nice to see some glimpses of him in a minor role as a young boy and then a young man.

As always with Chadwick's books, the way she brings the medieval period to life in such a graceful and effortless way, be it the sights, sounds, smells, food, clothes and battles is just awesome. Five stars.

[Rio (Lynne) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Unlike Chadwick's more recent novels (this one is from 1993) this story has fictional main characters. Everything else though is full of history. Daughters of The Grail covers the brutal Catholic Crusade to wipe out The Cathars in 13th century France. Simon de Montfort, 5th Earl of Leicester (not to be confused with his son, who led the rebellion against Henry III) was approached by Pope Innocent III and The King of France, Phillip Augustus to lead the crusade. All of the real players are here including Raymond of Toulouse, Dominic Guzman and Geralda de Lavaur. We see Simon's family and his sons as children. The battles and death scenes are accurate. I was not familiar with The Cathars going into this and now Chadwick has me googling and learning. If that's not a sign of a good author, what is?

Why not 5 stars? The main character Bridget was a little hard for me to swallow. I believe in six senses and I know women could heal with herbs and medicine, but it got a little hard for me to believe when she could visit Raoul telepathically and heal him from across the lands. She had mystical gifts being an ancestor to Mary Magdalene.

Overall it was an interesting (different) read. I included a link about The Cathar Castle and the final battle.

http://www.castlesandmanorhouses.com/...

The Cathar Monument at Montsegur

[Misfit · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is really one of the best books I have ever read. It's not Gone With the Wind or the Far Pavilions, but it's pretty darn close. So much of the historical fiction I read is centered in England, Scotland and Wales, and I enjoyed reading about this period in history in southern France and about a religion I knew nothing about (having not yet read The DaVinci Code).

This was an exciting tale of Cathars, Knights Templar, evil priests, Bridget and her daughter Magda - descended from Mary Magdelene, all battling the Roman Catholic Church that is bent on destroying them, and finishes with a heart-stopping page turning, can't put it down until it's done finish. It always astounds me the evil that men will do in the name of "god", and that it continues to this day.

I had found this book used in the US last year, and the first time I read it I knew nothing about Simon DeMontfort (the second) and what he tried to accomplish for England before his tragic end. Although I know the part he plays in this novel, with his illegitimate half brother Dominic, is just a story, it was nice to see some glimpses of him in a minor role as a young boy and then a young man. To learn more about this incredible man, please read Sharon Kay Penman's Falls the Shadow.

As always with Chadwick's books, the way she brings the medieval period to life in such a graceful and effortless way, be it the sights, sounds, smells, food, clothes and battles is just awesome. Five stars

[Mela · Rating 5 out of 5]

As someone said, in Elizabeth Chadwick books the history is gloriously alive . I see it precisely every time I read her novel. And I have written about it in my reviews of other her books. No matter, whether it is a heat of the battle, a cold of the steel, a touch of the longing hand, a kiss of a lover or a sorrow of a mother I see and feel it.

Then, there is this deep understanding of human nature (without condemning).

'We are all children,' he said. 'Only we pretend ourselves into men.'

Each person's own truth is different from the truth of his neighbor.

I simply love Chadwick's books. I love her characters, I love her narration, I love her stories. I know, I am rather little helpful with this review but honestly, I can recommend you all her novels I have read and I am pretty sure also those I haven't read yet.

For more, I recommend Misfit's review.

[Angela Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

When I first started reading this I wasn't sure if I was going to stick with it as the first hundred pages were a bit sluggish in places but I decided to keep on reading because I haven't been disappointed by an Elizabeth Chadwick book before and I wasn't keen to start now.

The story is quite a saga in the time that it spans. It tells the life of Bridget, a bit of a free spirit and the bearer of healing powers inherited through her holy bloodline. She lives with people and family of the Cathar faith but is not one herself. She finds a man whom she wants to be the father of her child (Raoul) to continue the bloodline, although she has feelings for him she knows their fate is not to be together. It also follows the fate of Raoul's wife, Claire.


The story moves on through the years and expands to the children of Claire, Raoul and Bridget as they try to carve out lives amidst persecution, but Bridget, Raoul and Claire are still among them, Claire encompasses her faith. The story is based on part history and a lot of fiction as Raoul, Claire and Bridget among others are fictional characters. At the end of the book the author explains about Cathars and the persecution they suffered at the hands of the Catholic church. It is a sad part of history.

[Mira15 · Rating 4 out of 5]

“As filhas do Graal” provou-me novamente o porquê de esta ser uma das minhas escritoras favoritas! Os pormenores subtis, inteligentemente usados, que combinados com todo o enredo e o desenrolar dos acontecimentos transmitem um toque de envolvência e verosimilhança que num romance histórico é imprescindível. Nas suas obras, somos, indiscriminadamente, marionetas que movemo-nos e avançamos ao ritmo dos acontecimentos e do mar de emoções. E não, não conto onde se encontra o Graal. Para o descobrirem, leiam o livro!

(Opinião completa)

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've never read anything about the Albigensian Crusade nor about Cathars before. I mean, I've read mentions of them when reading medieval non-fiction, but it was only in passing and as footnotes. Yet, Elizabeth Chadwick brings it to bold and brilliant life in this book. I felt the peace the Cathars felt as they went willingly to their deaths, the never-ending fear of being forever hunted by a fanatical sector of the Roman Church, and the love that springs between individuals despite the horror of persecution. Chadwick's talent at world building and transporting her readers into the past shows itself again with wonderful skill.

Elizabeth Chadwick brings her characters to vivid life again, as well. I especially enjoyed Magda and her romance with Dominic. One of those fated loves are always a joy to read for me. Magda isn't afraid to stick up for what she wants in life, a man who will walk life with her and not only father a child on her. Raoul also was a character after my own heart. A man who devotes his life to his people and his family, trying to better their lives and protect them to the best of his ability given the harsh circumstances of a Crusade against them. I was not especially in love with Bridget, though. I found her very hard to connect with. She seemed almost too good to be true, too sure of her place in life and where that life is to go. There only seemed to be that one goal in life and almost no other direction for her character. Probably why I feel more connected to her daughter than her.

The use of fantastical elements like the Sight and hands on healing actually worked fairly well. I went into the novel expecting to have to grit my teeth and skim over those parts for the beauty of the historical setting that I knew would be there, given the author. However, I was pleasantly surprised. The use of these magic elements were woven into the narrative in a way that presented them as just another thread in the tapestry of the story. They weren't front and center; Magda and Bridget were pretty blase about them actually. And while some of the other characters seemed a little too blase at times (I mean, your girlfriend can heal with a touch and you just blink in a medieval setting?!?!), that part wasn't really that big a part. Things kept flowing on story wise and everything was woven into the overall plot nicely.

I vastly enjoyed this addition to my medieval historical fiction shelf. Elizabeth Chadwick does it again with talent and aplomb. And while some of the characters were a bit hard for me to connect with, everything else came together to create a fantastic story.

[Kiesha ~ Gwenllian ferch Gruffydd · Rating 5 out of 5]

An amazing read. I was on pins and needles for a good chunk of the book but wow, what a story! I didn't know anything about the Cathars until reading this book. I'll have to do some additional research on them. Bravo!

[Moira · Rating 2 out of 5]

I felt this dragged on just a little too long, I do enjoy this authors work greatly but there was something about this particular story that just didn't gel for me.

[Mimi · Rating 2 out of 5]

Usually Chadwick's books are about historical personages, but this one is fictional characters set during the Albigensian Crusade. A history that I didn't know much about, and while it is one of Chadwick's early novels and feels like it, and the basic religious story is a big woo-woo, it's ultimately an interesting story.

[L · Rating 5 out of 5]

History is brought to life in this tale of religious strife, the unexplained supernatural and Catholic idealism.

Another spectacular novel by Elizabeth Chadwick, whose lengthy series of books on medieval England is truly outstanding, containing such depth and detail within. This beautiful book is about religious contention and rivalry amongst those within the church and those within court; whose ambitions lead to catastrophic changes. The author skillfully blends authentic period details with modern convention to produce such emotional drama, which is both intense and powerfully stirring. The historical detail within this book is exquisite, thus producing such atmosphere and realism within the narrative. The characters are totally beguiling, within a most intriguing and enjoyable storyline that fascinates one throughout. I would like to ask that you prepare yourself to be dazzled by this historical masterpiece that evokes its genre perfectly, as a great representation of the medieval era. Convincing and compelling you will be swept away by the conflict, the shocking drama and the glittering details to our past that add a touch of nostalgia to a reminiscent, evocative narrative.

