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The Girl and the Sword: a Novel of Medieval History
For all fifteen years of her life, Pauline de Pamiers has witnessed an attack on her family, friends, and faith. It's the early thirteenth century and the Pope and King of France are conducting a Crusade against the Cathars; the only crusade on European soil and against another Christian sect. As a member of this sect in France that sits outside the dominant Roman Church, Pauline is an outsider: young, but independent and bold.
Seeking to escape the fate of her countrymen, she chooses the most unlikely path to safety and, ultimately, survival over martyrdom. She forms a bond with one of the crusaders, young knight Simon de Montfort, who sees something special in this outspoken girl who refuses to submit to a society where women are not treated equally to men. Together, they travel to England, where she helps the French knight obtain an English title and stand head and shoulders above other noblemen for his integrity, bravery, and concern for those who have the least.
With the Church and men and women of the kingdom under threat, they must overcome the narcissistic king and a challenge against their unique love in order to change the course of their lives, and the history of England.
The Girl and the Sword is a sweeping saga that will change minds about the role of women in history, and leave the reader feeling the spiritual power of love.
Seeking to escape the fate of her countrymen, she chooses the most unlikely path to safety and, ultimately, survival over martyrdom. She forms a bond with one of the crusaders, young knight Simon de Montfort, who sees something special in this outspoken girl who refuses to submit to a society where women are not treated equally to men. Together, they travel to England, where she helps the French knight obtain an English title and stand head and shoulders above other noblemen for his integrity, bravery, and concern for those who have the least.
With the Church and men and women of the kingdom under threat, they must overcome the narcissistic king and a challenge against their unique love in order to change the course of their lives, and the history of England.
The Girl and the Sword is a sweeping saga that will change minds about the role of women in history, and leave the reader feeling the spiritual power of love.
394 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 2, 2023
159 people are currently reading
79 people want to read
About the author
Gerald Weaver
12 books80 followersGerald Weaver received his bachelor's degree from Yale University and Juris Doctor degree from Catholic University. He has been a Capitol Hill chief of staff, a campaign manager, a lobbyist, a single father, a teacher of English and Latin, a collector and seller of Chinese antiquities and a contributor to the political magazine, George. He lives in the suburbs of Washington, DC, and travels regularly between the United Kingdom.
About Gerald Weaver
Gerald was born in Western Pennsylvania, where he grew up with three sisters and no brothers. Gerald spoke Sicilian dialect with his grandmother who was also his nanny until he was five. He has dual citizenship, Italy and the United States. Gerald attended Yale University and Catholic University School of Law. He has worked as a lawyer, a stay-at-home-parent, a lobbyist, a teacher of Latin and English, a campaign manager, a real estate developer, a Chief of Staff on Capitol Hill, and now purchases and sells Chinese antiquities. At Yale, he studied literature under Harold Bloom and fiction writing under Gordon Lish.
Gerald’s third novel, The Girl and the Sword is a captivating historical saga that will correct how we think about the role of women in history. Pauline, a formidable young woman facing religious persecution, takes the least likely path to save herself, and inadvertently shows us how a mature love can change the world. It is also a history we should already all know, of England’s first parliament and constitution, and how they were brought about . . . in the thirteenth century.
The First First Gentleman is mostly drawn from Gerald’s thirteen years in national politics and on Capitol Hill, and from a lifetime of observing national politics from a front row seat. Gerald still has many friends on Capitol Hill and in government, including a US Senator and a Presidential appointee. It is a factually accurate political thriller that punctures the cultural orthodoxy, and a love story that ends with a woman in the White House.
Gerald began to write his first novel Gospel Prism after a visit in 2010 with Marie Colvin, who was then foreign correspondent for the Sunday Times of London. Marie and Gerald had dated at university and for a few years after, and they remained lifelong friends. She told him in 2010 to: “Write the damn book.” In February of 2012 she carried the finished original manuscript to Syria on what turned out to be her last assignment. She had it in the small knapsack, which contained only survival items and which she carried through sewers and over barbed wire.
Gerald spends his time between Italy, the United Kingdom, and Bethesda, MD where he resides with his wife, Lily. He has two children, Simon and Harriet.
About Gerald Weaver
Gerald was born in Western Pennsylvania, where he grew up with three sisters and no brothers. Gerald spoke Sicilian dialect with his grandmother who was also his nanny until he was five. He has dual citizenship, Italy and the United States. Gerald attended Yale University and Catholic University School of Law. He has worked as a lawyer, a stay-at-home-parent, a lobbyist, a teacher of Latin and English, a campaign manager, a real estate developer, a Chief of Staff on Capitol Hill, and now purchases and sells Chinese antiquities. At Yale, he studied literature under Harold Bloom and fiction writing under Gordon Lish.
Gerald’s third novel, The Girl and the Sword is a captivating historical saga that will correct how we think about the role of women in history. Pauline, a formidable young woman facing religious persecution, takes the least likely path to save herself, and inadvertently shows us how a mature love can change the world. It is also a history we should already all know, of England’s first parliament and constitution, and how they were brought about . . . in the thirteenth century.
The First First Gentleman is mostly drawn from Gerald’s thirteen years in national politics and on Capitol Hill, and from a lifetime of observing national politics from a front row seat. Gerald still has many friends on Capitol Hill and in government, including a US Senator and a Presidential appointee. It is a factually accurate political thriller that punctures the cultural orthodoxy, and a love story that ends with a woman in the White House.
Gerald began to write his first novel Gospel Prism after a visit in 2010 with Marie Colvin, who was then foreign correspondent for the Sunday Times of London. Marie and Gerald had dated at university and for a few years after, and they remained lifelong friends. She told him in 2010 to: “Write the damn book.” In February of 2012 she carried the finished original manuscript to Syria on what turned out to be her last assignment. She had it in the small knapsack, which contained only survival items and which she carried through sewers and over barbed wire.
Gerald spends his time between Italy, the United Kingdom, and Bethesda, MD where he resides with his wife, Lily. He has two children, Simon and Harriet.
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
April 2, 2023
This book tells the story of Simon de Montfort, a man who is thought to be an inaugurator of the democratic Parliament, and Pauline, a woman who inspired him.
Simon and Pauline first met in 1225. Simon was an 18-year-old soldier, son of a crusade commander devoted to the cause of purging Cathars from France. Pauline was a 15-year-old Cathar girl, who sought out Simon asking for his help.
This was the start of their lifelong friendship. Simon takes Pauline in and at the beginning, she is just a household staff member.
However, Pauline is quite outspoken, extremely intelligent (especially for a woman in times when females were regarded as feeble and only fit for marriage and child bearing) and Simon is intrigued by her. This is the time when she becomes his confidante, and while they are in England, her official role is Simon’s steward, something that was designed only for males.
Pauline takes her new role seriously, and soon people of Leicester begin to respect her and love her. She is fair and she deeply cares for her people.
Simon’s and Pauline’s friendship was of unusual nature – he listened to her advice and acted on it. She was in love with him, but she knew that they could never marry because of her low social status. She watched him marry another woman, Eleanor of Pembroke. Pauline sacrificed a lot for Simon, she was selfless that way.
My only criticism of the story is that sometimes it read as a history/ politics lesson. It crammed a lot of details and lengthy descriptions of events. I wanted more of Simon and Pauline!
Simon and Pauline first met in 1225. Simon was an 18-year-old soldier, son of a crusade commander devoted to the cause of purging Cathars from France. Pauline was a 15-year-old Cathar girl, who sought out Simon asking for his help.
This was the start of their lifelong friendship. Simon takes Pauline in and at the beginning, she is just a household staff member.
However, Pauline is quite outspoken, extremely intelligent (especially for a woman in times when females were regarded as feeble and only fit for marriage and child bearing) and Simon is intrigued by her. This is the time when she becomes his confidante, and while they are in England, her official role is Simon’s steward, something that was designed only for males.
Pauline takes her new role seriously, and soon people of Leicester begin to respect her and love her. She is fair and she deeply cares for her people.
Simon’s and Pauline’s friendship was of unusual nature – he listened to her advice and acted on it. She was in love with him, but she knew that they could never marry because of her low social status. She watched him marry another woman, Eleanor of Pembroke. Pauline sacrificed a lot for Simon, she was selfless that way.
My only criticism of the story is that sometimes it read as a history/ politics lesson. It crammed a lot of details and lengthy descriptions of events. I wanted more of Simon and Pauline!
April 4, 2023
The main character is a woman of the Cathar sect, a much persecuted sect in Europe. She approaches a young knight and tells him he will save her and her fellow students from the predations of the army of which he is - and has been since age 12 - a part, fighting beside his father and brothers, and his mother, who accompanied her husband to war. The girl, Pauline, makes him reconsider everything.
So starts the tale of a remarkable man, whose ideas doubtless made him a role model to our own founding fathers, here in America, as well as certain philosophers and theologians.
The story is also a vessel to showcase strong women, and most of the ones featured were indeed historical figures. Any historical fiction book must take some liberties to tie the story together, and so some figures are not historical but serve to move the story along. I strongly suggest always reading the afterwords of the author, whether they are called afterwords, thanks, or acknowledgements, or something else. This is where the author notes the inspiration and sources as well as references for their choice of history to relate, and which characters are all or partly fictional.
