Shadows and Strongholds

FitzWarin #1

by Elizabeth Chadwick

An awkward misfit, nine-year-old Fulke FitzWarin leaves his family for the household of Joscelin de Dinan, Lord of Ludlow. Once there, he begins to learn the knightly arts which he desperately hopes will free him from the shadows of his past.Joscelin's youngest daughter, Hawise, befriends Fulke when he most needs it. But as the years pass, an enemy to Ludlow changes their friendship unalterably, forcing them onto opposite sides of a cruel divide.When the menace to Ludlow intensifies, Fulke must confront the future head on or fail on all counts, all the while desperate to know if Hawise stands with or against him.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Historical, Medieval, Romance, Fiction, Historical Romance, British Literature

588 pages, Kindle Edition

First published July 1, 2004

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

[Lauren · Rating 5 out of 5]

Goodreads lost my review.

This was another excellent book by Elizabeth Chadwick. She is one of my favorite medieval writers, especially when I want a more realistic hr.

[Lizzy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Shadows and Strongholds is not The Greatest Knight, nor its hero as charismatic, but it is a delightful coming of age story during the end part of the Stephen/Matilda conflict through to the early years of Henry II’s reign. Nevertheless, Fulke "Brunin" Fitzwarin is honorable and brave. Brunin and Hawise began as childhood friends and grow up together with struggles and conspiracies that threaten their happiness.

If you enjoy reading a historical-fiction with a hearty dash of realism; if your tastes are a bit fearless; if you appreciate political plots, power plays and intrigue; if you devour pages devoted to sieges and sword fights; and a rush of romance; this Elizabeth Chadwick’s story is a great book for you. Maybe it is not as good as most of her later work, but that is only natural.

4 stars, recommended for readers of historical-fiction.

[Mela · Rating 5 out of 5]

Elizabeth Chadwick is a master of a historical fiction (and historical romance). Her storytelling is wonderfully engaging. Her characters (all, even the episodic) are of flesh and blood, touchingly true. The story is moving. The historical background is well researched and perfectly described. Without boring melodrama, without unnecessary pomposity.

I know how it sounds, but really this book (as much as The Champion) is what should be call historical fiction and historical romance. The latter genre contains so different books that one is almost offense to put on the same shelf Chadwick or Anya Seton and... for example Julia Quinn or Judith McNaught. I don't suggest that the latter two are bad writers, far from that. But their books have a different level. If you had ever read such books you know what I mean.

But, let's go back to "Shadows and Strongholds". This marvellous novel leads a reader through the story of Brunin and Hawise (and their relatives), from the moment when they were about ten years old to the first years of their adulthood. Their relationship changed, grew in strength, they too.

True to be told, I feel that I even don't have to write about this book. The novel was simply so great that you just need to start to read it and you will know it is worth your time.

What I love the most:
1. The love story - how it developed from a childish friendship.
2. Growing up Brunin and Hawise.
3. The women in this book - their roles in Middle-ages were really limited but some of them nonetheless lived so much happy as they could.
4. The description of those times and world - perfectly balanced between interesting details but not to much, otherwise a reader could feel bored.
5. The characters - so real, like they probably were in those times, without much modern correctness.
6. Last but not least - an eye to details: small gestures, moves of body, facial expressions. They smoothly and beautifully showed real emotions and thoughts. I savored moments such as when FitzWarin played with his drink in the hand or when Sybilla approached and hugged Joscelin from behind. There were many such small gestures that made the whole book a masterpiece.

Stop thinking - read it!

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Shadows and Strongholds was not only my first ever Elizabeth Chadwick read (I know, where have I been?!) but my first read of a twelfth century novel, and I LOVED it.

Elizabeth Chadwick's storytelling is second to none, and the era came alive on every page. I loved watching the characters of Brunin and Hawise grow and I experienced first hand the day to day challenges of twelfth century living.

