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de Norton trilogy
King's Enemy
The Battle of Evesham has been fought and lost. The King is triumphant, Simon de Montfort is dead, and Adam de Norton is a prisoner, stripped of everything he once honoured and prized.
Escaping from captivity in the grim castle of Beeston, Adam becomes a fugitive in a country in turmoil. Branded a king's enemy, he can be slain with impunity.
Together with the widowed Joane de Bohun, Adam flees across a bleak winter landscape, evading both pursuing royal troops and a desperate band of outlaws to seek shelter with a surviving rebel force in the north. But when the rebels are beaten once again, only one place in the land still holds out defiantly against the Kenilworth Castle, the mightiest fortress in England.
Joining the garrison of Kenilworth as it prepares for one of the most epic sieges in English history, Adam finds dangerous foes both inside and outside the walls. But as the siege grows ever more brutal, he must decide between a valiant defence and a still more perilous bid for freedom.
Escaping from captivity in the grim castle of Beeston, Adam becomes a fugitive in a country in turmoil. Branded a king's enemy, he can be slain with impunity.
Together with the widowed Joane de Bohun, Adam flees across a bleak winter landscape, evading both pursuing royal troops and a desperate band of outlaws to seek shelter with a surviving rebel force in the north. But when the rebels are beaten once again, only one place in the land still holds out defiantly against the Kenilworth Castle, the mightiest fortress in England.
Joining the garrison of Kenilworth as it prepares for one of the most epic sieges in English history, Adam finds dangerous foes both inside and outside the walls. But as the siege grows ever more brutal, he must decide between a valiant defence and a still more perilous bid for freedom.
- GenresHistorical Fiction
436 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 12, 2024
8 people are currently reading
28 people want to read
About the author
Ian James Ross
27 books97 followersIan 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.
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
April 18, 2025
This wonderful historical novel is the 3rd and final episode of the "Adam de Norton" trilogy.
At the beginning of the book you'll find two well-drawn maps, one of important places and battlegrounds in England, and one of Kenilworth castle in 1266, followed by a historical foreword.
At the end of the book you'll notice a Historical Note, where the historical details concerning this period of history are superbly documented by the author.
The author's storytelling is excellent, all characters are very believable, human and lifelike in their dealings with life, hardship, war and death, while also the uncertain times in England between 1265 and 1267 are brought to us in a very realistic fashion, and all these tremendously factors combined make this book such an enormous joy to read.
The book is divided into three parts, between 1265 until 1267, and we find Adam de Norton, rebel, traitor and thus King's Enemy, at first in part one as a prisoner at Beeston Castle before his escape, followed in part two with bloody actions in Duffield, Derby and Chesterfield, and ending in part three as one of a group of rebels at Kenilworth Castle, before his final escape towards freedom and a pardon for his against King Henry III, and most of the time he's accompanied, loved and finally freed from his Knightly obligations by Joan de Bohun, rebel daughter-in-law of Sir Humphrey de Bohun, towards a most satisfying end for the two.
What is to follow is a magnificent historical novel, containing bloody struggles and battles between different factions, resurrectionists versus King Henry III, throughout England, until the rebellion will be broken at Kenilworth and later on elsewhere, until pardons will be issued to bring England back to unity for King and Country, and Adam de Norton restored as owner of his estate and finally united with his betrothed, Isabel St John, and all this is brought to us in a most accomplished manner by the author.
Highly recommended, for this is an excellent conclusion to this amazing trilogy, and that's why I like to call this final episode: "King's Enemy Is Coming Home'!
At the beginning of the book you'll find two well-drawn maps, one of important places and battlegrounds in England, and one of Kenilworth castle in 1266, followed by a historical foreword.
At the end of the book you'll notice a Historical Note, where the historical details concerning this period of history are superbly documented by the author.
The author's storytelling is excellent, all characters are very believable, human and lifelike in their dealings with life, hardship, war and death, while also the uncertain times in England between 1265 and 1267 are brought to us in a very realistic fashion, and all these tremendously factors combined make this book such an enormous joy to read.
The book is divided into three parts, between 1265 until 1267, and we find Adam de Norton, rebel, traitor and thus King's Enemy, at first in part one as a prisoner at Beeston Castle before his escape, followed in part two with bloody actions in Duffield, Derby and Chesterfield, and ending in part three as one of a group of rebels at Kenilworth Castle, before his final escape towards freedom and a pardon for his against King Henry III, and most of the time he's accompanied, loved and finally freed from his Knightly obligations by Joan de Bohun, rebel daughter-in-law of Sir Humphrey de Bohun, towards a most satisfying end for the two.
What is to follow is a magnificent historical novel, containing bloody struggles and battles between different factions, resurrectionists versus King Henry III, throughout England, until the rebellion will be broken at Kenilworth and later on elsewhere, until pardons will be issued to bring England back to unity for King and Country, and Adam de Norton restored as owner of his estate and finally united with his betrothed, Isabel St John, and all this is brought to us in a most accomplished manner by the author.
Highly recommended, for this is an excellent conclusion to this amazing trilogy, and that's why I like to call this final episode: "King's Enemy Is Coming Home'!
December 16, 2024
Apparently Goodreads doesn't know there is a hardback edition of this book available, thinking it only comes in a Kindle version. Sigh.
This is the third in Ian Ross's trilogy of the Second Baron's War (those Englishmen were always fighting over who was going to be king and injustices and the like - it's amazing they survived as a society) and the Siege of Kenilworth, believed to be one of the longest sieges in history. It's the story of Adam de Norton whom we met in the first two volumes of the trilogy and his efforts to regain his land and title.
There's more than enough blood, guts and graphic bloodletting via torture to satisfy the lust of the most bloodthirsty of readers. And, there's enough death to keep even the most sadistic of readers happy for days. But, that's the way things were back in the 1200's when warfare wasn't nearly as civilized as our political leaders would have us believe it is today. It isn't of course, no war is civilized, but today a bomb can take out more people than died in any single battle or even war, back then. Times have changed.
Ian Ross recognizes that fact but doesn't ignore the fact those were brutal and vicious times. And, being the outstanding writer that he is, he doesn't gloss over the facts. He tells it like it was.
Overall, this is a truly outstanding read and a fitting conclusion to an outstanding series. If you've read the first two books in the series, Battle Song and War Cry, you owe it to yourself to read this one.
This is the third in Ian Ross's trilogy of the Second Baron's War (those Englishmen were always fighting over who was going to be king and injustices and the like - it's amazing they survived as a society) and the Siege of Kenilworth, believed to be one of the longest sieges in history. It's the story of Adam de Norton whom we met in the first two volumes of the trilogy and his efforts to regain his land and title.
There's more than enough blood, guts and graphic bloodletting via torture to satisfy the lust of the most bloodthirsty of readers. And, there's enough death to keep even the most sadistic of readers happy for days. But, that's the way things were back in the 1200's when warfare wasn't nearly as civilized as our political leaders would have us believe it is today. It isn't of course, no war is civilized, but today a bomb can take out more people than died in any single battle or even war, back then. Times have changed.
Ian Ross recognizes that fact but doesn't ignore the fact those were brutal and vicious times. And, being the outstanding writer that he is, he doesn't gloss over the facts. He tells it like it was.
Overall, this is a truly outstanding read and a fitting conclusion to an outstanding series. If you've read the first two books in the series, Battle Song and War Cry, you owe it to yourself to read this one.
September 22, 2024
I received a copy of King's Enemy from Hachette Australia to review.
Ian Ross brings his exceptional De Norton historical fiction trilogy to an extremely strong end with the excellent and powerful third and final entry, King’s Enemy.
England, 1265. It is two months after the infamous battle of Evesham, where knight Adam de Norton lost everything. The rebellious Simon de Montford lies dead on the field alongside de Norton’s mentor, Robert de Dunstanville. and the rest of their army, massacred by Prince Edward and his victorious army. Spared by the prince alongside a few other noble survivors, de Norton remains a prisoner of the crown in the grim castle of Beeston, with all his lands, wealth and honour stripped from him.
However, despite the crushing victory at Evesham, England is far from peaceful, as new rebellions begin against the king. Determined to take his fate into his own hands, de Norton makes good an escape from Beeston and becomes a fugitive from the crown. Branded a king’s enemy, a man who can be slain with impunity by those pursuing him, de Norton flees across England, alongside the recently widowed noblewoman Joane de Bohun, contending with royal troops and dangerous outlaws, desperate to find a cause to fight for. But when the promised new rebel army is swiftly beaten, de Norton and Joane are once again left without options.
Adam and Joane soon find their fates tied to that of the mightiest fortress in England, Kenilworth Castle, when they seek sanctuary there. The last castle holding out against the crown, Kenilworth is garrisoned by a motley band of rebels and knights, each with their own reasons for being there. Joining the defenders, Adam finds old friends and enemies within and without the castle walls, as he prepares to endure a lengthy siege. But as the months pass and the battle becomes more desperate, Adam must decide what is more important, the lives of those he loves or his knightly honour.
King’s Enemy was another outstanding novel from Ross, who brings his de Norton trilogy to brilliant end with this third book. Once again expertly focusing on a particularly intriguing part of English medieval history, Ross crafts together a powerful and intense narrative that will have you hooked the entire way through. King’s Enemy is an epic read that gets a full five-star rating from me.
To see the full review, click on the link below:
https://unseenlibrary.com/2024/09/22/...
For other exciting reviews and content, check out my blog at:
https://unseenlibrary.com/
Ian Ross brings his exceptional De Norton historical fiction trilogy to an extremely strong end with the excellent and powerful third and final entry, King’s Enemy.
England, 1265. It is two months after the infamous battle of Evesham, where knight Adam de Norton lost everything. The rebellious Simon de Montford lies dead on the field alongside de Norton’s mentor, Robert de Dunstanville. and the rest of their army, massacred by Prince Edward and his victorious army. Spared by the prince alongside a few other noble survivors, de Norton remains a prisoner of the crown in the grim castle of Beeston, with all his lands, wealth and honour stripped from him.
However, despite the crushing victory at Evesham, England is far from peaceful, as new rebellions begin against the king. Determined to take his fate into his own hands, de Norton makes good an escape from Beeston and becomes a fugitive from the crown. Branded a king’s enemy, a man who can be slain with impunity by those pursuing him, de Norton flees across England, alongside the recently widowed noblewoman Joane de Bohun, contending with royal troops and dangerous outlaws, desperate to find a cause to fight for. But when the promised new rebel army is swiftly beaten, de Norton and Joane are once again left without options.
Adam and Joane soon find their fates tied to that of the mightiest fortress in England, Kenilworth Castle, when they seek sanctuary there. The last castle holding out against the crown, Kenilworth is garrisoned by a motley band of rebels and knights, each with their own reasons for being there. Joining the defenders, Adam finds old friends and enemies within and without the castle walls, as he prepares to endure a lengthy siege. But as the months pass and the battle becomes more desperate, Adam must decide what is more important, the lives of those he loves or his knightly honour.
King’s Enemy was another outstanding novel from Ross, who brings his de Norton trilogy to brilliant end with this third book. Once again expertly focusing on a particularly intriguing part of English medieval history, Ross crafts together a powerful and intense narrative that will have you hooked the entire way through. King’s Enemy is an epic read that gets a full five-star rating from me.
To see the full review, click on the link below:
https://unseenlibrary.com/2024/09/22/...
For other exciting reviews and content, check out my blog at:
https://unseenlibrary.com/
August 16, 2025
Ce troisième opus conclut superbement la trilogie sur Adam de Norton et confirme le talent de narrateur de Ian Ross, tant sur le plan du style, de la maîtrise du rythme que de la puissance évocatrice de son verbe. On vit l’histoire davantage qu’on la lit.
Dans l’ensemble, cette trilogie vaut le détour pour tous les amateurs de roman historique/de chevalerie prenant place dans l’Angleterre du XIIIe siècle. Il offre un parfait équilibre entre réalisme (le travail documentaire réalisé par l’auteur est formidable!), action haletante et psychologie, révélant une société toute en nuance et loin de tout manichéisme.
Il est préférable d’avoir lu les deux opus précédents avant de se lancer dans le troisième, de nombreux personnages étant communs aux trois romans.
Hâte de découvrir le prochain chantier littéraire de Ian Ross!
Dans l’ensemble, cette trilogie vaut le détour pour tous les amateurs de roman historique/de chevalerie prenant place dans l’Angleterre du XIIIe siècle. Il offre un parfait équilibre entre réalisme (le travail documentaire réalisé par l’auteur est formidable!), action haletante et psychologie, révélant une société toute en nuance et loin de tout manichéisme.
Il est préférable d’avoir lu les deux opus précédents avant de se lancer dans le troisième, de nombreux personnages étant communs aux trois romans.
Hâte de découvrir le prochain chantier littéraire de Ian Ross!
May 13, 2025
3.5 rounded up, it’s more of the same, which is a fascinating historical insight, and the thing that amazes me the most is the lack of PTSD and associated mental illness amongst the men on the battlefield. Life, and death, were brutal, but amongst several battles, Adam de Norton tries to reclaim his lands, winds up captive, changes sides, and must choose which love he will pursue.
January 26, 2025
Historical novel set in 13th century England. A good tale with lots of detail re knights, barons etc. However nothing really original in the tale.
January 16, 2025
Really entertaining series full of vivid battle scenes, intense rivalry and political skullduggery.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews