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jaceyElizabeth Chadwick – The Champion
Elizabeth Chadwick is another of this year’s discoveries. I haven’t read historicals for years, but this might just lead me back into them again. Her writing is crisp and emotive and her research meticulous.
Alexander de Montroi, dedicated to the church as a child and now grown to a pretty teen, flees a lecherous prior and arrives at his older brother’s encampment on the French tourney circuit, half dead from the privations of the journey. He’s scrawny and sick, but soon recovers to learn the art and craft of fighting his way to the top of the tourney league. His older brother’s tourney partner has a daughter, Monday, granddaughter of the bitter Thomas FitzParnell.
An unwise moment brings Alexander and Monday together and then rips them apart. Pregnant and alone, Monday finds sanctuary with a lesser baron and his wife where she comes to the notice of Prince John, soon to be King of England. As his mistress she has everything she needs and believes herself to be happy and (relatively) independent until Alexander comes back into her life. Their love blossoms despite John’s vengeful nature and the unwelcome attentions of Monday’s grandfather who has been left with no heir except for his estranged granddaughter.
This is an exciting, if bloody, romp through 12th/13th century France and England with Alexander and Monday’s story woven through accurate historical events of the time. Highly recommended.
Elizabeth Chadwick is another of this year’s discoveries. I haven’t read historicals for years, but this might just lead me back into them again. Her writing is crisp and emotive and her research meticulous.
Alexander de Montroi, dedicated to the church as a child and now grown to a pretty teen, flees a lecherous prior and arrives at his older brother’s encampment on the French tourney circuit, half dead from the privations of the journey. He’s scrawny and sick, but soon recovers to learn the art and craft of fighting his way to the top of the tourney league. His older brother’s tourney partner has a daughter, Monday, granddaughter of the bitter Thomas FitzParnell.
An unwise moment brings Alexander and Monday together and then rips them apart. Pregnant and alone, Monday finds sanctuary with a lesser baron and his wife where she comes to the notice of Prince John, soon to be King of England. As his mistress she has everything she needs and believes herself to be happy and (relatively) independent until Alexander comes back into her life. Their love blossoms despite John’s vengeful nature and the unwelcome attentions of Monday’s grandfather who has been left with no heir except for his estranged granddaughter.
This is an exciting, if bloody, romp through 12th/13th century France and England with Alexander and Monday’s story woven through accurate historical events of the time. Highly recommended.