We would be wise to follow Simon de Montfort's example today in America - we would have been well served to have done so decades ago, when the presidency started to become what it is now: what some call an imperial presidency, where legislation is too often replaced by executive orders that many times abrogate our rights as citizens of a free country, many times by abrogating the rights of our legislators. Executive orders were originally meant only for emergencies when the congress would be unable to react quickly enough, say, the movement of troops and supplies in a sudden invasion. Plus, all executive orders can be vacated should Congress, as is its right, vote on the order and deny its validity. Yet, at the age of 70, engaged in political discussions from my early youth onwards, I have yet to hear of that occurring. Eisenhower warned us before he left office. His successor warned us partway through his first term, and some say his assassination occurred because of it. I am not sure about that one way or another, but some claim that all the things Nixon did were an attempt to expose a cabal that was quietly influencing legislators to give up their power in favor of rubber stamping whatever the president wanted - a president guided by and subject to the whims of said cabal, what many now call the "deep state." Again, I can't attest to that one way or another, but the methodology we should follow, IMO, if we can prove there is indeed a secret cabal, should certainly be consistent with the ideals of Simon de Montfort, IMHO, a man who genuinely sought the good of his country, above the harsh personal price he paid.
I highly recommend this book, especially for young people who need to see the beginning, the seeds, of limited government power that were sown by Simon de Montfort, Earl of Leicester. It is a part of a movement toward self governance and limited government, shielded by a legislative group from any excesses of the head of state.
So starts the tale of a remarkable man, whose ideas doubtless made him a role model to our own founding fathers, here in America, as well as certain philosophers and theologians.
The story is also a vessel to showcase strong women, and most of the ones featured were indeed historical figures. Any historical fiction book must take some liberties to tie the story together, and so some figures are not historical but serve to move the story along. I strongly suggest always reading the afterwords of the author, whether they are called afterwords, thanks, or acknowledgements, or something else. This is where the author notes the inspiration and sources as well as references for their choice of history to relate, and which characters are all or partly fictional.
We would be wise to follow Simon de Montfort's example today in America - we would have been well served to have done so decades ago, when the presidency started to become what it is now: what some call an imperial presidency, where legislation is too often replaced by executive orders that many times abrogate our rights as citizens of a free country, many times by abrogating the rights of our legislators. Executive orders were originally meant only for emergencies when the congress would be unable to react quickly enough, say, the movement of troops and supplies in a sudden invasion. Plus, all executive orders can be vacated should Congress, as is its right, vote on the order and deny its validity. Yet, at the age of 70, engaged in political discussions from my early youth onwards, I have yet to hear of that occurring. Eisenhower warned us before he left office. His successor warned us partway through his first term, and some say his assassination occurred because of it. I am not sure about that one way or another, but some claim that all the things Nixon did were an attempt to expose a cabal that was quietly influencing legislators to give up their power in favor of rubber stamping whatever the president wanted - a president guided by and subject to the whims of said cabal, what many now call the "deep state." Again, I can't attest to that one way or another, but the methodology we should follow, IMO, if we can prove there is indeed a secret cabal, should certainly be consistent with the ideals of Simon de Montfort, IMHO, a man who genuinely sought the good of his country, above the harsh personal price he paid.
I highly recommend this book, especially for young people who need to see the beginning, the seeds, of limited government power that were sown by Simon de Montfort, Earl of Leicester. It is a part of a movement toward self governance and limited government, shielded by a legislative group from any excesses of the head of state.
June 28, 2025
Gerald Weaver’s The Girl and the Sword is a masterclass in how not to write historical fiction. Set during the Albigensian Crusade—a rich and complex era teeming with potential—this novel somehow manages to flatten every element it touches. What could have been a searing exploration of religious fanaticism, gender roles, and medieval power struggles is instead reduced to a tedious, self-important mess.
Let’s start with the writing: it’s overwrought, meandering, and bizarrely enamored with its own verbosity. Weaver writes as if he’s allergic to editing, cramming pages with redundant narration and clunky inner monologues masquerading as philosophical insight. It’s not intellectual; it’s incoherent. He seems less interested in storytelling than in congratulating himself for having written a book at all.
Pauline de Pamiers, the supposed “bold” and “independent” protagonist, is nothing more than a vehicle for the author’s painfully transparent attempts at modern-day virtue-signaling. Her “strength” is described but rarely demonstrated. Instead of a dynamic character shaped by conflict, she reads like a bland composite of what a man thinks feminism looks like when filtered through Wikipedia-level historical research.
And speaking of research: if you’re going to set your novel in 13th-century France during one of the bloodiest, most politically charged crusades in European history, it helps to do more than skim a couple of articles. Weaver’s depiction of Catharism and the Crusade is embarrassingly shallow, reducing centuries of theological, cultural, and political complexity to a backdrop for forced melodrama and wooden dialogue.
As for pacing—if you enjoy watching paint dry while someone reads you an undergrad thesis out loud, this book is for you. Weaver’s narrative plods through scenes that feel like afterthoughts, with tension and momentum sacrificed in favor of repetitive monologues and clumsy moralizing.
Worst of all, The Girl and the Sword is weighed down by a kind of self-satisfied tone that’s impossible to ignore. It’s as if Weaver genuinely believes he is revealing deep, untold truths about history and womanhood, when in reality he’s repackaging old clichés in a historically flimsy package and calling it literature.
This isn’t historical fiction. It’s historical fanfiction with delusions of grandeur.
Gerald Weaver may have thought he was crafting an epic tale of defiance and faith. What he actually delivered is a bloated, patronizing, and ultimately unreadable novel that disrespects both its audience and its subject matter.
★☆☆☆☆ — only because zero stars isn’t an option.
Let’s start with the writing: it’s overwrought, meandering, and bizarrely enamored with its own verbosity. Weaver writes as if he’s allergic to editing, cramming pages with redundant narration and clunky inner monologues masquerading as philosophical insight. It’s not intellectual; it’s incoherent. He seems less interested in storytelling than in congratulating himself for having written a book at all.
Pauline de Pamiers, the supposed “bold” and “independent” protagonist, is nothing more than a vehicle for the author’s painfully transparent attempts at modern-day virtue-signaling. Her “strength” is described but rarely demonstrated. Instead of a dynamic character shaped by conflict, she reads like a bland composite of what a man thinks feminism looks like when filtered through Wikipedia-level historical research.
And speaking of research: if you’re going to set your novel in 13th-century France during one of the bloodiest, most politically charged crusades in European history, it helps to do more than skim a couple of articles. Weaver’s depiction of Catharism and the Crusade is embarrassingly shallow, reducing centuries of theological, cultural, and political complexity to a backdrop for forced melodrama and wooden dialogue.
As for pacing—if you enjoy watching paint dry while someone reads you an undergrad thesis out loud, this book is for you. Weaver’s narrative plods through scenes that feel like afterthoughts, with tension and momentum sacrificed in favor of repetitive monologues and clumsy moralizing.
Worst of all, The Girl and the Sword is weighed down by a kind of self-satisfied tone that’s impossible to ignore. It’s as if Weaver genuinely believes he is revealing deep, untold truths about history and womanhood, when in reality he’s repackaging old clichés in a historically flimsy package and calling it literature.
This isn’t historical fiction. It’s historical fanfiction with delusions of grandeur.
Gerald Weaver may have thought he was crafting an epic tale of defiance and faith. What he actually delivered is a bloated, patronizing, and ultimately unreadable novel that disrespects both its audience and its subject matter.
★☆☆☆☆ — only because zero stars isn’t an option.
didn-t-finish
March 29, 2023First she changed England. Then she changed the world.
For all fifteen years of her life, Pauline de Pamiers has witnessed an attack on her family, friends, and faith. It’s the early thirteenth century and the Pope and King of France are conducting a Crusade against the Cathars; the only crusade on European soil and against another Christian sect. As a member of this sect in France that sits outside the dominant Roman Church, Pauline is an outsider: young, but independent and bold.
Seeking to escape the fate of her countrymen, she chooses the most unlikely path to safety and, ultimately, survival over martyrdom. She forms a bond with one of the crusaders, young knight Simon de Montfort, who sees something special in this outspoken girl who refuses to submit to a society where women are not treated equally to men. Together, they travel to England, where she helps the French knight obtain an English title and stand head and shoulders above other noblemen for his integrity, bravery, and concern for those who have the least.
With the Church and men and women of the kingdom under threat, they must overcome the narcissistic king and a challenge against their unique love in order to change the course of their lives, and the history of England.
The Girl and the Sword is a sweeping saga that will change minds about the role of women in history, and leave the reader feeling the spiritual power of love.
For all fifteen years of her life, Pauline de Pamiers has witnessed an attack on her family, friends, and faith. It’s the early thirteenth century and the Pope and King of France are conducting a Crusade against the Cathars; the only crusade on European soil and against another Christian sect. As a member of this sect in France that sits outside the dominant Roman Church, Pauline is an outsider: young, but independent and bold.
Seeking to escape the fate of her countrymen, she chooses the most unlikely path to safety and, ultimately, survival over martyrdom. She forms a bond with one of the crusaders, young knight Simon de Montfort, who sees something special in this outspoken girl who refuses to submit to a society where women are not treated equally to men. Together, they travel to England, where she helps the French knight obtain an English title and stand head and shoulders above other noblemen for his integrity, bravery, and concern for those who have the least.
With the Church and men and women of the kingdom under threat, they must overcome the narcissistic king and a challenge against their unique love in order to change the course of their lives, and the history of England.
The Girl and the Sword is a sweeping saga that will change minds about the role of women in history, and leave the reader feeling the spiritual power of love.
July 22, 2023
I really enjoy historical fiction that is both well written and well-researched. I admit that most of my knowledge of English history comes from Shakespeare, Austen, Trollope, Dickens. This filled a gap in my knowledge, as it centers around Simon de Montfort, a charismatic nobleman who charms his way from being a landless second son to become the Earl of Leicester and husband to the King's sister. He then deposes an incompetent king (Henry III) and instead of making himself king, creates a parliament. I suppose we don't hear much about this period because royalists are not quick to embrace this story.
I enjoyed the fast pacing (I read this in a few hours), and also that Weaver's literary conceit was to create a fictional woman as the main character (who advises Simon), which allowed a different perspective on events.
It's also a great relief to read a modern novel that uses normal punctuation.
I enjoyed the fast pacing (I read this in a few hours), and also that Weaver's literary conceit was to create a fictional woman as the main character (who advises Simon), which allowed a different perspective on events.
It's also a great relief to read a modern novel that uses normal punctuation.
March 2, 2023
Gerald Weaver’s previous two works of fiction left a lasting impression on me, so my excitement was high for his new novel The Girl and the Sword, and he does not disappoint. It’s a grand epic exploring 13th century France and England where Weaver chronicles history through the empowerment of a young women named Pauline de Pamiers. She is headstrong and brave, exemplifying women who we know existed at that time but were too often marginalized and their voices suppressed. With wonderful time-period details and a keen eye to history, Weaver captures the medieval era while offering us a portrait of an extraordinary young woman.
June 4, 2023
A stunning and original treatment of the life of 13th century nobleman Simon de Montfort and Pauline de Pamiers, a Cathar woman whose life he saved as a teenager. Rich in history but even more in the exploration of a deep love rooted in spiritual transcendence between the two protagonists. A superb blend of fiction with historical fact that paints in a woman raised to believe in the equality of the sexes. Pauline simply astounds with the wisdom and independence of her personality. An unforgettable and enlightening read.
March 21, 2023
english medieval history
In the form of a fascinating novel. And behind every good man is an even better woman, in any century. What lost history. What moments become history. What religion distorts history. How humans corrupt history.
It was difficult for me to get to the end and find Edward1 taking the just principles of the hero Simon in this book - as his name is followed by a curse/spit by every Scot. 700 years later.
In the form of a fascinating novel. And behind every good man is an even better woman, in any century. What lost history. What moments become history. What religion distorts history. How humans corrupt history.
It was difficult for me to get to the end and find Edward1 taking the just principles of the hero Simon in this book - as his name is followed by a curse/spit by every Scot. 700 years later.
May 23, 2023
This took me a month to read. OMG! I read a decent amount. And 99% of it is historical fiction. But this was written so horribly. The conversation between the characters was flat and not like anyone speaks to anyone, historically or otherwise. I wouldn’t even make it through a chapter before passing out. Literally kindle hit me in the face many times. I am too stubborn to admit defeat and wasted my reading challenge. Now I’m way behind. I’d never heard of Simon de monteforte and the plight or cannon of the cathars, which is truly interesting. This could have been a great read. Instead I barely made it alive from death by boredom. I finished the next book I read in 2 nights. So a month of nightly reading says a lot. I just couldn’t make it through. Find another book on the subject cause this one just isn’t it. I’m really sorry to the author for the brutal honesty but this could have been so much better.
March 25, 2023
amazing text
This book gave so much food for thought about history, spiritual gifts, and the importance of “doing the most good for the most people.” It was a gift to read.
This book gave so much food for thought about history, spiritual gifts, and the importance of “doing the most good for the most people.” It was a gift to read.
June 19, 2023
Mid-evil History
Twelfth century was the beginnings of equality for all people. King’s rule was being challenged. England brought laws and regulations for all of its citizens.
Twelfth century was the beginnings of equality for all people. King’s rule was being challenged. England brought laws and regulations for all of its citizens.
May 4, 2023
I enjoyed this book because it retaught me English history that I had learned in college and then forgotten.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews