The Scarlet Lion

Description

An exciting medieval historical about William Marshal, probably the greatest knight of the Middle Ages. Following early beginnings as a knight in the English royal household and a champion of the tourneys, William Marshal's prowess and loyalty have been rewarded by the hand in marriage of Isabelle de Clare, heiress to great estates in England, Normandy and Ireland. Now a powerful magnate, William has weathered the difficult years of King Richard's absence on crusade and is currently serving him on campaign in Normandy while Isabelle governs their estates. All the stability William and Isabelle have enjoyed with their young and growing family comes crashing down as Richard dies and his brother John becomes King. Rebellion is stirring throughout the Angevin domains and although John has created William Earl of Pembroke, the friction between the two men leads William and Isabelle to distance themselves in Ireland. The situation escalates, with John holding their sons as hostages and seizing their English lands. The conflict between remaining loyal and rebelling, threatens to tear apart William and Isabelle's marriage and their family.

Elizabeth Chadwick lives near Nottingham with her husband, two sons and assorted animals including cats, dog and guinea pigs. She is the author of 16 historical novels, four of which have been shortlisted for awards.

' ...a page-turning story. A period of history that was a dull monochrome to me at school burst into colour within its pages and now I fully understand the importance of the Magna Carta, why John was deemed a 'bad' king and how people lived and loved during his reign. Can one ask for more in any historical novel?' - Sally Zigmond, Historical Novels Review ** 'Chadwick's mediaeval world becomes a vibrant place where historical figures live and breathe the events that shaped the modern world' - Lancashire Evening Post 'Elizabeth Chadwick is a consummate historical novelist. All the political facts are here: King John and the Magna Carta, the wars with France, battles between English factions and Irish rebels. Where she fills in the gaps, she does so with total authority and plausibility. But what she does so well here is to tell us a moving story of a marriage. William and his beloved Isabelle are not a modern couple in period costume but real people, fully alive within the customs and beliefs of their time. The author's detailed knowledge of the period is so secure it does not detract from the page-turning story. A period of history that was a dull monochrome to me at school burst into colour within its pages and now I fully understand the importance of the Magna Carta, why John was deemed a 'bad' king and how people lived and loved during his reign. Can one ask for more in any historical novel?' - Sally Zigmond, HISTORICAL NOVEL REVIEW 'Chadwick's historical fiction gets better and better. The mediaeval world becomes a vibrant place where historical figures live and breathe the events that shaped the modern world. A perfect addition to the Christmas wish list' - LANCASHIRE EVENING POST