It was amazing to experience a little of what life for women was like, and interesting to discover how strong some of these women were holding their own in a male dominated society.

What I loved most about Shadows and Strongholds was feeling secure in the knowledge that every facet of information had been well researched by the author. For me, Elizabeth Chadwick's integrity added to the enjoyment of the read and I can't wait to catch-up with her other titles.

[Misfit · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful coming of age story. This book is the story of Fulke "Brunin" Fitzwarin, taking him from childhood to his manhood. As a young boy, Brunin withdraws into himself to avoid the pain from his domineering overbearing grandmother, and his father sends him to train as a squire to Joscelin de Dinan. As Brunin blossoms under Joscelin's care, he eventually becomes a strong young man and a knight to be reckoned with, and he learns to deal with the shadows of his youth and banish them forever.

Brunin and Joselin's daughter Hawise began as childhood friends growing up together, to becoming man and wife, while trouble and conspiracies threaten their happiness. 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. As quoted on some of her book jackets, the next best thing to time travel. Five stars.

[Blodeuedd Finland · Rating 4 out of 5]

I do love Chadwick's books. There is just this feel to them. They even make me want to live in that age. Even if I totally would have been dead by now.

This on is about Brunin FitzWarin, another character found in the mists of time. He was sent away for fostering, grew up and married the daughter of the house. But the story has more to tell than that. There is the shaky ground his family sits on regarding their lands. And the same thing is true about the de Dinan family. There is always someone else who has claim. And of course the beginning of the book also shows the power struggle for the English throne.

And midst all that we have a boy growing up, he is made to be unsure of himself (he did not have the easiest time at home). But he grows into a strong and sensible young man. Hawise de Dinan is a nice heroine, strong, but willful. There is also some rivalry between her and her foster sister (who I wanted to smack, that idiot!). I like the way she portrays daily life, because even when there was war and campaigns life went on. It was a rough life, but interesting to read about.

What more can I say than this was another Chadwick win for me.

[Natasa · Rating 3 out of 5]

The first Elizabeth Chadwick book I couldn’t get into. I was more interested in the side characters than the main character.

[Cora Tea Party Princess · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fantastic performance which did justice to the book and characters.

I will absolutely listen to more narrated by Christopher Scott.

[Krista · Rating 5 out of 5]

Shadows and Strongholds was my very first Elizabeth Chadwick read and a precursor to my liking historical fiction so much. It gave me a glimpse of the lives of the remarkable heroes and heroines from several hundred years past that would have been eternally unknown to me if not for the author’s relentless passion to relive them through this book.

Yes, 5 stars for Brunin and Hawise!

[Hailee · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am as obsessed with this book on re-read as I was the first time. Can't wait to re-read book two in the duology.

[Vivone Os · Rating 4 out of 5]

Knjiga je predložena za Čitateljski klub i kad sam vidjela da je povijesne tematike, odmah sam izgubila volju za čitanjem. Ali evo, pročitala sam je u jednom dahu za svega par dana. I baš mi je bila zanimljiva. Odlično mi je što je Chadwick priču rasplela oko stvarnih povjesnih događaja u Velikoj Britaniji u Srednjem vijeku, ali je dodala romansu, ratovanje, čast, običaje iz tog vremena te je likovima podarila živote vam povijesnih činjenica. Naravno, nije to sad neka dubokoumna knjiga i likovi su dosta plošni (ono, onaj koji je dobar, većinom do kraja ostaje dobar i obrnuto), ali su se u tom svom kalupu razvijali. A neki su se i sasvim malo promijenili. Na kraju sam zvala prijateljicu koja je povjesničarka pa ju ispitivala za detalje i neku povijesnu podlogu i drago mi je što jesam jer sam saznala neke nove stvari o tom razdoblju u britanskoj povijesti. Sve u svemu, na kraju mi nije žao što sam pročitala knjigu, a vidim da ima i nastavak pa ću si ga pribilježiti na TBR.

Book Club Osijek 2025. – 6 (Fabo)
A-Z 2025.
Orilium Adventure 2025. - 6E - Fight Water Demons - water on the cover

[Michaela · Rating 3 out of 5]

More of a love story and other relationships than a historical novel.

[Lori Elliott · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love anything Elizabeth Chadwick puts her name on... she is one of my favorite writers of historical fiction!!! She has an amazing way of making history come to life by totally immersing the reader into the story with rich detail and feeling!!! This was not my favorite of hers... i only say that because I don't know that anything could top her William Marshall series in my eyes!!! Still a wonderful novel and a strong 4.5!!!

[Molly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Este é um livro que eu já queria há algum tempo.

Com uma história interessante, um período histórico que me fascina, personagens fortes e carismáticas, este livro é um daqueles que posso afirmar que é bom.
O trabalho da escritora em recriar a História é notável e muito muito bem feito. Realista, lúcido, inteligente e muito bem explorado. Penso que o melhor do livro reside aí mesmo: no trabalho Histórico.

O livro conta a história de Brunin, um rapaz sombrio e tímido, de dez anos. Com o objetivo de fazer com que ele espevitasse e criasse uma maior auto estima, o seu pai entrega-o ao seu maior amigo para que o rapaz obtivesse o seu treino de escudeiro junto deste.
Lorde Josceline de Ludlow, amigo do pai de Brunin, tem duas filhas e uma filha adotada. É casado com a Senhora Sybilla, uma mulher nobre, com uma forte presença, senhora do castelo, boa mãe e boa esposa.
Brunin é desde logo recebido em Ludlow e começa a travar amizade com as raparigas, em especial com Hawise, a filha mais nova, e Marion, a filha adotiva. Cedo começa a crescer um ciume entre estas duas, em especial da parte de Marion.
Disputas de propriedades, guerras pela coroa, disputas de honra, disputas de amor, são os ingredientes base desta obra.

Brunin vê-se forçado a ir para a guerra com o seu senhor e o seu pai. Vê-se forçado a enfrentar a familia, o cavaleiro de Lorde Gilbert De Lacy (rival de Josceline, que quer Ludlow, afirmando ter direito sobre este e querendo tirá-lo a Sybilla, a herdeira do castelo), Ernalt De Lysle, um rapaz mais velho que Brunin, louro e bem parecido, que logo no inicio da obra, ataca o rapaz mais novo. A disputa entre estes vai cimentar muitos dos acontecimentos ao longo do livro.

Em suma, é um livro com uma história interessante e bem descrita. Abrange um longo período de tempo da vida das personagens e é interessante ver esse percurso.

Recomendo a todos, principalmente àqueles que gostam de Romances Históricos!

[Terri · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was acutely lacking in magic. There wasn't a lot going on, not a lot of story, not a lot of character development, not a lot of anything really.
Chadwick's books are always a bit up and down. Never consistent.
There are authors that you can pick up any of their books and be guaranteed a consistent product. Chadwick is not that author...for me. She will be that author for some, but not for me. Sometimes her books are just so brilliant, and sometimes they are just so uninspiring. Shadows and Strongholds, for me, was her least inspiring yet.
The main two characters Hawise and Brunin were hard to endear oneself to. It started okay, when they were small children, but from then on, they never felt like main characters. I had that sense that they were a secondary set of characters. This book is a prequel to Lords of the White Castle and sometimes, when authors feel they need to write a prequel to a well loved book, they can't help but think of those characters as secondary to the ones in the already written sequel. That can come through in the writing and I think it did here with Shadows and Strongholds.
I really wanted to like this book because it has been years since I last read a Chadwick novel that I liked and I miss that style of writing that once inspired me. I will not give up on her though. I will cross my fingers that the next time I read one of hers that it will be another of those brilliant novels that I know she can write.

[Misfit · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is the story of Fulke "Brunin" Fitzwarin, taking him from childhood to his manhood. As a young boy, Brunin withdraws into himself to avoid the pain from his domineering overbearing grandmother, and his father sends him to train as a squire to Joscelin de Dinan. As Brunin blossoms under Joscelin's care, he eventually becomes a strong young man and a knight to be reckoned with, and he learns to deal with the shadows of his youth and banish them forever.

Brunin and Joselin's daughter Hawise began as childhood friends growing up together, to becoming man and wife, while trouble and conspiracies threaten their happiness. 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. As quoted on some of her book jackets, the next best thing to time travel. Five stars.

[Susana · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fulke Le Brun is no William Marshal, but he is honorable, brave and intelligent. He's fortunate to be a first son and has the capacity to lead men in a wise manner, which his brothers recognized in him also. Loved this story and I'm eagerly reading it's second part in Lords of White Castle. Where Brunin's first born also named Fulke is leading his life.

[Julie Yates · Rating 5 out of 5]

Marvelous historical fiction (heavy on the fiction, see below) with a compelling hero Brunin (Fulk II) overcoming the isolation and pain of his childhood to become the dependable knight at the head of 2 families. Set on the Wales border, the story is of 2 Marcher lords [the FizWarins and the de Dinan families, whose son and daughter marry] and their sometimes unsuccessful fight to keep their lands and their lives during the end of the Anarchy and the political restructuring during Henry II early reign. Excellent but not gory descriptions of the hand to hand fighting necessary in castle warfare.

Chadwick explains in in the endnotes the novel is loosely based on a 14th Century romantic tale called the FitzWarin romance (which can be found on www.openlibrary.org as Two Medieval Outlaws: Eustace the Monk and Fouke FitzWaryn. ) Since "the original rhyming romance has a core of solid truth ... but the chronicler played fast and loose with many facts especially with regard to the timing and placing of some of the major players," this is NOT a novel where you actually learn FizWarin history.

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Historical fiction set within the end part of the Stephen / Matilda conflict in England, through to the early years of Henry the second’s reign. It gives an insight into 12thC England; the political power struggles and challenges, that were a part of daily life for two families living on the Welsh borders at this time.

[crashqueen73 · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thought this was really well written and the historical aspect was very well done. I'm rating it 4.5 stars because while I love historical romances this one was more historical than romantic. That is my only complaint. I loved Brunin and Hawise and Sybilla and Joscelin. And the story was very well told. Am looking forward to reading more from this author!

[Abigail Yow · Rating 3 out of 5]

A lot of people would say that this book is the next best thing to time travel. I agree. The author is a masterful storyteller and is certainly gifted with words. She pulls you into the past with her evocative and crisp writing. So why the 3 stars, you say?

I didn't really like the time skip for instance. It felt disjointed and hindered the plot progression. At one point we see Brunin stripped to his braies to wash the sweat off him and the next scene skips ahead with Brunin dutifully serving wine or ale to the lords.

I wonder if it's just me but the narration seemed a bit off at times. It jumps from one character to another - all within the same short chapter. Sybilla talks, Brunin continues, Hawise picks up the baton. You get the picture? It's just confusing.

The characters were fine. Brunin is our reticent main character. He may seem like the perfect knight whose prowess in battle is unparalleled. But he isn't. There was a lot of effort and discipline on his part; add to his burden a huge fear in the form of his grandmother. Her acerbic tongue doesnt make it easier for him. But that slowly changes when he meets Hawise.

Hawise is Brunin's other half. Fortunately, she isnt a total mary sue. Like most girls she's also given to fits of tantrum and impulsiveness. But she learns from them and grows to be a formidable woman.

They seem like the perfect couple in every sense. Sadly, I just didn't see the chemistry between them.

I'm sure Brunin's grandmother was created to spite Brunin and this reader in particular. She was vindictive, pretentious and altogether crabby. Frankly, I didn't care much about her.

In spite of all my nitpicking, I would still say that Shadows and Strongholds is a satisfying read that has everything that makes a good novel: love, war and intrigue.

[Nimue Brown · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the earliest Elizabeth Chadwick novel I’ve read, which makes it an interesting comparison with later works, especially those set in the same conflict. This one takes us from the end part of the Stephen / Matilda conflict in England through the early years of Henry the second’s reign. There’s a romance story, lots of action and fighting, lots of politics and power, tons of attention to detail. It’s a good read. It’s not as good as her later work (as you’d expect really). The characters are rounded and compelling, but at this stage I noticed she wasn’t quite as skilful at slipping the history in. There are more explanations, whereas in later books she gets the big picture across through the thoughts and words of characters and never has to stop and explain what’s going on. As flaws go, it’s not a huge one.
If you want historical romance with a hearty dash of realism, if your tastes are a bit swashbuckling and you like pages devoted to sieges, sword fights, and the such, this is a great book. If you hate the oversanitised, unreal, overly modern tendencies of the historical romance genre, this book, and others by the same author are well worth giving a try.
Also, Chadwick has the wonderful habit of putting a note in the back to tell you what came from where, what she made up, what has a grain or three of truth in it – very helpful if you want to follow up on anything.
And, unlike most romance writing, I do not hesitate to recommend these books to male readers. I think guys will like this too. It’s not chick lit.

[Jonesy_laaa · Rating 3 out of 5]

When I first looked at the back of this novel, I was filled with anticipation and looking forward to reading the novel.

However, I have to say I was disappointed. For me, I felt that Chadwick didn't have enough of a plot or character development throughout the novel and I did struggle to finish the book.

Despite this, I will give Chadwick credit for a book that has been researched to a high standard and tries to offer what life was like in the 12th century and also provide an perspective on what it was like for a woman in that period also.

If Chadwick in my opinion spent more time on defining the plot and more on developing the characters more fully, I would have probably enjoyed this novel more than I did.

But overall, it wasn't a good read but it wasn't a bad read either. It was just average and it's sad to say this after a promising blurb on the back of the novel.

[Sibylla Matilde · Rating 5 out of 5]

Finished this book last night.... OMG.....OMG OMG OMG OMG OMG OMG.... I am forcing myself to do my homework for the next 2 days, but then I am sooooooooooooo going to start The Lords of White Castle which is about Brunin and Hawise's oldest son.... OMG OMG OMG OMG OMG....

[Suzi · Rating 5 out of 5]

cisto ok knjiga ali fali mi drugi dio :(

[Martina Bahat · Rating 4 out of 5]

" Bilo je trenutaka kad su nas šibale oluje naših razlika i nesuglasica. Bilo je staza kojima nikad ne bi kročio da nije bilo mojeg nagovora...Ali mora�� znati da bih hodala za tobom bosonoga i u noćnoj košulji i svejedno bih bila najponosnija žena u cijeloj Engleskoj. Na koncu, nisu važne zidine, nego tko u njima živi. Ne želim svršiti svoje dane poput Mellete, ogorčene starice koja je zatočena unutar pustih zidina vlastite duše."

[Zora · Rating 3 out of 5]

Liked but did not love this. It's mostly a historical novel, and maybe 14% a romance. The crazy girl character seemed one-dimensional to me, and I began skipping past her scenes, and the most moving relationships were non-sexual male-male ones, the male lead's love for his foster father, and the foster father lifelong friendship with the lead's real father. Battle scenes a plenty. Good writing. A good sense of the time. It spans The Anarchy (I hate to call Stephen the King; the throne was really Matilda's, and he was a pretender in my view) through the early years of Henry II.

[Jenny Langley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant. Just as good as Lords of the White Castle! Would highly recommend these two books 💫

[Lisa · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5

[Vanessa Tekać · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jedan od najboljih i najuzbudljivijih historijskih romana ikad , velika preporuka! :)