Joanna Arman's Blog, page 2

Reviewed: In the Company of Fools by Tania Bayard

Christine de Pizan Mysteries #3



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A baby abandoned in the palace gardens leads scribe sleuth Christine de Pizan into a mystery involving murder, superstition and scandal in fourteenth-century France.

Paris, 1396. Scribe Christine de Pizan is shocked when the Duke of Orleans’ fools find a baby, wrapped in rags and covered in sores, abandoned in the palace gardens. Was there really a wicked plan to substitute the child for the queen’s own baby daughter and blame the Duchess of Orleans, Valentina Visconti? Who would commit such an evil act, and why?

Accused of being a sorceress, Valentina is the victim of much slander and has powerful enemies at the palace, where rumours of witchcraft and superstition run riot. Convinced of the duchess’s innocence, Christine is determined to uncover the truth, and soon makes a number of disturbing discoveries. Could the palace fools be the key to unlocking the mystery?

This novel was an enjoyable 3rd installment in the Christine de Pizan mysteries series. This is meant to be set in the late 14th century, sometime before Christine began writing professionally. Oh, did I not mention de Pizan was Europe’s first professional female author? Way back in the 1400s.
I think I enjoyed the last book more personally, but this was a good continuation of the series in which Christine now has something of a reputation for solving crimes. Christine is again assisted by friends old and some new, this time a literally company of ‘fools’.

What we might call jesters. The Queen of France’s entertainers, who are far from foolish. All the books in this series (3 so far) revolve around the French royal court in some way, and so the characters get caught up with royal intrigues and scandals which adds an interesting flavour to each story. This one concerns the controversial Duchess of Orleans Valentina Visconti.
An Italian family who were something like early forbears of the Medici. Lionel of Clarence, second son of Edward III of England also married into the family and died shortly afterwards. (Some rumours say he was poisoned by her family.)

The mystery is complicated with plenty of twists and turns, but I sort of felt a little short changed at the end when the culprit was revealed. I feel it’s one of the rules of mysteries that the murderer has to be a character who is known or at least, that he sleuth (and so therefore the reader) has met.

Finally, I felt that this novel had one other weakness that came out in the first novel. Christine feels rather too modern for the late 14th century setting. Yes, she was a professional author, and yes she did defend women in some of her books. but not all of her attitudes are related to that.
She totally rejects all beliefs in witchcraft/alchemy etc, and there is no real reason for her to believe as such. I’m surprised she isn’t an atheist as well, but I suppose that would be kind of stretching historical credibility a bit too far.

It’s also very difficult to believe that she would not have had any interest whatsoever in domestic pursuits. If you read her works she clearly believed women should know how to run a household.
Yes, she was unconventional in many ways, but not as much as she is in this book. At times our heroine just feels like a modern person in fancy dress.

Thanks to Severn House for allowing me to read this title through Netgalley. I was not required to write a positive review and all opinions expressed are my own.

Reviewed: The Deepest Grave by Jeri Westerson

[image error] Crispin Guest Medieval Noir #11: Published 2018

London, 1392. Strange mischief is afoot at St Modwen’s Church. Are corpses stalking the graveyard at night, disturbing graves, and dragging coffins? When a fearful Father Bulthius begs Crispin Guest for his help, he agrees to investigate with his apprentice, Jack Tucker, intrigued by the horrific tales.

Meanwhile, an urgent summons arrives from Crispin’s former love, Philippa Walcote. Her seven-year-old son, Christopher, has been accused of murder and of attempting to steal a family relic – the missing relic of St Modwen. Who is behind the gruesome occurrences in the graveyard? Is Christopher guilty of murder?

Crispin faces a desperate race against time to solve the strange goings-on at St Modwen’s and prove a child’s innocence.

I enjoyed this book more than some of the previous Crispin Guest novels for a few reasons. First, I feel there was more character development and depth to the characters, many of whom can often be quite shallow. I especially liked Isabel, Jack Tucker’s new wife who is going to feature in some of the future stories as well.
She does fulfill a lot of traditional roles that would be expected of a 14th century women, but she’s also fiercely intelligent and empathetic. She and Jack have now come to provide a lot of the grounding for Crispin, and the process of Jack coming into his own throughout the series has proved worthwhile in the conclusion of this book.

