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The Crusader Knights Cycle #5
The Wolf at the Door
Sequel to The Devil is Loose.
This is the story of King John, that strange, unhappy monarch who was the first and last of his name on the English throne. Called Lackland by some, as a measure of his wealth, Softsword by others, as the measure of his military prowess (some said his virility), he was reckoned a poor choice to succeed his heroic brother, Richard the Lionhearted.
With a wealth of detail and historical exactitude, Graham Shelby recreates an era and a man whose rancorous tyranny, ironically, produced one of the sweetest moments in the struggle for human liberty—Magna Carta. We see King John, short of stature, richly dressed, clutching frantic jeweled fingers to his brow, vainly attempting to control the uncontrollable "Angevin rage"; we find him gloating in victory and whimpering in defeat; we learn of his ferocious sexuality with his sharp-tongued French queen; we learn the reasons for his hatred of his indomitable mother, Eleanor of Aquitaine; we follow the tortured and tortuous turnings of his mind as he betrays one loyal servant after another in his army, among his barons, and, finally, in the royal family itself. We discover, in short, the full measure of an unchivalrous man in an age of chivalry, who earned the contempt not only of his contemporaries but of future generations as well.
Mr. Shelby shows here how it all came about, and how the man whose father and brother were revered as lions on the throne came to be known as the wolf at the door.
This is the story of King John, that strange, unhappy monarch who was the first and last of his name on the English throne. Called Lackland by some, as a measure of his wealth, Softsword by others, as the measure of his military prowess (some said his virility), he was reckoned a poor choice to succeed his heroic brother, Richard the Lionhearted.
With a wealth of detail and historical exactitude, Graham Shelby recreates an era and a man whose rancorous tyranny, ironically, produced one of the sweetest moments in the struggle for human liberty—Magna Carta. We see King John, short of stature, richly dressed, clutching frantic jeweled fingers to his brow, vainly attempting to control the uncontrollable "Angevin rage"; we find him gloating in victory and whimpering in defeat; we learn of his ferocious sexuality with his sharp-tongued French queen; we learn the reasons for his hatred of his indomitable mother, Eleanor of Aquitaine; we follow the tortured and tortuous turnings of his mind as he betrays one loyal servant after another in his army, among his barons, and, finally, in the royal family itself. We discover, in short, the full measure of an unchivalrous man in an age of chivalry, who earned the contempt not only of his contemporaries but of future generations as well.
Mr. Shelby shows here how it all came about, and how the man whose father and brother were revered as lions on the throne came to be known as the wolf at the door.
- GenresHistorical Fiction
224 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1975
2 people are currently reading
37 people want to read
About the author
Graham Shelby
14 books9 followersGraham Shelby (born 1939) is a British historical novelist. He worked as a copywriter and book-reviewer before embarking on a series of historical novels, mainly set in the twelfth century.
Chronological list of works:
The Knights of Dark Renown (1969), set in the Kingdom of Jerusalem during the reigns of Baldwin IV, Baldwin V and Queen Sibylla, majoring on the real-life knight Raynald of Châtillon and his arch-enemy Saladin.
The Kings of Vain Intent (1970), sequel to the above, dealing with the Third Crusade, depicting Conrad of Montferrat as the villain: the US edition contains an additional chapter.
The Villains of the Piece (1972) (published in the US as The Oath and the Sword), about the conflict between King Stephen and Queen Matilda. (standalone novel)
The Devil is Loose (1974), a sequel to The Kings of Vain Intent, following the later career of Richard I of England.
The Wolf at the Door (1975), sequel to the above, about John of England.
The Cannaways (1978), a story of a fictional eighteenth-century family.
The Cannaway Concern (1980), sequel to the above.
The Edge of the Blade (1986). (standalone novel)
Demand the World (1990), based on the life of Eliza Lynch. (standalone novel)
Chronological list of works:
The Knights of Dark Renown (1969), set in the Kingdom of Jerusalem during the reigns of Baldwin IV, Baldwin V and Queen Sibylla, majoring on the real-life knight Raynald of Châtillon and his arch-enemy Saladin.
The Kings of Vain Intent (1970), sequel to the above, dealing with the Third Crusade, depicting Conrad of Montferrat as the villain: the US edition contains an additional chapter.
The Villains of the Piece (1972) (published in the US as The Oath and the Sword), about the conflict between King Stephen and Queen Matilda. (standalone novel)
The Devil is Loose (1974), a sequel to The Kings of Vain Intent, following the later career of Richard I of England.
The Wolf at the Door (1975), sequel to the above, about John of England.
The Cannaways (1978), a story of a fictional eighteenth-century family.
The Cannaway Concern (1980), sequel to the above.
The Edge of the Blade (1986). (standalone novel)
Demand the World (1990), based on the life of Eliza Lynch. (standalone novel)
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