Handfast

by John Burke

It is 1569 and passions have never run higher in the age-old battle between the English and the Scots.

Rebellion is brewing in the North against Protestant Queen Elizabeth as Catholic Mary Queen of Scots is being held captive in England.

In line with custom, a Day of Truce is declared by Sir John Forster, Warden of the Middle March of England and his Scottish counterpart Sir Walter Ker in an effort to bring peace. They propose that two members of two prominent families who had been raiding and feuding for generations unite in marriage.

Thomas Charlton of England is to wed Isabelle Armstrong, of Scotland. Surprisingly, their fathers welcome the match. But maybe the two feuding headsmen smell trouble in the new entente between the Queen of England and the Regent of Scotland.

It may herald measures against them which would make their unending cycle of squabbles look puny indeed. If they are both to be harassed from their own capital cities, better they should stand together than be divided.

But the old feuds cannot easily be suppressed. Lascivious landowner Sir Patrick Laidlaw – who-not-so-secretly lusts after Isabelle – deliberately sparks a fight between the families. Thomas is killed and his father gravely wounded. Isabelle is seized by his outraged family, to be held as a hostage.

The cunning Sir John plays another card to prevent more violence – and protect his own position. He suggests a twelve-month breathing space, by way of a ‘handfast’ or trial marriage between Thomas’ brother Randal and Isabelle Armstrong …

John Burke’s elegant Handfast tells an epic tale, set in the Border country between Scotland and England at the time of the Reivers. Woven into the turbulent saga are real historical events and characters.

It is a fascinating insight into the history of the time. It puts rich detail on a story everyone has briefly met. And there are battles aplenty – battles between rival countries, battles between rival families and, unsurprisingly, that primeval battle between the sexes. It is brilliantly true to life.

Genres: Historical Fiction

351 pages, Paperback

Published July 9, 2018

About the author

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For the British novelist and writer, see John Burke.
Christian Witer = John Burke
Trek President = John Burke
Burke's Peerage = John Burke
Educational Editor = John Burke
Boat Builder = John Burke
Theologian = John Burke

Reviews

[BEATRICE VEGAS · Rating 5 out of 5]

Couched within Handfast, purportedly a fictional medieval romance is a scintillating expose of this period. Burke subtly achieves his purpose ingenuously. Well crafted he adeptly braids medieval romance and political intrigue with a myriad of sentiments into his arc, without censure. An uneasy peace prevails in England at a cusp in Tudor history. The imprisoned Mary Queen of Scots days seem numbered unless she springs free of her gaolers. Burke perceptively captures the glamour of the doomed queen. Furthermore, the English sovereign and the Scottish Regent had reached a mutually beneficial accord that would doubtless backfire on the reivers. Handfast unravels in the midst of such political intrigue. Those living on both sides of the Border country forced by their turbulent circumstances use their innate cunning and surroundings for survival. Moreover, women and children regardless of their birth were mere pawns in this game played by men and often suffered the most. Contrary to populist opinion, the smart survived by their wits. Necessity is the mother of invention. Burke's masterful storytelling attests his grasp of the period. With intuitive flair, he captures the savagery and stoicism of the times in full-blown technicolour holding nothing back, undeprecatingly letting the tapestry of his honest narrative inform. There is profound pleasure as the past is coaxed to life; sweeping one back to a world of pageantry, tyrannical fealty, its unjust consequences, vivid characters, capricious laws, devious plotting and buckets of gore. His accurately picturesque depiction of their fierce loyalty (or lack thereof), courage and at times misplaced patriotism and the futility of their endeavours evokes the sight, sounds and smells of the time. Despising their remorseless savagery yet drawn to their stoicism that strives to prevail against insurmountable odds. The multitudinous, colourful characters in Burke's fictional work did exist. His candid portrayal may perturb some and he misses the opportunity to offset it with wit. An age lacking reporters or social media, communication was solely by mail. A whisper in the right ears determined if ones head stayed on ones shoulder or rolled. Loyalties bought by coin or blackmail; corrupt officials filled their coffers by clever ruses, distorting the truth in their dispatches to their sovereigns. Burke seizes the opportunity adeptly weaving them into the rich tapestry of his tale. One gains insight into the blatant hypocrisy, corruption and concomitant depravity particularly of those in authority. Both sides maintain a façade of integrity that neither professes. Despite a momentary lapse towards the end, the plot recovers. It is not the tale but its telling that makes it unforgettable. More than a poignant and captivating medieval romance between Randal and Isabelle they and the entire cast are an indelible memory long after the last page is turned

[Virginia Tican · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am ambivalent about this one. On the one hand, I would have to credit the author of his bid for authenticity as evidenced by the missives John Forster wrote to his Sovereign, Queen Elizabeth of England (for example); on the other hand I had to skip some pages thus missing parts of history (both fact and fiction) because of said show of authenticity. Anyway, navigating thru some language difficulty, I was able to make heads or tails about the story and most happy to be done with it. Despite my difficulties, this was still a good read (all things considered). The story starts with a planned peaceful alliance between 2 warring border clans ~ the Armstrongs from Scotland and the Charltons from England ~ through marriage. Alas such a promising peaceful truce was foiled by the murder of Thomas (the English groom during the Day of Truce ironically. This is full of politics, treachery, lust, greed, murder, romance and everything else in~between.

[Karen Gray · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good lord does this book suffer from “written by a man” syndrome 🤦‍♀️

However the characters are decent enough and the story pulls you along so it’s worth the time. Most of Sir John’s letters I ended up skipping, and the horse related writing was absurdly, horrifically bad. Authors please do your research when writing. Horses are prey animals and do not scream in fright. Nor do you get a horse into motion using your knees!

Honestly though the actual story was decent, the world building was well thought out and colourful and the main characters were interesting so it’s worth a wee read 😉

[Corinne · Rating 5 out of 5]

I usually shy away from novels set in Tudor or Elizabethan due to the court intrigues and violence. However, this was excellent! An engrossing page turner. The political intrigue between the wardens trying to curry favor with their sovereign play a large role. Simple folks are their pawns.

[Michael Milnes · Rating 3 out of 5]

Hard to follow.

[Kate · Rating 2 out of 5]

Convoluted plot and unlikeable characters