Battle Song: The 13th Century historical adventure for fans of Bernard Cornwell and Ben Kane

de Norton trilogy #1

by Ian James Ross

'A very promising historical adventure' - THE TIMES'A terrific novel' - HISTORIA MAGAZINE***'There is a fury in England that none shall suppress - and when it breaks forth it will shake the throne'1264 Storm clouds are gathering as Simon de Montfort and the barons of the realm challenge the power of Henry III. The barons demand reform; the crown demands obedience. England is on the brink of civil war. Adam de Norton, a young squire devoted to the virtues of chivalry, longs only to be knighted, and to win back his father's lands. Then a bloody hunting accident leaves him with a new the devilish Sir Robert de Dunstanville, who does not hesitate to use the blackest stratagems in pursuit of victory. Following Robert overseas, Adam is introduced to the ruthless world of the tournament, where knights compete for glory and riches, and his new master's methods prove brutally effective. But as England plunges into violence, Robert and Adam must choose a side in a battle that will decide the fate of the kingdom. Will they fight for the king, for de Montfort - or for themselves? Searingly vivid and richly evocative, Battle Song is tale of friendship and chivalry, rivalry and rebellion, and the medieval world in all its colour and darkness.***Readers absolutely love BATTLE 'Another five star Ian Ross novel!' *****'Truly is a masterclass in historical fiction' *****'The best historical fiction I've read in years. Up there with Hilary Mantel!' *****'A great well researched novel' *****'Brilliantly researched, gorgeously plotted and blessed with a terrific cast of exquisitely drawn characters' *****'Well written and engaging characters' *****'Ian Ross writes with a class and style that leaves the reader or listener thirsting for more' *****'Brilliantly researched, gorgeously plotted and blessed with a terrific cast of exquisitely drawn characters' *****'A gripping tale of early England' *****'A really good story, brought to life by an excellent narrator' *****

Genres: Historical Fiction, Fiction, 13th Century, Medieval, Historical

429 pages, Kindle Edition

First published March 30, 2023

About the author

Ian Ross was born in England and studied painting before turning to writing fiction. He has travelled widely and worked as a bookseller, tutor and university lecturer while developing his writing abilities. A year in Italy teaching English and exploring the ruins of empire reawakened his early love for ancient history, and he returned to the UK with growing fascination for the period known as late antiquity. He has been researching and writing about the later Roman world and its army for over a decade, and his interests combine an obsessive regard for accuracy and detail with a devotion to the craft of storytelling.

Reviews

[Peter Evans · Rating 5 out of 5]

1264 and England is on the verge of civil war. The King and his barons are at odds. The King demands obedience. The barons, led by Simon de Montfort demand reform. Something will have to break or there will be war.
Adam de Norton is a young squire who dreams of chivalry, becoming a knight and regaining his father’s lost lands. However life has just changed for him as he has a new master.
A knight by the name of Sir Robert de Dunstanville - a tough merciless man who will use any strategy to gain victory and claim what he believes is his by right.
They travel to Europe and its tournament fields where Adam is educated in the art of warfare and winning at any cost.
As things become bloody in England, knight and squire now have a choice to make. Do they back the barons or fight for their King or maybe fight for themselves?
A brilliant story narrated by Nathaniel Priestley. He brings to life the author’s wonderful ability to draw the listener or reader into the past and how life truly was, using great characters and with rip-roaring action throughout along with a tense atmosphere.
Ian Ross writes with a class and style that leaves the reader or listener thirsting for more.
This truly is a masterclass in historical fiction and I very much look forward to the next instalment.

[Jean-Luc · Rating 5 out of 5]

A magnificent medieval fictional journey through the beginning of the Second Barons'War that plagued England's political landscape between 1264 and 1267 and the political and military struggles between Henry III and his most powerful baron and brother in law, Simon de Montfort, Earl of Leicester.

As the story starts in 1262, we follow the adventures and misadventures of a young squire, Adam de Norton and his new master, the enigmatic Robert de Dunstanville as they navigate the various jousting tournaments in Europe but very soon the plot starts shifting towards England where the first menacing clouds of the upcoming conflict are gathering on the horizon and back on the English soil our main protagonists will have to decide on which side their loyalty will stand...

Battle song is historical fiction at its best.
A captivating and highly entertaining novel full of chivalrous deeds, violent military clashes and dubious political shenanigans. Its cinematic qualities are simply unforgettable and from the colorful knights and their jousting tournaments, the violent pogroms in London, the bloody siege of Rochester to the horrific Battle of Lewes, this adrenaline-fueled voyage into martial chaos will keep you entranced and under its magical narrative spell well beyond its last page...

Brilliantly researched, gorgeously plotted and blessed with a terrific cast of exquisitely drawn characters, this gripping tale deserves to be discovered and enjoyed without any moderation whatsoever!

Hopefully, Ian Ross will offer us a second opportunity to meet Adam and Robert once again very soon 🙏

Many thanks to Hodder & Stoughton and Netgalley for this fabulous ARC!

[Jo-anne Atkinson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Adam de Norton is a lowly squire with few prospects but lots of ambition. When chance means that he is to serve Sir Robert de Dunstanville, Adam is dismayed. However through strong training and experience on the tournament circuit Adam learns to be an effective fighter and to learn more about politics. On their return to England Robert and Adam must choose sides, to support the King or to support the barons he is in conflict with.
There are not many historical novels written around the 13th Century and particularly the Baron's War so this makes this book particularly interesting. There is lots of detail of tournaments and fighting, the love scenes are clunky and characterisation is not a strong feature. However I really liked the focus on the jewish population of England and the anti-semitic violence of the medieval times. Overall it's an exciting read.

[Luke Holmes · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a really fun read. The historical basis of the book and the research is amazing. The Barons' War(s) are a specialist subject of mine and I constantly found myself pleasantly surprised by the details the author brings out in the story - from Lord Edward's drooping eye, and slight lisp, to the use of hot sand at Rochester instead of oil. It's these details which build an immersive world, letting the reader feel comfortable and trusting in the portrayal of 13th century England.

I did find the main character (Adam) a little flat, perhaps too much on the wish fulfilment side. A flawed hero, but not that original. This didn't particularly detract from a rich portrayal of the period though.

[Anita · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5

[Luke Harkness · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read my full review on Luke's Blog

Battle Song is a very solid historical fiction with some solid characters. It’s got everything you’d want from the genre: battles, strong world immersion and some great historical facts. It’s not going to thrill you with some sudden plot twists or have your heart racing and your fingers flipping through the pages at pace, but as I said, if you’re a fan of the genre, you’ll likely love Battle Song. You’ll find yourself a big fan of the characters and a big fan of Ian Ross’ writing too.

[Lady · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a great story that I really enjoyed. It was very interesting and easy to get into. I listened to the audiobook and really liked the narrator. I thought the story was well written and contained some great atmosphere. I love stories like this one that spark emotions within me as it makes for a brilliant reading experience. The characters were interesting and were just right for the period. I definitely recommend giving this book a go. I loved the jousting in this book it definitely had that knights tale vibe about it.
So much praise goes out to the author and publishers for creating an interesting story. I just loved the ending and the section at the end telling us more about the history of the time period .

[David Pilling · Rating 5 out of 5]

Battle Song is the first book of a barnstorming new trilogy by Ian Ross, an author who has previously focused on Constantine the Great and the later Roman Empire. In this he has switched to the equally bloody and complex complex world of 13th century England, a time of great upheaval, seismic political reforms and murderous civil strife.

The trilogy follows the story of Adam de Norton, a (fictional) young squire in the service of Humphrey de Bohun, Earl of Hereford, who dreams of knighthood and recovering his late father’s lands. After the death of his father in Wales, Adam’s inheritance was snatched away by strangers, leaving him without any great name, fortune or ancestral estate. His personal misfortune plays out against the wider canvas of the year 1261; after several years of bitter wrangling, it seems Henry III has curbed the power of his rebellious barons, led by Simon de Montfort, Earl of Leicester. Yet the respite is only temporary, and storm-clouds are poised to engulf the kingdom.

