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Plantagenets #2
Time and Chance: Plantagenets 2
The magnificent sequel to Sharon Penman's acclaimed novel When Christ and His Saints Slept, Time and Chance recounts the tempestuous marriage of Eleanor of Aquitaine and Henry II in an epic tale of love, power, ambition and betrayal.
Their reign is in its glory years; Henry is redefining the role of medieval kingship and Eleanor has given birth to their children, founding a dynasty that will endure for 300 years. But even in these seemingly happy times, shadows are lurking. Battles are being fought on two borders. The appointment of Thomas Becket as Archbishop of Canterbury is proving disastrous. And when Henry impulsively takes beautiful young Rosumund Clifford into his bed, little does he realize that in making an enemy of his proud, passionate queen he is committing his gravest error yet . . .
692 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 4, 2002
About the author
Sharon Kay Penman
42 books4,102 followersPenman received her bachelor's degree from the University of Texas at Austin, she majored in history, and also received a Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree from Rutgers University School of Law, and later worked as a tax lawyer.
The Sunne in Splendour, a novel about Richard III of England is one of the most popular books on the Historical Novel Society's list of best historical novels. In 1996, following the success of When Christ and His Saints Slept (which dealt with the Anarchy and the early career of King Henry II of England), Penman ventured into the historical whodunnit with four mysteries set in the court of Eleanor of Aquitaine during the reign of Richard I. The mysteries did not enjoy the same success as her "straight" historical novels, to which she returned in 2002, with Time and Chance, again covering the life of Eleanor of Aquitaine and Henry II. In 2008, she published Devil's Brood, which was to be the final book in her trilogy about Henry II and Eleanor of Aquitaine. She soon realized that there was still more of the Angevins' story to tell and the result was Lionheart , followed by The King's Ransom. Henry and Eleanor's celebrated and controversial son, Richard the Lionheart is the major character in both books, although Eleanor, John, and Richard's favorite sister, Joanna, also get to spend time on center stage. She has just finished The Land Beyond the Sea, set in the Kingdom of Jerusalem in the late 12th century. It will be published in the U.S. by G.P. Putnam's and in the U.K. and Down Under by Macmillan and co; the publication date is early March, 2020.
The Sunne in Splendour, a novel about Richard III of England is one of the most popular books on the Historical Novel Society's list of best historical novels. In 1996, following the success of When Christ and His Saints Slept (which dealt with the Anarchy and the early career of King Henry II of England), Penman ventured into the historical whodunnit with four mysteries set in the court of Eleanor of Aquitaine during the reign of Richard I. The mysteries did not enjoy the same success as her "straight" historical novels, to which she returned in 2002, with Time and Chance, again covering the life of Eleanor of Aquitaine and Henry II. In 2008, she published Devil's Brood, which was to be the final book in her trilogy about Henry II and Eleanor of Aquitaine. She soon realized that there was still more of the Angevins' story to tell and the result was Lionheart , followed by The King's Ransom. Henry and Eleanor's celebrated and controversial son, Richard the Lionheart is the major character in both books, although Eleanor, John, and Richard's favorite sister, Joanna, also get to spend time on center stage. She has just finished The Land Beyond the Sea, set in the Kingdom of Jerusalem in the late 12th century. It will be published in the U.S. by G.P. Putnam's and in the U.K. and Down Under by Macmillan and co; the publication date is early March, 2020.
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July 13, 2020
Not quite as dramatic and exciting as When Christ and His Saints Slept, but still good.
What I found especially fascinating about this book is the way it proves how history can look so vastly different depending on your perspective. We learned about St Thomas Becket in my Catholic high school-- the brave martyr who stood his ground against a king and was assassinated for it. Funny how different it looks here. How Thomas comes off as a zealot who becomes so deeply entrenched in his beliefs and religious principles that he doesn’t care who he betrays or who gets hurt as a result. He wanted priests who committed crimes to be tried by the church and not by the crown courts, but this often meant that those who had raped and murdered got away with a telling off or a fine. And he turned his back on the friends who helped him get where he was.
Penman still portrays him somewhat sympathetically, though. Instead of a brave self-sacrificing hero, he is a well-meaning man corrupted by religion and his fanatical devotion to outdated church doctrine. He makes for a pitiful figure in the end; not a hero, but not a villain either. Onto the next book!
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What I found especially fascinating about this book is the way it proves how history can look so vastly different depending on your perspective. We learned about St Thomas Becket in my Catholic high school-- the brave martyr who stood his ground against a king and was assassinated for it. Funny how different it looks here. How Thomas comes off as a zealot who becomes so deeply entrenched in his beliefs and religious principles that he doesn’t care who he betrays or who gets hurt as a result. He wanted priests who committed crimes to be tried by the church and not by the crown courts, but this often meant that those who had raped and murdered got away with a telling off or a fine. And he turned his back on the friends who helped him get where he was.
Penman still portrays him somewhat sympathetically, though. Instead of a brave self-sacrificing hero, he is a well-meaning man corrupted by religion and his fanatical devotion to outdated church doctrine. He makes for a pitiful figure in the end; not a hero, but not a villain either. Onto the next book!
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November 2, 2021
Another great work by Sharon Kay Penman! I didn’t find it as engaging as the first installment, When Christ and His Saints Slept (maybe it’s because reading about the enigmatic Thomas Becket and his unwarranted self-sacrifice—in my opinion—wore me out), but it's still a page-turner nonetheless.
After finishing this book I have gained so much admiration for Henry II, flaws and all. He must’ve been truly exceptional to have most of the realm’s good men rallying and even dying for him. I’m not one into appreciating the grand privileges and affluence afforded to persons of noble birth, but for him, I’d easily make an exception. :-)
Postscript: I still enjoyed the exploits of my favorite fictional hero, Ranulf, and was saddened by the fate of the Poet Prince, Hywel.
After finishing this book I have gained so much admiration for Henry II, flaws and all. He must’ve been truly exceptional to have most of the realm’s good men rallying and even dying for him. I’m not one into appreciating the grand privileges and affluence afforded to persons of noble birth, but for him, I’d easily make an exception. :-)
Postscript: I still enjoyed the exploits of my favorite fictional hero, Ranulf, and was saddened by the fate of the Poet Prince, Hywel.
March 30, 2014
TIME AND CHANCE picks up where WHEN CHRIST AND HIS SAINTS SLEPT off.
In the second novel, we follow Henry II who was but a boy as his mother, Maude, fought for the throne. In the end, Maude and her opponent tired each other out for almost twenty years, agreeing to leave the throne to her son. Henry's rise looked promising as he had a distinguished battle record and married the beautiful and clever Eleanor of Aquitaine, making him the wealthiest man in Europe.
But, Henry's future rule proved to not be so lacking in turbulence. One of his first challenges dealt in trying to conquer Wales which only resulted in many dead and lost time.
Things proved better on the mainland where unruly French vassals tried to break away. True to his past, Henry spent a great deal of time in the saddle bruising his unruly vassals.
During this time, Eleanor was having child after child, yet beginning to resent Henry b/c he was ignoring her advice and spending less and less time with her.
Overall, the main challenge to Henry was the Thomas Beckett affair, which resulted in a showdown between the Church and Henry's rule. As many History buffs know, Henry prevailed at first but suffered later when Beckett was slain by vassals to Henry. A good part of this novel covers the actual Historical meetings, conversations and friendship erosion of Henry and Beckett.
I would put this below WHEN CHRIST AND HIS SAINTS SLEPT, as well as SUNNE IN THE SPLENDOUR. It is definitely better than the mystery trilogy she did on the side for fun, but most likely a notch below the Welsh trilogy.
The Sunne in Splendour
OVERALL GRADE: B to B plus.
In the second novel, we follow Henry II who was but a boy as his mother, Maude, fought for the throne. In the end, Maude and her opponent tired each other out for almost twenty years, agreeing to leave the throne to her son. Henry's rise looked promising as he had a distinguished battle record and married the beautiful and clever Eleanor of Aquitaine, making him the wealthiest man in Europe.
But, Henry's future rule proved to not be so lacking in turbulence. One of his first challenges dealt in trying to conquer Wales which only resulted in many dead and lost time.
Things proved better on the mainland where unruly French vassals tried to break away. True to his past, Henry spent a great deal of time in the saddle bruising his unruly vassals.
During this time, Eleanor was having child after child, yet beginning to resent Henry b/c he was ignoring her advice and spending less and less time with her.
Overall, the main challenge to Henry was the Thomas Beckett affair, which resulted in a showdown between the Church and Henry's rule. As many History buffs know, Henry prevailed at first but suffered later when Beckett was slain by vassals to Henry. A good part of this novel covers the actual Historical meetings, conversations and friendship erosion of Henry and Beckett.
I would put this below WHEN CHRIST AND HIS SAINTS SLEPT, as well as SUNNE IN THE SPLENDOUR. It is definitely better than the mystery trilogy she did on the side for fun, but most likely a notch below the Welsh trilogy.
The Sunne in Splendour
OVERALL GRADE: B to B plus.
May 1, 2026
Sharon Kay Penman is a highly-esteemed writer of historical fiction. I found her novel, The Sunne in Splendour, to be exceptionally good. A skilled narrator with a real feel for confrontational dynamics, it can be said truly that history comes alive on her page. Time and Chance is a lesser-known work, and for good reason. This is her take on Henry II and Thomas Becket...and Eleanor of Aquitaine. It's a lot to put on a plate. It overwhelmed. But, honestly, whom would one leave out?
She tried, initially, to cultivate a witness in Henry's Welsh uncle, Ranulf Fitz Roy. This, however, introduced Wales, and Henry's dealings with Wales, which set the plot atilt from the start. Upon Becket's assumption of the role of Archbishop of Canterbury, and the fierce sundering of brotherly affections, we begin to lose sight of Ranulf. And once Rosamund Clifford appears to steal Henry's heart, Ranulf vanishes completely. This was an ungainly enterprise as much for the writer as the reader, I suspect. Yet I can say the impact of the King's heartfelt and thoughtless infidelity is well done, and the book improves immeasurably at the halfway mark.
So, there is gold here. Just not as much as you'd like. Still and always, extremely well-written.
She tried, initially, to cultivate a witness in Henry's Welsh uncle, Ranulf Fitz Roy. This, however, introduced Wales, and Henry's dealings with Wales, which set the plot atilt from the start. Upon Becket's assumption of the role of Archbishop of Canterbury, and the fierce sundering of brotherly affections, we begin to lose sight of Ranulf. And once Rosamund Clifford appears to steal Henry's heart, Ranulf vanishes completely. This was an ungainly enterprise as much for the writer as the reader, I suspect. Yet I can say the impact of the King's heartfelt and thoughtless infidelity is well done, and the book improves immeasurably at the halfway mark.
So, there is gold here. Just not as much as you'd like. Still and always, extremely well-written.
December 30, 2020
"Again I saw that under the sun the race is not to the swift, nor battle to the strong, nor bread to the wise, nor riches to the intelligent, nor favor to men of skill but time and chance happen to them all."
- Ecclesiastes
"What miserable drones and traitors I have nourished and promoted in my household, who let their lord be mocked so shamefully by a lowborn clerk!"
-Henry II
Henry, Second of His Name, is now King of England. His marriage to Eleanor of Aquitane makes him the first Plantagenet King and founder of a dynasty that will rule for nigh on 300 years. But heavy indeed is the head the wears the crown.
This second book in the story of Henry and Eleanor starts in 1156. It covers the period from 1156 to 1171. It primarily revolves around three major concepts. The first and foremost is a great deal of conflict and trouble caused by Henry's rebellious vassal lords and lands. While the marriage of Henry and Eleanor have created a powerful entity in the Angevin Empire (England, large parts of Wales, the eastern half of Ireland and Western half of France. Also for a period ruler of Scotland, Wales, and the Duchy of Brittany), holding on to these lands and having them to submit to his authority is something of an interminable chore. The vast majority of the book is devoted to Henry running around his holdings trying to put down rebels.
The second major plotline revolves around the degenerating relationship between Eleanor and Henry, due to his lust for Rosamund Clifford, daughter of the Marcher Lord Walter de Clifford, who was known as "Rosa Mundi" (Rose of the World) for her beauty. This destroys the genuine affection between Henry and Eleanor. Though the consequences are not evident, yet, it will have harsh effects later on with Henry and his relationship with his equally power-hungry family.
The third, and likely most famous, the plot revolves around Henry's best friend and Chancellor- Thomas Becket. Against Eleanor's advice, Henry elevates Becket to the Archbishopric of Canterbury. This makes him the most senior and powerful prelate in England and a thorn in Henry's side. Becket was placed in that position due to Henry believing that the worldly and secular Becket would make it easy for the King and the Church to get along. Henry did not count on Becket catching the "God bug" and becoming a truly religious person. From flaggelation, to the wearing of hair shirts, Becket throws himself wholeheartedly into the role. Sadly, as is often the case with the highest levels of the Church, Becket seems to conflate his wishes and glory with that of God. This friction will have huge consequences for Henry and, in fact, England itself. While the quote from Henry that I place at the start of this review is the correct and accurate statement (supported by several authoritative sources and Edward Grim, a monk from Cambridge intimately involved in this fracas), perhaps most laymen are more familiar with the phrase "Will none of these lazy insignificant persons, whom I maintain, deliver me from this turbulent priest?", which is then shortened to "who shall deliver me from this turbulent priest?"
Both quotes are derived from The Chronicle of the Kings of England written in 1821.
A superbly written and accurate (with a few minor embellishments that detract nothing from the overall historical accuracy) story of the rule of the first Plantagenet King of England. Highly recommended to any history fan, especially those interested in the Plantagenet Dynasty.
- Ecclesiastes
"What miserable drones and traitors I have nourished and promoted in my household, who let their lord be mocked so shamefully by a lowborn clerk!"
-Henry II
Henry, Second of His Name, is now King of England. His marriage to Eleanor of Aquitane makes him the first Plantagenet King and founder of a dynasty that will rule for nigh on 300 years. But heavy indeed is the head the wears the crown.
This second book in the story of Henry and Eleanor starts in 1156. It covers the period from 1156 to 1171. It primarily revolves around three major concepts. The first and foremost is a great deal of conflict and trouble caused by Henry's rebellious vassal lords and lands. While the marriage of Henry and Eleanor have created a powerful entity in the Angevin Empire (England, large parts of Wales, the eastern half of Ireland and Western half of France. Also for a period ruler of Scotland, Wales, and the Duchy of Brittany), holding on to these lands and having them to submit to his authority is something of an interminable chore. The vast majority of the book is devoted to Henry running around his holdings trying to put down rebels.
The second major plotline revolves around the degenerating relationship between Eleanor and Henry, due to his lust for Rosamund Clifford, daughter of the Marcher Lord Walter de Clifford, who was known as "Rosa Mundi" (Rose of the World) for her beauty. This destroys the genuine affection between Henry and Eleanor. Though the consequences are not evident, yet, it will have harsh effects later on with Henry and his relationship with his equally power-hungry family.
The third, and likely most famous, the plot revolves around Henry's best friend and Chancellor- Thomas Becket. Against Eleanor's advice, Henry elevates Becket to the Archbishopric of Canterbury. This makes him the most senior and powerful prelate in England and a thorn in Henry's side. Becket was placed in that position due to Henry believing that the worldly and secular Becket would make it easy for the King and the Church to get along. Henry did not count on Becket catching the "God bug" and becoming a truly religious person. From flaggelation, to the wearing of hair shirts, Becket throws himself wholeheartedly into the role. Sadly, as is often the case with the highest levels of the Church, Becket seems to conflate his wishes and glory with that of God. This friction will have huge consequences for Henry and, in fact, England itself. While the quote from Henry that I place at the start of this review is the correct and accurate statement (supported by several authoritative sources and Edward Grim, a monk from Cambridge intimately involved in this fracas), perhaps most laymen are more familiar with the phrase "Will none of these lazy insignificant persons, whom I maintain, deliver me from this turbulent priest?", which is then shortened to "who shall deliver me from this turbulent priest?"
Both quotes are derived from The Chronicle of the Kings of England written in 1821.
A superbly written and accurate (with a few minor embellishments that detract nothing from the overall historical accuracy) story of the rule of the first Plantagenet King of England. Highly recommended to any history fan, especially those interested in the Plantagenet Dynasty.
January 15, 2025
Engrossing continuation of the story of Eleanor of Aquitaine and Henry II. This volume dealt mostly with Becket, “that meddlesome priest.” These are long, derp reads. Historical fiction rather than pure history but they feel so real.
September 5, 2016
Heavily politically orientated, the second installment of the early Plantagenets. Henry II is one of my historical heroes, not for being heroic (though he was a very able warrior and leader) but for his establishment of the basis of our legal system and the imposition of peace (relatively!) in England after the catastrophic years of the Anarchy. His success in achieving control over an empire consisting of England and most of France is truly astonishing. He was a very controlling man and Ms Penman makes a good psychological case for this over the two novels, showing how his parents' mutual attempts at destruction of each other may have affected him and exaggerated a need for control and also how it affected his desire to have the future of his own sons settled within his lifetime. The tragedy of this noble aim was that he could not let go of any control to his sons leading to utter mayhem and the breakdown of his relationships with all of them. It's a tragically modern dysfunctional family and illustrates so well how little people have changed. Susan Howatch rather brilliantly reset this story into the late Victorian through to WWII period and it was entirely believable. You could reset it into today and it would work.
The whole sorry saga of Henry and Thomas Becket plays out through this novel. Why did Becket turn on Henry after being such a fast friend? Who can know? Ms Penman sees Becket as a chameleon, able to be what the person he was with wanted him to be but that doesn't answer his extreme (and secret) piety as it was exposed at his murder - the hair shirt and scourging etc. I suspect that rather than being a chameleon he was a perfectionist and once he took holy orders (at Henry's behest) he tried to serve God as perfectly as he had previously served his King. Unfortunately the two jobs were mutually preclusive of doing both to perfection; he had to choose and God won.
Another thing I have noted on re-reading this is how much more fascinating the politics of the thing are now that I am not so focused on human relationship as I was when younger. History becomes ever more absorbing as a result.
An absolutely excellent novel and her best written so far.
The whole sorry saga of Henry and Thomas Becket plays out through this novel. Why did Becket turn on Henry after being such a fast friend? Who can know? Ms Penman sees Becket as a chameleon, able to be what the person he was with wanted him to be but that doesn't answer his extreme (and secret) piety as it was exposed at his murder - the hair shirt and scourging etc. I suspect that rather than being a chameleon he was a perfectionist and once he took holy orders (at Henry's behest) he tried to serve God as perfectly as he had previously served his King. Unfortunately the two jobs were mutually preclusive of doing both to perfection; he had to choose and God won.
Another thing I have noted on re-reading this is how much more fascinating the politics of the thing are now that I am not so focused on human relationship as I was when younger. History becomes ever more absorbing as a result.
An absolutely excellent novel and her best written so far.
August 28, 2020
The Love Affair of Eleanor of Aquitaine and Henry II brought to life!
The story in When Christ and His Saints Slept continues with the story of Eleanor of Aquitaine and Henry II. It’s a captivating tale of a wonderful woman and a king who was often distracted by affairs of his kingdom and his mistress and not careful to let his wife know how she was valued. For that, he would pay a price.
It began with Thomas Becket, Henry’s closest confidant, who he elevated to be Archbishop of Canterbury. It ended with a perceived betrayal that made a royal murder seem inevitable. Along the way were enough scheming, seductions, and scandals to topple any kingdom but their own.
Penman weaves an intricate story that will draw you in with great attention to historic detail, making up for gaps in the historic record with wonderful fiction. Ranulf, Henry’s fictional uncle, returns to show us life in Wales, which I loved. There are some dark moments with the murder of an archbishop and a Welsh prince. The ending is clearly a transport to book 3 so it leaves many questions unanswered.
The Henry II and Eleanor of Aquitaine Trilogy:
When Christ and His Saints Slept
Time and Chance
Devil’s Brood
The story in When Christ and His Saints Slept continues with the story of Eleanor of Aquitaine and Henry II. It’s a captivating tale of a wonderful woman and a king who was often distracted by affairs of his kingdom and his mistress and not careful to let his wife know how she was valued. For that, he would pay a price.
It began with Thomas Becket, Henry’s closest confidant, who he elevated to be Archbishop of Canterbury. It ended with a perceived betrayal that made a royal murder seem inevitable. Along the way were enough scheming, seductions, and scandals to topple any kingdom but their own.
Penman weaves an intricate story that will draw you in with great attention to historic detail, making up for gaps in the historic record with wonderful fiction. Ranulf, Henry’s fictional uncle, returns to show us life in Wales, which I loved. There are some dark moments with the murder of an archbishop and a Welsh prince. The ending is clearly a transport to book 3 so it leaves many questions unanswered.
The Henry II and Eleanor of Aquitaine Trilogy:
When Christ and His Saints Slept
Time and Chance
Devil’s Brood
October 19, 2016
The reign of Henry II and Eleanor of Aquitaine was nothing short of dramatic from their personal lives to politics to that of religious undertones. Add Thomas Becket to the mix and it was a soap opera to the extreme. Sharon Kay Penman follows up “When Christ and his Saints Slept” with the second book in the series, “Time and Chance”.
“Time and Chance” picks up the story of Eleanor of Aquitaine and Henry II a few years after “When Christ and his Saints Slept”. In usual Penman style, “Time and Chance” begins slowly establishing a multitude of figures/characters and the setting by recapping events from the first novel which can bog down readers. Too often, nothing is truly happening in “Time and Chance” and the characters merely discuss everything through dialogue. The reader is left hoping something happens (which barely does) and that there is less talk and more action.
Sadly, this is a common thread in “Time and Chance” as the plot is simply too slow. The novel contains marvelous characters filled with intrigue but doesn’t truly show the woven web. There is a lack of development resulting in “Time and Chance” feeling quite stiff while the reader does not bond to the characters or story properly.
Penman does ,however, incorporate beautiful literary language into her prose which is delightful and makes the setting feel real due to the high level of detail (sometimes, too much detail). “Time and Chance” gains the advantage of being vivid and illustrative in the storytelling.
One of the main issues with “Time and Chance” is that the formative characters (Henry, Eleanor, and Thomas) are weak and aren’t on the forefront. The reader is therefore provided a bigger overall view of events but there isn’t anyone in particular to ‘follow’ which slows down “Time and Chance”.
Penman’s presentation of the relationship between Henry and Becket is emotionally charged in regards to the events/dialogue occurring. However, there are large chronological time lapses and Penman doesn’t cohesively offer a viewpoint of how or why their friendship fell apart. Thus, “Time and Chance” gets a boost in reader anticipation but also leaves with unanswered questions.
As Penman’s novel progresses, it is slightly off course and disjoined with various storylines covered but the feeling of, “Oh let’s talk about that” or “We need to return to this” being the general tone. “Time and Chance” basically is a bit of a filler novel and appears to set-up events and a plot but doesn’t necessarily have any true action. Again: too much talking but not enough doing.
The final quarter of “Time and Chance” adds an emotional burst with the depiction of Becket’s assassination. Even those familiar with the history will feel highly visual descriptions, truly bringing the event to life. Sadly, after this, the text seems pointless and concludes on a meaningless note (but sets up the plot for the next novel).
Penman offers an ‘Author’s Note’ to explain some of the historical liberties taken in “Time and Chance” which helps answer some reader questions/discrepancies.
“Time and Chance” is a worthy HF novel but notably not as strong as “When Chris and his Saints Slept”. The novel feels slow and a bit more on the filler side than a moving read. It should also be noted that “Time and Chance” doesn’t hold well as a standalone novel and is best read in conjunction with the series after “When Christ and his Saints Slept”. “Time and Chance” isn’t terrible but not as strong as one would expect from the hype.
“Time and Chance” picks up the story of Eleanor of Aquitaine and Henry II a few years after “When Christ and his Saints Slept”. In usual Penman style, “Time and Chance” begins slowly establishing a multitude of figures/characters and the setting by recapping events from the first novel which can bog down readers. Too often, nothing is truly happening in “Time and Chance” and the characters merely discuss everything through dialogue. The reader is left hoping something happens (which barely does) and that there is less talk and more action.
Sadly, this is a common thread in “Time and Chance” as the plot is simply too slow. The novel contains marvelous characters filled with intrigue but doesn’t truly show the woven web. There is a lack of development resulting in “Time and Chance” feeling quite stiff while the reader does not bond to the characters or story properly.
Penman does ,however, incorporate beautiful literary language into her prose which is delightful and makes the setting feel real due to the high level of detail (sometimes, too much detail). “Time and Chance” gains the advantage of being vivid and illustrative in the storytelling.
One of the main issues with “Time and Chance” is that the formative characters (Henry, Eleanor, and Thomas) are weak and aren’t on the forefront. The reader is therefore provided a bigger overall view of events but there isn’t anyone in particular to ‘follow’ which slows down “Time and Chance”.
Penman’s presentation of the relationship between Henry and Becket is emotionally charged in regards to the events/dialogue occurring. However, there are large chronological time lapses and Penman doesn’t cohesively offer a viewpoint of how or why their friendship fell apart. Thus, “Time and Chance” gets a boost in reader anticipation but also leaves with unanswered questions.
As Penman’s novel progresses, it is slightly off course and disjoined with various storylines covered but the feeling of, “Oh let’s talk about that” or “We need to return to this” being the general tone. “Time and Chance” basically is a bit of a filler novel and appears to set-up events and a plot but doesn’t necessarily have any true action. Again: too much talking but not enough doing.
The final quarter of “Time and Chance” adds an emotional burst with the depiction of Becket’s assassination. Even those familiar with the history will feel highly visual descriptions, truly bringing the event to life. Sadly, after this, the text seems pointless and concludes on a meaningless note (but sets up the plot for the next novel).
Penman offers an ‘Author’s Note’ to explain some of the historical liberties taken in “Time and Chance” which helps answer some reader questions/discrepancies.
“Time and Chance” is a worthy HF novel but notably not as strong as “When Chris and his Saints Slept”. The novel feels slow and a bit more on the filler side than a moving read. It should also be noted that “Time and Chance” doesn’t hold well as a standalone novel and is best read in conjunction with the series after “When Christ and his Saints Slept”. “Time and Chance” isn’t terrible but not as strong as one would expect from the hype.
August 6, 2020
5 STARS
Another brilliant compilation by Sharon Kay Penman. This one centering around the lives of Henry II and his Queen Eleanor of Aquitaine. This story also includes the events that surrounded the life and murder of the now Sainted Thomas Becket, who was the Archbishop of Canterbury. He was nominated for Archbishop by King Henry in 1162, and was murdered by four of his knights in 1170.
This was a fascinating time in history, and the story is captivatingly told by Penman in her books of historical fiction. There are a few discrepancies of dates, events and characters, but those are fully disclosed in the author's note at the end of the story, to clear up any questions by true scholars of the time.
My only complaint regarding the book was the ending. I felt that the story just sort of stalled at the end, leaving too many unanswered questions. I know the story continues in Book 3, Devil's Brood, but I wasn't prepared for the ending when it arrived. I am looking forward to the rest of the series.
By the way, I am still bitter about Hywel... he was one of my favorites.
I listened to this on audiobook which was brilliantly narrated by Anne Flosnik. I highly recommend the audiobook.
Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof -
Another brilliant compilation by Sharon Kay Penman. This one centering around the lives of Henry II and his Queen Eleanor of Aquitaine. This story also includes the events that surrounded the life and murder of the now Sainted Thomas Becket, who was the Archbishop of Canterbury. He was nominated for Archbishop by King Henry in 1162, and was murdered by four of his knights in 1170.
This was a fascinating time in history, and the story is captivatingly told by Penman in her books of historical fiction. There are a few discrepancies of dates, events and characters, but those are fully disclosed in the author's note at the end of the story, to clear up any questions by true scholars of the time.
My only complaint regarding the book was the ending. I felt that the story just sort of stalled at the end, leaving too many unanswered questions. I know the story continues in Book 3, Devil's Brood, but I wasn't prepared for the ending when it arrived. I am looking forward to the rest of the series.
Outside, the sky was clear, stars gleaming in its ebony vastness like celestial fireflies. It was bitterly cold, and Hywel's every breath trailed after him in pale puffs of smoke.
By the way, I am still bitter about Hywel... he was one of my favorites.
I listened to this on audiobook which was brilliantly narrated by Anne Flosnik. I highly recommend the audiobook.
January 14, 2021
Sharon Kay Penman is one of the best author of historical literature, she just knows how to capture the interest of the reader by penning characters that are complex and flawed. If you did not read her works I advise in beginning because her books are really worth the time!
I begin this review by saying that I loved more the first volume and this second volume was more a book that prepares the reader for the climax that will surely be in the third volume. We follow the break of friendship between Henry and Thomas Becket also the fall of his marriage with Eleanor and the affair with Rosamund.
Despite Penman's intelligent way of presenting the characters , with the good and bad sides, I still disliked Rosamund Clifford. This are not the first books I read about Henry and Eleanor and every time this female gives me a bad taste in my mouth maybe because Eleanor and Henry really matched each other meanwhile Rosamund seemed a girl in a body of a woman who did not understood politics or Henry but was with Henry only because she was beautiful and she loved Henry unconditional. Ok I get it Jesus also loves us unconditional but that does not mean she must loose her respect for herself.
Meanwhile Eleanor was at the other extreme. I confess she was too ambitious, maybe if she did not manipulated their children against their father I would have loved her but I think she was a too prideful woman who let the resentment for Henry take control of her heart.
The relationship between Henry and Eleanor is described as an equal and I loved that; I mean they really were on the same page on many things, had brilliant minds and a passion that rare we see in arranged marriages. Too bad that they let things come between them because they really could have aged beautiful in their marriage and could have fortified their marriage if only they could have had compromised!
I cannot wait to read the last volume were the sons go against their father!
I begin this review by saying that I loved more the first volume and this second volume was more a book that prepares the reader for the climax that will surely be in the third volume. We follow the break of friendship between Henry and Thomas Becket also the fall of his marriage with Eleanor and the affair with Rosamund.
Despite Penman's intelligent way of presenting the characters , with the good and bad sides, I still disliked Rosamund Clifford. This are not the first books I read about Henry and Eleanor and every time this female gives me a bad taste in my mouth maybe because Eleanor and Henry really matched each other meanwhile Rosamund seemed a girl in a body of a woman who did not understood politics or Henry but was with Henry only because she was beautiful and she loved Henry unconditional. Ok I get it Jesus also loves us unconditional but that does not mean she must loose her respect for herself.
Meanwhile Eleanor was at the other extreme. I confess she was too ambitious, maybe if she did not manipulated their children against their father I would have loved her but I think she was a too prideful woman who let the resentment for Henry take control of her heart.
The relationship between Henry and Eleanor is described as an equal and I loved that; I mean they really were on the same page on many things, had brilliant minds and a passion that rare we see in arranged marriages. Too bad that they let things come between them because they really could have aged beautiful in their marriage and could have fortified their marriage if only they could have had compromised!
I cannot wait to read the last volume were the sons go against their father!
August 19, 2019
Sometimes the titles are a tad confusing, but I have managed to read most of Penman's books and have always enjoyed them for her ability to bring these figures of history to life with realistic dialogue and setting descriptions.
In this book I admit to admiring her fictional character Ranulf very much indeed.
The reading of this rather long book took some time and it was rewarding for me.
Kindle Purchase
In this book I admit to admiring her fictional character Ranulf very much indeed.
The reading of this rather long book took some time and it was rewarding for me.
Kindle Purchase
June 22, 2009
It pains me to give anything by Sharon Kay Penman fewer than 4 or 5 stars, because she's one of my favorite authors. But this book just didn't fascinate me like her others did. Usually I am completely engrossed by her writing, but I never really felt a connection to these characters. It's an interesting story--Eleanor of Aquitaine and Henry II and the murder of Thomas Becket--but for some reason I never really got into it. I just don't think it's as well written as some of her other books.
April 28, 2024
When it comes to historical works this author hits the ball right out of the park. I had read the first book in this series many years ago and for some reason got side tracked but I'm on track now and can't wait to dive into book #3. After the end of the book, the author has a letter to the reader to note the changes that were made in the story that veered somewhat from the original historic facts. It's quite clear she did a great degree of investigating the period and making the story entertaining and brings the Medieval Period to life. I didn't see the lines made famous in Shakespeare's play of Henry II when Henry issues those famous lines "will no one rid me of this turbulent priest?' but what he actually said was in this book :What miserable drones and traitors have I nurtured and promoted in my household who let their lord be treated with such shameful contempt by a low-born cleric. Those that are familiar with the history of these two men know that things did not bode well for Thomas Becket. I would recommend the series or any of her many books to those that enjoy history.
September 9, 2009
Like most of Sharon Kay Penman's work, this novel is one I come back to from time to time and enjoy again. I just read TIME AND CHANCE again over the holiday weekend, and as always, Sharon's work took me back to the past. I spend a lot of time with Eleanor and Henry in my own work, so it was wonderfully refreshing to see characters I love from her point of view. Her research is impeccable, and the stength of it, as well as her love for her characters comes through in her novels. If you haven't read her yet, run and get her books. If you are a fan of the Plantagenets as I am, you won't be sorry.
May 21, 2017
Whenever I finish one of Penman's books, I hate it (the fact that it's over). Really, one can be completely sucked in to the world she writes about.
November 24, 2023
Giving this a 4.5 rounded down to 4☆. This was still a good book, with some incredible scenes, but doesn't quite top the previous installment When Christ and His Saints Slept.
I did learn about Thomas Becket, though. All I knew about him before was whatever I'd forgotten from history class. And I believe there was a mention of Becket's (spoiler?) murder in Ken Follett's Pillars of the Earth.
So this book was very much a "second book" of a series. If the series spotlights the drama of the royal family Plantagenets and Eleanor of Aquitaine, then this is the set-up, showing how tensions begin brew between king and queen, and the young prince kids. I'm more excited to read the next book, if the title gives any indication of how crazy things are going to get-- Devil's Brood.
I did learn about Thomas Becket, though. All I knew about him before was whatever I'd forgotten from history class. And I believe there was a mention of Becket's (spoiler?) murder in Ken Follett's Pillars of the Earth.
So this book was very much a "second book" of a series. If the series spotlights the drama of the royal family Plantagenets and Eleanor of Aquitaine, then this is the set-up, showing how tensions begin brew between king and queen, and the young prince kids. I'm more excited to read the next book, if the title gives any indication of how crazy things are going to get-- Devil's Brood.
June 11, 2017
I really enjoyed this though it was much slower than its predecesor, When Christ and His Saints Slept. It's also shorter, but a necessary step into the third volume. The crux of the conflict is on an important but failing marriage and the puzzling enigma that was Thomas Becket. The conflict isn't about a war, though it does have war, it's about two of King Henry's most important relationships failing. Interesting, but for a book of this size, it can feel a bit weak at times. Also, it could've used less relating events through dialogue and more showing me what life in this time period was like. All that being said, Penman strings accurate historical facts together, with a few creative liberties, and makes an engaging and compelling story that is also informative.
August 14, 2018
I unfortunately was quite disappointed with this book. There were some sections that reminded me of her marvelous writing in "Here be Dragons" and "The Sunne in Splendour", but I feel like this book was just overly complicated and slow, with too many characters irrelevant to the plot (and not very well outlined either), and various storylines which didn't seem to have anything to do with each other and honestly could have been spared in benefit of concentrating more on Henry and Eleanor.
In no way am I saying that it was a waste of my time. Of course, I still finished it and am giving it three stars, as it was a very valuable history lesson, but sadly just that, and not an exciting and emotional experience, as with Sharon Penman's other books (previously mentioned). Hope I won't be as disappointed with #3 - I'm very interested in Eleanor of A. and I know that I won't read any piece of historical fiction more accurate than Penman's books, so I'm willing to give it a go...
In no way am I saying that it was a waste of my time. Of course, I still finished it and am giving it three stars, as it was a very valuable history lesson, but sadly just that, and not an exciting and emotional experience, as with Sharon Penman's other books (previously mentioned). Hope I won't be as disappointed with #3 - I'm very interested in Eleanor of A. and I know that I won't read any piece of historical fiction more accurate than Penman's books, so I'm willing to give it a go...
March 5, 2014
I have seen something else under the sun:
The race is not to the swift
or the battle to the strong,
nor does food come to the wise
or wealth to the brilliant
or favor to the learned;
but time and chance happen to them all.
~ Ecclesiastes 9:11
Once again, even the title to Penman's novel is more brilliant than the entirety of some other novels. Henry Fitz Empress has the world at his feet. By the time he is the age most of us are thinking about completing college and getting a job, he rules England and more of what is now France than the French king. When beautiful and clever Eleanor adds her Aquitaine to his empire and herself to his bed, he has no reason to believe that he will not be the most successful ruler Europe has ever seen.
"But time and chance happen" to Henry in ways he arrogantly never expected. Taking for granted that those around him share his thoughts and goals, he makes one of his first life changing mistakes when he names Thomas Beckett the Archbishop of Canterbury. Beckett is one character that didn't quite click with me. It was difficult to determine his motivation. Some attempt is made to ensure the reader that he truly did have the Church's best interests at heart, but at times he seemed bent on tormenting Henry for no other purpose than to see him squirm. Who knows. The reader is left to decide for yourself what you think of Saint Thomas.
The story in Wales continues with Ranulf attempting to balance his loyalties to the land he has chosen and his nephew, the English king. When war is waged between the two, this becomes impossible. Thankfully, Ranulf has friends in high places on both sides of the border, so things always seem to work out for him somehow. I'm probably not quite as big a fan of Ranulf as other Penman fans seem to be, but I do enjoy the side-plot of the happenings in Wales especially to break up the formal church jargon of the Beckett chapters.
This book also covers what may have been Henry's biggest mistake: taking Rosamund Clifford as his mistress. Eleanor was reasonable but not willing to be made a fool, and the distance that has grown between them by the end of this book sets the scene for the dissention that rips this family apart in the final book of the trilogy, Devil's Brood. Henry, in typical male fashion, is oblivious to the animosity that is gathering in Eleanor's heart. That is one angry mama you don't want to mess with.
It goes without saying that Penman creates characters that convince the reader that she has met each one of the historical people she is writing about. Scenes of 12th century England and France are drawn with such rich detail and accuracy that one would believe Penman has visited the time herself. This novel is wonderfully done and prepares the reader for what I consider the best book in the series. In Devil's Brood, the focus shifts to Henry and Eleanor's children, some of which they may regret begetting.
The race is not to the swift
or the battle to the strong,
nor does food come to the wise
or wealth to the brilliant
or favor to the learned;
but time and chance happen to them all.
~ Ecclesiastes 9:11
Once again, even the title to Penman's novel is more brilliant than the entirety of some other novels. Henry Fitz Empress has the world at his feet. By the time he is the age most of us are thinking about completing college and getting a job, he rules England and more of what is now France than the French king. When beautiful and clever Eleanor adds her Aquitaine to his empire and herself to his bed, he has no reason to believe that he will not be the most successful ruler Europe has ever seen.
"But time and chance happen" to Henry in ways he arrogantly never expected. Taking for granted that those around him share his thoughts and goals, he makes one of his first life changing mistakes when he names Thomas Beckett the Archbishop of Canterbury. Beckett is one character that didn't quite click with me. It was difficult to determine his motivation. Some attempt is made to ensure the reader that he truly did have the Church's best interests at heart, but at times he seemed bent on tormenting Henry for no other purpose than to see him squirm. Who knows. The reader is left to decide for yourself what you think of Saint Thomas.
The story in Wales continues with Ranulf attempting to balance his loyalties to the land he has chosen and his nephew, the English king. When war is waged between the two, this becomes impossible. Thankfully, Ranulf has friends in high places on both sides of the border, so things always seem to work out for him somehow. I'm probably not quite as big a fan of Ranulf as other Penman fans seem to be, but I do enjoy the side-plot of the happenings in Wales especially to break up the formal church jargon of the Beckett chapters.
This book also covers what may have been Henry's biggest mistake: taking Rosamund Clifford as his mistress. Eleanor was reasonable but not willing to be made a fool, and the distance that has grown between them by the end of this book sets the scene for the dissention that rips this family apart in the final book of the trilogy, Devil's Brood. Henry, in typical male fashion, is oblivious to the animosity that is gathering in Eleanor's heart. That is one angry mama you don't want to mess with.
It goes without saying that Penman creates characters that convince the reader that she has met each one of the historical people she is writing about. Scenes of 12th century England and France are drawn with such rich detail and accuracy that one would believe Penman has visited the time herself. This novel is wonderfully done and prepares the reader for what I consider the best book in the series. In Devil's Brood, the focus shifts to Henry and Eleanor's children, some of which they may regret begetting.
October 8, 2016
I recently finished When Christ and His Saints Slept and this is the next in the same series by Penman, covering the reign of Henry II and Eleanor of Aquitaine. The era begins with great promise. Henry's reign brings welcome peace to England after the years of war between his mother and King Stephen, and Henry and Eleanor's domains include England and much of present-day France including Normandy, Brittany, Aquitaine and Poitiers. Henry is a bright, jolly and a natural leader, and he has the beautiful and equally savvy Eleanor by his side, bearing him children one after another.
Trouble looms, though, in the form of marital betrayal, a misbegotten war in Wales and the conflict between Henry and Thomas Becket. Henry's fatal flaw is that he has inherited his father's quick temper, and the bright promise of his early reign is shadowed.
As in When Christ and His Saints Slept I appreciate Penman's talents as a psychologist of leadership. And the book is certainly well-researched. But it sags under the weight of too much historical detail. For example, it was hard to keep track of all the different bishops and their varying levels of loyalty to Henry versus Becket. The amount of detail about the positions of the bishops was unnecessary to the average reader of historical fiction, and a drag on the plot towards the end.
The main dramatic story lines were the rift between Henry & Becket, the rift in Henry's marriage to Eleanor, and Henry's uncle Ranulf's moral dilemma as both an Englishman and a Welshman. But these dramas tended to get lost in tedious detail, so the book was not as good as it could have been, in my opinion.
Like my reviews? Check out my blog at http://www.kathrynbashaar.com/blog/
Trouble looms, though, in the form of marital betrayal, a misbegotten war in Wales and the conflict between Henry and Thomas Becket. Henry's fatal flaw is that he has inherited his father's quick temper, and the bright promise of his early reign is shadowed.
As in When Christ and His Saints Slept I appreciate Penman's talents as a psychologist of leadership. And the book is certainly well-researched. But it sags under the weight of too much historical detail. For example, it was hard to keep track of all the different bishops and their varying levels of loyalty to Henry versus Becket. The amount of detail about the positions of the bishops was unnecessary to the average reader of historical fiction, and a drag on the plot towards the end.
The main dramatic story lines were the rift between Henry & Becket, the rift in Henry's marriage to Eleanor, and Henry's uncle Ranulf's moral dilemma as both an Englishman and a Welshman. But these dramas tended to get lost in tedious detail, so the book was not as good as it could have been, in my opinion.
Like my reviews? Check out my blog at http://www.kathrynbashaar.com/blog/
August 20, 2012
I'm not sure how or why, but I feel like SKP has gone off the rails somewhat, because this book and its sequels The Devil's Brood and Lionheart do not live up to her earlier work. It seems to me like the books are becoming more a catalogue of events and losing their emphasis on drama and character development. There are battles galore but none of them even approach the action, excitement, and pathos of how she describes the battles of Barnet and Tewkesbury in The Sunne in Splendor, or the battle of Lewes in Falls the Shadow. In those books, I not only could follow what was going on but I actually felt like I was experiencing it along with the characters. I didn't experience anything even remotely similar in the Plantagenet novels. The Plantagenets are such larger than life personalities (think of all the drama in the film The Lion in Winter), that I wish there were more dramatic scenes along the lines of Edward IV's moving confrontation with his mother Cecily Neville in The Sunne in Splendor. I wonder if maybe her canvas is just becoming too broad in these books? There are so many characters and so many plotlines going on that I don't feel as much for these characters as much as I did for the House of York in her first novel or the de Montforts in Falls the Shadow. The closest I came to being affected was the death of the Young King (Henry and Eleanor's oldest son) in The Devils' Brood. But for the most part, events are narrated in a manner that is way too matter of fact & I just don't think there's enough thought put into how point of view and descriptive detail could be used to add emotional punch to the plot.
June 22, 2010
Did not enjoy this as much as When Christ and His Saints Slept. Mainly because parts including Becket were kinda boring. But I liked Ranulf and the parts concerning Wales.
January 16, 2025
This is a reread. One of my reading goals for this year is to reread Sharon Kay Penman's Plantagenet trilogy and her Welsh trilogy. I love these books; they are old friends.
August 11, 2011
I could reiterate many of the points that I made in my Saints review here. Nothing’s changed. Sharon’s still a brilliantly fluid writer with an excellent knowledge of the English language, she’s still an impeccable researcher, she still creates deft characterisations and astonishingly detailed settings. I guess the point is consistency. People argue till the cows come home about what’s the most important thing to get right in a novel – is it good characterisations, a compelling plot, an engaging writing style? But consistency’s got to be up there. In anything one does, we’re told that consistency is the key – a sportsman’s got to be consistent to reach the top and become one of the greatest, a student’s got to produce consistently good coursework to get good qualifications... and in order to be the best of the best, an author’s got to produce consistently good novels time after time. The astonishing thing for me is not just that Sharon Penman is a great writer, but that she can produce the same exacting standards and quality time after time after time, with, as far as I can see, no faltering and no wobbles. I consider that astounding.
Something which I mentioned in my previous review was the objectivity with which Sharon treats the historical characters. This was important in Saints, where the civil war situation between Maude and Stephen just tempts historical fiction authors to pick sides and paint one side as righteous and the other as malicious. Sharon’s Maude and Stephen each had their flaws and qualities, and whilst as a reader you probably still picked "sides" you were aware of the failings and merits of both. An objective view of the historical figures is something I look for in good historical fiction. Whitewashing historical situations or glossing over the people to present everyone as either wholly right or wrong is I think too much of an oversimplification of the history, potentially an insult to the readers’ intelligence, and certainly doesn’t do justice to the historical people who lived and died through such times. History is just never that simple. And authors who do that make me suspicious that they are allowing too much of their own bias to colour the story – and then I start to lose trust in their portrayal of the historical characters and wonder what else of the historical fact they’ve twisted and whether such alteration is a deliberate design to manipulate my own conclusions about what really happened. As I mentioned in my review of Saints, Sharon wisely steps back and focuses on providing an objective view, which one feels is absolutely as close as possible to the real life individuals, and allowing her readers to decide where our empathy lies whilst never letting us forget that all of it is mired in shades of grey. This talent in Sharon’s writing is enormously important in Time and Chance, which is why I felt the need to comment on it again in this review. There are two key antagonistic dynamics in this novel; Henry and Becket, and Eleanor and Rosamund. This is the kind of historical dichotomy that just calls out to people to take sides and vilify the perceived antagonist whilst sanctifying one’s own choice. But I am so glad that Sharon chose not to go down that route – it would be the easy way out, and I think in the field of history it would even lessen the significance and magnitude of events. Just as World War Two wasn’t as simple as "the good guys vs the evil guys", and to present it as such would defeat the lessons learned from it, I think presenting any other period of history in the same simplistic way greatly reduces the value of its meaning, consequences, and lessons. Yet this kind of unsophisticated, one-dimensional presentation of history is extremely prevalent in the historical fiction industry. If I could wish for just one thing to change in historical fiction, I’d wish for a more objective presentation of people and events and far less simplification. Sharon Penman is one of the few authors who I never have to worry about meeting such criterion. Although I did get behind one or the other in the aforementioned antagonistic relationships, I was all too aware of my favoured individual’s downfalls, and uncomfortably conscious that the opposing side could very equally be presented just as much in the right.
Ranulf Fitz Roy’s reappearance was a very great delight. I took to him instantly in Saints, and the more I read about him the more I adore his character. I can’t imagine the books without him, even though he is Sharon’s most major fictional character. Scenes where I get to sit on his shoulder and see historical events through his eyes are a never-ending source of pleasure. I’m at the point now where I’m seriously considering naming any hypothetical future sons "Ranulf" – and given what a name that’d be to saddle a modern child with, the fact I’m even considering it speaks to my love of this character. The humour and humanity is a big part of what brings Ranulf and the other, non-fictional characters to life, in my opinion. Humour in particular resonates across time, and seems to be one of the characteristics that we strongly associate with humanity, so bringing humour to her books was as important a task as historical accuracy for Sharon Penman. Something I didn’t mention in my Saints review, simply because it didn’t seem like the time or place, was how cleverly and fantastically Sharon manages to create humour in her novels. It’s sharp, incisive, unforced, and of course most importantly funny. One of my favourite conversations from this book, between Eleanor of Aquitaine and Maud, Countess of Chester after the birth of Eleanor and Henry’s fourth baby in five years, runs as follows:
Speaking of humour, I must have a word on the character of Hywel in the book. What a character he was! At once a great source of humour, intelligence, romance and heroics, I thought the poet prince of Gwynedd was simply marvellous. One of Hywel’s poems:
That brings me round neatly to my next point. Time and Chance makes much of the theme of what if in history. What if Henry had not taken Rosamund Clifford as a serious mistress? What if Henry had not appointed Thomas Becket to the archbishopric of Canterbury and kept him as his chancellor? What if a rift had not opened up between Henry and Eleanor? It’s as object a lesson in the nature of history as Saints’ unspoken demonstration of history’s greyness and complexity, and the clue is in the book’s title – Time and Chance. Yet what if is a game that humans have always played, and a question we continue to ponder. One of the most puzzling historical questions has to be concerning Thomas Becket’s baffling transformation from chancellor to archbishop. It would be so easy to paint Henry II as a monstrous tyrant here, bent upon the downfall of the poor beleaguered Becket, but the real answer is not so straightforward, and in truth it’s impossible to provide one. Sharon Penman recreates Becket’s speech and actions, and allows us to draw our own conclusions from them. The revelation that there is no easy answer to such questions comes from the characters themselves, as baffled by Becket’s behaviour as us, and, as Ranulf and Henry ponder at the end, unsure whether Becket is a saint, a traitor, or simply stubborn, naïve, and contrary beyond belief.
Most importantly, Sharon Penman once again sucked me into her Medieval world with Time and Chance, a world at once delightful, fascinating and compelling. I don’t know where the hours go when I read her books, but I know where my imagination is: right there in Medieval Europe with Henry, Eleanor and Ranulf.
10 out of 10.
Something which I mentioned in my previous review was the objectivity with which Sharon treats the historical characters. This was important in Saints, where the civil war situation between Maude and Stephen just tempts historical fiction authors to pick sides and paint one side as righteous and the other as malicious. Sharon’s Maude and Stephen each had their flaws and qualities, and whilst as a reader you probably still picked "sides" you were aware of the failings and merits of both. An objective view of the historical figures is something I look for in good historical fiction. Whitewashing historical situations or glossing over the people to present everyone as either wholly right or wrong is I think too much of an oversimplification of the history, potentially an insult to the readers’ intelligence, and certainly doesn’t do justice to the historical people who lived and died through such times. History is just never that simple. And authors who do that make me suspicious that they are allowing too much of their own bias to colour the story – and then I start to lose trust in their portrayal of the historical characters and wonder what else of the historical fact they’ve twisted and whether such alteration is a deliberate design to manipulate my own conclusions about what really happened. As I mentioned in my review of Saints, Sharon wisely steps back and focuses on providing an objective view, which one feels is absolutely as close as possible to the real life individuals, and allowing her readers to decide where our empathy lies whilst never letting us forget that all of it is mired in shades of grey. This talent in Sharon’s writing is enormously important in Time and Chance, which is why I felt the need to comment on it again in this review. There are two key antagonistic dynamics in this novel; Henry and Becket, and Eleanor and Rosamund. This is the kind of historical dichotomy that just calls out to people to take sides and vilify the perceived antagonist whilst sanctifying one’s own choice. But I am so glad that Sharon chose not to go down that route – it would be the easy way out, and I think in the field of history it would even lessen the significance and magnitude of events. Just as World War Two wasn’t as simple as "the good guys vs the evil guys", and to present it as such would defeat the lessons learned from it, I think presenting any other period of history in the same simplistic way greatly reduces the value of its meaning, consequences, and lessons. Yet this kind of unsophisticated, one-dimensional presentation of history is extremely prevalent in the historical fiction industry. If I could wish for just one thing to change in historical fiction, I’d wish for a more objective presentation of people and events and far less simplification. Sharon Penman is one of the few authors who I never have to worry about meeting such criterion. Although I did get behind one or the other in the aforementioned antagonistic relationships, I was all too aware of my favoured individual’s downfalls, and uncomfortably conscious that the opposing side could very equally be presented just as much in the right.
Ranulf Fitz Roy’s reappearance was a very great delight. I took to him instantly in Saints, and the more I read about him the more I adore his character. I can’t imagine the books without him, even though he is Sharon’s most major fictional character. Scenes where I get to sit on his shoulder and see historical events through his eyes are a never-ending source of pleasure. I’m at the point now where I’m seriously considering naming any hypothetical future sons "Ranulf" – and given what a name that’d be to saddle a modern child with, the fact I’m even considering it speaks to my love of this character. The humour and humanity is a big part of what brings Ranulf and the other, non-fictional characters to life, in my opinion. Humour in particular resonates across time, and seems to be one of the characteristics that we strongly associate with humanity, so bringing humour to her books was as important a task as historical accuracy for Sharon Penman. Something I didn’t mention in my Saints review, simply because it didn’t seem like the time or place, was how cleverly and fantastically Sharon manages to create humour in her novels. It’s sharp, incisive, unforced, and of course most importantly funny. One of my favourite conversations from this book, between Eleanor of Aquitaine and Maud, Countess of Chester after the birth of Eleanor and Henry’s fourth baby in five years, runs as follows:
"Well, dearest, what would you tell a farmer who had an over-abundant harvest? To plant less, of course!"...
"I am not complaining about the frequency of the planting," she said. "I’d just rather not reap a crop every year."
Speaking of humour, I must have a word on the character of Hywel in the book. What a character he was! At once a great source of humour, intelligence, romance and heroics, I thought the poet prince of Gwynedd was simply marvellous. One of Hywel’s poems:
Summer I love, when the stamping horse is unstilled.
And lord against valiant lord, comes fierce to the field.
And swift upon Flint, the flurrying wave is o’erspilled,
And newly the apple-trees blossom, their beauty fulfilled.
Bright on my shoulder is borne my shield to the fight.
How long to my wooing will my wedded lover not yield?
That brings me round neatly to my next point. Time and Chance makes much of the theme of what if in history. What if Henry had not taken Rosamund Clifford as a serious mistress? What if Henry had not appointed Thomas Becket to the archbishopric of Canterbury and kept him as his chancellor? What if a rift had not opened up between Henry and Eleanor? It’s as object a lesson in the nature of history as Saints’ unspoken demonstration of history’s greyness and complexity, and the clue is in the book’s title – Time and Chance. Yet what if is a game that humans have always played, and a question we continue to ponder. One of the most puzzling historical questions has to be concerning Thomas Becket’s baffling transformation from chancellor to archbishop. It would be so easy to paint Henry II as a monstrous tyrant here, bent upon the downfall of the poor beleaguered Becket, but the real answer is not so straightforward, and in truth it’s impossible to provide one. Sharon Penman recreates Becket’s speech and actions, and allows us to draw our own conclusions from them. The revelation that there is no easy answer to such questions comes from the characters themselves, as baffled by Becket’s behaviour as us, and, as Ranulf and Henry ponder at the end, unsure whether Becket is a saint, a traitor, or simply stubborn, naïve, and contrary beyond belief.
Most importantly, Sharon Penman once again sucked me into her Medieval world with Time and Chance, a world at once delightful, fascinating and compelling. I don’t know where the hours go when I read her books, but I know where my imagination is: right there in Medieval Europe with Henry, Eleanor and Ranulf.
10 out of 10.
January 28, 2020
3.75 stars
I think that this book could have easily been a 4-star read--maybe even a 5-star read--if I had the time to read more consistently. I was enjoying it immensely as I was reading it over my break from school but then school started up again and I fell behind terribly. I did, however, get sick on Saturday and was able to finish reading it up while I was recovering but, by then I felt a little bit of a disconnect with the story. Had I been able to read it through as I try to do with any book, I think I would have enjoyed it a lot more and, therefore, I'll have to shelve it as needing to be reread.
Penman did a really good job of bringing Henry II and Eleanor of Aquitaine to life. I'd not really cared too much about this particular area of history until I watched The Lion in Winter some years ago and, while not the most accurate movie of all time, I found it to be enthralling and captivating. This book was fascinating in its own right and I think it really is the characters who pull the story through.
This book covers a huge swath of time and features quite a few characters so, I think, this is another reason that not reading from the book for about two weeks did not really fare too well for me. The cast of characters at the beginning of the book certainly helped to remind me who was who and why they were important.
Overall, Penman did a great job of keeping my attention. I was invested in the story and wanted to know what would happen and how. I did not find myself disappointed, though I will admit that there were some parts at which the story lagged and maybe the book could have been just a tiny bit shorter.
At any rate, I'll have to reread this sometime and see if I can read through it more cohesively next time!
I think that this book could have easily been a 4-star read--maybe even a 5-star read--if I had the time to read more consistently. I was enjoying it immensely as I was reading it over my break from school but then school started up again and I fell behind terribly. I did, however, get sick on Saturday and was able to finish reading it up while I was recovering but, by then I felt a little bit of a disconnect with the story. Had I been able to read it through as I try to do with any book, I think I would have enjoyed it a lot more and, therefore, I'll have to shelve it as needing to be reread.
Penman did a really good job of bringing Henry II and Eleanor of Aquitaine to life. I'd not really cared too much about this particular area of history until I watched The Lion in Winter some years ago and, while not the most accurate movie of all time, I found it to be enthralling and captivating. This book was fascinating in its own right and I think it really is the characters who pull the story through.
This book covers a huge swath of time and features quite a few characters so, I think, this is another reason that not reading from the book for about two weeks did not really fare too well for me. The cast of characters at the beginning of the book certainly helped to remind me who was who and why they were important.
Overall, Penman did a great job of keeping my attention. I was invested in the story and wanted to know what would happen and how. I did not find myself disappointed, though I will admit that there were some parts at which the story lagged and maybe the book could have been just a tiny bit shorter.
At any rate, I'll have to reread this sometime and see if I can read through it more cohesively next time!
January 20, 2024
Eleanor and Henry have been rulers of a vast empire from England to Aquitaine for several years. The Plantagenet dynasty also seems secure when they sire son after son. But such a vast empire creates many challenges and uprisings from Wales to Brittany. And when Henry appoints his chancellor Thomas Becket archbishop of Canterbury, he suddenly turns against Henry. In the meantime, Eleanor and Henry are more and more growing apart and when Henry meets the fair Rosamund De Clifford, doubts surround this golden marriage
Time and chance picks up where ‘When Christ and his saints slept‘ left off. The book centres on the early years of Eleanor and Henry’s marriage – with all its ups and downs. And it’s also about Henry’s struggle with Becket.
And that struggle takes over the whole plot at times, which I found a little tiresome. Becket is portrayed highly ambitious and unsympathetic. A relief from the martyrdom the Catholic Church later gave him – as I do believe that Becket was also in the wrong here. The story really elaborates on their strive.
There is also a subplot in Wales where the story of the fictional Ranulf continues and we follow the struggles of the Welsh royal family. This was my favourite storyline, I still love Ranulf. And I didn’t know a lot about Wales during the time of Henry II’s reign.
Penman again chooses a number of main perspectives and complements them with others where necessary. Eleanor, Henry, Ranulf, Maud and Rainald make up the main ‘cast’. In addition, quite a few clerics are given the floor for Becket’s case and I have to admit that I could not always tell everyone apart properly – so many bishops and clerics.
This is a good novel, but not as epic as the previous one. In the next volume ‘The devil’s brood’, things will get really bitter between Henry and Eleanor so that’s something to look forward to again.
Dutch review:
Eleanor en Henry zijn ondertussen al enkele jaren heersers over een groot rijk van Engeland tot Aquitanie. Ook de Plantagenet dynasty lijkt veilig gesteld wanneer ze zoon na zoon krijgen. Maar het uitgebreide rijk zorgt voor vele kopzorgen van Wales tot in Bretagne. En wanneer Henry zijn minister Thomas Becket benoemt tot aartsbisschop van Canterbury, keert die zich tegen Henry. Op de kop toe begint zijn huwelijk barsten te vertonen, zeker wanneer hij de jonge Rosamund De Clifford tegenkomt.
Time and chance gaat verder waar 'When Christ and his saints slept' is gestopt. Het boek staat in het teken van de eerste jaren van het huwelijk tussen Eleanor en Henry - met al zijn ups en downs. En gaat ook over Henry's strijd met Becket.
En die strijd neemt met momenten het hele plot over en dat vond ik soms wat vermoeiend. Becket wordt allesbehalve sympathiek neergezet. Een verademing van het martelaarschap dat de katholieke kerk hem later heeft gegeven.
Daarnaast is er een subplot in Wales waar het verhaal van de fictieve Ranulf verder vorm krijgt en we de strijd van het koningshuis daar volgen. Dit was mijn favoriete verhaallijn, ik hou nog steeds van Ranulf.
Penman kiest opnieuw voor een aantal hoofdperspectieven en vult die aan met anderen waar nodig. Eleanor, Henry, Ranulf, Maud en Rainald vormen de hoofdcast. Daarnaast worden er heel wat geestelijken aan het woord gelaten voor het geval Becket en dan moet ik toegeven dat ik niet altijd iedereen goed uit elkaar kon houden.
Fijn boek, maar niet zo episch als het vorige. In het volgende deel worden de zaak pas echt bitter tussen Henry en Eleanor dus dat is weer iets om naar uit te kijken.
Time and chance picks up where ‘When Christ and his saints slept‘ left off. The book centres on the early years of Eleanor and Henry’s marriage – with all its ups and downs. And it’s also about Henry’s struggle with Becket.
And that struggle takes over the whole plot at times, which I found a little tiresome. Becket is portrayed highly ambitious and unsympathetic. A relief from the martyrdom the Catholic Church later gave him – as I do believe that Becket was also in the wrong here. The story really elaborates on their strive.
There is also a subplot in Wales where the story of the fictional Ranulf continues and we follow the struggles of the Welsh royal family. This was my favourite storyline, I still love Ranulf. And I didn’t know a lot about Wales during the time of Henry II’s reign.
Penman again chooses a number of main perspectives and complements them with others where necessary. Eleanor, Henry, Ranulf, Maud and Rainald make up the main ‘cast’. In addition, quite a few clerics are given the floor for Becket’s case and I have to admit that I could not always tell everyone apart properly – so many bishops and clerics.
This is a good novel, but not as epic as the previous one. In the next volume ‘The devil’s brood’, things will get really bitter between Henry and Eleanor so that’s something to look forward to again.
Dutch review:
Eleanor en Henry zijn ondertussen al enkele jaren heersers over een groot rijk van Engeland tot Aquitanie. Ook de Plantagenet dynasty lijkt veilig gesteld wanneer ze zoon na zoon krijgen. Maar het uitgebreide rijk zorgt voor vele kopzorgen van Wales tot in Bretagne. En wanneer Henry zijn minister Thomas Becket benoemt tot aartsbisschop van Canterbury, keert die zich tegen Henry. Op de kop toe begint zijn huwelijk barsten te vertonen, zeker wanneer hij de jonge Rosamund De Clifford tegenkomt.
Time and chance gaat verder waar 'When Christ and his saints slept' is gestopt. Het boek staat in het teken van de eerste jaren van het huwelijk tussen Eleanor en Henry - met al zijn ups en downs. En gaat ook over Henry's strijd met Becket.
En die strijd neemt met momenten het hele plot over en dat vond ik soms wat vermoeiend. Becket wordt allesbehalve sympathiek neergezet. Een verademing van het martelaarschap dat de katholieke kerk hem later heeft gegeven.
Daarnaast is er een subplot in Wales waar het verhaal van de fictieve Ranulf verder vorm krijgt en we de strijd van het koningshuis daar volgen. Dit was mijn favoriete verhaallijn, ik hou nog steeds van Ranulf.
Penman kiest opnieuw voor een aantal hoofdperspectieven en vult die aan met anderen waar nodig. Eleanor, Henry, Ranulf, Maud en Rainald vormen de hoofdcast. Daarnaast worden er heel wat geestelijken aan het woord gelaten voor het geval Becket en dan moet ik toegeven dat ik niet altijd iedereen goed uit elkaar kon houden.
Fijn boek, maar niet zo episch als het vorige. In het volgende deel worden de zaak pas echt bitter tussen Henry en Eleanor dus dat is weer iets om naar uit te kijken.
November 4, 2017
Not as good as part one of the trilogy.
July 1, 2025
you know what? i'm about to say it. i don't care that you had your head split open in canterbury cathedral.
June 5, 2021
Sharon Kay Penman... What a writer!!
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