Thirteenth-century France: Bridget has grown up mastering the mystical gifts of her ancestor Mary Magdalene, whose unbroken female lineage has kept the legacy of wisdom alive for thousands of years. But the all-powerful Catholic Church has sworn to destroy Bridget for using her healing talents and supernatural abilities.
Bridget’s duty to continue the bloodline leads her into the arms of Raoul de Montvallant – a Catholic. But when the Church’s savage religious intolerance causes Raoul to turn rebel, a terrible vengeance is executed by Simon de Montfort, the unstoppable Catholic leader…

As a fan of historical fiction and works such as ‘The Pillars of the Earth’ and ‘World without end’ by Ken Follett, that both contain references to the church, I was naturally intrigued to read this book. I personally feel that the past is brought to life more vividly when the storyline is based upon the power of the church and in particular the Catholic Church, that for so many years held such sway over the ruling of monarchs and the governing of such a great nation. It was a time of selfish ambition, of conflict and disagreement within the church, of harsh ruling and betrayal. Reading from around the time of King Henry VIII and backwards to the Thirteenth-century, within this great timeline is such change and revolution that it is something I greatly enjoy discovering through literature. There was still animosity against ‘magic’ and the unexplained, such as Witchcraft or supernatural abilities that went against the Catholic ruling – hence as an example for the character Bridget.

This is such a fascinating, interesting read and one that will certainly appeal to those who not only enjoy this genre but who are also interested in the Church. The writing is just spectacular and this is a series that I urge you to discover, for books by Elizabeth Chadwick do really take your breath away!

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

I greatly enjoyed this novel. It was a wonderful mix of historical fiction and mystical legend and the two were blended together so expertly that I sensed no division between them. Historical figures rub shoulders with fictional characters and together they have been woven into a brilliant story that will keep you intrigued throughout.
Set in the thirteenth century in the Languedoc, the cosmopolitan south of France, this is the story of Bridget, ancestor to both Mary Magdalene and the Virgin Mary, she is the 'sacred feminine' herself. Bridget travels with her uncle, a Cathar Perfecti, sharing her gift of healing with those who need it.
The Cathars were a widely persecuted people during this century, with the Catholic Church considering them heretics of the worse order and calling for their ultimate destruction. Thus a crusade is born and the lords of Northern France join forces to crush not only the Cathars but the people who are tolerant of them--those who most conveniently happen to be their wealthy southern neighbors.
One of the best parts of this novel is the diversity of the characters and how they are inextricably linked throughout. Their lives are woven like a tapestry, the threads crossing at certain intervals as if fate has decreed it so. Ms. Chadwick has done a wonderful job of portraying this. It does not seem forced at all, rather there is a sense of destiny throughout that is leading the characters down their rightful path.
Such a fascinating novel, I've read nothing like it. Yes there are some crossover aspects between this and some of the theory behind Dan Brown's "The Da Vinci Code" but not enough for the novels to seem at all familiar to each other. This novel will transport you back to the Albigensian Crusade and you will feel as though you are there; living and breathing alongside these incredible characters.

[Rusty · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's interesting to see how others see a book I truly enjoyed. For example, I found that the term Cathars used in this novel was actually coined later than the period for which the book was written. The term Bon Hommes was the first used to refer to people with their humble beliefs. The Albigensian Crusade pit a force from northern France against the group and systematically wiped it out in the name of the Catholic church. Of course, the church confiscated the lands and property of the southern lords who sheltered the groups.

It is 1207 when Bridget’s mother dies from being tortured for her heresy, leaving Bridget a continue the bloodline. Raoul de Montvallant is a newly wed young southern lord, (Catholic), whose family has long protected those who live in their area. Bridget and her daughter Magda who believe that they are descended from Mary Magdelene, concentrate on healing those who need their talents. Asked to crusade against the Cathars by Simon de Montfort (the elder) Raoul agrees at first – as he sees it as the only way to keep his land from the invading northerners. However, but the Inquisition’s savage attacks cause Raoul to rebel. Bridget must have a child to continue her line power. She believes that Raoul is the appropriate father and her daughter, Magda, is born. From that point it's Magda's survival that is important.

