Lords Of The White Castle

FitzWarin #2

by Elizabeth Chadwick

A violent quarrel with the future King John destroys the young Fulke FitzWarin's greatest to become Lord of the White Castle. Instead of accepting his fate, Fulke rebels. But the danger pursuing Fulke reaches new heights as he begins a passionate love affair with Maude Walter - the wealthy widow chosen by John himself. Negotiating a maze of deceit, treachery and shifting alliances, Fulke's route to success is fraught. And when the turmoil of the Magna Carta rebellion combines with a shocking tragedy, everything Fulke has fought for is thrown into the path of destruction.

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

672 pages, Paperback

First published December 7, 2000

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

[Lizzy · Rating 4 out of 5]

After a long time reading practically nothing (a small price to pay when becoming a grandmother!), I got back with a great book, thanks to the recommendation of a Goodreads friend! I love all Elizabeth Chadwick's books, and Lords of the White Castle was another example of her great writting.

Thanks Krista. 4 stars, highly recommended.

[Nicole~ · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars
Chadwick builds on an argument over a chess game between Prince John and Fulke FitzWarin, a story that some scholars suggest probably holds some truth. After John becomes king and underhandedly strips him of his family's lands, Fulke, with judgement clouded by black distrust and blinded by raging tempers, turns renegade to wreak havoc along the Welsh borders ( ergo inspiring the dearly loved Robin Hood legend ).

You're a king's son by birth, but just now I would accord a gutter sweeping more respect than you!

Chadwick created an exciting historical setting with interesting characters - heroes and foils, both lovable and despicable. I have been reading Chadwick's stories for a long time, and always marvel at how expertly she handles the details and choreography of her battle scenes.

I was completely immersed in the novel from the start: a blend of historical facts ( the Magna Carta is introduced ) and fiction( a little something to make you weep), yet the tale as a whole was so believable, I often felt the dialogue was real. I shan't betray much more, except to say that I quickly blew through this novel with eagerness..I think you would, too.

In her author's note, Elizabeth Chadwick cites J. Meisel's Barons of the Welsh Frontier, and Two Medieval Outlaws by Glyn Burgess ( among others ) for those who wish to separate truth from myth regarding King John and FitzWarin. Readers of Chadwick's novels can always depend on her to relay historical events accurately.
Recommend highly for all medieval historical fictionistas.

[Emmy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really wanted to love this. After first discovering Elizabeth Chadwick this was one of her books that I was most excited to read. It's been on my TBR list for years now, just waiting for me. I was ready to love it.

Suffice it to say this was a bit of a disappointment for me. I feel guilty giving Chadwick anything less than four stars because she is such a talented author and historian. She paints such an accurate and vivid picture of what life was like in the middle ages. And therein probably lies one of my issues. Life was not easy back then, and that is reflected in the story. Which goes against the type of book I like to get lost in. I like my happy endings. Which is not to say there are not happy endings, but things are certainly not easy for her characters.

This story revolves around Fulke FitzWarin and his efforts to reclaim his family home of Whittington. He develops an antagonist relationship with Prince John at an early age and it then becomes a driving force through much of his life. When John ignores his claim to Whittington when he becomes king, Fulke rejects his fealty to John and becomes an outlaw. So playing into the Robin Hood legend, which I love. However, not much time is spent on his time as an outlaw. There are a few examples of how he becomes a thorn in John's side, but by the 65% mark, he has regained Whittington. So here we are with 35% of the book left and the primary plot point is resolved. Where do we go from here?

Well from here it started to drag for me. There are a few minor conflicts, the Magna Carta rebellion, arguments with Maude, raids by the Welsh, but frankly I was just trying to finish it because my interest had waned.

AND THEN Maude dies! Are you kidding me? I mean it was less tragic than it could have been given that Maude and Fulke had already enjoyed twenty years of marriage together, but still! And then the book keeps going with the focus on Clarice so we all knew where this was going. Frankly as soon as it was suggested long, long before, that Clarice was in love with Fulke, I suspected something would happen between them, but why end on their marriage? I think it should have stopped at Maude's death. I get the desire to tie everything back to Whittington though, but it all just didn't sit right with me.

