To Defy A King (William Marshal, #5)

May 24, 2010 Tara Chevrestt rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: historical-fiction, england, women-that-really-existed-fiction, 2010-release, blew-me-away-list

If you are looking to immerse yourself in medieval England, look no farther than this novel. Not only will you feel as tho you are really in the story, but you will gasp in shock, smile, chuckle here and there, and at one point, shed a tear or two. On top of all that, you will also learn about King John's reign and the rebellions that ensued throughout.

To read full review: http://wwwbookbabe.blogspot.com/2010/...

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Mar 11, 2011 Deb rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Reading a Chadwick book is a dangerous proposition if one has any time-sensitive responsibilities -- because the reader just cannot help getting lost somewhere in the Middle Ages. In To Defy a King, Chadwick transports us to King John's reign, focusing on Mahelt, the beloved daughter of the renowned William Marshal (with whom we fell in love in The Greatest Knight and The Scarlet Lion).

We first meet her in 1204 as a 10-year-old loudly protesting the unfairness of not being able to play a knight...more

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Mar 15, 2011 Heather rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: 13th-c, arc, england, favorites, historical-fiction

After reading four of Elizabeth Chadwick’s books I don’t think that there is anything she can do wrong in writing this genre. The characters are wonderful – fleshed out, individual, not stereotypical and graceful. The blend of action scenes and emotional scenes are well balanced. You come away from each of these books wanting more!

To Defy a King is no exception to the above. Even though most of the characters and many of the major events have been present in some way in several of her other book...more After reading four of Elizabeth Chadwick’s books I don’t think that there is anything she can do wrong in writing this genre. The characters are wonderful – fleshed out, individual, not stereotypical and graceful. The blend of action scenes and emotional scenes are well balanced. You come away from each of these books wanting more!

To Defy a King is no exception to the above. Even though most of the characters and many of the major events have been present in some way in several of her other books, Elizabeth Chadwick has a way of making them feel fresh and new each time. This is a wonderful quality because you still feel like the characters are familiar but you are getting a new take on them and their world. A perfect case in point – my feelings toward Roger Bigod are very different in To Defy a King than in For the King’s Favor. In King’s Favor, I loved Roger – I thought his romance with Ida was sweet and he was determined to preserve what was his. In To Defy a King I found that his character frustrated me because he seemed to have lost part of what I had loved about him – his connection with his wife. I also loved getting to see more of the Marshall brood – still from an insider perspective, from Mehelt, but she becomes a little of an estranged insider. It was also wonderful to see more of William Longspee – I enjoyed getting to see him grow up in King’s Favor and now we get to see more of his interaction with his half-brothers and how he grows into a man.

Elizabeth Chadwick really knows how to make believable relationships between her characters. I really loved watching the development of the relationship between Mehelt and Hugh. She was a very young girl when they first met and he was several years older. Seeing what they think of each other as time goes on was interesting. The way their relationship unfolds felt so true - even in regard to modern relationships, although we don’t get married quite so young. There is love, passion, frustration, anger, forgiveness, and acceptance.

The author is phenomenal at creating vivid scenes for the reader. When you are reading you will be completely swallowed up by the world and feel that you are right there too. The smells, sounds and visual stimuli are front and center in her writing.

I don’t think I can put in writing how much I enjoy reading these books. These characters are not just people created in an imagination; they feel like flesh and blood. This book is now my second favorite of the 4 - but I don't think anything will top The Greatest Knight for me. I’m not sure what the next USA release will be, I think Lady of the English comes out in September, but regardless of what it is I can’t wait to read it!

This book was received for review from the publisher - I was not compensated for my opinions and the above is my honest review.(less)

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Mar 09, 2011 Barb rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: gr-first-reads, historical-fiction-medieval, new-in-2011, read-in-2011

I've previously read 'The Champion', 'The Greatest Knight' and 'The Falcons of Montabard' by Elizabeth Chadwick. I was looking forward to reading Chadwick's newest novel 'To Defy a King' and was thrilled to have won an advance copy from the publishers here through GoodReads' First Reads, thank you Sourcebooks.

Set in England in from 1204 to 1218 Chadwick shows the reader England's conflicts with France, Wales, Scotland, Ireland and the Roman Church as well as the internal conflicts between King...more I've previously read 'The Champion', 'The Greatest Knight' and 'The Falcons of Montabard' by Elizabeth Chadwick. I was looking forward to reading Chadwick's newest novel 'To Defy a King' and was thrilled to have won an advance copy from the publishers here through GoodReads' First Reads, thank you Sourcebooks.

Set in England in from 1204 to 1218 Chadwick shows the reader England's conflicts with France, Wales, Scotland, Ireland and the Roman Church as well as the internal conflicts between King John and the English nobility that lead to the drafting of the Magna Carta.

'To Defy a King' is a perfect blend of history and fiction. I love that Chadwick shares in the Author's Note how she continues to research this period and these historical figures and as she's learned more about them has incorporated what she's learned into her subsequent novels.