Whether or not such powers existed, I did enjoy how Chadwick brought this medieval period to life including the people and their personalities, food, sights, sounds, smells, clothes and battles. Wow!

[Sandra Dias · Rating 4 out of 5]

Uma verdadeira viagem no tempo até ao séc. XIII onde o leitor consegue absorver o ambiente que se vivia na altura em França. O enquadramento histórico está muito bem conseguido, notando-se que se trata de uma obra cuidada. No final do livro existe uma nota da autora dirigida à pessoa que acaba de ler o livro, explicando quais os pormenores que foram retirados da realidade e quais são ficcionados. Pessoalmente fiquei deliciada ao ver que alguns dos pormenores mais marcantes do romance aconteceram mesmo.
Este livro é na sua essência um romance onde acompanhamos três gerações repletas de estórias de amor, traição, desespero,... No entanto não é o que eu costumo chamar um livro vazio, estéril em que lemos, lemos, lemos e que apesar de estarmos a gostar não se aprende nada. Por estas páginas, que li com tanto prazer, tive acesso a uma mini-aula de História.
O livro começa com o percurso de Bridget e a sua mãe, ambas descendentes de Maria Madalena, mulher de Tiago, sendo este último irmão de Jesus. Por serem mulheres com poderes e com provas de quem são, a Igreja persegue-as ferozmente, assim como aos cátaros. A partir deste ponto conhecemos um variado leque de personagens com as quais sofremos e amamos, até ao culminar da paixão entre Dominic e Magda, filha de Bridget.
Este foi um livro que me acompanhou durante um mês de excesso de trabalho e sem tempo para os pequenos prazeres da vida como ler e que sinceramente tive pena de o acabar.

[Tara Chevrestt · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was too slow for me. I gave up halfway thru, yet still waiting for the heroine, Bridget and the hero, Raoul, to "hook up" so to speak. Thus, the romance was slow to start up. Also, I found the action overall disappointing compared to Chadwick's others, namely The Love Knot and The Marsh King's Daughter. There is war and talk of religion and little else. What killed the whole story more for me than anything tho was Bridget's "healing powers." Supposedly a descendant of Mary Magdalene, she is able to simply put her hands upon people and heal them. Had she been a midwife, I would have found the story a lot more plausible and as a result, more enjoyable than a woman that can see the future and conjure fire. As usual, however, Chadwick's attention to historical detail is amazing. This particular novel focuses on the religious wars of the early 1200s when the Roman Catholic church turned against the Cathars. The historical detail alone warrants a star, saving it from becoming a two star book. Not for everyone, but fans of medieval lore that do not mind magic and psychic powers at a slow pace will enjoy it.

[Jan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Elizabeth Chadwick never fails to enthrall me with her fabulous stories of believable characters taking part in true historical events, and this book's no exception.

From start to finish I was hooked into the story of Bridget a descendant of Mary Magdalene, her healing abilities, life and persecution as a Cathar in medieval France.

I was there every step of the way and when I put the book down I continued to dream of the events, both exciting and horrific, shed a few tears along the way and surprised myself by enjoying it so much considering it features religious persecution so vividly - a subject I'd say is not a favourite topic of mine.

It just goes to show what a consummate author Elizabeth is to take a subject I have little or no knowledge of or interest in and turn it into an unputdownable story I loved from cover to cover.

[Nona · Rating 4 out of 5]

Daughters of the Grail by Elizabeth Chadwick is an interesting look into the mystery of the Grail and what might have happened, in my opinion.

It spans two generations fueled by love, loyalty, pain and the belief in something great then themaselves. Raoul, Claire and Bridget we're a great story in themselves but the pain caused and given from the events they shared drove the hatred and love on the next generation with Dominic, Magda and Gulliuame (sp?).

There are alot of events dealing with the crusades against the Cather driven by the power of the Roman Church and in them you meet several other people affected by the warring of France.

[Josephine (Jo) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read February
Simon de Montfort was the Catholic leader of a crusade Catholic crusade in 13th century France to kill every existing Cathar. The Cathars were a religious group that believed themselves to be decended from Mary Magdalene and that the held the secret of The Holy Grail, they were peaceful people but in that era they were considered to be heretics. The dreadful punishment meeted out by De Montfort and his followers was the most extreme and cruel that one could imagine.
Reading a story like this one, based on fact, leaves you wondering what it would have been like to live in such intolerant times when there was absolutely no tollerance of the beliefs of others.

[Akibsi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Emocionante, entretenido, educativo. Son algunas palabras que me vienen para describir a La Sangre de los Cátaros. Lo disfruté mucho. Es de esas lecturas que quieres devorar y al mismo tiempo no quieres que terminen. Es una mezcla muy bien balanceada de eventos históricos, misterios religiosos, aventuras caballerescas y romance, sin faltar la siempre atractiva lucha entre el bien y el mal.

[Robin · Rating 3 out of 5]

I’m a huge fan of Elizabeth Chadwick’s work but I really struggled with this one. I almost didn’t finish it and was relieved when it was over. This is an early work (1995 I think). She has evolved and improved. Still, there are some interesting elements to this book about the Cathars and the Albigensian crusade and Simon de Montfort the elder.

[Chasity Gaines · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love, War, and Prophecy: Daughters of the Grail Weaves Magic into History

Daughters of the Grail is a deeply compelling and richly descriptive historical novel that captivated me from start to finish. Set against the turbulent backdrop of the Cathar crusade in medieval France, the story explores the devastating clash between the Catholic Church and the Cathars—a peaceful, spiritual sect fighting simply for the right to live and believe differently.
At the heart of the novel are Bridget and her daughter Magda, descendants of the Virgin Mary and bearers of sacred, mystical gifts: the ability to heal and glimpse what is to come. Bridget is strong and determined, committed to fulfilling her mother’s dying wish by passing down the sacred knowledge to the next generation. Her choice to entrust her daughter to Raoul—a noble knight torn between duty, faith, and the Cathar cause—sets off a chain of events that entwine love, betrayal, and destiny.
Raoul, though married to the devout and complex Claire, is haunted by dreams of Bridget. On a stormy night, his fate intertwines with hers, and Magda is conceived just as Simon de Montfort, the ruthless crusading baron, begins his siege on Raoul’s castle. Claire, left to fend for her people, makes a desperate choice to surrender. Her bravery in protecting her son is overshadowed by the violence she suffers at the hands of Simon, which results in an unwanted pregnancy. Simon’s wife claims the child as her own, stripping Claire of both son and status.
As the story unfolds, the fractured family finds themselves reunited at Montségur, the last Cathar stronghold. There, the past seems to echo into the present as Dominic, the son born of violence, dreams of Magda in the same way Raoul once dreamed of Bridget. Their love, like that of their parents, blooms amidst chaos as they seek a way to escape the tightening grip of religious war.
This novel is as much a love story as it is a chronicle of faith, identity, and survival. It’s a tragic reminder of how religious intolerance can tear families—and entire communities—apart. Daughters of the Grail is a powerful, unforgettable journey through history, mysticism, and human resilience.

[ChroniclesofTania · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent book on the Cathars of Languedoc in the 13th century being persecuted by the Roman Catholic church and northern French nobles. The nobles of the South were tolerant and had cosmopolitan cities full of Cathars, Jews, Arabs and Christians. In consequence they grew rich and attracted the interest of northern French nobles wanting to plunder the South's wealth. The Cathars were a vegan, ascetic sect of Christianity worshiping Mary Magdalene and the Rex Mundi (hell on earth). They grew too large in numbers that Pope Innocent III took notice and found Simon de Montfort, a low noble, to lead the Catholic army to eradicate the Cathar heretics, this was known as the Albigensian Crusade which lasted 20 years and killed up to a million Cathars.

The Albigensian Crusade resulted in the razing of Béziers, the defeat of Montvalent, Carcassonne and the fall of many other Southern cities and the persecution of those families who helped the Cathars. The last Cathar last stand was in the middle of the century (a generation after the Albigensian Crusade) at Montségur, a holy mountain citadel. They were under siege for 9 months till the city surrendered and around 200 Cathars were rounded up and burnt.
This book follows the story of the direct descendants of Mary Magdalene (the Holy Grail) and their intertwining fate with the Counts of Montvalent and Simon de Montfort. A family saga following two generations.

[Quinby6696 Frank · Rating 4 out of 5]

I can't get enough of Elizabeth Chadwick's historical fiction. This story takes place in thirteenth century France during a time of religious unrest. People are increasingly unhappy with the established Catholic Church and splinter groups are starting to form. One of these was the Cathar movement. Their followers believed the Church was corrupt and their practices were simpler and not according to the doctrine of the Church. The Pope denounced them as heretics and horrific persecutions followed. Many Cathars were burned. Bridget, the heroine of this book, has healing powers and travels with the Cathars. As such, she is a fugitive and hunted by the Catholics especially the cruel and vindictive Catholic leader, Simon de Montfort. The book brings to life a fascinating yet tragic period of French history with believable characters and plenty of action and romance.

[Laura Tenfingers · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed that this book had a historical storyline as the main plot and the romantic storyline was safely in the background. I was not expecting that in an early Chadwick novel. She does a great job of putting the reader in the medieval time period she's describing, and that's why I read her books, but the romance can sometimes be a bit much for me. Surprisingly there was also a paranormal element that could be a serious turnoff. I found it tolerable because the setting was full of religion and spirituality and somehow that helped to muffle it. But be warned.

I learned a lot about the Cathars and the Cathar persecution during the Albigensian Crusade in the early 13th century. There were many twists and turns and the story was much more complex than expected.

[Lauren · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is one of my favourite periods of history, so it was interesting to read it from another point of view. Until now I did not know much about the Cathars and I must admit that I will be doing some research into them at a later point.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book, I fell in love with the protagonists and always find it so bittersweet to know that no matter where the story ends, they will always have passed from this life.

I did find the jump in years to be a little confusing at time, and two generations living and growing up did cause a little issue. However, I think this is more because I wish there was a little more to read.

[Ria · Rating 5 out of 5]

It is the year 1207 in France and Bridget is an adult who has grown up fully aware of her mystical and important bloodline.
She is related to Mary Magdalene and that sting blood tie has run true for over a thousand years.
But the Catholic church brands her a heretic and wants to silence her for her gifts of healing and what they see as supernatural abilities.
She falls for Raoul, a Catholic and when he turns rebel Simon De Montfort will stop at nothing to vanquish them.
A powerful historical novel, steeped in facts of the period with a wonderful story of that dark time and it's persecutions.

[Claire (Clairby11xxx) · Rating 4 out of 5]

(7/10) This is probably my least favourite of all Elizabeth Chadwick's books, that being said it's still a great read. It focuses on the Albigensian Crusade in France in the early thirteenth century, this part I loved as I knew nothing about it before reading this. I think the bit I wasn't as keen on was the mysticism and magical powers Bridget and Magda seem to have, I like the history Chadwick presents in her novels but this was straying into fantasy in parts and it just got a bit weird.

[Margaret Bale · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another exceptional tale from Elizabeth Chadwick

This was a hell of a ride! Not always a comfortable read. It tells the story of one of the most shameful and violent actions of the church of Rome - the determined genocide of peaceful people because they turned their back on the orthodoxy of Catholicism. Long before the reformation of a later age! Like all her books this one was beautifully written and meticulously researched. A very rewarding read indeed.

[Becky Wright · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love Elizabeth Chadwick and her ability to interweave fictional characters and plots with actual historical events and figures. Daughters of the Grail has a biblical supernatural element that gives this historical fiction sligtly more fantasy depth than some of her others. A firm favourite of mine.

[Sharon · Rating 4 out of 5]

This novel had a few more mystical elements than I am accustomed to in Chadwick's book and I read it with a constant sense of anxiety, as I am aware of the ultimate fate of the Cathars. As ever, the depiction of daily life in the Middle Ages rings true. The characters are well-drawn and the action moves along.