The other issue with Chadwick's books for me is that they always cover a significant amount of time, usually most of a character's life. And so I am constantly trying to figure out everyone's ages every time it skips a few years. I just find it very distracting to the story and I just don't like time skips.

But still, Chadwick is an incredibly talented author and for the amount of history alone, this book deserves praise. But there are others of hers that I would recommend first.

[Krista · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lords of the White Castle sums up forty years of Fulke FitzWarin’s (Fulk III) life, beginning from his days as a squire to the years he had spent as an outlaw. His actual life story was so renowned he became the subject of an “ancestral romance” called Fouke le Fitz Waryn, which is said to be similar with the Robin Hood legend.

Fulke is the eldest son of Brunin and Hawise (Shadows and Strongholds) who was sent to the king’s court at age fifteen to squire for Prince John. His family needed strong royal connection to help win back an important family estate they lost during the Civil War and believed Fulke’s presence at court will be advantageous to their cause. However, a spat with Prince John over a game of chess has shortly ended Fulke’s royal service and started John’s lifelong bitterness towards him. When John becomes king several years later, he refuses to award the land to the FitzWarins despite the family’s strong claim, and Fulke rebels against John as a result.

What I admire most about Elizabeth Chadwick is her ability to transform the ghastly realism of medieval life into an instructive digest of heroes and history. I wouldn’t have found interest about the feudal times if not for the courageous people she has resurrected through her books. She shares her penchant for describing historical fine points and lets us absorb her stories with gusto—be it a discussion about a monumental battle scene, or life’s ordinariness for some. The ‘time travel’ I experience every time I read a Chadwick book feels so real that I could already be part of her character roster.

She also has a resourceful way of drawing out lifelike emotions from her characters without drifting from facts. It becomes easy then to understand Fulke and Maude’s marriage woes and their coping mechanism (which is mostly, well, steamy romance) while Fulke is in rebellion against the king, find sympathy with Clarice as she grows up tending an unrequited love, or resent King John for his callousness and self-importance.

I enjoyed this book, and will recommend it to friends who are history aficionados. I know I look like an overzealous fan whenever I gush over her books, but what can I do? I feel exactly that. ;-)

[Misfit · Rating 5 out of 5]

While serving as a squire at the court of Henry II, fifteen year old Fulke FitzWarin runs afoul of a drunken Prince John and fights back when John attacks him with a wooden chess board, leaving a grudge that both men carry into adulthood. The FitzWarin family fights to have Whittingdon Castle, that was taken from them during the Civil War, returned to them, yet upon Richard I's death the now King John refuses to consider Fulke's plea out of spite. Fulke and his brothers rebel against John and become outlaws, living in the woods and robbing whenever they can from John (hmmm, a bit similar to a certain legend?).

Fulke has carried a torch for Maud Walter, who was married to a much older Theobald Walter when she was very young. Recently widowed, and at risk of being married off to one of John's henchmen, Fulke literally whisks her out from under John's nose and marries her and she joins Fulke and his brothers as outlaws as they continue to fight to regain Whittingdon Castle.

There's a whole lot more to the story than that, but as usual I'm not into book reports, read it for yourself. 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. Chadwick has also written a prequel of sorts telling the story of Fulke's parents, Shadows and Strongholds that I also highly recommend.

[Regan Walker · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Sweeping Historical Saga and a Captivating Love Story—the real Robin Hood of Legend

First published in the UK as LORDS OF THE WHITE CASTLE, this follows the FitzWarin family saga begun in SHADOWS AND STRONGHOLDS, but can be read alone. Set in medieval England, beginning in 1184, it takes up as Fulke, the oldest son of the FitzWarin Marcher Lords, at age 15 becomes a squire of Ranulf de Glanville, the Justicar. Fulke’s family is hoping through influence with King Henry and his court to regain Whittingdon Castle in Shropshire, their inheritance lost in the Welsh wars to Roger de Powys.

While acting the squire, Fulke runs afoul of young Prince John’s cruel temper during a game of chess and the two young men become life long enemies. Fulke is removed from court to become a squire to Theobald Walter, a powerful baron. Years later, Fulke becomes a knight just as a young, 12 year old Maude le Vavasour is betrothed to Theobald, who is three times her age. When Fulke and Maud meet again, she is 16 and being wed to Theobald. Fulke and Maude become enamored with each other, though they avoid each other and remain true to their commitments. In the background lurks Prince John who lusts for the beautiful young woman.

Much happens over the years as we follow the lives of Fulke and Maude. (Fulk III—no “e”—was a real historic figure, who married Maud le Vavasour—again with no “e”—and rebelled against King John from 1201-1203, living in the woods as an outlaw ala Robin Hood. Lest you worry about him (as I did), Fulk III lived into his 90’s, which given his life and the times, was a miracle.)

Chadwick brings the history to life with a richness that makes you feel like you’re living it. It’s a well-told tale with extensive historical detail and vivid pictures of the social and political happenings of the times. Chadwick’s medieval vocabulary, dialog and descriptions reflect considerable research, as do all her novels.

Both Fulke and Maude are compelling characters as well as real historic figures; you want to see them together. He is an honorable man much like the Robin Hood we imagine, and she is an intelligent, spirited young woman just like Maid Marian. It’s a love story that will keep you turning pages. I thought the way Chadwick dealt with the historical figure Clarice de Auberville was brilliant—and believable.

Though Chadwick typically writes historical fiction with romantic elements, there’s enough romance here to satisfy the historical romance lover. I recommend it.

[Malacima · Rating 3 out of 5]

Continuing saga of the FitzWarin family first introduced in Shadows and Strongholds.
I found the story of Fulke Fitzwarin (a real historical character-Welsh border Lord) to be very interesting. A knight in the time of king John (who is always ass) who becomes an outlaw to fight for his right to his family's castle .Fulke FitzWarin's troubles with Prince and later King John start with a fight over a chess game as children. And for the rest of their lives they would be playing figurative chess games for increasingly deadly stakes. Somehow I did not find a connection with his wife, she nerves me through the book. Honestly I do not know why but that's how it is.There's a lot of history covered here.A mix of fact and plenty of fiction. In my opinion, the first book is more in a romantic spirit as this one has more history than romance. But anyway both are interesting to read.

[Julie Yates · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lords of the White Castle, also published as Outlaw Knight.
Another fabulous showing by Chadwick, although this book is not as historically correct as her later fare. However, she clearly admits she is following a rhyming story called the Romance of Fouke Le FitzWaryn which is a bit sketchy on dates (and also has dragons.) [Real Fulk III born 1160, died 1258: outlaw during the time of King John striving to recover family lands.]

Fulke III, eldest son / heir of Fulke Le Brun and Hawise (main characters in Shadows and Strongholds ) is continuing the fight for Whittington Castle against the backdrop of the treachery of King John. After a fight as a young squire with [then] Prince John leads to a lifetime of antipathy, Fulke chooses to rebel and become and outlaw to fight for his honor rather than pledge to John. [Apparently this is the basis of Robin Hood? ] Only deep friendships forged with the powerful Theo Walter and Hubert Water ~ Theo is married to the love of Fulke's life, Maude ~ keep Fulk and his 5 brothers alive as they rob the King and poach on his lands.

As always I had a deep connection to the characters and couldn't put the book down. Several parts made me cry. Also, the SADDEST part is historically accurate, so what can you do? I have found Chadwick books where the main characters are men to be stronger than when the main characters are women. Each of her male knights are different and memorable in their own ways.

The History of Ludlow and its Neighbourhood: forming a popular sketch of the History of the Welsh Border

[Sarah Rowe · Rating 3 out of 5]

For most of this book, I enjoyed the story. While it became long and somewhat boorish at times, I struggled through it. I am disappointed in the ending, I must say, but not surprised by it as it was foreshadowed greatly throughout.

[Lori Elliott · Rating 5 out of 5]

I adore Elizabeth Chadwick... when I pick up one of her books I'm guaranteed a fantastic read!!! No one does medieval historical fiction better!!!

[Peggyzbooksnmusic · Rating 4 out of 5]

Edited to add that this is AKA "Lords of the White Castle".

Elizabeth Chadwick may not be as talented an author of medieval history as the late Sharon Kay Penman but I always get lost in the romance of her characters. And she does do her homework on the historical details. This is a very entertaining and emotional re-telling of the marriage of Fulke FitzWarin and Maude le Vavasour during the late 12th century and early 13th century reign of the notorious John, King of England. Fulke and Maude are possibly the inspiration for the legend of Robin Hood and Lady Marion. Highly recommend for those who enjoy Medieval historical fiction. Rated 4 stars.

[Mela · Rating 5 out of 5]

it would be all right. Not the same, not unchanged, but all right

The first half of the book was pure perfection. A perfect mix of historical fiction, adventure, romance, action, emotions, historical accuracy, a study of human being, entertainment. Really - six stars!

Fulke wondered if he should feel more euphoric himself. Perhaps it would come. Perhaps it would pierce the numbness of fatigue and he would manage to smile and raise a goblet in celebration—and perhaps it was the price for leading that he might not.

I've not come this far, fought this hard, loved this much to lose it all before the feast has even begun.

I am going to repeat myself. I adore Chadwick's eye to details that makes her stories, her characters alive.

Untying Blaze, he mounted up. A short command, a swift twist on the reins, and he was out of their campsite and heading for the forest track that led to the castle not half a mile away.

And let me stress it out, in almost all novels by Chadwick I have read so far there was a love story, but some of them were priceless, simply the best of. One of such priceless was in here (my other favorite romances in Chadwick's books were in: Shadows and Strongholds and The Champion).

Fulke has moved heaven and earth for her

[sigh...]

The second half of the book was great also but it lost most of the romance and a bit of adventure so I wasn't holding an arm of the chair so much. But again, it was still 5-star historical fiction.

PS The novel was about the son (sons) of Hawise and Brunin from Shadows and Strongholds. Meeting them again made something in my heart. By the way, Chadwick first wrote this book, the story about Hawise and Brunin she wrote three years later.

[Susana · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book! I'm taking a break from Chadwick for this year, but what a closure, a golden one, no doubt. Learned that this novel was titled "The outlaw knight" it was to my thinking a better one, but I understand the change. The story of Fulke is an amazing one! so audacious that is considered the one that inspired the Robin Hood legend, I don't doubt it. It is amazing that after leading such a live he lived to be ninety years old! surviving two wives, the second one very much younger than him. Learning about his live was an enthralling journey. I will certainly re-read this book, a well deserved read.

[Rebecca Huston · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another knockout from Elizabeth Chadwick, and a sequel to her book, Shadows and Strongholds. Based in real history, this tells of a Marcher Lord and his struggles to keep his legacy and family together during the rule of King John. Great details, characters and a story that will stay with you long after you finish the book. Very much recommended.

For the complete review, please go here:
http://www.epinions.com/content_43947...

[Rio (Lynne)]

I'm excited to see this being released in the US
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1402...
Even though I don't love the new title or cover.

[Toast · Rating 3 out of 5]

What a great little read. Right time right book.
I love a good Medaeval rollick and this was just up my street. I don't think I've read any EC before but I found it a rich, atmospheric tale that had all the elements. It kept a fast pace, a firm historical line and a strong narrative edge. The characters were believable without over-doing it and it all fitted together into a good story.
Not bad if that's your cup of tea.
Toast

[Tita · Rating 5 out of 5]

Vejam a minha opinião em vídeo, AQUI.

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reminded me of Robin Hood...loved it!

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this novel, although I didn't find it as jaw-dropping as Chadwick's Marshal series, especially my favorite in that series--the prelude, "A Place Beyond Courage". However, this was still an enjoyable read and I found the story of Fulke Fitzwarin to be very interesting.
The son of Hawise de Dinan and Brunin Fitzwarin from Chadwick's novel "Shadows and Strongholds", Fulke was a Marcher Border Lord like his father and therefore butted heads often with the Welsh aswell as King John I. The relationship between Fulke and John was stormy and Fulke was one of the lords who pushed for John to accept the Runnymede Charter, which would grant certain liberties and curb John's power.
The marriage between Fulke and Maude was a love match and Maude agreed to wed him even though he was an outlaw at the time. Chadwick's depiction of their 'honeymoon' period as they fled from King John was beautifully written. It is said that the legend of Robin Hood and Maid Marian was partially based upon Fulke and Maude and Chadwick most definitely did justice to that legend in how she portrayed their early relationship.
As the novel progressed their relationship became more strained, mostly due to the politics of the time. As is portrayed in many other novels aswell as this one, King John was a difficult King to live under. His cruel nature and volatile temperament meant that many noblemen were pushed the breaking point and became rebels to the crown. Having previously read of William Marhshal, who stayed loyal to the crown no matter what, it was rather satisfying to read of Fulke, who stood up for his rights. These two men chose very different paths, and yet I would consider both men to be loyal, steadfast men. They were just loyal in a very different way. Marshal took an oath and stayed by it no matter what--sometimes even to the detriment of his family--and Fulke stayed loyal to his family's honor, particularly his father's memory.
Little is known of Maude le Vavasour and therefore I feel as though Ms Chadwick's dramatic license was greater when it came to creating her character. She reminded me of Fulke's mother, Hawise de Dinan, who featured as the protagonist in "Shadows and Strongholds". Both women were fiery, spirited women and I became fond of both of them. Chadwick has a wonderful way with her medieval female characters of keeping their feet firmly planted in the era in which they lived and yet showing them as women who we in this modern world can relate to. Maude came across as a passionate women, who loved her husband and her children and had a good handle on her own self-worth. She was a great character.
This novel goes by another name "The Outlaw Knight" which I find to be an apt title for Fulke's story. He was a remarkable man, strong in both body and mind, who was not afraid to stand up for what he believed in. Even though King John did not abide by the Magna Carta for long it was the first step in the right direction.

[eyes.2c · Rating 5 out of 5]

...of princes, kings and grudges

Richard, Coeur de Lion, an enigma. A man who was king and yet left his kingdom to corrupt and power hungry lords, beggaring his country for the sake of the crusades. Why is not the question. It does however provide the background for this story. It places Prince John, his foibles and his policies, his governing of England whilst Richard is away, and when he later becomes king, firmly in the limelight.
A teenage altercation with Prince John, shown as an arrogant, womanizing, drunken, spoilt whelp who held grudges long and deeply sets the path that Fulke FitzWarin will tread. Growing into a man of the same elk, John further fans this antipathy between them when as king he denies Fulke justice in the matter of his birthright holding, Whittington. Fulke refuses to pay homage to John and is declared an outlaw. By now an accomplished commander and knight, Fulke proceeds to harass John at every chance. Fulke becomes the thorn in John's side.
With this background, fiction expounds on fact. Elizabeth Chadwick has taken a story hidden in the mists of time and revealed it to our present eyes via what is essentially the love story between Fulke FitzWarin and Maude le Vavasour, the wife of Lord Theobald Walter. Both characters are impressive and fully elicit our sympathies.
When Fulke's mentor and friend Walter dies, they marry at dying his behest, both to thwart John and keep Maude safe. Fulke had been Theobald's squire. There had always been strong attraction between the two, kept strictly in control out of deference, love and duty towards Theobald.
Around their life's story rages the battles for kingdoms between John and his principalities in France and Wales. The fight for the charter of liberties, a code of conduct (Magna Carta) becomes an important part of this background.
As Fulke explains to Maude, 'It means that never again will [a ruler] withhold land from a man on a royal whim. Never again will a woman be constrained to marry against her will, or an heir pay more than he should Ro inherit his father's lands.'
Bringing history alive is a wonderful skill and Elizabeth Chadwick has it in spades.
A thoroughly enjoyable medieval historical novel--empathetic and interesting.

A NetGalley ARC

[Laure Estep · Rating 5 out of 5]

The obvious Robin Hood overtones had this book screaming at me from my tottering tbr pile. What a happy little fangirl to have a favorite author tackling my favorite subect. And Chadwick doesn't disappoint.

Fulke FitzWarin's troubles with Prince/King John start with a fight over a chess game as children. And for the rest of their lives they would be playing figurative chess games for increasingly deadly stakes. A good deal of their struggles surround ownership of the FitzWarins' traditional holding, Whittington that was supposed to have been returned to them by command of the previous king. When John refuses, FitzWarin becomes an outlaw, determined to harrass John at every turn until he is forced to give in and return the land to its proper owner.

There's a lot of great action, from tourney fields to battlegrounds, to politics and the king's court. And the irresistable romance between Fulke and Maude, once the young bride of his mentor, is beautifully written. The intensity of their passion, and the strains that threaten that almost overwhelming love never come off as romancy or the dreaded big misunderstanding. As always, Chadwick's characters come to vivid life and the reader is completely transported to another world and lives through these story people. Even secondary characters like the hot-headed, impulsive FitzWarin brother William, and stoic, content Clarice are fully drawn and fascinating in their own right.

There's a lot of history covered here, some of which I might have liked to see explored more. As an American, my knowledge of things like the magna carta are sketchy at best and much of that felt a tad rushed through. But to delve more fully into that would have added considerably more pages to an already hefty tome.

There are powerful emotions, motives of justice, revenge and honor, all wrapped up in fascinating characters and events that make me want to read more. Might be my favorite Chadwick novel so far, or at least a hair's-breadth second to Greatest Knight.

[The FountainPenDiva, Old school geek chick and lover of teddy bears · Rating 5 out of 5]

Yes, I am addicted to Elizabeth Chadwick. It takes a certain caliber of historical fiction author who can immerse me in the world and she is one of the best. What I love is she infuses her characters with so much realism I feel as if I know them. Even though seven-hundred years separate us, their lives matter. That's one reason I believe, women authors are a little better at writing historical fiction. Male authors I've noticed tend to concentrate on events, which is not a bad thing, but the characters do get short shrift. Female authors tend to concentrate on the lives of people, even those on the periphery of great events. As a reader that approach feels more immediate, that it brings the big events to life.

Chadwick doesn't present a rose-tinted view of the Middle Ages, but more of a balanced one, and she seems to understand that women could and did wield power in spite of male domination. Of course there was still noble girls bartered as brides by their fathers, the sanitation sucked as did their practice of medicine and abuses are rife. The poor are still poor and often victims of great lords and their personal struggles. On the other hand, we have Fulke and Maude and their tempestuous marriage against the backdrop of King John and the Magna Carta. I loved this book and will be reading more from her really soon.

[Nimue Brown · Rating 3 out of 5]

An enjoyable read, but not the most tighly structured of Elizabeth Chadwick's novels. The trouble with history is that it isn't always a tidy shape for a novel. I find I prefer stories that cover a shorter time frame intensely rather than rolling on over decades with more left unsaid than explored. However if you like epics then add a star or so to the rating, it will be a book more likely to appeal to you.

The requirements of romance mean that both partners have to be in the story as early as possible, which tends to mean a little bending of history to make paths collide. It felt a bit forced in this one, at times. The effect is to romanticise history, perhaps misleadingly. However, that said, I very much apreciate the way in which the author reflects on the realities of life for women of the period - the restrictions, the likelihood of death in childbirth, the probability of being sold in marriage, the lack of power. I also like the way in which Elizabeth Chadwick explores the psychological impact of beleifs that were common at the time - beliefs about god, death, sin and afterlife tht must have impacted on how people felt and lived. Infinitely preferable to transposing modern sensibilities onto historical people.

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lords of the White Castle, my second Elizabeth Chadwick read.

Once again, I am w-o-w-e-d by the Fitzwarin stories and the skill of this author. This book is full of excitement that rarely lets up. I never read the Author's Note until I've finished the very last words of the book and, as before, I'm left stunned by the realisation that Lords of the White Castle is a fictional account that's interwoven with fact and Elizabeth Chadwick's integrity.

My love for the Fitzwarins has carried over from Shadows and Strongholds and it's wonderful to rejoin Fulke and Hawise with their new family.

The angst that follows their eldest son begins with a false accusation made by the then Prince John. As the story unfolds it becomes apparent that this is one enemy that could be the undoing of everything the Fitzwarins hold dear.

Another book with page-turning-quality that every aspiring writer should learn from. My only sadness is knowing that the end pages bring closure to our inside peek into the lives of the Fitzwarins.

Now, the next question is which Elizabeth Chadwick should I read next?

[Helen · Rating 5 out of 5]

You know that you're hooked on a book when you're reading it at the same time as getting ready for work (speaking from experience potentially dangerous when using hair straighteners) consequently nearly making you late for work, you resent having to go to work and stop reading and whilst at work, you're thinking of the book and longing to leave work and get back to it. So it was with my latest EC and possibly my favourite so far. This is an account of the life of Fulke FitzWarin, a historical character I first came across years ago when writing my dissertation on Robin Hood and medieval outlaws. FitzWarin was a knight who led a roller coaster of a life which included at one point being outlawed by King John and hiding out in forests. The story's told with all of Elizabeth Chadwick's customary vibrancy and yet again I was pulled into the distant past to witness a rollicking good tale involving well-drawn characters and relationships. I have to say I didn't like the ending and I'm sure I'm not alone in that but you can't argue with history!

[Steph! Lee · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this after reading Sharon Kay Penham's Welsh Princes Trilogy and they go together hand and hand. Not all historical novels can tell a story so well that it's enjoyable to read and contains historically accurate details to paint a picture of life in medieval England.

[Mirella · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very interesting plot. It's a large book at nearly 700 pages. The hiistorical research and detail is fabulous.

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love anything Elizabeth Chadwick writes. Historical fiction is my favorite genre. She makes history come alive with her characters and style of telling the story.

[Marg · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5/5

So good!

[gardienne_du_feu · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fulke FitzWarin ist Knappe am englischen Hof, als ihn der aufbrausende Prinz Johann (zu der Zeit gerne als Johann Ohneland verspottet) zu einer Schachpartie herausfordert, die damit endet, dass der Prinz Fulke das Schachbrett ins Gesicht schlägt und dafür selbst mit einem Faustschlag niedergestreckt wird.

Es ist der Beginn einer wunderbaren Feindschaft. Fulke muss den Hof verlassen und findet Zuflucht im Haushalt des Ritters Theobald Walter, dessen Bruder der Erzbischof von Canterbury ist. Nachdem sein Vater stirbt, schwört er sich, dessen großen Wunsch zu erfüllen und die Burg Whittington, die einst den FitzWarins gehörte, endlich zurückzuerobern. Dabei hat er jedoch die Rechnung ohne seinen Erzfeind gemacht, der seine Bestrebungen sabotiert, wo er nur kann.

Maude le Vavasour wird von ihrem gefühlskalten Vater als Dreizehnjährige mit dreimal so alten Theobald Walter verheiratet. Sie hat Glück, weil ihr Ehemann liebevoll mit ihr umgeht und ihr viele Freiheiten lässt, was im 12. Jahrhundert eher unüblich ist, doch auch als Maude erwachsen wird, bleibt die Beziehung eher platonisch. Kaum verwunderlich, dass der gutaussehende Fulke aus dem Gefolge ihres Mannes höchst verstörende Gefühle bei ihr hervorruft, die sie erst einmal nicht wahrhaben will.

Die Hauptfiguren dieses historischen Romans hat es wirklich gegeben, Elizabeth Chadwick hat in einigen Originalquellen recherchiert und auf Basis der Aufzeichnungen eines namenlosen Chronisten die bewegte Geschichte von Fulkes Kampf um den Familiensitz im Grenzland zwischen Wales und England niedergeschrieben. Der Dauerzwist mit dem späteren König Johann, die Verbindung zur einflussreichen Familie Walter und auch die spätere Eheschließung mit Maude sind allesamt historisch belegt.

Das Ganze liest sich größtenteils spannend, auch wenn sich das Kampfgetümmel manchmal ein bisschen redundant erscheinen mag, manche Entwicklungen oder Sinneswandel etwas plötzlich daherkamen und das Buch an ein paar Stellen etwas Straffung vertragen hätte.

Dass Maude ihren eigenen Kopf hat und es zwischen ihr und Fulke genauso heftig krachen wie leidenschaftlich werden kann, gefiel mir gut, weil sie dabei nicht emanzipierter wirkt, als sie es zu ihrer Zeit wohl gewesen sein kann. Einige Formulierungen habe ich allerdings als etwas schwülstig empfunden, wobei das auch an der Übersetzung gelegen haben kann.

Alles in allem solide historische Unterhaltung mit Pluspunkten für gute Recherche.