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Domesday #3
The Dragons of Archenfield
Arriving in Archenfield in order to settle a land dispute, soldier Ralph Delchard and lawyer Gervase Bret are shocked when they learn that a principal witness has been murdered, and the subsequent investigation pits them against a sinister lord.
231 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 1, 1995
104 people are currently reading
338 people want to read
About the author
Edward Marston
236 books459 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.
A pseudonym used by Keith Miles
AKA A.E. Marston
Keith Miles (born 1940) is an English author, who writes under his own name and also historical fiction and mystery novels under the pseudonym Edward Marston. He is known for his mysteries set in the world of Elizabethan theatre. He has also written a series of novels based on events in the Domesday Book, a series of The Railway Detective and a series of The Home Front Detective.
Series contributed to:
. Malice Domestic
. Crime Through Time
. Perfectly Criminal
A pseudonym used by Keith Miles
AKA A.E. Marston
Keith Miles (born 1940) is an English author, who writes under his own name and also historical fiction and mystery novels under the pseudonym Edward Marston. He is known for his mysteries set in the world of Elizabethan theatre. He has also written a series of novels based on events in the Domesday Book, a series of The Railway Detective and a series of The Home Front Detective.
Series contributed to:
. Malice Domestic
. Crime Through Time
. Perfectly Criminal
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 42 reviews
January 20, 2022
Another rich, rollicking tale of Ralph & Gervase on the trail of Domesday Fraud. The usual characters, strong but lovably flawed heroes, villains vile and not so much, damsels in distress but nevertheless strong in their own right, love and hate in equal measure and a satisfying ending.
This time along the Welsh Marches. The period and historical details are fascinating, around which runs a story that kept me engaged & turning the pages, to a bit of a cliffhanger!
A sort of Medieval Starsky and Hutch if you will, the good bits and plenty of period banter.
What’s not to like? It may or may not be your cup of tea, but I love this series!
This time along the Welsh Marches. The period and historical details are fascinating, around which runs a story that kept me engaged & turning the pages, to a bit of a cliffhanger!
A sort of Medieval Starsky and Hutch if you will, the good bits and plenty of period banter.
What’s not to like? It may or may not be your cup of tea, but I love this series!
February 23, 2022
Only one minor issue
This story is a fine example of its genre, and has a very happy ending for one main character. It left me sad about others, but I’ll leave that for you to experience. There is also what some would call a conversion by grace, and the most evil characters are punished. All in all, very satisfactory. My minor issue is in the layout. The story switches scenes and characters with no more warning than a wide space in the text. I think these scenes should be chapters, but if not, please separate them in some more obvious way. Like this:
*********************************************
Please?
This story is a fine example of its genre, and has a very happy ending for one main character. It left me sad about others, but I’ll leave that for you to experience. There is also what some would call a conversion by grace, and the most evil characters are punished. All in all, very satisfactory. My minor issue is in the layout. The story switches scenes and characters with no more warning than a wide space in the text. I think these scenes should be chapters, but if not, please separate them in some more obvious way. Like this:
*********************************************
Please?
August 26, 2023
CAWPILE 6.57 3.5 STARS
The third in the Domesday series and sadly the last one I currently own.
I really love the main characters in this series- the friendship between Ralph and Gervase is precious and is one of the main reasons why I want to continue this series.
Didn't like the sexual assault/rape in this book by one certain character, I felt like it wasn't necessary to tell the story. You can write someone as the bad guy without them dragging off a 15 year old girl and raping her much to his men's amusement.
This is an older book, written in 1995 but even so....just yuck.
Otherwise I really enjoyed the story, the setting, the politics and I will continue the series sometime.
The third in the Domesday series and sadly the last one I currently own.
I really love the main characters in this series- the friendship between Ralph and Gervase is precious and is one of the main reasons why I want to continue this series.
Didn't like the sexual assault/rape in this book by one certain character, I felt like it wasn't necessary to tell the story. You can write someone as the bad guy without them dragging off a 15 year old girl and raping her much to his men's amusement.
This is an older book, written in 1995 but even so....just yuck.
Otherwise I really enjoyed the story, the setting, the politics and I will continue the series sometime.
March 21, 2015
further adventures of the duo now in deepest herefordshire in the welsh marches , when a saxon landowner is burned alive in his manor, most think its the welsh but there is more then meets the eyes as gervase is kidnapped. enjoyed the storyline in 11th century England as the story is played out on many levels.
October 5, 2019
Not mad about the mystery, but here we meet Golde; the lovely Saxon ale-brewer who enchants Ralph. We also encounter the hysterical Archbishop Idwal of Wales, complete with his stinky sheepskin cloak
November 20, 2024
an agreeable short read. Ralph and Gervase are tasked with a visit to Hereford and no sooner do they arrive than they become embroiled with a murder, kidnap and nearly an all-out war with the Welsh. As is often the case lust, jealousy, revenge and power are at the root. Is there also a love interest for Ralph? It has good dialogue, plenty of action and interesting twists,4 stars.
