Sarah - All The Book Blog Names Are Taken’s Reviews > John of Gaunt > Status Update

This is now perhaps the third or fourth time the author has said "this is not the place to tell the story of…"

I find the information regarding Castile especially not terribly interesting. There's a lot going on with battles and military plans, that in general is not interesting to me and has nothing to do with the quality of the book itself. Unfortunately John of Gaunt lived in a time when the battle is pretty much all there was to life. I'm much more interested in personal aspects of his life.

Most engaging part has been description of the Duke of Lancastor seeking refuge in Scotland. This episode is very well-portrayed

I like it because of love the time period but at times there's less about Lancaster and more about the period itself. I'm still enjoying the book for sure, but it feels like since there are times that can't be accounted for in his life, generalities or summarizations take the place of Lancaster-specific info.

Quote was there ever a Plantagenet who did not love the deer?" Love it, true statement!

Very interesting to read about the managing of Lancaster's lands and where the symbol of the red rose may have come from (Grosmont - or the welsh name Rhoslwyn, 'rose-clad hill').