After a fatal hunting accident, Adam is transferred to the service of Sir Robert de Dunstanville, a ruthless knight with a bad reputation, who needs a squire to accompany him on the tournament circuit in France. Ross particularly excels in describing the bloody chaos of tourneys in this era, very different from the more decorous jousts of the later period. Tourneys were pitched battles, essentially, which often degenerated into free-for-alls and spilled over into the crowd. The idea was to capture knights for ransom, but crippling wounds or even death were commonplace. Adam witnesses the brutish violence and strategy at first, and saves the life of a certain Edward Longshanks, who scarcely needs any introduction. This episode is based on the reality of Edward’s painful early experiences on the French tourney circuit, where he was gravely wounded on several occasions.

From here on, Adam is increasingly drawn into the battle for power in England, as well as his own private entanglements. This is not merely a story of battles and men at war, although that would be no bad thing: Adam gets romantically involved with Robert’s niece, Joanne de Quincy, adding emotional depth to the tale.

The story gradually builds in scope and intensity, as Adam finds himself embroiled in full-scale battles and sieges, including an epic set-piece at Rochester and the showdown at Lewes, where Simon defeated the royalists and took Henry and Edward prisoner. Ross is a master at describing the grim reality of war, up close and personal, the sweat and cramp and terror of being trapped in contending battle-lines, or the hellish danger of scaling castle walls under a storm of rocks and missiles.

While none of the conflicts are resolved (it is only the first book, after all), this reader was left keen to discover how things play out—even though I am well aware of the period, and the fate of the historical characters. These are all very well-drawn, especially Simon and Edward, whom Ross presents (quite properly) as formidable, alluring and yet repellent at the same time, as engaging as they are untrustworthy. The subtlety of these depictions, with the author refusing to paint with primary colours, is another tick in the novel’s favour. It is all too easy to portray controversial figures as simplistic heroes and villains, but Ross has too much skill, as well as passion and respect for the subject, to stoop to crude caricature.

[Stace · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love a book that triggers my interest and Ian Ross has certainly done that. Before reading Battle Song I knew two things about Simon de Montfort. Firstly, from a visit to Leicester, I knew that his name is closely linked with the city. Secondly, during a hike on the Sussex downs I came across a display board acknowledging the site of the Battle of Lewes which was fought between the armies of King Henry III and Simon de Montfort. I am therefore grateful to Ian Ross for supplementing my education and encouraging me to learn more about this significant but controversial figure from English history.

Ian Ross is no stranger to historical fiction having published his six volume Twilight of Empire series covering the final days of the Roman occupation of Britain. I understand that Battle Song is his first book to cover the middle ages and is scheduled to be the first of a trilogy.

The story is set during the years leading up to 1264AD during which time there was much discontent towards King Henry III who was reluctant to hand over further powers to the country’s barons even though they had been legally granted by King John in the Magna Carta in 1215 and in subsequent legislation.

Against this backdrop we follow the fictional characters of Sir Robert de Dunstanville, his squire Adam de Norton and their small support team while they travel northern France and the low countries making a living from tournaments and honing their fighting skills, with the eventual hope of regaining their family lands which had been taken away. Their adventures are woven into the times and include several real persons and events.

Ross clearly researches his subjects thoroughly and the text is packed with detail of the times including the types of armour, living conditions, horses, tournament techniques, chivalry and medieval politics. He is also exceptionally good at describing the real battle scenes that occur later in the book. Despite all this detail nobody should find the book dull; it certainly kept me enthralled.

As you would expect, the story is not always cheerful. Life in the 13th century was violent and the poor were frequently at the mercy of the land owners. There are also some rather dreadful actions against the Jewish population of England; persecution that has frequently occurred throughout the world for millennia.

Civil wars are terrible thing but it is generally impossible to be neutral. This was Robert and Simon’s dilemma. If you read Battle Song you will undoubtedly learn more about Simon de Montfort, his failings and his achievements but what will your opinion be? He has been described as the father of the English parliament but would you follow him? I’m not going to give my opinion but as an entertainment and an education in 13th Century English history I gladly give Battle Song five stars and look forward to seeing how he handles the next two volumes of this trilogy.

