Following early beginnings as a knight in the English royal household and a champion of the tourneys, William Marshal's prowess and loyalty have be...
read full description
reviews
Aug 20, 2008
Misfit
rated it: 
Historical fiction just doesn't get any better than this. This is a wonderful tale of one of the most honorable men to grace this earth, William Marshal and his true partner in all things, his wife Isabelle. The first novel, Greatest Knight, covered more of William Marshal's early life as a knight and courtier. This novel covers his life with Isabel and the dangers and terrors of living in the court of the King John, and then as regent for the young Henry III. I have to admit shedding more than
More...
0 comments
like
(7 people liked it)
Jan 01, 2012
Ellen
rated it:
William Marshal was an extraordinary man for his time, yet he gets a page here and there in the chronicles you and I read while in school. Fortunately, we have authors like Chadwick to make the people and the time come alive. "The Scarlet Lion" continues the story of Marshal until his death in 1219 at the age of 75. Again, the writing is entertaining, well-researched, though the ebook copy I have could have used better editing - some phrases and paragraphs were repeated, but formatt
More...
Feb 22, 2010
Laura
rated it:
The Scarlet Lion is a stand-alone second novel detailing the later half of William Marshal’s life. William Marshal used his great skills as a knight as well as his honesty and integrity to gain power and the hand of Isabelle de Claire, a very wealthy heiress. At the beginning of The Scarlet Lion, William and Isabelle are happily married and busy multiplying their family. William has not settled down as a country squire, he is always at the beck and call of King Richard helping out and leading
More...
0 comments
like
(1 person liked it)
Mar 18, 2011
Ginny
rated it:
This is the sequel to The Greatest Knight. I have to admit a weakness for well-researched, well-written historical novels. Chadwick's 2 volume series, a fictionalized history centered on the life and times William Marshal was more than satisfying. Not only did I gobble these novels up, but spent a good deal of time while I was reading them delving further into the history behind them - an endeavor which served to show just how masterfully the author embroidered the story with imagination whi
More...
Sep 09, 2011
Rosanne
rated it: 
Elizabeth Chadwick is considered by most historical fiction readers to be IT. She’s the top of the field. She’s the cream of the crop. And this is one instance where I agree with the popular voice. Chadwick’s novels are beautiful in their historical accuracy, their characterizations, and their storytelling ability.
The Scarlet Lion follows The Greatest Knight as the second book in Elizabeth Chadwick’s William Marshal series. It took me a few chapters to get into the story, but once I More...
The Scarlet Lion follows The Greatest Knight as the second book in Elizabeth Chadwick’s William Marshal series. It took me a few chapters to get into the story, but once I More...
0 comments
like
(1 person liked it)
Mar 26, 2011
Liz
rated it:
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers.
To view it, click here
May 01, 2010
Lori
rated it:
Historical fiction and Elizabeth Chadwick at their best! Wow! This stand alone sequel to The Greatest Knight (it's not necessary to have read The Greatest Knight to understand and enjoy The Scarlet Lion, but it is highly recommended) covers the latter part of William Marshal's incredible life. William Marshal was not only the greatest knight ever, but I would argue on of the greatest men ever. He exemplified the definition of honor and strength. Chadwick's vivid characterizations and exquisi
More...
Feb 17, 2011
Toni
rated it:
Book 2 in the life of William Marshal
The first novel "The Greatest Knight" followed William Marshal through his early career and his rise to fortune and noble status. In this novel, we are drawn further into his amazing and inspiring life it also includes some details of his family and those who crossed his path.
Ms. Chadwick describes William Marshal as a dashing knight and a champion of tournaments, an easy-going and courteous man, and one who enjoyed the sim More...
The first novel "The Greatest Knight" followed William Marshal through his early career and his rise to fortune and noble status. In this novel, we are drawn further into his amazing and inspiring life it also includes some details of his family and those who crossed his path.
Ms. Chadwick describes William Marshal as a dashing knight and a champion of tournaments, an easy-going and courteous man, and one who enjoyed the sim More...
Mar 24, 2010
Svea
rated it:
Read my full review on my blog: Book Review of The Scarlet Lion
In this sweeping tale of medieval England, Elizabeth Chadwick creates a intriguing and delightful story full of gallantry, tournaments, treachery and a love story for the ages. The words flow freely from the pages and envelope you in a story so real that you find yourself having the same intense emotions as the characters. William Marshall was such an endearing and three dimensional figure that after reading 549 pages I was sa More...
In this sweeping tale of medieval England, Elizabeth Chadwick creates a intriguing and delightful story full of gallantry, tournaments, treachery and a love story for the ages. The words flow freely from the pages and envelope you in a story so real that you find yourself having the same intense emotions as the characters. William Marshall was such an endearing and three dimensional figure that after reading 549 pages I was sa More...
Feb 22, 2010
Terry
rated it:
The Scarlet Lion by Elizabeth Chadwick is more than just a novel. It is a story of one man and his honor, his dedication to family and country and to all the things that a true Knight of the Realm should be. A man that treads the fine line between wealth or poverty, high court standing or disgrace. An honor bound man that knows that patience brings rewards that could be snatched away so easily by giving into anger and impatience. This is a story that will grab you from the first word to the very
More...
0 comments
like
(1 person liked it)
Jan 31, 2012
Shelli
rated it:
What a great author! After finishing The Greatest Knight earlier this month, I immediately needed to spend more time with William Marshall and learn more about his life. This is perfect, because it starts up right where the first leaves off. I didn't find it as exciting and fast-paced as The Greatest Knight, but as the story goes on it becomes so involved that you get completely taken in by William, Isabelle, their family and all the political upheaval of the time. The story progresses through
More...
0 comments
like
(1 person liked it)
Jun 08, 2011
Stephanie
rated it:
This was a little less of an emotional roller-coaster than The Greatest Knight, but I still learned a tremendous amount about the time period and in an entertaining fashion. The relationship between William and Isabel was lovely--truly a model of how romance can be portrayed even after the happy marriage. Beautiful narrative voice, funny, and deeply insightful into human character. Chadwick idolizes William Marshal a wee little bit too much, but who cares. He was truly a knight in shining armor,
More...
Mar 17, 2010
Sensitivemuse
rated it: 
To me, this book felt like I was reading one of Sharon Kay Penman's novels. There were some differences but the writing is almost similar and so is the idea of following a family through several years and how they have evolved through that time. It was an interesting historical read, I have never heard of William Marshal and it was a nice history lesson for me. The plot was well written although not as rich in history as say, for example, Sharon Kay Penman's When Christ and his Saints Slept. How
More...
Aug 22, 2010
Steven
rated it:
What a nice historical novel! This is the story of William Marshal, The Earl of Pembroke in his full maturity. The first time we see him, he is a fierce warrior, leading his men up a ladder as part of a siege. He serves King Richard--and serves him well. This rich novel traces the life of William and his wife, Isabelle, from hius maturity until the end of their days together. In the process, we see the burgeoning of their line (Isabelle, to be it mildly) is quite fertile. The challenges facing t
More...
Feb 05, 2012
Elaine
rated it:
As ever, Chadwick impresses and enthralls with the second installment in the Marshal series. Here we follow William's rise at court and his beautiful relationship with his wife and children, surely an exception in these times? If I have one (minor) criticism of Chadwick, she does make her characters, both male and female, rather modern at times. This however doesn't detract from the overall appeal of her work-from which much can be learned, and much there is to be enjoyed.
Some of the More...
Some of the More...
Jul 31, 2011
Christine
rated it:
I enjoyed this book much more then The Greatest Knight I'm not sure whether this was because I knew a bit more about the story. It is about the later career of William Marshal. The story carries on well, it's full of intrigue, politics and love. I think I enjoyed this book a bit more because I really like the character Isabelle, William's wife. I think she's a strong female character and the love between them is written extremely well by Elizabeth Chadwick. The ending is very touching and finish
More...
Jun 22, 2010
Sidhe1
rated it:
This was the second book of William Marshal's life, following The Greatest Knight. This one focused more on his middle and later years as an earl through good times and bad, and his eventual position as regent of England to the young King Henry III.
And I was reading the final pages while sitting in the waiting room at the dealership, waiting for my car, and had to do deep breathing to keep from bursting into tears.
Highly recommended for anyone interested in medieval history More...
And I was reading the final pages while sitting in the waiting room at the dealership, waiting for my car, and had to do deep breathing to keep from bursting into tears.
Highly recommended for anyone interested in medieval history More...
Feb 01, 2012
Anna
rated it:
Elizabeth Chadwick does a marvelous job of bringing the past to life. Her extraordinary research makes most of the events allign very closely with the historic events. She takes the reader on a journey into the heart of King John's England and makes us really care about the characters she portrays. By the end of the book, you want to console the grieving family on a loss that you, yourself feel deeply. I only wish she could have been a bit more charitable in her descriptions of poor Maud de Bra
More...
Jun 13, 2011
Rio (Lynne)
rated it:
4.5 This is the follow up to The Greatest Knight about history's most famous and honorable Knight William Marshal. The Greatest Knight covers his early years under King Henry II, Prince Henry and King Richard I. This book follows William and his wife Isabelle's turbulent years under King John. Chadwick doesn't write fluff. She not only teaches you history, she brings out all of your emotions.
More...
3 comments
like
(1 person liked it)
Jul 17, 2011
Sofia
rated it:
Tinha andado a adiar a leitura deste livro pelo tamanho e por me parecer um pouco denso (e porque por alguma razão que me escapa, tenho andado a fugir dos históricos já há imenso tempo), mas assim que o comecei arrependi-me logo de não o ter começado mais cedo.
Este livro conta-nos a história de William Marshal, um cavaleiro leal ao serviço da coroa inglesa. Desde o final do século XII e pelo início do século XIII, fazemos uma viagem ao longo de mais de vinte anos da sua vida, e de todo More...
Este livro conta-nos a história de William Marshal, um cavaleiro leal ao serviço da coroa inglesa. Desde o final do século XII e pelo início do século XIII, fazemos uma viagem ao longo de mais de vinte anos da sua vida, e de todo More...
Nov 13, 2011
Amanda
rated it:
Whenever I pick up an Elizabeth Chadwick novel, I know that I'm in for something good. Not just good: excellent. The Scarlet Lion, which I recently got my hands on, is no exception.
Chadwick continues the story of William Marshal, who was introduced in The Greatest Knight. Though it seemed like William's world was settled at the end of the previous novel, Chadwick chronicles the latter half of William's life, his marriage to heiress Isabella de Clare, and his children's lives. Then, Ki More...
Chadwick continues the story of William Marshal, who was introduced in The Greatest Knight. Though it seemed like William's world was settled at the end of the previous novel, Chadwick chronicles the latter half of William's life, his marriage to heiress Isabella de Clare, and his children's lives. Then, Ki More...
0 comments
like
(1 person liked it)
May 13, 2011
Meagan
rated it:
It's odd, normally I can formulate a review right off the bat after finishing a novel but this one I'm struggling with. It was really good. Is basically all I can come up with. The plot was nice and wasn't too tangled, the story itself was deep and while there were some twists it was good. I really enjoyed the book, even though I didn't realize there was a book before it. I noticed a connection between this and The Greatest Knight but there wasn't anything in the book that said I should read tha
More...
Nov 17, 2010
Lisa
rated it:
Brilliant sequel to The Greatest Knight! This account goes further in depth about the William Marshal family; the book made me laugh and it made me cry. Great fictional work (VERY well researched) account of my 25th great grandparents. I truly enjoyed reading an account of the deep devotional love between William Marshal and his wife Isabelle De Clare. William Marshal was not only a man of great strength physically, but emotionally and morally. I certainly recommend both The Greatest Knight and
More...
Jul 08, 2010
Sandy
rated it:
Publisher's Summary:
The prowess and loyalty of the great knight William Marshal have been rewarded with the hand in marriage of Isabelle de Clare. William has weathered the difficult years of King Richard's absence on crusade and is currently serving him on campaign in Normandy. But the stability William and Isabelle have enjoyed comes crashing down as Richard dies and his brother John becomes king.
Rebellion stirs throughout the Angevin domains, and William and Isabelle d More...
The prowess and loyalty of the great knight William Marshal have been rewarded with the hand in marriage of Isabelle de Clare. William has weathered the difficult years of King Richard's absence on crusade and is currently serving him on campaign in Normandy. But the stability William and Isabelle have enjoyed comes crashing down as Richard dies and his brother John becomes king.
Rebellion stirs throughout the Angevin domains, and William and Isabelle d More...
Aug 12, 2010
Jennifer
rated it: 
Oh Miss Chadwick. I tried! I really, really tried! So many of my blog friends love you to pieces, and devour your books. That's why I wanted to read this one. I got to page 185 and put it down for a bit. I was a bit bored with Marshal, his wife, and passel of children. I read another book and tried to come back to the Lion, but again, no interest. I could have cared less what happened to these characters.
But the funny thing is, I do want to read the beginning of their the story, The More...
But the funny thing is, I do want to read the beginning of their the story, The More...
Mar 28, 2010
Lucy
rated it:
The Scarlet Lion by Elizabeth Chadwick
Paperback: 592 pages
Sourcebooks Reissue March 2010
ISBN-13: 978-0751536591
Review copy provided by Sourcebooks, thank you!
William Marshall most certainly is The Greatest Knight (btw, that’s actually the title of the prequel of this novel by Chadwick)…
If you’re looking to read about a REAL historical hero who’s got it all; strength, chivalry, superb knightly skills, insurmountable patience and intellig More...
Paperback: 592 pages
Sourcebooks Reissue March 2010
ISBN-13: 978-0751536591
Review copy provided by Sourcebooks, thank you!
William Marshall most certainly is The Greatest Knight (btw, that’s actually the title of the prequel of this novel by Chadwick)…
If you’re looking to read about a REAL historical hero who’s got it all; strength, chivalry, superb knightly skills, insurmountable patience and intellig More...
May 23, 2010
Allie
rated it:
The year is 1197: feudalism rules, the Magna Carta is yet to be drafted, and the sovereignty of England, Wales, Ireland, Normandy, and much of modern-day France is constantly shifting. William Marshal has proved himself a worthy opponent on the battlefield, a gallant knight at court, an admirable overlord to his vassals, and a loving husband and father to his family. He shares a relationship with his wife unusual for the time period, one of mutual love and respect. He is a man of honor in every
More...
Mar 27, 2010
Heather
rated it:
The Scarlet Lion picks up shortly after The Greatest Knight leaves off. I would HIGHLY recommend that you read The Greatest Knight first! I am so glad that I found time to squeeze The Greatest Knight in. If you don’t, you will lose out on so much back-story that makes you really care about the characters and you learn the motives for many of the things that occur in this story. I have heard several people make this complaint, so I wanted to warn you right off of the top.
The Sca More...
The Sca More...
Apr 03, 2010
Allie
rated it:
The Scarlet Lion is the story of the second half of William Marshal’s life (1197-1219). The reader travels from England to Normandy and even Ireland throughout the book.
Since this is my third Elizabeth Chadwick book I think I can say that one my favorite things about her writing is her ability to create realistic relationships and dialog between the main characters. Reading Isabelle and William’s arguments I often thought of my own arguments with my husband.
Another favo More...
Since this is my third Elizabeth Chadwick book I think I can say that one my favorite things about her writing is her ability to create realistic relationships and dialog between the main characters. Reading Isabelle and William’s arguments I often thought of my own arguments with my husband.
Another favo More...
