Montfort: The Angel with the Sword - 1260 to 1265

Montfort The Founder of Parliament #4

by Katherine Ashe

King Henry III has suppressed the elected Parliament and returned England to the abusive governance that the Provisions of Oxford of 1258 corrected. But a new force is rising to oppose him. Young lords, the common people, even the outlaws of Sherwood and the Weald are organizing, led by Simon’s cousin Peter de Montfort and Gilbert de Clare. Condemned as a traitor, Simon is lured back to England from his refuge in France where he has taken the Cross of a crusader and is about to leave for the Holy Land. Seeing the cause he championed reviving, he agrees to be the leader of this new army. In the end he will be recognized by the people as the Angel of the Apocalypse, as the thousand year process commences in which the Church and nations dissolve in a single world order governed by the common people inspired by the Holy Spirit -- as predicted in the millennial theology of Joachim de Flor.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Historical

537 pages, Paperback

First published April 30, 2010

About the author

Since embarking on writing MONTFORT, Katherine Ashe has written plays and screenplays on historical subjects from Columbus to the coal mining labor leader John Mitchell. She lives in rural Pennsylvania with her husband, journalist and author Peter Wynne, and two dogs.

Reviews

[3genres · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is part 4 of the series on Montfort. I enjoyed this telling of the tale, and the contrast with the books by Sharon Kay Penman. Interesting to see the different takes on the same basic set of events, thought this series focused more centrally on Simon de Montfort, while the other was split between Montfort and Llewelyn of Wales. Very different take on Simon's wife and his relationship with the queen, too.

[Therese · Rating 2 out of 5]

Thank goodness I have reached the end of this series. I had hoped for so much more. The story of Simon de Montfort is one that should be known, and unfortunately these books do not do him justice. Henry III is failing, but now Prince Edward is of age, and time and time again Simon just wants to go to Palestine to make peace among the Saracens even though the English continue to call him back after he has been tried for treason on more than one occasion. He wants the King to be accountable to the subjects, and the barons agree with him until those same laws apply to them regarding the commoners. This is something they can't stomach, and needless to say war is inevitable. Montfort, along with his sons, and a few of the younger barons, along with the Welsh, fight for justice against all odds, but what other ending could there be?

The author has done enough research but continues to lean more toward more fiction as opposed to history in a story where it is totally not necessary because the characters involved are fascinating enough in and of themselves. To read about Simon de Montfort, I highly recommend Falls the Shadow book #2 of the Welsh Princes trilogy even though it is told from the POV of the Welsh. Simon still figures prominently in it and it is a great read. I'm looking forward to finishing that series with The Reckoning even though I know it doesn't end well either. At least I know it will be far more accurate.

[Karen Plummer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Knowing how Simon De Montfort's life ended, I found it difficult to read this quickly. I love Ashe's characterization of this man and admire him from a historical viewpoint as well. This, along with the three previous books in the series, was well-written, exciting, and rich in detail.

[James B. Kuminecz · Rating 5 out of 5]

A historical novel are on the church in England and it's Royals.

Very detailed story of a very turbulent time of the political trails of middle England and their allies and enemies.

[gj indieBRAG · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a 2012 B.R.A.G.Medallion Honoree- and honor that tells readers this books is well worth their time and money!

[Kathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not only did I enjoy every book in the series, but I also learned so much! Highly recommend!

[BookAddict · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ploughed through the last 2 quickly as there is only so much I can take of long descriptions of medieval battles. I realize Simon was ahead of his time but Books 3 & 4 should have been titled "Blind Faith" or "Einstein's Definition of Insanity" as he constantly believes Henry and Edward and is always rewarded with treachery. Pigheaded is another word that comes to mind as well. Given the 2 volumes pretty much dedicated solely to battles, I'd have thought that post Simon's Seth would have warranted more than an afterward. After all those pages and pages and pages it just ended. Bam. Fans of battle strategy will love this.