It was interesting to learn the expected behavior of a daughter-in-law and the loyalty her marriage family would expect. Chadwick illustrates how politics directly affected the Marshall and Bigod families and brings to life the worry and fear that a mother would have after having her sons taken for ransom by the king. The culture and the politics are completely distant and foreign to our contemporary values today but Chadwick brings what once was very real to life again with details of daily life including food, dress and furnishings.

I enjoyed learning about these historical figures and the politics of the period. Reading this novel reminded me of the novels 'Roselynde' and 'Alinor' by Roberta Gellis, which also take place during the reign of King John. Gellis paints John in an even darker light than Chadwick does in 'To Defy a King'.

Overall a very well written, obviously well researched and thoroughly enjoyable novel that I would recommend to fans of historical fiction. One mark of a truly good book is that once you are done you find yourself wanting to return to that place again. I found that to be true when I was finished, I missed these characters. I'm looking forward to reading more about them in Chadwick's novels 'For the King's Favor' and 'The Scarlet Lion'.
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Jun 23, 2012 Cynthia Haggard rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

TO DEFY A KING is the story of William Marshall’s eldest daughter Mahelt, and her husband Hugh Bigod, the heir to the Earl of Norfolk. Not much is known about Mahelt, but the chronicles report that she was William Marshall’s best-loved daughter. In Elizabeth Chadwick’s hands, ten-year-old Mahelt is a spitfire, oh so frustrated that she isn’t a boy and can’t fight like a man. As her two older brothers can.

But the year is 1204, and ten-year-old girls don’t have much longer to luxuriate in their ch...more

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Feb 14, 2012 Jean rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: medieval-historical-fiction

This continues the saga of the Marshal family through their daughter Mahelt who married into the Bigod family, another powerful family that controlled Eastern England. The book focuses on the reign of King John, a monster by most accounts, and youngest son of Henry II and Eleanor of Aquitaine. His reign brought terror, fear and rebellion to England which led to John being forced to sign the Magna Carta. Chadwick conveys the tension of living life on the edge of a knife and trying to keep a tyran...more

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Aug 28, 2011 Allison Macias rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

To Defy A King by Elizabeth Chadwick
"You have to know when to seize the advantage and when to yield. I do not make the mistake of pushing at doors that will never unlock." Mahelt Marshal never yields. Born of famous knight William Marshal, "she has all her father's vigor and energy-if not his tact. From being a tiny girl she always tried to matcher her big brothers at everything. " As the beloved daughter, Mahelt is taught to honor a vow, to defend her family at all costs and how to be a strong...more

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Apr 16, 2011 Patty rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

This is my second book by Ms. Chadwick and it won't be my last. This tale of Mahelt Bigod takes you through the life of a woman who left little to history but who was the joint between two of the most powerful families of her time. By taking bits and pieces left in documents Ms. Chadwick has managed to create a story that brings Mahelt to life in a bold and vibrant way. She was not just a girl who followed her father's orders to marry then submitted to her husband - her strong personality comes...more

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Mar 11, 2011 Merry rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: 2011

To Defy a King which, had I not had a Kindle, I would have had to wait for as I hate hardbacks and it isn’t out in paperback yet. This is the story of Mahelt Marshall, also known as Matilda among other things, daughter of William Marshall whose story is told inThe Greatest Knight: The Story of William Marshal which was the first of the book I read by Chadwick. It’s effectively the other side of the story to the second book about him The Scarlet Lion, with Mahelt married into the Bigod family (wh...more

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Mar 01, 2011 Sandra Olshaski rated it 4 of 5 stars

To Defy a King by Elizabeth Chadwick (Rated: C)
ISBN 9781402250897
Sourcebooks Landmark
Published 2011
Trade Paperback, 498 pages

Reviewed by Sandra

To Defy a King is the story of Mahelt Marshal, the oldest and beloved daughter of William Marshal, a dominant player in the political intrigues of 13th century England.

The account begins in 1204. Cruel King John, brother of Richard the Lionheart of Robin Hood fame sits on the throne. At the Marshal family home in Berkshire, eleven-year-old, high-spirite...more To Defy a King by Elizabeth Chadwick (Rated: C)
ISBN 9781402250897
Sourcebooks Landmark
Published 2011
Trade Paperback, 498 pages

Reviewed by Sandra

To Defy a King is the story of Mahelt Marshal, the oldest and beloved daughter of William Marshal, a dominant player in the political intrigues of 13th century England.

The account begins in 1204. Cruel King John, brother of Richard the Lionheart of Robin Hood fame sits on the throne. At the Marshal family home in Berkshire, eleven-year-old, high-spirited Mahelt is told that she is to be betrothed to 21-year-old Hugh Bigod, the son of the Earl of Norfolk, a rich and powerful man. Daughters were valuable because they could be used to make important alliances and Mahelt agrees to fulfill her role. Mahelt remains with her family until “she is of an age for successful child-bearing.” (Do I hear feminists voicing their collective angst?) She marries Hugh about 3 years later and produces their first son in 1209. Ever independently-minded, she refuses to be a brood mare and gives birth every 2 or 3 years. Yes, even in the 1200’s savvy women exist!

The author did an amazing job of bringing Mahelt to life. The reader watches her grow from a young, untried tomboy frolicking with her brothers to a capable woman. She manages the castle of her marital family when the chatelaine of it dies. In the context of those times it represents a lot of hard work, from cheese-making to brewing the daily ale to sheep-raising and, of course, the inevitable “women’s work” – embroidery.

A sinister portrait is drawn of King John. Slaughter and bloodshed are rife in the 13th century and King John sets the tone. His threats and predatory intimidation of women, including his own sister-in-law, are clearly reported. Mahelt dislikes and distrusts the King. Despite threats to her family she vehemently defies him when he attempts to seduce her. Although he knows that she is the daughter of his most prominent knight and supporter, his tactics are designed to flex his power over her and her family. His despotism erupts in his wanton slaughter of 20 Welsh prisoners, including a small boy. Mahelt’s own sister-in-law and her baby are murdered by John’s assassins in the family home. Noble knights and barons are disgusted at his behavior and set out to create a charter of rights to control the King – the eventual Magna Carta. However, Mahelt’s own father has sworn loyalty to the King and as an honourable man refuses to act against him. Family loyalty is put to the test.

King John dies suddenly. A new young king is on the throne, supported by the regent, William Marshal, and the country is freed of tyranny for the moment. Mahelt has borne her third son, is reconciled with her husband and the future looks rosy.

This is an excellent book for lovers of historical fiction, 13-th century England, and strong women.

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Jul 13, 2010 Marie Z. Johansen rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: historical-fiction

I must admit to being a huge Elizabeth Chadwick fan - which is why I ordered this prior to it's release in the States. Check out the Book Depository for tittles that you simply can't wait to read. They have excellent service, great selection and FREE shipping no less!

I loved this book and read it while I was recuperating. It was the perfect book for getting lost in another time and place! It recounts the life of Mahelt Marshall - eldest daughter of greatest knight of all William Marshall. The ac...more I must admit to being a huge Elizabeth Chadwick fan - which is why I ordered this prior to it's release in the States. Check out the Book Depository for tittles that you simply can't wait to read. They have excellent service, great selection and FREE shipping no less!

I loved this book and read it while I was recuperating. It was the perfect book for getting lost in another time and place! It recounts the life of Mahelt Marshall - eldest daughter of greatest knight of all William Marshall. The action takes place during the reign of King John - when, it seems everyone, even those most loyal to the crown as William Marshall was, are suspected of treason for one reason or another. Quite honestly this book made me want to read more about King John because he comes across as a neurotic, paranoid kind of man who thinks that all of his subjects are out to over through him (hummmm - maybe they were - that might make sense come to think of it!). He holds two of William Marshal's sons captives as surety for William's allegiance. I got bad vibes about this King just from reading the book.

With his sons held captive William Marshall arranges an advantageous marriage for his beloved daughter Mahelt to Hugh Bigod, son of the Earl of Norfolk Roger Bigod. This book is the story of Mahelt's marriage, and, in a way, of her "coming of age" when women were thought of as little more than breeding machines. The book covers the years 1204 to 1217. The books skillfully tells the tale of the Mahelt's family allegiance to her father came into conflict to her marriage family's ambitions at times. He marriage to Hugh is tested as as the vicissitudes and tyranny of John's reign causes both as well as religious upheaval within the country. Keeping one's footing in the good graces of the Court becomes a slippery slope as all of the main characters attempt to hang on to to what they have and stay alive in the process.

There is something about Elizabeth Chadwick's work that reels me in and hold onto my consciousness as I read her books. I am transported to another time - when the place of women was so much different than it is today. Ms. Chadwick's book's, I believe, really do make the 13th century come alive in a way that some other books of the same period fail to do. I believe that this book is stong enough to be read without having read Md. Chadwick's earlier books but it is also true that if you have already read "The Greatest Knight", "The Scarlet Lion" or the "Time of Singing" you might have a better grasp of the historical background as a whole. One thing I think I can assure you of is that if you love historical fiction and begin with this book - you will be looking for each and every other book that Ms. Chadwick has written before you close this book on the last page! Fabulous book

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May 07, 2011 Stacey rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition Recommends it for: Lyda

Shelves: historical-fiction, 2011-challenge, 12th-century

I enjoyed this book, as much as I enjoy most of Elizabeth Chadwick's works. Includes: in-depth scenery and historical detail; a few wars; a fascinating, slightly greasy portrayal of King John; a little bit of romance; action that takes place in Ireland and Normandy and England...

At a point in the middle I put it down briefly - it seemed the plot had been resolved, but a few pages further on, a new plot twist emerged, and the various plot changes after that kept me interested to the last page. I...more

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Feb 28, 2011 Blodeuedd Finland rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: historical-fiction, awesomebooks

My thoughts:

Another great book by Chadwick. It's a fascinating era with a cruel king, and the daily struggle to survive the political turmoil.

This is the story of Mahelt Marshal and Hugh Bigod, who married because of an alliance. Her father is not always King John's favourite person, and her brothers are taken to become his hostages, while the rest of the family goes to Ireland. King John tries to keep his country together, but he takes out more taxes, and tries to seduce his noble's wives. All...more
My thoughts:

Another great book by Chadwick. It's a fascinating era with a cruel king, and the daily struggle to survive the political turmoil.

This is the story of Mahelt Marshal and Hugh Bigod, who married because of an alliance. Her father is not always King John's favourite person, and her brothers are taken to become his hostages, while the rest of the family goes to Ireland. King John tries to keep his country together, but he takes out more taxes, and tries to seduce his noble's wives. All while The Bigod's try to keep their heads down.

I did like Mahelt, but she was also a bit of a, oh I do not know, but she could be irritating. She did one truly foolish thing, and then she complained. She also talked back and sure she wanted to do what is right so that was sort of good. But during that time you could not just do the right thing. That would get you killed. Sometimes one has to follow and wait for a better opportunity. Also like Hugh mentions in the book, his family did the same thing the Marshal's did, but she never found in fault in her family. I just felt like she was lucky to have a husband like Hugh, cos someone else would have surely slapped her around. I was also a bit sad to see how Roger's and Ida's marriage had turned out (The King's Favor.)

Ok, a long passage about poor Mahelt. Do not get me wrong, this was amazing historical fiction because of the setting. King John is a total creep, Hugh's half-brother Longspee is an ass. It's the time of the Magna Charta, wars with France, trouble with Scotland and Wales. The political intrigues are great, and the Bigod's were a family in the midst of it all.

And again Chadwick has taken people that has lived a long time ago and given them life. Sure some things might be wrong since much has been lost, and there is always artistic freedom. But I like the tale told. This was truly a time I had to stop myself from going online to see what truly happened. Instead I waited it out so not to spoil this book.

Recommendation and final thoughts:

A big yes for historical fans. There is love, war, politics, a wicked king and the daily life of a noble family in 13th century England. I could not put it down.(less)

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May 12, 2010 Ana T. rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: read-in-2010, medieval

After having read the stories of William Marshall and Isabelle de Clare I was looking forward to read about their eldest daughter, Mahelt Marshall. Elizabeth Chadwick is another author that never lets me down and I am happy to say that To Defy a King was another wonderful read.

The book starts with familiar events but now from Mahelt's perspective. When her parents decide to go to Ireland they want to leave her well cared for and so negotiate a marriage between Mahelt and Hugh Bigod, the eldest s...more After having read the stories of William Marshall and Isabelle de Clare I was looking forward to read about their eldest daughter, Mahelt Marshall. Elizabeth Chadwick is another author that never lets me down and I am happy to say that To Defy a King was another wonderful read.

The book starts with familiar events but now from Mahelt's perspective. When her parents decide to go to Ireland they want to leave her well cared for and so negotiate a marriage between Mahelt and Hugh Bigod, the eldest son of the powerful Earl of Norfolk. Mahelt is very much aware of her importance as a Marshall and of her sense of honor which sometime clashes with her father in law's will. Hugh, however, realises that his young wife's spirit is what attracts him and that he will have to employ subtlety to make her grow up and learn where her loyalties must now lie.

Although they are in good standing with the King, the Bigods have to take care about who they associate with and Mahelt's reckless actions may well put them in danger. They are connected with the King through Hugh’s half brother William Longespée but the relationship between the two is strained at best. It will take some time and persuasion till Mahelt learns to balance her feelings and weigh what's really important, to think of herself as a Bigod. And while Mahelt and Hugh work on their marriage, King John continues his rule through war and fear. Soon Hugh and the other barons start plotting to limit his power and protect their rights and privileges. If her father was always the king’s man even when in disgrace, now Mahelt sees her husband rebelling against the king and take up arms to defend what he believes in.

To Defy A King is a lovely book! Chadwick’s characters are people that you can identify with, who have the same basic expectations about life, love and society in general that everyone has and in each of her books there's a solid background of research that really brings to life the everyday events of the Middle Ages without it being obvious.

If Mahelt is a strong heroine, Hugh is the one I appreciated all the more because of the way her read his wife and managed to make her grow up and learn her place without crushing her. I wonder how Chadwick manages to consistently write male characters that are wonderful examples of humanity and sensitivity without losing any of their manliness? There are many reasons to pick up this book, the solid historical background, the plot that makes use of it and the engaging characters will appeal to every historical fiction lover but the truth is that her descriptions of feelings, emotions and needs with which we can identify will make this a terrific read for everyone.

Grade: 5/5
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Jan 18, 2012 Ellen Ekstrom rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

This story continues the story of William Marshal, but centers on his eldest daughter, Mahelt and her husband Hugh Bigod. The central characters of the third book, "For the King's Favor", Ida and Roger Bigod, are also cast here, but they are not as likeable - in fact, I didn't recognize them.

The reign of John is the backdrop and once more we have excellent research and character development, though at times I thought characters repeated dialogue. My favorite characters were Hugh and Hugh's half-...more

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Dec 04, 2011 Jillian rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I got this book from a Kindle Daily Deal for 99 cents. It was absolutely worth that amount. THis was an interesting historical fiction book about King John who ruled in the early 1200s in England.

The one real issue I had with this book was the authors occasional grasp of the English language. Some of the sentences needed editing for structure and word use. There were also occasions where characters would "leave the room with an eloquent look." I cannot for the life of me figure out what an "elo...more

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Jun 22, 2010 Jennifer (JC-S) rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: librarybooks

‘You have to know when to seize the advantage and when to yield.’

Mahelt Marshal is the eldest daughter of William Marshal, one of the most respected and influential knights in England. During King John’s turbulent reign, William Marshal is suspected of treachery and with two sons being held hostage he seeks to make an advantageous marriage for his daughter. A marriage to Hugh Bigod, the son of Roger Bigod, Earl of Norfolk is arranged, and Mahelt moves to Framlingham to live with her new family.

T...more

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Apr 15, 2012 Stephanie rated it 2 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I appreciate that the author stayed true to history and did her research, however, I felt like I was always waiting for action. While there is plenty of conflict throughout this book, it always seemed like too docile and true action seemed to be avoided. There were too few moments of excitement which, in a book that includes war, was a bit disappointing. Everything was described well enough to be envisioned, but I never truly felt like it came to life for me. I felt no connection with Mahelt and...more

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Sep 28, 2012 Savitri rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: historical-fiction, fiction

I LOVE this book. I loved it for a few different reasons. One, the book's well written, two, it happened not far from here, three, I've visited the sites, and four, it's helping me get the British rulers straight.

It was by accident that I picked this book up (sales bin does this to me) and after a few chapters, I was thrilled to find that the character used to live in Framlingham Castle, which we just visited in June. When we went, people were dressed in King John's era and there was even a re-...more

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Jun 19, 2012 Nisareen rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: favorites

Chadwick’s greatest strengths lie in the way her books flow seamlessly together and her ability to make the 13th century come alive in a way that some other books of the same period fail to. To Defy a King is a combination of political intrigue and family drama in which she transports us back to King John's reign, focusing on Mahelt Marshal, the beloved daughter of the renowned William Marshal, first shown in The Greatest Knight and The Scarlet Lion. Picking up where For the King's Favour left o...more Chadwick’s greatest strengths lie in the way her books flow seamlessly together and her ability to make the 13th century come alive in a way that some other books of the same period fail to. To Defy a King is a combination of political intrigue and family drama in which she transports us back to King John's reign, focusing on Mahelt Marshal, the beloved daughter of the renowned William Marshal, first shown in The Greatest Knight and The Scarlet Lion. Picking up where For the King's Favour left off, the focus shifts from Roger, the second Earl of Norfolk and his wife, Ida to the next generation when Mahelt marries their son Hugh. It's also the back story of the civil war that festered and broke out after the Magna Carta was first drafted and the fight to bring a tyrant king to heel.

Mahelt finds her loyalties divided when she’s caught between those who are loyal to the King (Mahelt's father) and those who have defied him (Mahelt's family by marriage) Her determination and courageous attempts to keep the despotic John from destroying her family as well as her honour and stealing their lands and wealth conveys the tension of living life on the edge of a knife.

One of my favourite characters was the complex but flawed William Longespee, eldest son of Ida De Tosney and illegitimate offspring of Henry II. I found him to be a wonderfully contradictive character torn between his royal heritage and his conflicting loyalty to his half brother John. His development throughout the book was intriguing and I was so pleased that he was given the opportunity to redeem himself by the end of the book.

My only criticism of the book concerned the way the characters of Roger and Ida were portrayed as I found it difficult to reconcile them with the same characters from For the King’s Favour. The aspects of their personalities that appealed to me in the first book were nonexistent in the second. I was thoroughly confused at how they could go from such a loving relationship to Roger basically becoming like his father and Ida becoming a shadow of herself.

One of the highlights of the book for me was the close friendship and bond between Mahelt and her mother-in-law. The tender poignant scenes towards the end of the book as Ida life hanged in the balance had me in tears. That Roger would realise too late the gaping void her death would leave in his life after she'd gone was heartbreaking. Mahelt's development from a fun-loving and high-spirited impetuous little girl to the loving, yet strong, resolute woman that's determined to protect her marriage and her family at all costs was admirable.

One of the most shocking scenes in the book is the hanging of the Welsh hostages over the walls of Nottingham Castle. (some of the children) Maude De Braose imprisonment and subsequent deat by starvation is referred to again. Mahelt's horror, when King John storms their home at Framlington, forcing her to yield her 6 year old son as a hostage is horrific. It's a long time before she's able to forgive Hugh.

The one scene which brought the whole series full circle for me was the heart-rending bittersweet scene where Mahelt’s son, the younger Hugh, has been handed over to Longespee. Filthy, frozen and dishevelled upon his arrival, he’s offered fresh clean clothing from his uncle Longespee. As Longespee watches the 6yr old try to dress himself and be brave, Longespee experiences a violent jolt in the pit of his stomach as the younger Hugh in that moment looks so much like his grand sire, William Marshal that he is shocked. My eyes blurred so much reading this scene that I couldn’t read further for sobbing.
Overall to Defy a King was an enthralling historical fiction novel with superb characters and a remarkable story.
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Mar 01, 2011 Sherry H rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: first-reads, hist-fiction-europe-royalty

I won this book in a Goodreads Firstreads giveaway. Thank you very much.

I have several Elizabeth Chadwick books in my "to read" list, but haven't started them. I thought I should read them in order, beginning with "The Greatest Knight", but I can never find that one at the library or at my local used book store. When I read the description for "To Defy a King", I thought it was a stand-alone, not part of a continuing story. So my bad, I have now started reading the series out of order. The good...more I won this book in a Goodreads Firstreads giveaway. Thank you very much.

I have several Elizabeth Chadwick books in my "to read" list, but haven't started them. I thought I should read them in order, beginning with "The Greatest Knight", but I can never find that one at the library or at my local used book store. When I read the description for "To Defy a King", I thought it was a stand-alone, not part of a continuing story. So my bad, I have now started reading the series out of order. The good news is that "To Defy a King" does stand on its own. It provided plenty of background to make the current story understandable without reading the prior ones.

This is the story of Mahelt Marshal Bigod, a very real woman who lived in the early 13th century. Daughter of an earl, wife of the heir to an earldom, Mahelt was a strong, capable, sometimes brash young woman. The book chronicles the years leading up to her marriage and her life as a young wife and mother, amidst the turmoil of the final years of King John's reign. This is an interesting period in English history, as the king was evil and the kingdom's nobles were split between those who were loyal to him (Mahelt's father) and those who defied him (Mahelt's family by marriage), leading to civil war.

The book is well-written. I enjoyed the picture of a noble woman's role in 13th century England. There is plenty of political intrigue, war, family life, and love to make the characters come alive. While I sometimes enjoy the sexy Philippa Gregory-style historical scandals, I appreciated that this author kept the love scenes to a minimum; there were enough to understand the characters but the book didn't focus on that. The characters were multi-dimensional, their relationships were complex, and the struggle between doing what is necessary (right) and what is honorable (also right) was well illustrated.

Here is my only complaint: this woman led a fascinating life, and there is information in the afterword about the rest of Mahelt's life. There is a very compelling continuing story there, and I'm not sure why the book didn't cover this character's entire life. Oh, unless the author plans to do that in another book... ah, now I get it. And, yes, if that's the case, I'll want to read that one, too. This is good quality historical fiction.
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Jun 26, 2011 Megan Lavey-Heaton rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: ebook, romance, history

This book dropped in price on Amazon, and the thread carried a lot of recommendations. All of them were worth it, as I stayed up until 7 a.m. devouring the book. I greatly enjoyed the fictionalized version of the life of Mahelt Marshal, daughter of the infamous William, and her first husband, Hugh. I had not read all that much into the lives of the Marshals before, therefore I was dismayed - but not surprised - to read the afterword of the book and find that Hugh only survived a few years beyond...more

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Jun 15, 2011 Ashley Ludwig rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I plowed through this one. Having borrowed it from the Library, I had a reason to finish this 500+ page book in 2 weeks, and boy, did I cut it down to the wire!

Mayhelt Marshal is an amazing leading lady, starting at age 12 as a scrappy sister of two older brothers, she is quickly betrothed (in this time, it means she will be wife at a later date). Her father, William Marshal, dotes on his eldest daughter, and keeps her close until unruly King John forces the match early, at the tender age of 14....more

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Jul 18, 2011 Ginny Palmieri rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I loved this book in conjunction with For a King's Favor. Chadwick's research is well done, and her ability to flesh out the characters of history as fictional protagonists in her novels is masterful. This novel picks up the tale with the story of Mahelt Marshall, daughter of William Marshall, as she marries Hugh Bigod, son of Roger Bigod, the second Earl of Norfolk. Picking up where For a King's Favor left off, the focus shifts from Roger and his wife, Ida, to the next generation. It was intrig...more

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Apr 06, 2011 Christie rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: historical-fiction, romance, big-books, england, middle-ages, biographical-fiction

I'm not going to lie I was highly disappointed in this book. Based on the wonderful reviews here on goodreads and elsewhere, I was expecting to be blown away which I was not. The story was a good one and I enjoyed reading about a historical period that I had not read about before: the time of King John and the Magna Carta. The writing seemed overly simplified. Transitions between paragraphs were poorly written or nonexistent. A person would be upstairs looking out the window in one paragraph the...more

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Mar 11, 2011 Suze rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

This author knows how to write historical fiction and back it up with facts! Obviously, she spends inordinate amounts of time researching before she writes her novels. At the end of the book, she almost tells another story about the facts and how she found them, what it means, etc. Fascinating!

This story is of emotional power set against the road to Magna Carta and the fight to bring a tyrant king to heel. What courage it took in those days to defy a king, no matter how powerful and rich you wer...more

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Mar 12, 2011 Kathleen Kelly rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: finished

Mahelt Marshal, Countess of Norfolk, Countess of Surrey was an Anglo-Norman noblewoman, and she was the eldest daughter of William Marshal, 1st Earl of Pembroke, and mother Isabel de Clare 4th Countess of Pembroke. This story takes place in the 12th - 13th century. Mahelt married Hugh Bigod, but the marriage was not consumated due to her age. Mahelt and Hugh became true man and wife after she reached the age that her father and father in law had agreed upon. I loved how the marriage of Mahelt an...more

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Mar 05, 2011 Joy rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: fiction, first-reads, british, 2011-reads

I won an ARC of this book through Goodreads First Reads and am pleased to say I enjoyed it. I didn't realize this was part of a series as I would have liked to read the books in order, but it does well as stand alone historical fiction.

The novel is well written and filled with rich details that immerse you in the time period. Mahelt Bigod is portrayed as a strong, vibrant woman living within the social constraints of her time. All of the historical figures and events come vividly to life throug...more

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Mar 12, 2011 Natalie rated it 3 of 5 stars

Thoughts so far, as I'm reading, is that there isn't too much "history" in this historical fiction. For the most part there has only been character development, which I'm assuming will trail off. And while the characters are interesting, there has been essentially 150 pages of build-up.

Other notes - because I'm reading a pre-sale book - there are some typos. For example, every possessive "s" has a quote after it instead of an apostrophe, like "knights" fee" instead of "knights' fee". Also, I fou...more Thoughts so far, as I'm reading, is that there isn't too much "history" in this historical fiction. For the most part there has only been character development, which I'm assuming will trail off. And while the characters are interesting, there has been essentially 150 pages of build-up.

Other notes - because I'm reading a pre-sale book - there are some typos. For example, every possessive "s" has a quote after it instead of an apostrophe, like "knights" fee" instead of "knights' fee". Also, I found a sentence on page 155 that didn't actually make sense. You can glean the meaning, but still - was surprising.

And now I've finished the book....overall, I expected better.

This is the first Elizabeth Chadwick book that I've read. And from what I've seen, she's written a lot of historical fictions, some of which were about the Marshal family. The historical aspects of the novel did pick up as the war, and hence the plot, progressed. After reading the "Author's Notes" at the end of the book, I was impressed with the amount of details that were historically accurate. Even some of the minor characters were true to life and, now that I think back on the book, it brings a different light to things. I almost wish I had known about some of those details before. But I definitely did enjoy reading about the relationships between England, France, Ireland, and Wales during that time, knowing that there was some accuracy to it. That is part of the draw of historical fictions, though.

There were some aspects of the characters that I found to be confusing, specifically the main female lead, Mahelt. The book touted her as being the main character, the focus upon which the book was centered, since she was this strong, powerful person. And while she was not - by any stretch of the imagination - "obedient", conservative, demure, or even adhered to typical decorum - she did not impress me as being in any way "powerful." She did two things that were noteworthy of being courageous or brave: one was when she was relatively young (maybe 15yrs old) and admittedly foolhardy, the other was essentially her writing a letter of help without her husband's permission. Other than that, her "acts of defiance" were to "walk as if she were a queen" when she was insulted or condescended, then "stalk out of the room." It wasn't until I read the "Author's Notes" that I learned that she was, in fact, a powerful woman - although much later in life. By blood her family were marshals, or the head of household security for the King of England. Her father was William Marshal, 1st Earl of Pembroke (there's a Wiki page about him). After all of her brothers and sisters died, of which there were many, she became the Marshal in the mid 1200s. I'd say that, considering the epoch and "place" of women at that time, this was a rather lofty position for her to be. For that I would consider her powerful. For everything that was discussed or shown in this book, I would say only "spirited" and maybe possibly "rebellious" would fit.

It seemed that all of the published (positive) criticisms placed in/on the book, even the back of the book, proclaimed Mahelt to be the main character. From my perspective, it felt less the story of one woman but more of two families. A very large portion of the story was given to narrating the male lead's life and thoughts, her husband, Hugh. And there was a lot of interaction between the two families - who were sometimes allies and sometimes enemies, but still connected by the marriage of the two lead characters. Why not say /this/ in the summaries? Why put forward this woman about whom only half of the book was written? Why sexualize her on the back cover? (-- which was a little weird, I must say. I felt this also gave the book a certain "lean" in a direction it didn't take, almost false advertising. It was also strange that they used two different female models for the photography. That being said, I did like the cover reminiscent of a Queen on a deck of cards.) I found the whole novel had a direction that was not properly shown at the beginning of the book.

Another, much smaller, aspect of the book that really irked me was when the story briefly diverged to show the plot line of Hugh and Mahelt's eldest son, who was 6yrs old at the time. While the boy was shown to be scared and homesick, I also felt that he was given a level of self-awareness that is not at all customary to a rather small child. He was facing some hardships, the first in his life, and wanted to be brave - so he pretended that he was a knight. I thought that was good and made sense with what children do. But then he was described to want reassurance and to see his father who would "recognize his fears and immediately banish them." I felt this much too lofty a description for his emotional state. I'm sure that he was scared and that he missed his parents, but to know that he specifically wanted reassurance, or that his father would do more than just comfort him and make the "bad men" go away, was too far.

Also - while reading this novel I was often reminded of R.R. Martin's series "Song of Ice and Fire". And while clearly the latter is a fantasy novel, the stories still take place around the same time in the evolution of a people and a race. I liked how Martin used more words and speaking patterns associated with the time, also, he had more elaborate descriptions of the customs, food, and clothing. I felt his novel to be more pleasing to my overall imaginative senses. (less)

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Dec 23, 2011 Jessica Snyder rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: to-re-read, historic-fiction, series

I read this without knowing it was part of a series, and it stands alone well enough that I was pleasantly surprised to find it is the 4th book. The history is well-researched and presented, and serves well as a vehicle for the plot. The novel inspires ruminations on the themes of loyalty, family, and justice, and it portrays love in a touching, but not sappy manner. The writing style is flowing and quite pleasant--at times, it is even lyrically beautiful and quite moving. Instead of using the h...more I read this without knowing it was part of a series, and it stands alone well enough that I was pleasantly surprised to find it is the 4th book. The history is well-researched and presented, and serves well as a vehicle for the plot. The novel inspires ruminations on the themes of loyalty, family, and justice, and it portrays love in a touching, but not sappy manner. The writing style is flowing and quite pleasant--at times, it is even lyrically beautiful and quite moving. Instead of using the history as just an interesting, but ultimately interchangeable, milieu (as some "historical fiction" does), the engrossing and well-paced plot engages with the history in a dynamic and vital way. I lost a decent amount of sleep (and let my laundry pile to teetering heights) over the past few days because I simply couldn't stop reading "just one more page."

My only real criticisms are these: 1) There were a few modern colloquialisms thrown into conversations that jarred me out of the novel's milieu a tad, and; 2) The main character, Mahelt, seems at times almost too modern in her thinking. To remark upon my first objection, these colloquialisms weren't so prevalent as to ruin my thorough enjoyment of the novel, but they did always ring false to my ear, as they appeared in dialogue, as opposed to narrative passages. As to the second objection, I LOVE reading strong, willful female characters, so it is not those characteristics that bugged me. It is her extreme bitterness at being left out of war exercises or councils because she is female. Yes, this is abhorrent to any modern woman, and would probably bug any woman of moderate intelligence regardless of the era. BUT, that being said, in 13th century, no woman would have ever heard of the notion of "gender equality," much less expected to be given it outside of extraordinary circumstances. (NO, I am NOT saying women shouldn't expect gender equality--I'm saying back then, they were so thoroughly indoctrinated by church and society as to their gender-based roles that they wouldn't even know that they should expect and/or demand it). So, for this woman to act like she'd read (or written) The Feminine Mystique is a bit unrealistic, and beleaguered my suspension of disbelief a bit. I liked her almost militaristic mind and strong will, and couldn't stomach it if the author had taken a person whom history does portray as a strong woman and painted her with a milksop brush. I just wish, for the sake of verisimilitude, that she read more like an early feminist, instead of a second-wave feminist in a 13th century mind. But, again, the instances where Mahelt's brain is taken over by Betty Friedan are very brief, and take up only a few pages out of over 500. Overall, the small jolts from 13th to 21st century were transient and few, and not notable enough to make me think much less of this wonderful novel. They keep it from being 5 stars, but it will still be on my "re-read" shelf.

*Edited to add: I read the kindle edition, and found it pleasantly free from the sloppy editing that all-too-frequently plagues e-versions of books. This was clearly edited by a person, not scanned in and forgotten.(less)

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To Defy A King (William Marshal #5)

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