[Unseen Library · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received a copy of Battle Song from Hachette Australia to review.

Rating of 4.75.

Impressive historical fiction author Ian Ross journeys away from his typical Roman history novels and instead dives into the chaos and glory of medieval England with the outstanding and highly addictive read, Battle Song.

England, 1262. Adam de Norton is a lowly squire with very few prospects to his name. Unable to claim his family’s rightful estates, Adam’s only hope is to be knighted by his lord, which will allow him to win the glory and respect his chivalrous heart believes in. However, his chances of even being noticed by his lord seem slim, and Adam looks set for a life of disappointment until a hunting accident leads him to his new master, the rogue knight Sir Robert de Dunstanville.

Robert de Dunstanville is a man infamous throughout England as a murderous heretic, and his anger, resentment and apparent lack of knightly virtue seem to match his devilish reputation. A keen member of the tournament scene, Robert leads Adam to Europe, where his underhanded strategies and desire for victory over honour, prove to be highly effective. While Adam chafes under the dishonour of his new master and the circumstances that lead them together, he soon discovers that Robert seems to have a far better idea of the realities of his world than he does.

Two years later, Robert leads Adam back to England, determined to take advantage of the chaotic political situation that emerges. The Earl of Leicester, Simon de Montfort, has declared war against his brother-in-law, King Henry III, and now leads the barons of the realm in a rebellion, aimed at bringing reform and redressing the balance of power in the country. As the country plunges into civil war, Robert and Adam must choose which side will give them the greatest advantage and keep them alive. Soon caught in the middle of a desperate battle for the fate of the kingdom, will this duo get everything they think they deserve, or wind up in a bloody grave?

Ian Ross has written an exceptional and captivating historical adventure in Battle Song that I had an absolutely wonderful time reading. Blending some great characters with an exciting story and intriguing historical detail, Battle Song is one the most thrilling and intense historical novels I have read in a while, and which is worth checking out.

To see the full review, click on the link below:
https://unseenlibrary.com/2023/06/04/...

For other exciting reviews and content, check out my blog at:
https://unseenlibrary.com/

[Eileen · Rating 5 out of 5]

In the year 1258, the Magna Carta has failed to be observed by King Henry III. Earl Simon de Montfort and his followers had ratified the Provisions of Oxford which like the Magna Carta curbed the King's power, but Henry had the Pope to absolve him of his oath to follow it, much like his father had before him. By 1262, civil war was again in the air.

Adam de Norton, 18 years old, is a lowly squire. He gets into a fight with Gerard, the squire of Sir Robert de Dunstanville, the natural son of Earl Humphrey of Winchester, and beats him swelling both of his eyes. The next day, Gerard has an accident while with a hunting party and is killed. Sir Robert blames Adam. Sir Robert is known as "The Devil's Man".

That evening, while Adam was serving at table, Sir Robert mentions he has no squire and he needs one as he is headed for the Continent to compete in the tournament circuit. He suggests that Adam would be a fitting substitute since he had deprived him of his previous squire. Earl Humphrey agrees, and in an instant, Adam's life is placed in the hands of a man he considered his enemy.

As Adam prepares to sneak away, he is interrupted by the beautiful Joane de Quincy, cousin to the Earl. She was placed under the protection of Sir Robert when her father was killed. She asks Adam to protect Sir Robert, and he swears to do so. Sir Robert is very successful, and Adam quickly learns how to fight. He's so good he bests several nobles while fighting at Robert's side. He even saves Prince Edward from capture during a Tournament.

When they get back to England, it is still in turmoil with the Barons at odds with the king. Adam and Sir Robert join in with Simon de Montfort. Adam hopes to become a Knight and reclaim his rightful inheritance, which was stolen by his stepmother, but the road will be long and hard and full of danger. And what hope is there for him and Joane? You will just have to read to find out.

This is the first in a trilogy, and I've already ordered the second book. Since I'm very familiar with this time in English history I know, historically, what is going to happen. The question is what's going to happen with Adam de Norton.

I actually didn't think I was going to like this book at first. I only bought it because of the historical element. However, Ian Ross is a masterful storyteller. I was on the edge of my seat during every battle scene. I worried about both Sir Robert, and Adam de Norton. They are both on the wrong side of history so I can't wait to see what happens next. I highly recommend this book.