The discussions about life, death and ageing were worked into the story well, giving it some depth without becoming too morose. The central mystery had plenty of twists and turns but I felt it was drawn out a bit too long. It could have been resolved more quickly and easily if Crispin had put a little more effort in: and honestly, if he had not been so obsessed with old flame Philippa Walcote.

She makes a comeback in this story, along with new character who proves significant but I do feel her and Crispin’s behaviour kind of sours the taste of this novel. It certainly was not consistent with Crispin’s supposed code of honour, and whilst they did not go all the way I still felt they both needed a damn good slap.

Crispin had his chance with her and had no place romancing another man’s wife, and she should have known better than to encourage, if not openly throw herself at him. It’s not as if her husband was a rotter or abusive. He’s a good man who she has put in a situation that should not be inflicted on anyone, and her preparedness to cheat on him (even if it did not actually reach that point, it was no for want of trying on her part), was not cool.

It is good that Crispin might finally have a sort of adoptive family to fit into, though.

Thanks to the publisher for approving me for this title. This did not influence my review and all opinions expressed are my own.

Ladies of the Magna Carta by Sharon Bennett Connolly Blog Tour Post and Review

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Magna Carta clause 39: No man shall be taken, imprisoned, outlawed, banished or in any way destroyed, nor will we proceed against or prosecute him, except by the lawful judgement of his peers or by the law of the land.

This clause in Magna Carta was in response to the appalling imprisonment and starvation of Matilda de Braose, the wife of one of King John’s barons. Matilda was not the only woman who influenced, or was influenced by, the 1215 Charter of Liberties, now known as Magna Carta. Women from many of the great families of England were affected by the far-reaching legacy of Magna Carta, from their experiences in the civil war and as hostages, to calling on its use to protect their property and rights as widows. Ladies of Magna Carta looks into the relationships – through marriage and blood – of the various noble families and how they were affected by the Barons’ Wars, Magna Carta and its aftermath; the bonds that were formed and those that were broken.

Including the royal families of England and Scotland, the Marshals, the Warennes, the Braoses and more, Ladies of Magna Carta focuses on the roles played by the women of the great families whose influences and experiences have reached far beyond the thirteenth century.

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Sharon Bennett Connolly’s third and latest book is somewhat similar to her others in one sense. It focuses on women in history, and recounts the eventful lives of several Medieval women, some prominent, others unknown and largely forgotten.

This book focuses on the Magna Carta, the legendary document considered be the foundation of democracy and the constitution in England (and across the world). Only three clauses specifically mention women, and of these, none are mentioned by name. Yet there were many women who were effected by or many have lived in the shadow of the Magna Carta.

There was Matilda de Braose, a noblewoman who accused King John of murdering his nephew, and whose terrible fate and that of her family may well have given rise to the famous Clauses 39 and 40 of the Great Charter that speaks of delaying rights, justice and that none should be arrested or imprisoned ‘except by lawful judgement of their peers and the law of the land.

Some women defied expectations of their time, and of what modern people believe about Medieval people. Nicola de la Haye, defender of Lincoln castle and sometime Sheriff of Lincoln is fast becoming a historical heroine of mine. Yet Nicola was also, interesting a lifelong loyalist of King John. Others were not so fortunate, like Isabella of Gloucester, the first wife of King John who had little freedom or control of her destiny.

The book brings all these women, as well as their husbands and children to life, recounting their stories in short but concise chapters, and explaining their legacy, significance to the period and how some women like Eleanor de Montfort and Isabel D’Aubigny used the charter to fight for their rights and for political reform. Politically aware and legally savvy women were not the exceptions in Medieval England that we tend to think, and which is something which my own research has borne out.

A transcription of the Magna Carta and the 1217 Charter of the Forest makes this fascinating book into a valuable reference book as well.

My thanks to Rosie Crofts of Pen and Sword books for allowing me to be part of this Blog Tour and sending me a copy of the book. I was not required to leave a review, and this did not influence my opinions which are entirely my own.

Should I Move?

I know. It’s been over a year since my last Blog Post. I’ve been very remiss. Sadly this post is not going to be a book review, or any kind of article so don’t expect any amazing insights.

I do have a couple of things I could post on here, but life happens and research commitments and all that. Also, plain old fashioned Blogging is becoming a bit old hat now.

So I’m going to put it to you, my dear and lovely followers to find the best way forward.
Should I stay with WordPress? Or should I move to a platform such as Patreon, where I could also post some of the videos I’ve recently started making for a Youtube channel?

I’ve also been rather active on Quora recently, answering questions and dispelling popular misconceptions about Medieval History. One of my favourite occupations, believe it or not.

Leave your comments below.

Reviewed: Fixer and Fighter: The Life of Hubert de Burgh Earl of Kent by Brian Harwood

Pen and Sword Books: September 2016

Hubert de Burgh rose from obscure beginnings to become one of the most powerful men in England. He loyally served first King John and then the young Henry III and played a crucial role in saving the Plantagenet dynasty when it was at its most vulnerable.

During King John s disastrous wars in France, Hubert held Chinon castle against the besieging French for a whole year. He remained loyal when the Barons rebelled against John and, when they invited French invaders to intervene, Hubert successfully held Dover Castle for the king against a siege led by the French Prince Louis. After John s death, he held it for the new king, 9-year old Henry, against a renewed siege. In August 1217 he struck the final blow against the French invasion, which still held London, when he defeated a powerful fleet carrying French reinforcements at the naval Battle of Sandwich.

Hubert continued to serve Henry III, making important reforms as Justiciar of England and leading military campaigns against the Welsh Prince Lewellyn. He eventually lost favor due to the machinations of his rivals and narrowly avoided execution but was eventually reconciled with his king and able to die a peaceful death. Incredibly, this is the first full-length biography of this remarkable man.”

This is an excellent, and well-researched book which makes a good argument for the importance of an almost forgotten historical figure. Most people have hardly heard of Hubert de Burgh now (or only in the context of the disappearance of Prince Arthur of Brittany, which he probably had nothing to do with).

Hubert de Burgh, the author argues, played a key role in the defense of England during closing years of the reign of King John, and the opening years of his son’s reign. When Prince Louis of France and his armies practically controlled much of Southern England.

If this is the case, Burgh was as important as the more famous William Marshal in establishing Henry III on the throne, and securing the future of the fledgling Plantagenet dynasty.

Before the tumultuous years of the second decade of the 13th century, however, the author also argues that Hubert de Burgh helped establish the system of royal administration. The ‘co-ordinated management of government records’ of the Chancery, Exchequer and Treasury is attributed to the skills and vision of de Burgh. The records produced by this royal offices are still invaluable for historians today.

The only reason for the lower rating is the writing style. Its just- not great. A combination of high register, with an attempt at a chatty, conversational style using terms like ‘putting his feet up’.

The writing style makes for a slow, plodding read for a book which is only 180 pages long.  Which is a shame, it deserves to be more widely read.

Thanks to Pen and Sword Books for sending me a copy of this book. This in no way influenced my review, and all opinions expressed herein are my own.

 

Reviewed: Dark Queen Rising by Paul Doherty

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May, 1471. The Wars of the Roses are reaching their bitter and bloody climax. Edward of York has claimed the English throne, and his supporters are extracting a savage revenge on all who supported the Lancastrian cause. Surrounded by enemies wherever she turns, the position of Margaret Beaufort, Countess of Richmond and mother to Henry Tudor, the last remaining hope of the House of Lancaster, is precarious to say the least.

Determined to protect her son whatever it takes, Margaret must rely on her sharp-witted clerk Christopher Ulswicke to be her eyes and ears. When four bodies are discovered in a London tavern, their throats slit, and Margaret herself is suspected of being behind the crime, it’s up to Ulswicke to prove his mistress’s innocence and unmask the real killer.

I’ll say straight off that although I know Paul Doherty has written dozens of books, this is the first one I have read. And I call myself a Medieval Mystery lover: I know, disgraceful.

Purely from the perspective of a Mystery Buff, this novel is rather a letdown as the actual crime does not happen until over halfway through and is solved very quickly and easily.
Now, I’ve read mysteries where the main event does not happen until a long way in before, but I think what’s annoying is that this story is ‘sold’ as a mystery. The crime is made out to be the central focus of the novel. It’s not.

I would describe the book more of a political thriller, with a strong emphasis on plots and intrigue: and violence. The descriptions of executions, torture, severed heads and limbs, and dismembered human remains are frequent and graphic.

As a historical thriller this novel works actually works reasonably well, incorporating flawed and well-drawn characters, whose motives and actions are questionable.
However, I’m not sure I fully agreed with how a lot of historical figures were depicted. George Duke of Clarence for example was almost a cartoon villain, and I don’t believe I also don’t believe Margaret Beaufort would so heinously betrayed her own Lancastrian relatives. I understand this is probably done for the sake of the story, but I just wasn’t always convincing for me. Clarence, for example, was almost a cartoon villain.

The historical accuracy is: questionable in places, entirely absent in others. The names of both Margaret’s second and third husbands are wrong, for example. One is given as Humphrey Stafford, when it was Henry Stafford, and the second William Stanley when it was actually Thomas Stanley.
There was also a curious reference to a character using a ‘hand-held arbalest’- another name for a crossbow. But this description suggested a sort of miniature device that could be operated with one hand and I don’t know of any evidence such things existed in the 15th century.

The main problem problem this novel has though is the claim that almost everything is based on ‘evidence’ from the time. That evidence in itself is flawed: many of the chronicles and other sources from the period of the Wars of the Roses are partisan, biased or reflect the propaganda used by both sides.
Some is actually hearsay and gossip. There is no evidence that Henry VI never consummated his marriage to Margaret of Anjou for example. Nor for the notorious report that he said her son was ‘conceived of the Holy Spirit’. Well, save from a Yorkist Chronicle written years after the Prince’s birth by someone who was not present.

I’d certainly consider reading some of this author’s other work, and this novel was probably not the best introduction to it.

Thanks to Severn House Publishing for providing a copy via Netgalley. I was not required to write a positive review and all opinions expressed are my own.

Reviewed: Henry V, The Conscience of a King by Malcolm Vale

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Published 2016, 308 Pages, Available as Hardback and Ebook

More than just a single-minded warrior-king, Henry V comes to life in this fresh account as a gifted ruler acutely conscious of spiritual matters and his subjects’ welfare

Shakespeare’s centuries-old portrayal of Henry V established the king’s reputation as a warmongering monarch, a perception that has persisted ever since. But in this exciting, thoroughly researched volume a different view of Henry emerges: a multidimensional ruler of great piety, a hands-on governor who introduced a radically new conception of England’s European role in secular and ecclesiastical affairs, a composer of music, an art patron, and a dutiful king who fully appreciated his obligations toward those he ruled.

Historian Malcolm Vale draws on extensive primary archival evidence that includes many documents annotated or endorsed in Henry’s own hand. Focusing on a series of themes—the interaction between king and church, the rise of the English language as a medium of government and politics, the role of ceremony in Henry’s kingship, and more—Vale revises understandings of Henry V and his conduct of the everyday affairs of England, Normandy, and the kingdom of France.

I regard this as the best book on Henry V in a generation: and I am not inclined to hyperbole or exaggeration in book reviews. Dr. Vale’s masterstroke with this work was to focus on the non-military aspects of Henry’s reign.

Of course, he’s best known as a Warrior King, but as Vale mentions, he only actually fought two pitched battles in his entire life:  Agincourt and Shrewsbury in 1403.

Yet, as this work establishes, there was much more to Henry than that. I knew before I read this book that Henry V was interested in music, and I recall hearing about him having possibly composed a couple of musical scores in a David Starkey documentary years ago. Who knew that alongside that, Henry actually knew how to play three instruments, including the harp? It’s still sort of hard to imagine him playing the harp, but apparently, he did.  He was also very interested in Literature and even architecture, and a friend to many scholars and men of learning.

15th century Kings and royals had come far from the ‘feudal spur-clanking boneheads’ of past centuries. One might consider them the precursors of Renaissance men and women. Henry also did much to promote the use of the vernacular, by insisting on having certain texts and documents written or translated into English, including those relating to the royal administration and government.

Another interesting takeaway from this book was that Henry was neither a religious fanatic, nor a bigot: or at least the evidence does not seem to support this. Much has been made by some recent authors of the fact that seven men were burned for heresy in the first year of Henry’s reign. This event, though, is often taken out of context: it was not just a random pogrom, but in direct response to the so called ‘Lollard Rising’ or Oldcastle Rising of 1414. It bears mentioning that most of those involved do not seem to have been Lollard, followers of the teachings of John Wycliffe, or driven by religious zeal at all. In fact, over 40 people were hanged as ordinary rebels for their role in the rising, not for anything related to religion.

Even as a personal sympathizer with Wycliffe and the Lollard movement, its hard to deny that this event did more harm that good. As has been written, it ‘represented the merging of heresy and sedition that was to doom the Lollard movement to a largely covert existence’: and move it far away from the vision which its founder conceived of.

The author put matters into and put into perspective by demonstrating that the persecution and burnings during his reign were not even comparable to the numbers killed during the Albigensian Crusade and later persecutions of the Cathars, the suppression of the Templars or Protestantism by rulers in the following century. Less than 15 people were burned for heresy in total during his reign: so Henry was ‘no Charles V or Philip II of Spain’ and no Mary Tudor, it might be added. There’s even evidence to suggest he pardoned Lollards, on occasion.

Overall, the book is very readable, but cannot  criticized for not being scholarly enough or lacking references: Yale University Press generally sets the bar high for its History books, and this is no exception. The chapters on Henry’s engagement in the church and religion where a little heavygoing, and some readers might choose to skim them or skip them altogether but the book highly recommended despite these. By the end, the skeptical reader may well come away with a newfound respect for Henry. He emerges as a cultured man of genuine conscience and conviction, who although flawed does seem to have had a genuine care and regard for the good of his kingdom and subjects.

The author’s conclusion stating that is is not the place of historians to sit in anachronistic judgement on figures from the far distant past to declare them goodies or baddies is very convincing.

“The abstract judgements that tend to be produced… do not necessarily illuminate or explain the attitudes and beaviour of those who walked and rode in the relatively remote past… Hence this book has sought out evidence for the direct action and engagement of its human subject wherever it can be found….

…To read what Henry V himself read, handle what he himself handled, and sometimes trace his own hand on a letter, a petition or a memorandum with one’s own may bring us as close as we will ever get to that remarkable individual”

My copy already boasts underlining, dog-earing, and a much scuffed dust cover. Generally considered badges of honour and careful reading on my bookshelves. Go get yourself a copy today: and a paperback edition from the Publisher might be nice.

2018: Aethelflaed’s Year

This post mentions some of the commemorations planned for this anniversary year in 2018.

 

via Æthelflæd in 2018

Reviewed: Kin of Cain by Matthew Harffy

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AD 630. Anglo-Saxon Britain. A gripping, action-packed historical tale set in the world of The Bernicia Chronicles. Perfect for fans of Bernard Cornwell.

Winter grips the land in its icy fist. Terror stalks the hills, moors and marshes of Bernicia. Livestock and men have been found ripped asunder, their bones gnawed, flesh gorged upon. People cower in their halls in fear of the monster that prowls the night.

King Edwin sends his champions, Bassus, Octa and band of trusted thegns, to hunt down the beast and to rid his people of this evil.

Bassus leads the warriors into the chill wastes of the northern winter, and they soon question whether they are the hunters or the prey. Death follows them as they head deeper into the ice-rimed marshes, and there is ever only one ending for the mission: a welter of blood that will sow the seeds of a tale that will echo down through the ages.

An interesting short story, written as a companion to the Bernicia Chronicles, by the same author. Readers of that series might be interested to note that it acts as a sort of prequel, featuring many of the characters from the same series, and also Octa, the older brother of Beobrand, who dies early on the first book, and is remembered only in the memory of the other characters.

I would not say this one was entirely according to my taste: I borrowed it mostly because I requested it on NetGalley a long while back, but forgot to download it. The style is fairly typical of a lot of books like this: basically, a bunch of badass warriors in armor go off to fulfill their destiny or right some great wrong. Lots of violence, gore, masculine camaraderie and gritty heroism: plus a helping of drinking and banter. Nothing wrong with those things, per se, it’s just its, not the type of matter I care to read on a regular basis.

It was above all else, an original take on the story of Beowulf. Even though I don’t entirely accept the Northumbrian setting and think it was inspired by the landscape of East Anglia.

Reviewed: Crown of Blood, The Deadly Inheritance of Lady Jane Grey by Nicola Tallis

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A significant retelling of the often-misunderstood tale of Lady Jane Grey’s journey through her trial and execution—recalling the dangerous plots and web of deadly intrigue in which she became involuntarily tangled, and which ultimately led to a catastrophic conclusion.

“Good people, I am come hither to die, and by a law I am condemned to the same.” These were the heartbreaking words of a seventeen-year-old girl, Lady Jane Grey, as she stood on the scaffold awaiting death on a cold February morning in 1554. Minutes later her head was struck from her body with a single stroke of a heavy axe. Her death for high treason sent shockwaves through the Tudor world, and served as a gruesome reminder to all who aspired to a crown that the axe could fall at any time. Jane is known to history as “the Nine Days Queen,” but her reign lasted, in fact, for thirteen days. The human and emotional aspects of her story have often been ignored, although she is remembered as one of the Tudor Era’s most tragic victims.

While this is doubtlessly true, it is only part of the complex jigsaw of Jane’s story. She was a remarkable individual with a charismatic personality who earned the admiration and affection of many of those who knew her. All were impressed by her wit, passion, intelligence, and determined spirit. Furthermore, the recent trend of trying to highlight her achievements and her religious faith has, in fact, further obscured the real Jane, a young religious radical who saw herself as an advocate of the reformed faith—Protestantism—and ultimately became a martyr for it.

Crown of Blood is an important and significant retelling of an often-misunderstood tale: set at the time of Jane’s downfall and following her journey through to her trial and execution, each chapter moves between the past and the “present,” using a rich abundance of primary source material (some of which has never been published) in order to paint a vivid picture of Jane’s short and turbulent life. This dramatic narrative traces the dangerous plots and web of deadly intrigue in which Jane became involuntarily tangled—and which ultimately led to a shocking and catastrophic conclusion.

This was not the first book about Jane Grey I have read or listened to, but it is one of the better ones. A vivid and detailed account that revealed much about the life and background of this extraordinary girl, who should indeed be counted as one of the Queens of England. Perhaps the First Queen in her own right (as oppposed the subject of my biography, Aethelflead, who was never called a Queen, and never ruled all England, but that’s another story).

Jane in some ways represents everything I have come to admire about the remarkable women of the Tudor dynasty. She was intelligent, well educated (convincingly arguing theology, and even winning the admiration of the cleric whom Mary sent to convert her) and brave. Sadly also a victim of other people’s political machinations.

I think Alison Weir makes a better case for how Mary did not really want to execute her, but there is a lot of valuable detail about Jane’s family background which makes up for that. Also, considering the endorsement from Weir, this book makes a worthy addition to any Tudor history lover’s bookshelf.

In case readers are wondering why my post shows the US cover at the top, I requested the title from Netgalley several months ago for review, from a US based Publisher, and later purchased the UK version. This did not influence my review my opinions are entirely my own.