January 1, 2012
Edward Marston is a busy author, balancing an Elizabethan theater series and his Norman conquest era Doomsday series. This series pairs a warrior with a lawyer as they follow up on the plans of William I (William the Conqueror)to tabulate all of his new holdings in England in what is known as the Doomsday book.
This book mixes superstition, politics, religion, and plain old human treachery involving murder for various kinds of gain. While the characters are interesting and clearly defined, and the politics and history are engaging, I am not a fan of head-hopping point of view changes, and Marston has a habit of entering almost everyone's head. This is useful sometimes to build suspense, but it happens far too often and makes the book plod along in places. Nonetheless, it is a good read for the history and mystery buff.
This book mixes superstition, politics, religion, and plain old human treachery involving murder for various kinds of gain. While the characters are interesting and clearly defined, and the politics and history are engaging, I am not a fan of head-hopping point of view changes, and Marston has a habit of entering almost everyone's head. This is useful sometimes to build suspense, but it happens far too often and makes the book plod along in places. Nonetheless, it is a good read for the history and mystery buff.
October 13, 2022
Very entertaining!
October 11, 2022
I love this series!
I’ve read all 3 books in this series and I loved each one. Aside from the mysteries which are always good and keep you guessing, there are also the constant squabbles between the main characters which are funny, with quite a few witticisms thrown in as well. You can’t help liking Ralph and Gervase and even the pompous Canon Hubert and mouse-like Brother Simon have their moments. The descriptions of life in the 11th century are interesting and all the characters well-developed and realistic. Edward Marston is a great writer and I’d recommend his books to anyone who enjoys history with a bit of humour.
I’ve read all 3 books in this series and I loved each one. Aside from the mysteries which are always good and keep you guessing, there are also the constant squabbles between the main characters which are funny, with quite a few witticisms thrown in as well. You can’t help liking Ralph and Gervase and even the pompous Canon Hubert and mouse-like Brother Simon have their moments. The descriptions of life in the 11th century are interesting and all the characters well-developed and realistic. Edward Marston is a great writer and I’d recommend his books to anyone who enjoys history with a bit of humour.
October 20, 2023
In the third book of the Domesday Books series, Saxon lawyer Gervase Brett and Norman soldier Ralph Delchard are charged with solving discrepancies in England’s first census, ordered by William the Conqueror. This case seems straightforward enough, a land dispute on the Welsh border, until the home of one of the feuding claimants goes up in flames with him inside and a red dragon in front.
Though keeping track of the Welsh names and places was sometimes a challenge, and the fighting sometimes gruesome (as common to the period), the story also had its humorous moments as well as a touch of romance.
Though keeping track of the Welsh names and places was sometimes a challenge, and the fighting sometimes gruesome (as common to the period), the story also had its humorous moments as well as a touch of romance.
February 24, 2021
The series continued to improve with each outing, so glad I am rereading hem again. I only read three or four in the past and hope to read them all now. Thanks Alison & Busby for the ARC!
"DOMESDAY IS COMING ! In 1086, England's mighty king, William the Conqueror, sends out surveyors and census takers to record the resources of his land and its people."
This exciting story starts with an attack and horrific murder on a man and his holdings. It appears to be Welsh marauders because they left a red dragon imprint in the dirt, but was it? Three important men apparently had laid claim to the same tract of land that the King's agents were coming to investigate.
Gervase goes missing in this saga and Ralph seems to find a soulmate? A must read to understand this volatile era post Norman Conquest.
"DOMESDAY IS COMING ! In 1086, England's mighty king, William the Conqueror, sends out surveyors and census takers to record the resources of his land and its people."
This exciting story starts with an attack and horrific murder on a man and his holdings. It appears to be Welsh marauders because they left a red dragon imprint in the dirt, but was it? Three important men apparently had laid claim to the same tract of land that the King's agents were coming to investigate.
Gervase goes missing in this saga and Ralph seems to find a soulmate? A must read to understand this volatile era post Norman Conquest.
June 29, 2022
Ralph Delchard and Gervase Bret along with Canon Hubert and Brother Simon have been sent to Hereford by King William to sort out discrepancies in the charters for land in Archenfield so that the Domesday Book will be correct. Upon their arrival the discovery that one of the claimants has been brutally murdered. Which of the other claimants is to blame or is it the Welsh expanding their borders. There is lots of action, kidnapping, and a duel in this story before the solutions are found.
February 15, 2025
I'm in 2 minds over this book/story.
The first half just didn't engage me and I struggled to want to read it.
However...
...it finished with a flourish and was ultimately worth perservering with. The main characters have developed well and there is no doubting the historical setting being well researched.
Like many of Marston's stories they tend (in my mind) to rush the endings.
I think I may try the next couple of stories in this series going forward.
The first half just didn't engage me and I struggled to want to read it.
However...
...it finished with a flourish and was ultimately worth perservering with. The main characters have developed well and there is no doubting the historical setting being well researched.
Like many of Marston's stories they tend (in my mind) to rush the endings.
I think I may try the next couple of stories in this series going forward.
September 17, 2017
Who is behind the murder of the Welshman, will Golde and Ralph come together and Why is Richard Orbec constantly watching over his lands and allowing no one to enter ?
I read this book and found it hard to put down. So many little mysteries , a great who done it !!
I read this book and found it hard to put down. So many little mysteries , a great who done it !!
March 5, 2018
Re-visiting this series after a gap. Fairly standard set up and resolution by Ralph and Gervase as they set about righting Doomesday Book anomalies and solving murders along the way. Light hearted banter with a real nasty bad guy.
April 28, 2021
Another brilliant story to continue the series
This is another brilliantly written story that continues a great series. The plot follows the royal commission on yet another journey to solve more murder and land disputes brought up while compiling the domesday book.
This is another brilliantly written story that continues a great series. The plot follows the royal commission on yet another journey to solve more murder and land disputes brought up while compiling the domesday book.
January 26, 2025
Another fairly good read in this series, but for the life of me I can't figure out why the author chose to name 2 of the minor characters similar sounding names: Ilbert and Idwal.
Drove me crazy trying to remember which one was which!!!! 😠
Drove me crazy trying to remember which one was which!!!! 😠
July 25, 2025
This is no 3 and we are in herefordshire on the border with wales. The witness they are going to see is murdered and so ralph and gervase have a lot of work to do. So continue your trip around the countryside of ancient britain,(no spoilers) and and learn who the killer is.
April 14, 2018
The Domesday Books are a treat.
October 13, 2020
Great story. Marston creates some really one dimensional evil characters. This could get old as the series progresses. But this story had some fascinating twists and turns so, so far so good.
January 31, 2021
Always Enjoyable
Once again the author captures the imagination of the early years after Hastings with the main likeable characters and their combatants.
Once again the author captures the imagination of the early years after Hastings with the main likeable characters and their combatants.
May 22, 2021
Best one so far.
September 4, 2021
3.5 ⭐️
February 23, 2022
I am enjoying this series so much! I can see myself reading them over and over.
July 7, 2023
A good outing for the Domesday book inspectors.
July 11, 2023
Has the Welsh dragon come to life to signal an uprising against the Norman overlords.
The Royal Commissioners must find out.
The Royal Commissioners must find out.
June 3, 2024
Great book to read loved it some much I have kept a copy to re-read again.
March 26, 2025
A good medieval crime story, told evoking that era
June 9, 2025
Good yarn.
July 29, 2010
#3 Domesday medieval mystery series set across England in the 1080's. Ralph Delchard, a knight, and Gervase Bret, a lawyer, travel across England with their retinue resolving land disputes and investigating claims and set tax rates for the Conqueror. In this instance they are going to Archenfield, near the Welsh border, where resentments among the Welsh still run high against the Norman conquerors as well as the Saxons.
A disputed portion of land is sought by two sworn enemies, but the third man who has claim to it is suddenly burned to death, trapped in his own home with a red dragon carved in the earth and colored with cow's blood from the man's own cow. The red dragon is the symbol of Wales, so nearly everyone thinks the murder was done by Welsh insurrectionists, but the man got along peaceably with his neighbors and had no personal squabble with the Welsh, and Ralph and his team feel that the killing had a very personal element to it. Did one of the two men coveting his land kill him so brutally or was it another, more personal, matter? Ralph and Gervase are determined to find out, and during their investigation are threatened by both of the powerful landowners and Gervase is captured and tossed in a dungeon--by whom, he doesn't know.
I figured out one of the plot twists ahead of time but the main mystery remained a mystery til near the end. I quite enjoy this series, set in one of my favorite historical time periods. I like both Ralph and Gervase, although they are quite different men--and their secondary characters are also now quite familiar. Wonderful period detail, interesting weaving of real historical events with fictionalized details. Excellent as always, looking forward to the next, although they are getting harder to track down--I think the library will need to cough up the next one.
A disputed portion of land is sought by two sworn enemies, but the third man who has claim to it is suddenly burned to death, trapped in his own home with a red dragon carved in the earth and colored with cow's blood from the man's own cow. The red dragon is the symbol of Wales, so nearly everyone thinks the murder was done by Welsh insurrectionists, but the man got along peaceably with his neighbors and had no personal squabble with the Welsh, and Ralph and his team feel that the killing had a very personal element to it. Did one of the two men coveting his land kill him so brutally or was it another, more personal, matter? Ralph and Gervase are determined to find out, and during their investigation are threatened by both of the powerful landowners and Gervase is captured and tossed in a dungeon--by whom, he doesn't know.
I figured out one of the plot twists ahead of time but the main mystery remained a mystery til near the end. I quite enjoy this series, set in one of my favorite historical time periods. I like both Ralph and Gervase, although they are quite different men--and their secondary characters are also now quite familiar. Wonderful period detail, interesting weaving of real historical events with fictionalized details. Excellent as always, looking forward to the next, although they are getting harder to track down--I think the library will need to cough up the next one.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 42 reviews