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Shields of Pride
The year is 1173. King Henry's efforts to crush his rebellious sons ignite bloody border skirmishes throughout the land. Yet it is a time of triumph for mercenary Josceline de Gael, bastard son of the king's most trusted ally. Victorious on the battlefield, de Gael suffers sweet defeat when his heart is conquered by the lovely Linnet de Montsorrel. But their love will find its greatest challenge as the torments of jealousy, suspicion, pride -- and an enemy from beyond the grave -- threaten all they hold dear.
368 pages, Paperback
First published July 2, 1994
45 people are currently reading
776 people want to read
About the author
Elizabeth Chadwick
48 books3,262 followersBest 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.
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.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 68 reviews
October 21, 2022
A nice medieval story. About family conflict. Joceline is the illegitimate son, who is loved by his father. But hated by his brother’s.
Linnet is a wife who is ill treated by her husband.
After his death, Joceline is sent to look after her sons estate, by the crown .
Linnet is a wife who is ill treated by her husband.
After his death, Joceline is sent to look after her sons estate, by the crown .
September 12, 2016
This book by Elizabeth Chadwick is not one of her finest, but it is certainly a pleasant recourse to fending off my reading slump and inane habit of randomly picking up books when bored. She sets the story during the time of Henry the Young King’s rebellion against his father, Henry II, and while it details the romance between a reputable mercenary and a widow with a gloomy past, what stirred up in me is the memory of reading Sharon Kay Penman’s Devil's Brood and the antipathy I’d harbored towards this particular bunch of ungrateful Plantagenet brats because of it, and it’s never a good thing to dwell on from a book like this one that should be, by rights, light and romantic.
August 20, 2008
Not the author's best, but still a good read. Although in my opinion Chadwick's second best is heads and tails above most of the rest. One of Chadwick's earlier books, this is the story of mercenary Joscelin de Gael, the illegitimate son of a promient knight and Linnet de Montsorrel. Linnet's abusive husband dies in an accident and Joscelin is given the care of Linnet's holdings and young son, and marries her. The story then focuses on the after affects of the abuse Linnet suffered at the hands of her now dead husband and father in law, along with the constant plotting of Joscelin's treacherous half brother (the heir) and step mother.
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. I see that it's been revised by the author and republished in the UK and Canada and finally listed at Amazon US.
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. I see that it's been revised by the author and republished in the UK and Canada and finally listed at Amazon US.
February 19, 2012
This is my first Elizabeth Chadwick, and I listened to it as an audiobook free from my local library.
Having heard consistently good things about Elizabeth Chadwick's books, I was in no doubt that I'd be onto a winner if I ever got round to picking up one of them, but had previously passed them over simply due to the fact of my existing shamefully mountainous to-be-read pile. Having obtained this one free from my library as an audiobook to listen to on the train ride in and out of London however, I plunged right in.
I can't say the quality of writing was surprising or unexpected to me - having heard so much about it already through word of mouth, I had reasonably high expectations, and in fact found the actual quality to fully meet those expectations. In certain respects I found Chadwick's writing style to be reminiscent of Sharon Penman - always a good thing, in my book - in terms of the attention to detail and understanding of the era that Chadwick writes about. Such traits always recommend an historical fiction author highly to me, as I feel that such attention to detail - when, of course, used judiciously and in the context of the story (and not in the form of flooding one's readers with ALL of one's research, as certain authors tend to do) - demonstrates care and attentiveness that has gone into the manuscript, and as for understanding of the era about which an author writes, I think in an historical fiction author this is absolutely critical, the fine line between fully realising an era and bringing it to life in written form, and creating something that feels anachronistic, confused, disjointed, and as a result not authentic at all - and for me it's important, when reading historical fiction, that it retains plausibility and believability, otherwise I tend to have trouble engaging with the story.
In terms of the actual story, I liked it a lot, but there was some room for me to have liked it even more. Shields of Pride is what Chadwick terms one of her "lighter" historical romances, and is more about the fictional characters, Joscelin de Gael and Linnet de Montsorrel, set against the historical backdrop of tension and conflict between King Henry II and his son and heir of the same name, rather than that actual history taking centre stage. I think I would have enjoyed even more a story that really delved into the actual history - just because that's the kind of historical fiction reader I am - though I enjoyed Shields of Pride a good deal, so I think my next Chadwick will be one of her heavier reads. I liked the way most of the characters were written, especially Joscelin de Gael - though I admit his behaviour in the scene with the seneschal's daughter did slightly baffle - though I didn't warm to the heroine as much. I didn't dislike Linnet as such, but I just didn't find her that compelling and didn't feel like I really connected with her or rooted for her, I think possibly because her character seemed quite timid and anxious.
I found the first half of the book to be the most interesting - discovering the characters, the mounting tension, lots of conflict, Joscelin's struggles and investigations and overcoming those, plenty of unexpected twists in the tale - and the climax and ending of the novel built up the pace and excitment once more, however I did observe that, in between, there was the very slightest hint of pedestrianism - just because I hasten to add that this was only a slight thing, not a major criticism, and the quality of the writing carried me through and then on to the exciting finale.
I'd have to read a couple more of Elizabeth Chadwick's books before she goes on my Favourite Authors list - a rarified stratum for me that I can usually count on one hand - but I have to say she's well on her way and I definitely intend reading Chadwick again.
8 out of 10.
Having heard consistently good things about Elizabeth Chadwick's books, I was in no doubt that I'd be onto a winner if I ever got round to picking up one of them, but had previously passed them over simply due to the fact of my existing shamefully mountainous to-be-read pile. Having obtained this one free from my library as an audiobook to listen to on the train ride in and out of London however, I plunged right in.
I can't say the quality of writing was surprising or unexpected to me - having heard so much about it already through word of mouth, I had reasonably high expectations, and in fact found the actual quality to fully meet those expectations. In certain respects I found Chadwick's writing style to be reminiscent of Sharon Penman - always a good thing, in my book - in terms of the attention to detail and understanding of the era that Chadwick writes about. Such traits always recommend an historical fiction author highly to me, as I feel that such attention to detail - when, of course, used judiciously and in the context of the story (and not in the form of flooding one's readers with ALL of one's research, as certain authors tend to do) - demonstrates care and attentiveness that has gone into the manuscript, and as for understanding of the era about which an author writes, I think in an historical fiction author this is absolutely critical, the fine line between fully realising an era and bringing it to life in written form, and creating something that feels anachronistic, confused, disjointed, and as a result not authentic at all - and for me it's important, when reading historical fiction, that it retains plausibility and believability, otherwise I tend to have trouble engaging with the story.
In terms of the actual story, I liked it a lot, but there was some room for me to have liked it even more. Shields of Pride is what Chadwick terms one of her "lighter" historical romances, and is more about the fictional characters, Joscelin de Gael and Linnet de Montsorrel, set against the historical backdrop of tension and conflict between King Henry II and his son and heir of the same name, rather than that actual history taking centre stage. I think I would have enjoyed even more a story that really delved into the actual history - just because that's the kind of historical fiction reader I am - though I enjoyed Shields of Pride a good deal, so I think my next Chadwick will be one of her heavier reads. I liked the way most of the characters were written, especially Joscelin de Gael - though I admit his behaviour in the scene with the seneschal's daughter did slightly baffle - though I didn't warm to the heroine as much. I didn't dislike Linnet as such, but I just didn't find her that compelling and didn't feel like I really connected with her or rooted for her, I think possibly because her character seemed quite timid and anxious.
I found the first half of the book to be the most interesting - discovering the characters, the mounting tension, lots of conflict, Joscelin's struggles and investigations and overcoming those, plenty of unexpected twists in the tale - and the climax and ending of the novel built up the pace and excitment once more, however I did observe that, in between, there was the very slightest hint of pedestrianism - just because I hasten to add that this was only a slight thing, not a major criticism, and the quality of the writing carried me through and then on to the exciting finale.
I'd have to read a couple more of Elizabeth Chadwick's books before she goes on my Favourite Authors list - a rarified stratum for me that I can usually count on one hand - but I have to say she's well on her way and I definitely intend reading Chadwick again.
8 out of 10.
October 11, 2008
When I purchased this book I thought that Elizabeth Chadwick was a historical writer, I didn't realise that she was previously a historical romance writer. If this book was written as a historical romance than it was ok, I've read so much better, if it was written as a historical then it lacked any historical content. I was familiar with the setting and the time period because of all the Plantagenet novels I've read but that was not really a big feature in the story. I have to be honest and say that I was really disappointed in this book. The first hook was around page 50 and it was a romantic hook and that was the only thing that kept the story interesting. I am glad it wasn't a long book but I really wanted to love Elizabeth Chadwick. Everyone has recommended 'The Greatest Knight' so I will try reading that down the track and hopefully that will be better.
July 5, 2012
Shields of Pride is set amidst the ill-fated rebellion of the young king Henry against his father, Henry II. The story focuses on Joscelin de Gael, illegitimate and oldest son of William de Rocher. After the death of his mother when Joscelin is only four years old, he's sent to live with his father and step family who deeply resent his presence. He runs away at fifteen to join his Uncle Conan and fight as a mercenary. He returns seven years later to his father's delight, but the relationship between him and his half brothers and step mother remains strained.
Returning from a mission Joscelin comes across a broken cart and the ungrateful Giles de Montsorrel. While offering his assistance Joscelin meets Linnet and her son Robert and takes pity on their predicament.
When Giles later falls from a horse and dies, Joscelin is asked to escort Linnet and her son Robert home, and soon finds himself nominated as Roberts warden and offered Linnet's hand in marriage. Linnet has spent the past six years of her life in an abusive marriage and is hiding a dark secret of her own but gradually she comes to trust and love Joscelin.
Joscelin has had his own heartache in the past, having lost a young son to the bloody flux as well as his beloved mother Morwenna. His father William has never gotten over the death of Morwenna either and as a result his wife Agnes and sons have harboured ill intentions towards both William and Joscellin. When Ralf finally makes his move to get rid of William and Joscellin once and for all, Linnet must use all her wits to save them all.
I almost didn't read this book as I was put off by the abuse suffered by Linnet at the hands of Giles at the beginning of the book as well as the other unpleasant characters i.e Ralf and Agnes. I'm so glad I persevered however as once the marriage between Joscellin and Linnet took place the book really took off. The last half of the book was particularly hard to put down as the book reached it's climax.
The books biggest strength lies in the flawed, complex characters. My favourites were Joscellin, William and Conan. William's relationship with Linnet was especially interesting to read and poignant at times as she saw underneath the gruff exterior. The added bonus was the presence of the ghost of Morwenna which I though was a stroke of genius. Even Morwenna's gown at the end played a crucial role during the scuffle with Ralf and seemed like Morwenna was reaching out from beyond the grave! A must read.
Returning from a mission Joscelin comes across a broken cart and the ungrateful Giles de Montsorrel. While offering his assistance Joscelin meets Linnet and her son Robert and takes pity on their predicament.
When Giles later falls from a horse and dies, Joscelin is asked to escort Linnet and her son Robert home, and soon finds himself nominated as Roberts warden and offered Linnet's hand in marriage. Linnet has spent the past six years of her life in an abusive marriage and is hiding a dark secret of her own but gradually she comes to trust and love Joscelin.
Joscelin has had his own heartache in the past, having lost a young son to the bloody flux as well as his beloved mother Morwenna. His father William has never gotten over the death of Morwenna either and as a result his wife Agnes and sons have harboured ill intentions towards both William and Joscellin. When Ralf finally makes his move to get rid of William and Joscellin once and for all, Linnet must use all her wits to save them all.
I almost didn't read this book as I was put off by the abuse suffered by Linnet at the hands of Giles at the beginning of the book as well as the other unpleasant characters i.e Ralf and Agnes. I'm so glad I persevered however as once the marriage between Joscellin and Linnet took place the book really took off. The last half of the book was particularly hard to put down as the book reached it's climax.
The books biggest strength lies in the flawed, complex characters. My favourites were Joscellin, William and Conan. William's relationship with Linnet was especially interesting to read and poignant at times as she saw underneath the gruff exterior. The added bonus was the presence of the ghost of Morwenna which I though was a stroke of genius. Even Morwenna's gown at the end played a crucial role during the scuffle with Ralf and seemed like Morwenna was reaching out from beyond the grave! A must read.
February 19, 2019
I do love an Elizabeth Chadwick, she writes of people, fair enough rich-born widows and all that, who lived through my favourite period in history 1000 years ago. This is no exception, set in the late 12th century, during Henry II and his son's rebellion's and set in the town of Nottingham and its' environs'. The reader can almost taste the street and winding alleys of this town, can almost feel the air of rebellion and hatred, and this is a story told through the eyes of a widow and a bastard-born son (whose birth is made much of in the book, the only criticism I can think of, as if the king's grandfather, good ol' Billy the conqueror was one, then why was it such a big deal a century later? In the country where he made his biggest mark on history?) - a story of love, envy and hatred, which makes it a story of life in any century, really! Definitely a read worthy of publishing, and a recommendation for any fan of historical fiction x
November 8, 2017
Extremely well written historical fiction. A really enjoyable read. Had trouble putting it down.
September 23, 2021
A little gem from Elizabeth Chadwick's back catalogue.
She is so good at bringing the medieval period to life, and her original storylines are always absorbing.
She is so good at bringing the medieval period to life, and her original storylines are always absorbing.
April 20, 2018
Sure it's a light romance: gazes are cast, swords are wielded, and bodices are ripped, but looking past that, EC still has a plenty to say about family. How bonds are formed and broken and change over time and how different sorts of family relationships impact different character and behaviors.
It's a fun book, not too serious, but not completely dumb either.
It's a fun book, not too serious, but not completely dumb either.
April 26, 2018
This is one of Chadwick's earlier novels and it does show. She notes that she was able to revise it for this new edition, but it is not as complex or as vivid as her more recent work. Interestingly though, it is set in an era which she has since explored in more detail in other novels - and you can spot names of characters whose stories will be explored. It's as if the seeds of those ideas and that interest were being sown in this 1994 book (although it is possible she may have added them later during the revisions).
The story itself is a fairly straightforward romance, a little predictable if I'm honest, but it is nice to have a medieval novel that is focused just as much on the women, where other authors would neglect them. It is something I'm noticing (and enjoying) more in historical fiction, that there are increasing numbers of female authors, such as Elizabeth Chadwick, telling the stories of historical women. Some are fictional women, but many were real and a few, like Eleanor of Aquitane - featured in three of Chadwick's most recent books, are well-known. It certainly starts to balance things out in a genre that has previously seemed focused on the stories of men.
The story itself is a fairly straightforward romance, a little predictable if I'm honest, but it is nice to have a medieval novel that is focused just as much on the women, where other authors would neglect them. It is something I'm noticing (and enjoying) more in historical fiction, that there are increasing numbers of female authors, such as Elizabeth Chadwick, telling the stories of historical women. Some are fictional women, but many were real and a few, like Eleanor of Aquitane - featured in three of Chadwick's most recent books, are well-known. It certainly starts to balance things out in a genre that has previously seemed focused on the stories of men.
March 13, 2019
Elizabeth Chadwick in full splendor, at least I love her stories told in such a way.
I think I have told everything that is important to know about Chadwick's novels see here my other reviews. They take me to the medieval world, to live with (and understand) those people, to be with them through ordinary and unordinary duties, without pretending, without smoothing.
I have savoured 'Shields of Pride'. After only a few sentences, I fell in love with Josceline. From the beginning, I just knew he was 'my hero'. I sympathized deeply with Linnet (her fears and insecurities) and William (his broken heart and inability to cope with it). All with glances at life in the castle, action twists and a romance.
I think I have told everything that is important to know about Chadwick's novels see here my other reviews. They take me to the medieval world, to live with (and understand) those people, to be with them through ordinary and unordinary duties, without pretending, without smoothing.
I have savoured 'Shields of Pride'. After only a few sentences, I fell in love with Josceline. From the beginning, I just knew he was 'my hero'. I sympathized deeply with Linnet (her fears and insecurities) and William (his broken heart and inability to cope with it). All with glances at life in the castle, action twists and a romance.
September 27, 2025
A good historical reasd , sat in the rain of Henry II in 1173.
The two lead characters Linnet & Joscelin we're well matched couple, both brave and escaping from old lives that did not treat them well.
It's a book of a lot of battles, fights, jealousy but there's also a slow burning love between the two main characters which has kept the book interesting .
I liked the old man William, the father of the four boys/men and he had his fault. He redeemed himself in the end for me.
I enjoyed disliking Ralf , his character infuriated me but I like that in a book I am reading.
It felt very periodically, his historic and wonderfully descriptive, Elizabeth Chadwick really knows how to take you back in time and unless you in the history and the story.
The two lead characters Linnet & Joscelin we're well matched couple, both brave and escaping from old lives that did not treat them well.
It's a book of a lot of battles, fights, jealousy but there's also a slow burning love between the two main characters which has kept the book interesting .
I liked the old man William, the father of the four boys/men and he had his fault. He redeemed himself in the end for me.
I enjoyed disliking Ralf , his character infuriated me but I like that in a book I am reading.
It felt very periodically, his historic and wonderfully descriptive, Elizabeth Chadwick really knows how to take you back in time and unless you in the history and the story.
December 30, 2023
It has been a while since I have read anything by Elizabeth Chadwick. This book brought back why I enjoy her as an author of historical fiction. There is a touch of truth of history in the books. I honestly couldn't put this book down. The family dynamics are the heart of the story. My heart did break at one of the deaths, but seeing how it brought the rest of the people together it made complete sense. I will have to go through my book collection to re-read some of the others I own.
I highly recommend Elizabeth Chadwick's books, especially if you are a history lover. This book helped me remember how I found her and why I will buy her physical books.
I highly recommend Elizabeth Chadwick's books, especially if you are a history lover. This book helped me remember how I found her and why I will buy her physical books.
January 12, 2025
Favorite Characters - Josceline, Linnet, William, Conan
Favorite Scenes - Ragnar vs Conan, Conan and Josceline playing with Robert, Josceline arm wrestling
This may be my favorite Chadwick novel. I really love how each character feels different in this novel. From the way they speak, to their action, they all feel as if they are their own person.
Linnets' trauma and guilt felt very fleshed out and well researched. I also feel as if Chadwick really gives the reader a lot of historical information.
Favorite Scenes - Ragnar vs Conan, Conan and Josceline playing with Robert, Josceline arm wrestling
This may be my favorite Chadwick novel. I really love how each character feels different in this novel. From the way they speak, to their action, they all feel as if they are their own person.
Linnets' trauma and guilt felt very fleshed out and well researched. I also feel as if Chadwick really gives the reader a lot of historical information.
May 1, 2023
Thoroughly enjoyed this book.
Set in 12th century England, with the infighting between King Henry ll and his son as the background to events.
It tells the story of Joscelin de Gael, the bastard son of a prominent nobleman. His relationship with his father, his half brothers and, eventually his wife.
I love books by Elizabeth Chadwick, and this one doesn’t disappoint. I hadn’t read it for several years, so it was like a new book for me.
Set in 12th century England, with the infighting between King Henry ll and his son as the background to events.
It tells the story of Joscelin de Gael, the bastard son of a prominent nobleman. His relationship with his father, his half brothers and, eventually his wife.
I love books by Elizabeth Chadwick, and this one doesn’t disappoint. I hadn’t read it for several years, so it was like a new book for me.
April 3, 2025
I've read several historical fiction books by Elizabeth Chadwick, but somehow I previously missed this one. When I noticed it offered as a Kindle deal, I decided it was just the book I wanted to read. It was the perfect temporary antidote to our current world turmoil. Shields of Pride is a great read that will keep your interest to the very end. I have several Elizabeth Chadwick historicals on my Kindle and am looking forward to reading and rereading them all.
December 18, 2024
I wouldn´ t say this was a bad book but everything about it felt either insufficient or too much. Characters too one-dimensional and flat. Not enough of a plot. Whatever story there was too predictable. Spoilt by many other, truly great historical novels, I cannot rate this any higher than 2/ stars.
April 23, 2018
A simple family conflict story with a little historical context in the background. But better than expected based on reviews. As always, Chadwick does a great job of painting the picture of medieval England for us. Enjoyable and light.
July 30, 2025
there is hope for the weakest
What a complicated plot! But karma works fairness. Living in the 11 hundreds was a constant battle- one way or another. The main characters were honorable and alluring, yet living with justified decent. Don’t miss Shields of Pride!!!
What a complicated plot! But karma works fairness. Living in the 11 hundreds was a constant battle- one way or another. The main characters were honorable and alluring, yet living with justified decent. Don’t miss Shields of Pride!!!
September 13, 2025
One of the early Elizabeth Chadwick books. A completely fictional tale with more romance than usual. But still a wonderful tale of medieval historical romance, war, and intrigue. Attention to detail is what sets her novels apart from the rest.
December 14, 2017
Spänning och kärlek. En välskriven och underhållande medeltidsberättelse.
April 6, 2018
Loved It!
Fast paced, could not put it down! Another fantastic tale of love, war and family feuds. Another fabulous historic tale.
Fast paced, could not put it down! Another fantastic tale of love, war and family feuds. Another fabulous historic tale.
October 1, 2018
A non factual historical, very enjoyable. Nice to read a little about the life behind the glamour of the Tourney circuit
November 16, 2021
Brilliant book!
February 13, 2022
Gripping tale that had me from page 1
September 16, 2022
Superb as ever. History comes alive before your eyes. Great detail in all Elizabeth Chadwick's books. Hard to put down as ever and sadly all but one now read.
March 19, 2024
Holiday reading. Great. Works best with sangria and cafe con leche
June 29, 2024
Always a good read with this author
Displaying 1 - 30 of 68 reviews