[Amzon_Reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

Splendid Mid 13th Century Martial Marathon with clever plot..

I’d never read the author before. The standard is very, very High! The book gets ones attention immediately. Some good, youthful brutality from the outset. The cast of characters are perfectly well thought out, and handsomely delivered in a fantastic plot. However, what stood out to me the most were the intricate descriptive details about the medieval battle scenes. The author did not shy away from vividly portraying the chaos and violence of warfare. Every sword clashing against armour, every arrow piercing flesh, and every horse thundering across the battlefield was described in such detail that it felt as though I was right there in the action, experiencing it firsthand. The author also did an excellent job of creating a sense of urgency and tension during those battles. The reader could feel the fear and adrenaline of the characters as they fought for their lives. In addition, the strategic manoeuvres and tactics used during the battles were explained in a way that made sense and added to the overall realism of the story. Overall, the author's attention to detail in depicting the medieval battles was truly captivating and made the book an exciting and immersive read.

I was blown away by the author's skill and mastery of his writing craft, and was hooked from the very first page. The characters are brilliantly drawn, with each one coming to life in a way that's both vivid and compelling. This is the authors first book in this era having previously written about Romans. I’m so impressed, I’ll read those books next!

In Summary:

Whether you're a fan of historical fiction, martial epics, or just great storytelling in general, this book is an absolute must-read. I can't recommend it highly enough - it's easily one of the best books I've read in years! AND it’s only £0.99p at the moment and was published a few weeks ago! If you're looking for a high quality author who can grip your attention from the very first page, then look no further! This author's skill is comparable to Bernard Cornwell, and his writing is nothing short of fantastic. The characters are expertly crafted, and the plot is both thrilling and thought-provoking. I read this book in just two sittings, and cannot recommend it enough. If you're a fan of great storytelling and skilled writing, then this author is a must-read!

[Richard West · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's been a while since Ian Ross released anything new, but the wait was well worth it. His latest has - like his previous works - to use an American baseball phrase - hit the ball out of the park.

This is the tale primarily of Adam de Norton, who becomes a squire to Sir Robert de Dunstanville, a somewhat less-than-honorable knight who primarily makes his living participating in tournaments, which have been, for the most part, outlawed, except on the continent. And this is part of what makes the book so appealing, the tournaments, preparation to actual participation are described in detail - often somewhat gruesome - and while I'm sure there have been others - this is the only book I've read which goes into such detail about the jousting tournaments and all that accompanied them. It was more than just two guys riding with their lances pointed at each other - a lot more - and Ross makes certain the reader understands it was more than just the joust which was actually a minor part of the tournaments.

All is going well until the British decide its time for another civil war, of which they seem to have had many down through the centuries. This time around its the 1264 war between Simon de Montfort and his allied barons against the forces of King Henry III. Which side do Robert and Adam ally themselves with? The king or Simon? That essentially makes up the remaining 2/3 of the book. And it all culminates in a rather bloody, not to mention graphic, battle that will keep you turning the pages to see how it ends.

It's good to see this is the first of a trilogy since I grew to like the characters of Adam and Robert and it would have been a shame to have made this a stand alone novel although it very easily could have been such. And now the wait begins for Book II - don't keep us waiting too long - please!

[Adam Lofthouse · Rating 5 out of 5]

Man, Ian Ross never misses. After leaving the dust of the late Roman Empire behind, he has moved to the middle ages. It's 1264 and England lies on the verge of civil war. The barons are rebelling, dismayed at a king who sees no need to meet the demands of those that should bend the knee before him. Led by Simon deMonfort, the barons demand reform, and will shed blood to get it.

Into this walks Adam de Norton, a lowly squire with no fame and little prospects. His lands lost to him, he finds himself in the service of one Sir Robert de Dunstanville. Robert is no believer in chivalry, in living by a certain code. He believes in winning, on the tourney field or in battle, and nothing will get in his way.

Adam joins Robert on the road, together they fight across the tournament fields of Europe, winning coin and little friends. Adam learns the way of the sword, distinguishes himself with sword and lance, and is finally becoming the man he always envisioned he would.

Across the sea in England, things are reaching boiling point, and Sir Robert must make a choice. Abandon the lucrative tourney's and return to fight? Or ignore the needs of a nation that thinks so little of him? Both knight and squire will return home, and on the fields of Lewes the fate of a nation will be decided. For Adam, he hopes he will find redemption.

Ian writes with such raw authenticity his books really are like travelling through time. The sounds, smells, sights of Europe a thousand years ago are brought back vividly to life. This is historical fiction as it should be written: immersive, authoritative, compelling. Absolutely superb!

[César Castelain · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fan inconditionnel de la série "Twilight of of empire" de Ian J. Ross, je me suis plongé non sans une certaine appréhension dans cette nouvelle série.
D'abord déboussolé, j'ai mis un peu de temps avant de réussir à entrer pour de bon dans ce roman et à m'attacher à ses personnages. Le héros, Adam de Norton, me paraissait trop lisse ou stéréotypé, ou probablement, avec Robert de Dustanville, m'était simplement trop étranger en comparaison au désormais très familier Aurelius Castus...
Toutefois, l'intrigue faisant son œuvre, je me suis rapidement vu piqué de curiosité et avide de connaître son issue. Mon appréhension initiale s'est dissipée et c'est en quelques jours que j'ai achevé de lire "Battle Song", tournant frénétiquement les pages des derniers chapitres.
Le talent de conteur de Ian J. Ross reste intact, en particulier pour les scènes de tournois et batailles d'un parfait réalisme. Sa capacité à donner à vivre en quelques lignes une époque est remarquable et c'est avec impatience de je m'apprête à plonger dans le second tome.
Et à tous ceux qui ne l'ont pas encore lue : la série "Twilight of of empire", du même auteur, qui se déroule dans la Rome de l'empereur Constantin est un chef d’œuvre à ne pas manquer, d'une qualité que l'on en rencontre trop peu en littérature historique.

[Lee McKerracher · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ian Ross transports us back to 1264 when England is in the middle of a power struggle. Henry III is on the throne and is demanding complete obedience to his commands, but Simon de Montfort, the charismatic Frenchman, is leading an army of knights, earls and barons to take over the country, remove Henry from his throne, introduce reform and restore order as they see it.

Adan de Norton is young and ambitious. The squire of Sir Robert de Dunstanville, he is keen to learn the skills of a knight and has dreams of one day being in the company of those who have the gilded spurs and swords. His relationship with Robert swings from that of a father to son, to compatriots to adversaries, but underneath all of the bravado, they both care deeply about what happens to the other.

As the country is drawn ever closer to civil war - what side will Adam and Robert fight on? Where do their allegiances lie? How do they claim back the lands both have had taken from them? And then there's Joane de Quincy - an aristocrat who has more than taken Adam's heart - but he is still a lowly squire and there can be no hope for him - but is that about to change?

This is a fast-moving, epic tale of battles, love, rivalries and family ties. Fascinating and compelling.

[John Mccormick · Rating 5 out of 5]

My thanks to the Author publisher's and NetGalley for providing me with a Kindle version of this book to read and honestly review.
I have always thought of myself as an amateur History buff the only subject I enjoyed in school. However I have never heard of the Battle of Lewes in 1264, or the uprising led by Simon de Montfort. Well written with superb characterisation throughout this is a gripping story with plenty of beautifully detailed action along the way. Atmospheric descriptive intelligent with a real feel for time and place.
Completely and utterly recommended.

[Kimmy C · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bucking the trend in which I read books in the wrong order, this first of three set in the 13th century, introduces us to Adam, whose lands were lost to his stepfather, and he is in service to the nobility, as was the career path for a certain type of youth back then. A violent incident sees him travelling through jousts and then wars with his new Knight, and (no spoilers) fiction and history blend to give us an action packed tale along with insights into warfare, societal rules, and knightly behaviour Back Then. Have the other two on order, so looking forward to following the adventures.

[Simon Dunsterville · Rating 3 out of 5]

A cracking read

I was recommended this book by a friend who recognised the name de Dunstanville and thoroughly enjoyed it, especially given that this chap is the grandson of my forbear.

The action is well paced and the atmosphere all absorbing; some of the characters are sometimes inconsistent but that does nothing to detract from what is fundamentally a solid and enjoyable read. I can’t wait to see where Adam and Robert’s paths lead them next.

A cracking read

[Ewa Myszkowski · Rating 5 out of 5]

Long awaited new series from Ian Ross is very well written and researched. Tells a story of young squire during turbulence times of the reign of Henry III and Lord Simon de Montfort. I enjoyed it very much as I trusted the author to be very good. I already read his previous books and I am glad that he gives us more to enjoy. It’s historical fiction it is best.

[Babylon · Rating 3 out of 5]

Loved the time period, the tournaments, the knights, the armies on the move. The massacre in London was well portrayed. But I’d have like more of the characters, not just action. In all, a solid recounting in tale form of the Battle of Lewis and what preceded it.

[Dilys Guthrie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wish I could give this more than five stars! The writing was amazing and so descriptive you felt as if you were there.

[Mitchell Gehman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Solid fictitious story of the experience of a low-ranking knight during the Second Barons’ Rebellion, with themes of loyalty, ambition, and self-worth. While looking at Simon de Monfort’s struggle to reinstitute the statutes of Magna Carta against Henry III from the view of someone who isn’t a great peer of the realm is refreshing, I think I prefer Sharon Kay Penman’s version in Falls the Shadow

[Benjamin John Tolley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really enjoyable read, first of his I’ve read - and not really a part of history I know. I’ll undoubtedly be reading more from this author.

[John Francis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome.

Adam de Norton is a squire who dreams of being a chivalrous knight. He has no land and none to inherit anymore. He ends up as squire to Robert de dunstanville, a knight who has also lost his lands.
I didn't think I would enjoy this book but, I was totally wrong. The further you read, the more you start caring about the characters. I can't wait for the next one now. 5 out of 5. If you love historical fiction set in the middle ages, you will love this.

[Clemens Schoonderwoert · Rating 5 out of 5]

This marvellous historical novel is the 1st volume of the "Adam de Norton" trilogy.

At the beginning of the book you'll find a well-drawn map of England and the West of France, with battle sites and places of tournaments, followed by apiece concerning the Magna Carta from 1258 and the subsequent years until the beginning of this story.

At the end of the book you'll notice an Historical note, where the historical details concerning this period of history are wonderfully explained by the author.

Storytelling is excellent, all characters, whether real historical and fictional, come vividly to life within this historical tale about life, politics, battles and death in the 13th Century.

This story starts off in the year AD1262, and we find our main protagonist, Adam de Norton, as a squire in the household of the Earl of Hereford, Sir Humphrey de Bohun, when due to an unfortunate accident Adam will become the squire of the Knight Robert de Dunstanville.

In part one they will fight in many a tournament in mainland Europe and encounter quite a few important royal and baronial persons who will play a major part in the rest of this story, while in parts two and three they will be involved in the political machinations and battles of the Earl of Leicester, Simon de Montfort, against the rule of King Henry III and his son, Prince Edward.

What is to follow is a tremendous 13th Century historical novel, where battles are superbly pictured and described, Rochester and Lewes AD1264, and where political loyalty and betrayal go hand in hand, until Adam and Robert will have to overcome many struggles and hardships in court and on the battlefield to survive the onslaught, and live on to face the confrontations in an uncertain future.

Highly recommended, for this is a magnificent start of this trilogy, and that's why I like to call this first episode: "An Amazing Opening Battle"!

[Jane · Rating 3 out of 5]

A young squire, Adam de Norton, fights at the battle of Lewes in the 13th century during the reign of Henry III of England and rises to knight. Enjoyable, but not nearly as good as the author's late Roman series. Tournaments and jousts were very visceral. I liked the front cover: the emblem of Simon de Montfort, a main character in the novel.

[James · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely brilliant

[Rudi Opperman · Rating 4 out of 5]

True to the title of this book, the battle scenes in this book are amazing. Great read.