This is the best one so far! At the end of the last volume, poor Baldor has lost his woman (she was kidnapped), and everything else that belonged to hThis is the best one so far! At the end of the last volume, poor Baldor has lost his woman (she was kidnapped), and everything else that belonged to him including his precious sword. The perpetrator is still at large, and, worst or all, Baldor is in Hannibal’s bad graces. He has a lot to overcome! All this time, Hannibal’s army must keep moving, and for a while it looks like the Romans might have gotten the better of the Carthaginians. But the Roman army is at the mercy of its leaders, and we get to learn just what General Fabius is all about—and why Fabian tactics have made such an impression on historians. Unfortunately for the Romans, Hannibal figured him out pretty quickly:
“If Fabius were to move and if it looks like he could cut us off, we’ll make a stand. However, I tell you, this is Fabius, Fabius the cautious who is expecting to be tricked so we’ll oblige and trick him into doing nothing. As you all know, he is happiest doing nothing.” He had to hush the men as laughter broke out. “Don’t think me overconfident or that I underestimate him, I don’t! He is far wiser and has caused us more trouble than his predecessors. However, I’m sure that I’ve judged him aright and caution will hold him in check.”
Need I say more? Hannibal manages to outsmart the enemy once again, but Fabius’s command comes to an end and other, more aggressive generals replace him. Our Carthaginians are in a tight situation, and before long they must face the Romans who are ready for a direct confrontation and outnumber them dramatically. In all this fighting, Baldor’s alter nemesis Cornelius Scipio continues to squirm under the command of ineffective leaders. We know he is going to rise as Rome’s savior, but not in this book. And once again, he finds himself at Baldor’s mercy, though once again, Baldor can’t bring himself to put an end to his life. Interesting relationship! Oh, and our hero does get the chance to sort out his personal problems, to my great satisfaction. It’s good reading. I wouldn’t consider this a stand-alone, but it’s certainly worth checking out the previous books....more
Even with an overabundance of Tudor novels, I’m always ready to pick up a new one by Judith because her writing is so delicious. Once again we get a HEven with an overabundance of Tudor novels, I’m always ready to pick up a new one by Judith because her writing is so delicious. Once again we get a Henry VIII in first person, giving us an insider’s view, so to speak, of his unswerving ability for self-justification. We go from wife number two to wife number three without regret. We don’t hear much about the religious fall-out until Henry can’t ignore public opinion any longer. Even then, he must send others to do his dirty work and put down the rebellion in the North. And still, he refuses to acknowledge any convictions that conflict with his own. For instance, when Queen Jane objects to his treatment of the northern rebels:
“I worry, Henry, after what happened in York …” My heart sinks. She means Aske. Someone has told her he is still hanging in chains from the walls of the castle, and she is worried that God will punish us for inflicting such a slow agonising death. She doesn’t understand that Aske is the sinner, and I am guided by God. To speak against me, as God’s representative, is to speak against God Himself. Aske chose his fate, not I. I cover her hand with mine. “Jane,” I say gently, as if addressing a child. “God speaks through me. It is His will.”
Oh, brother! How can Henry say this with a straight face? Although he admits he hates the tyrant he is becoming, he doesn’t seem to have any interest in changing his behavior. To an extent this point of view works, but because he always has to be right, that means everyone else has to be wrong. Poor Anne Boleyn doesn’t stand a chance. This kind of skews her side of the story, because it’s not as easy to depict how ridiculous he sounds. Could she be as bitchy as he says? Maybe. Was she really as impossible to live with, as her successive pregnancies got in the way of their relationship? Henry can’t possibly be blameless in her eventual demise, but from his story he was. I felt like too many things were left out—probably deliberately, since Henry is speaking. I enjoyed reading this book, but in the end, I found it a bit unsatisfying....more
Daughters of kings often got short shrift, and apparently the daughters of Edward I were no exception. Most of them were saddled with unwelcome husbanDaughters of kings often got short shrift, and apparently the daughters of Edward I were no exception. Most of them were saddled with unwelcome husbands, and they just had to make the best of it. Who was going to argue with a father like that? Our protagonist Mary was the unluckiest of all (or maybe not). At the tender age of six she was given to the Church, and went into the convent like the obedient daughter she was, although she no calling. But watching the unhappy lives of her sisters, she realized she had been spared much grief:
“Oh Mary, I am so wretched,” Joanie said. “I never thought Father would behave so!” My eyebrows rose. “Didn’t you? You should know him better than that, Joan.” She wiped her red eyes with a kerchief. “I did as I was bid when I was a girl and married Gilbert. I was a dutiful wife till the day he died. In my widowhood, I thought Father would finally let me follow my heart.” “He wanted you for another alliance, I believe. Amadeus.” Her chin tilted up fiercely. “He had no right to assume. I was a widow, and as thus, not compelled to remarry. So it said in the Great Charter of our great grandfather, King John.” Due to her rank, it was a bit more complicated than Joanie made out, but book-learning was never her delight. Marriage she might possibly refuse as a widow, but wedding without the King’s permission was something else again.
Because of her own rank, Mary was often permitted to leave the convent and visit her family, as well as make pilgrimages to other priories. The king would summon her to formal events. She surrounded herself with a little entourage, traveled in a chariot, and even occasionally dressed in finery befitting a princess (when away from the priory). So it seems she didn’t live the life of a traditional nun. Throughout, we get to witness the domestic events of Edward I’s reign, as well as the disastrous start of Edward II’s rule. The story moved along smoothly and was interesting reading. ...more
I’m not normally a Georgette Heyer fan, but I was specifically looking for any book about John of Lancaster (younger brother of Henry V) and this one I’m not normally a Georgette Heyer fan, but I was specifically looking for any book about John of Lancaster (younger brother of Henry V) and this one popped up. It turns out that Georgette Heyer loved medieval history; her husband tells us in the Preface that this was her favorite period. Interestingly, this is the last book she wrote, and it was originally intended to be book one of a trilogy. But she died even before finishing this volume (though we have a hefty 400+ pages). Is this a first draft? I don’t know enough about her style to speculate. It seems very polished, but she has done more telling rather than showing, so I don’t know. Historically, she is mostly right on target (her passages on the Percy-led rebellion and capture of Archbishop Scrope seem to be under-researched). Because of my own work, I’m familiar with all these characters, but so much history has been stuffed into volume one that I would suspect the average reader could easily get lost. She used lots and lots of “medieval” words in conversations that I didn’t know, which tripped me up regularly.
“Loth, and yet life. God give you strength to prosper in your beginnings, my liege!” Harry laughed, and let him go. “Gramercy! Keep the North quiet for me, my Lord Warden!” “I shall do my power. But while Northumberland is on life that is little! Father should make an end.” “Sturdy words! I remember now that Bishop Henry told me you were very stark!” “Well, Thomas says the like of you!” retorted John. “Does he? But I would not be so blithe to head my own friends, brother!” “When were the Hollands and the Despensers friends to Lancaster? Traitorous thatchgallows, every one, and Father enlarged them, as he will Northumberland!”
Well, I can guess most of these words through context, but it certainly slowed me down. Nonetheless, we get a lively narrative which gives us an agreeable picture of the four sons of Henry IV, though again, based on my own research, the reality was much more caustic—at least between young Harry and Thomas. However, I’m happy to go along; things didn’t get really uncomfortable until they were older (past the end of this book). John, the third son, comes across as the most level-headed, with an infallible memory and an innate ability to take charge. Still just into his teens, he is created Warden of the East Marches of Scotland under the tutelage of Ralph Neville, Earl of Westmorland (and natural enemy of Henry Percy). A lesser soul would have wilted under these rough and disorderly conditions, but John shows great courage and soon finds himself at home. ...more
Interesting title for a woman whose name and popular image became as much an invention as her famous contraptions. Emotional, restless, and frustratedInteresting title for a woman whose name and popular image became as much an invention as her famous contraptions. Emotional, restless, and frustrated that everyone assumed she was dumb because she was beautiful, Hedy apparently spent her whole life looking for the right partner. I say “apparently” because the novel only takes us through 1949 and the end of her third marriage; she died in 2000 after six marriages. Her first unfortunate film at the age of 18 called Ecstasy showed her running nude through the forest and having an orgasm. What a scandal! Unfortunately, this debacle almost ruined her career and it seems she never quite got over it. When Louis B Mayer took her on (after her first disastrous marriage), it seems he never really gave her the roles she craved and she got caught up in the whole Studio Era:
Throughout the meal, Bob entertained them with tales of Hollywood and its celebrated inhabitants. Hedy, struggling to follow the conversational flow, retreated into silence, as she’d done so often during her husband’s dinner parties. She recognized similarities between Austria’s political and social hierarchy and that of the moviemaking realm. Power was everything—gaining it, holding on to it, and wielding it against competitors and enemies alike. Success ensured it. Failure threatened it. Repeated failure destroyed it.
This is a sad story about a frustrated life. Although Hedy seems to come out ahead in her career, her personal life never rises to her expectations. We know she is brilliant and mechanically inclined, and we do see her working on a torpedo design for the war effort, but that, too, is rejected by the government. Although I was really interested to hear about her inventions, I admit this sideline does not make for exciting prose and the author kept it to a minimum. I had a bit of trouble following all her relationships because the transitions were awkward and sometimes nonexistent. But overall the book kept me turning the pages and I got a pretty good feeling for this star-crossed beauty....more
Told from the point of view of Thorkell Skaldsson, Earl Waltheof’s young bard, this story takes place in Yorkshire and Northumbria in the immediate yeTold from the point of view of Thorkell Skaldsson, Earl Waltheof’s young bard, this story takes place in Yorkshire and Northumbria in the immediate years after the Norman Conquest. York is particularly prominent due to its size and importance, and the Normans occupy it most violently, showing no concern for the rights and customs of its inhabitants. The invaders underestimate the mettle of the northerners, who finally have had enough and fight back.
“Out, Norman butchers! Out!” The war-cry came from a solitary throat. It was followed by dozens of others, a wordless scream of rage. Then the sound of racing feet on the cobbles, shouts and oaths and curses, splintered doors and smashed windows. A mob was on the loose.
But the trouble is not going to end there, and Thorkell agrees to cross over to Denmark and enlist the aid of King Sweyn. Unfortunately, fate steps in and Thorkell finds himself in more trouble than he bargained for. Falling foul of a pack of pirates who preempt his voyage, our bard he ends up far from where he started in the midst of a rebellious band of fenlanders led by the savage Hereward. Talk about from the frying pan into the fire! This is a short book and sets us up for the eventual harrying of the North. ...more
As a reader normally immersed in medieval history, I knew this book would be a departure for me. But I do love Erik Larson. Because he limited the timAs a reader normally immersed in medieval history, I knew this book would be a departure for me. But I do love Erik Larson. Because he limited the time frame to two years—actually, May 1940 to December 1941—I was able to absorb the history without becoming overwhelmed. This is the story about the blitz (though I only recall encountering the word twice) and Winston Churchill’s frustrating attempts to shore up the courage of the English in the midst of terrible bombings. And his even more frustrating attempts to persuade President Roosevelt to commit America to the cause. Germany’s superior technology was pitted against the spunk and courage of the RAF. The Germans waited until after dark to start their raids, because the English didn’t have the radar to track them and they could attack with impunity. They dropped incendiaries to light up their targets so they could see where to place the bombs. I never realized how many people were killed: over 44,600 throughout the country, with over 52,000 injured. And these are only civilian deaths. The numbers are just astonishing. All the while, Londoners went about their everyday lives, though their difficulties were hard for the modern person to envision:
In London, as the rain continued, the mundane challenges of daily life became wearing, like the endless dripping of rainwater through roofs perforated by shrapnel. A shortage of glass meant windows had to be patched with wood, cardboard, or canvas… Electricity and gas outages were regular occurrences. Commuting to work became a long and tedious process, with a one-hour journey potentially expanding to four hours or more.
Many Londoners retired to bomb shelters and subways every night for safety. It wasn't always safe and it was certainly unpleasant. They had to deal with unsanitary conditions (who would have thought to build enough toilets for such a crowd?), overcrowding, dripping water, and the stench. Toward the end, Hitler decided to focus his bombings on landmarks like St. Paul’s and Westminster Abbey, and of course the Houses of Parliament, which was a terrible blow to morale. Churchill was under fire from his own government and called for a vote of confidence, but no one could really envision a more effective leader under these circumstances and he came through with flying colors. He was clearly the man for the job, even with all his idiosyncrasies. Throughout the book, we see how his family supported him through his trials, and we get a snapshot of their personal lives, as well as the life of his secretary John Colville, whose diary “became a touchstone for every scholar interested in the inner workings of Downing Street under Churchill”. After the last huge raid on May 10 (on Churchill’s one year anniversary of his premiership) it seemed that all was lost. It was only Hitler’s insistence on invading Russia that saved England from destruction, for all Germany’s attention shifted to the other front. But the real break—at least for England—was the attack on Pearl Harbor, and Churchill was able to heave a great sigh of relief. So did I! ...more
I’ve had a copy of this 1895 edition in my library for decades until I finally needed something different. Was it ever! I would never have guessed thaI’ve had a copy of this 1895 edition in my library for decades until I finally needed something different. Was it ever! I would never have guessed that that this book was written by the same man who created Sherlock Holmes—except that one character has a power of observation that Holmes would have approved of (he was a woodsman). This book is divided into two sections. The first half takes place in Versailles during the reign of Louis XIV; we get an intimate view of his declining relationship with Madame de Montespan and his eventual marriage to her rival, Madame de Maintenon. What has this to do with the title of the novel, I kept asking myself. We don’t figure that out until the end of part one, when Madame de Maintenon is pressured by the Bishop and Jesuit priests to persuade Louis to persecute the Huguenots. Our protagonist, the handsome Amory de Catinat—in the king’s service—is the first victim of the tyranny and he must flee France with his beloved Adele and her father. They end up in Quebec, hence the second half of the novel. And the whole substance changes: in the first half, the book reads like something out of Sir Walter Scott. It’s a little old-fashioned. In the second half, it reads like James Fenimore Cooper, for our heroes have to fight their way out of an onslaught by a fierce band of Iroquois Indians. So the refugees are Huguenots, and de Catinat is pursued all the way to America with a vengeance, as if he single-handedly would corrupt the whole continent. This book was written two years after “The White Company”, which surprised me because it seemed so unformed. I’m glad I read it, but I would certainly not say it’s one of Doyle’s better novels. I admit that I had a hard time putting it down, nonetheless. ...more
The English Civil War was so chaotic it must have been extremely difficult to sort out friends from enemies—especially when dealing with professional The English Civil War was so chaotic it must have been extremely difficult to sort out friends from enemies—especially when dealing with professional soldiers. The disruption also encouraged stretching the definition of law and order, aptly called wild justice in this book. Our protagonist, Gideon, a knowledgeable but unsophisticated lawyer from London, was sent on an essentially suicide mission (though he didn’t know it) in search of the elusive and dangerous Philip Lord. He found him, all right, and his mission would have been a short one except that Lord rescued him from an ambush and brought him to the outlaw’s secret hideout. No explanation was given for this mysterious rescue, and Lord even offered to let Gideon go, but for some reason the lawyer decided to stay. (Maybe it had something to do with the lovely and exotic Zahara, who had a puzzling relationship with Lord.) Thus began a like/hate relationship between Gideon and Lord, where our hero discovers the degrading side of warfare, where women are accused of witchcraft and the poor are taken advantage of. What is Lord’s role in all this? Gideon is completely baffled:
Gideon looked the other man full in the face. “Fanthorpe was killed last night. Murdered.” Whatever reaction he might have expected it wasn't the one he got. “Murdered?” Lord echoed the word, at the same time filling it with delight. Then he laughed as if Gideon had made the best joke. “Someone murdered the murderers’ crow? Now that is a sweet irony. But who? Who might it be? Oh. You think it was me.” That made him laugh even harder and Gideon felt his anger slip its leash.
And that, in a nutshell, is Gideon throughout the book. His bad temper is always barely under control, and he constantly misinterprets clues. Because he wants to think the worst of Lord, he ignores the fact that all the others in Lord’s band of mercenaries seem to worship him, though it’s all obvious to the reader. Gideon’s obtuseness becomes tiresome, but the intriguing story kept me reading and I’m glad I did. This is the first in a series, and it looks like moving forward, our protagonist will come to terms with his relationships and relieve us of his irritability....more
Here we have a story about Friar Tuck, Little John and Will Scarlet (Scaflock) in their post-Robin Hood days, after they’ve become honest men—reformedHere we have a story about Friar Tuck, Little John and Will Scarlet (Scaflock) in their post-Robin Hood days, after they’ve become honest men—reformed, you might say. Little John is even a bailiff, working for the Sheriff of Nottingham. Needless to say, they are older and wiser, although their history has certainly made them acceptable to the people they live amongst. Our protagonists have gotten themselves mixed up with a strange religious cult, and everything is not as it seems. “Mixed up” might not be a correct way of saying it; they are suspicious of mysterious deaths related to this cult, and Will infiltrates it in order to get an insider’s view. The leader of the cult, Lady Alice, had an irresistible charisma that attracted people of both sexes, and our heroes just can’t figure her out:
It appeared to be certain types who were drawn to her with earnest looks and eager questions: widows and widowers; those who’d suffered some personal tragedy recently; younger folk who hadn’t yet found their place in the world; men who found Lady Alice physically alluring, of which there were more than John would have expected. He looked on with great interest as the various people spoke with the Holy Mother and wondered just how many new recruits the Disciples of God would have after this meeting.
When the deaths start to pile up, something must be done but Lady Alice proves a tough nut to crack. Trust and betrayal play a big part in the story, and interestingly enough, no one comes out smelling like a rose. It’s a dark tale and I found it interesting though a little dispiriting. ...more
This book is a very solid overview of not only the battle but events leading up to it, from the beginning of Henry V’s reign, the coup attempt at SoutThis book is a very solid overview of not only the battle but events leading up to it, from the beginning of Henry V’s reign, the coup attempt at Southampton, the siege of Harfleur, and the long detour the army had to make to find a crossing of the Somme. It’s not until about halfway through that we get to the battle. I’m not complaining, mind you. You can’t tell the story without the background. It’s just that I found the book description a little misleading, as was (in my opinion) the statement on the back cover that we see the battle “through the eyes of key participants”. I’m very deep into my research by now, and I bought this book hoping I would get some really specific stuff, about individual archers, some of Henry’s captains, etc. I should have known better. Agincourt has been gone over meticulously; there’s only so much stuff that’s ever going to come to the surface unless some researcher gets really lucky. With that said, this is a very good book for anyone getting started on their research. The narrative is solid and we get some good historical background. For instance:
His (Henry V) deep piety has been much remarked on and his knowledge of Biblical precedent had featured in the campaign before, such as when he suggested to the townsfolk of Harfleur that he would use the powers allocated by God to a king chastising his subjects as outlined in the Book of Deuteronomy. The whole expedition has been given the impression of something approaching a Crusade by the king, as an act sanctioned and approved by God.
Henry V and his motivations were reasonably discussed, though I really didn’t get the impression I was seeing the battle through his eyes or anyone else’s. But that didn’t matter too much; I came away with a substantial understanding about how the army dealt with their hardships along the way, and even got a good overview of the French side. I thought the Harfleur siege was explained in good detail as well. Unfortunately for me, there wasn’t anything I hadn’t already read before, which made sense once I looked at the bibliography; the sources used were mostly secondary works. Regardless, the book was interesting, well written, and flowed very smoothly....more
Ulf, our protagonist, is a miserable fellow. Orphaned at a young age, he was taken in by his uncle and aunt, though this home, too, was destroyed by aUlf, our protagonist, is a miserable fellow. Orphaned at a young age, he was taken in by his uncle and aunt, though this home, too, was destroyed by a mysterious, ugly, brutal troll name Griml who came out of nowhere and killed everybody just for sport. The troll thought Ulf was dead, too, but our hero was later saved by a man in the woods who nursed him back to health. Once recovered, Ulf swore to Odin that he would find and kill Griml and get his sword back—a family heirloom—which the murderer stole after killing his uncle. Fortunately for Ulf—though he didn’t realize it—he fell in with the son of the Jarl his own father had served. And died for. Ulf’s rage at being abandoned by his father contributed to his overall bad temper, which he could barely control at the best of times. Unfortunately, the Jarl and most of his men were convinced that Ulf killed his own family, so he had even more angst to work out. His first meeting with the Jarl didn’t help matters:
“I know how my father used his shield to block the blow meant for his jarl, even though he was facing two opponents himself. I know how his opponents used this moment to bury their swords in him.” The hall was completely silent, not even the mice in the roof were making a noise. “I know how his brother, my uncle, could not get there in time to save him. How my uncle had taken my father’s famed sword and brought it to me. How he had to tell a young boy that his father, who he adored, who was the only parent he had left, had sacrificed himself to save his jarl. How he had died bravely in battle and how he was at this very moment drinking with his ancestors in Valhalla.” Ulf’s fists were shaking with the rage that was coursing through him. He felt the tears running down his face but did not care. “I know how my father chose his jarl over his son,” he almost growled those last words out.
Oh dear. What a mess. Needless to say, the Jarl didn’t appreciate this unwelcome guest, but his son Snorri stuck by his new friend, for he felt they were tied together somehow. Snorri promised to help Ulf in his quest, though they did not know how to find the mysterious Griml. At the very least, Snorri could teach Ulf to fight, and a small group of his friends eventually accepted the stranger. It became apparent that the Gods favored Ulf, and the Norse respected the Gods, so they let matters take their course. And what a ride! Lots of fighting and adventures ahead....more
This book was written to commemorate the 600th anniversary of the battle of Agincourt and the author did an interesting job. What I liked about it wasThis book was written to commemorate the 600th anniversary of the battle of Agincourt and the author did an interesting job. What I liked about it was the way he divided he 24 hours into chunks, starting the day before. Much of the action is enhanced by references designed to give us a deeper understanding. For instance, we get background about individuals, both French and English, and we meet many people that usually don’t show up in the histories—men such as Thomas Morstede, Henry ‘s personal surgeon (who assisted Bradmore in removing the arrow from Henry’s face after Shrewsbury). We learn why the feast of Crispin and Crispinian is so important: they were martyrs of Soissons, the same city where a garrison of English archers were slaughtered in cold blood by the Orléanists just the year before. As a researcher, I found his explanations very helpful; the background gave the battle more relevance.
And yet, in an attempt to shine a new light on an event that has been rehashed hundreds of times, the author may have gone a little too far, though it’s impossible to say. He saw the English approach to the battle from a hunting perspective, given that one of the leaders, the Duke of York, was an expert on the subject. York had translated and annotated Gaston Phoebus’s “Book of Hunting”. The theory was that the archers—and of course noblemen—understood the concept driving the game into a funnel, much like the author’s version of the shape of the battlefield. Jones even concluded that the war cries and hunting calls imitated those from the hunt, all the way from the beginning of the battle when Thomas Erpingham famously threw his baton in the air with the cry “Nestroque!”. Or what did he say?
Says the author: “‘Nestroque’ has sometimes been thought to mean ‘Now strike!’ or ‘Knee stretch!’—but this makes little sense with the English army so far out of bow range from the enemy. It was far more likely to be ‘menée stroke’ the signal to sound the hunting horn. ‘Strake’ or ‘stroke’ was the word used for a horn blast; ‘menée’ the notes or signal when the deer were to be herded into the ‘drive’, the narrow ground that led to the ‘resayt’, the ‘receiving place’, where they would be bunched together and killed. All had a part to play in this outcome.”
I don’t know; this sounds pretty far-fetched to me, not the least being the question of the “funnel”. From the French to the English side of the field, he has the width narrowing from 900 yards to 500 yards. Yet you seldom see a drawing of the field with such an exaggerated shape. Even Charles Oman stated that the field was wider at the English end, not narrower. Another new theory he proposes is that the archers could have moved forward on their own before releasing their initial flurry of arrows (moving ahead of the army) having left their stakes behind, only to return to the stakes when the cavalry charged. Again, this is possible but how could they sprint forward and back across the cloying mud? Wouldn’t they sink in? There are so many questions about this battle that the author addresses. I have to applaud his efforts, but his theories confused me as much as any of the others I have read elsewhere. ...more
Set in the tenth century, this novel is so believable I thought our protagonist Galen was a real historical character. He’s not, but this doesn’t detrSet in the tenth century, this novel is so believable I thought our protagonist Galen was a real historical character. He’s not, but this doesn’t detract from the enjoyment I received reading this novel. Galen is the monastery’s most accomplished scribe. He’s also an outcast, suspected of being a catamite because he was raped and beaten almost to death, then disinherited by his father who happens to be an Ealdorman. Talk about blaming the victim! Galen’s injuries will not heal, leaving him bent with pain, and the abuse he suffers leaves him timid and withdrawn to excess. He is a pitiful creature, so ground down that there seems to be no hope for him. All of that changes when a new illustrator is brought to the monastery—a man who recognizes Galen’s talent and takes pity on him. He also pairs up with Galen to compose a Life of St. Cuthbert, though they can work separately. At first, Alcuin pays heed to the other monks who threaten to repudiate him if he associates with the outcast:
‘What were you thinking, Alcuin?’ Waerelm said, his voice angry and sharp. ‘About what?’ Alcuin said perversely, because he didn’t need to be told, but he was trying to delay the inevitable. ‘That damned Galen, you’ll share his taint if you stick so close to him.’ ‘I will do no such thing.’ Alcuin’s anger rose to a fiery rage to be taken to task again, as if his own doubts weren’t sufficient. But he kept his voice low. ‘You’re wrong,’ Anfred said, ever the voice of reason. ‘There is far too much stigma attached to Galen for you to approach him and still maintain your good reputation.’
But Alcuin is a good man and his better side eventually surfaces. That’s good for Galen, who is afraid to believe that this man’s friendship is genuine. But he needs Alcuin’s friendship more than ever, as he keeps finding himself the center of controversy. As a sympathizer with the underdog, I found the story compelling, though even I found Galen’s behavior a little too pathetic to be believed. And there were a couple of loose ends that needed tying up, which I can’t elaborate upon without giving the plot away. Nonetheless, I enjoyed it enough to move on to book two right away. ...more
Agnes Sorel is known as the woman who gave the French king Charles VII reason to live, and is responsible for turning him from the cowardly, unpleasanAgnes Sorel is known as the woman who gave the French king Charles VII reason to live, and is responsible for turning him from the cowardly, unpleasant worm who murdered the Duke of Burgundy, into a victorious leader the country could be proud of. That’s a tall order! So of course I wanted to know who the woman was behind the legend, and Noreen Nash did a fine job of piecing this contradictory story together. I expected to meet a selfish, power-hungry viper, like most kings’ mistresses, but Agnes is depicted as something quite different. In fact, we find a modest, sweet, unpretentious beauty who is easily intimidated and who cares very deeply what other people think of her. She wasn’t really interested in becoming the king’s mistress; her heart had already been given to another who betrayed her affection and married elsewhere. When King Charles quietly but insistently laid claim to her favors, she acquiesced out of deference rather than love, recognizing how much he needed her. It wasn’t until later that she found herself returning his affections:
So often she had wondered why her first childish impression had been of a cruel, ungrateful King, neither attractive nor impressive. She saw a different man now. A kind, beneficent one. It had been said he showed no gratitude to those who had served him well, yet he had never stopped repaying her for the happiness she had given him.
Apparently Agnes’s beauty was unparalleled, and the courtiers were torn between admiration and scorn. For the most part, Agnes kept to herself unless the king insisted on parading her out on special occasions. These conspicuous demonstrations always backlashed onto poor Agnes, who was perfectly cognizant of the insult to the long-suffering queen. Unfortunately, the Dauphin Louis (later known as the Spider King) took an especial dislike to her after she rejected his advances. Once he abused her in public, Louis was expelled from court which made him an even more bitter enemy. Agnes’s only consolation, aside from the king, was her cousin Antoinette, who harbored a secret jealousy that threatened to tear both of their lives apart. Was Agnes so naïve—or trusting—that she never suspected Antoinette’s dark side? Apparently so. In the Prologue, we are introduced to her death scene, complete with the suggestion she was poisoned. We are left to decide who was responsible for this dreadful act of malice. Due to her status as the king’s mistress, Agnes found herself with plenty of enemies. No one seemed to care how deeply the king would be affected by her death. Very nicely done. ...more
In book three, the Carthaginian army continues its march toward Rome, facing down every force the Romans send against them. Hannibal is clever, bold, In book three, the Carthaginian army continues its march toward Rome, facing down every force the Romans send against them. Hannibal is clever, bold, and unbeatable—at least for now—and he carries out unprecedented maneuvers that defy traditional logic. The Roman generals just can’t believe he won’t behave the way they want him to. Only Cornelius Scipio, with his experience of Hannibal’s tactics, sees through the Carthaginian stratagems, but due to his low rank his objections are ignored. The Romans are brought to a stand at Lake Trasimene and Cornelius finds himself face-to-face against Baldor in a deadly duel that is only interrupted by a force of nature:
“The Fates have tied us together, Baldor! As if brothers from the same womb. Destiny is at play here, the Gods watching, playing with us even. How else do you explain that?” He pointed to the lake and then the mountains. “Are we not unlike Achilles and Hector before the walls of Troy, when Apollo came between them?”
Will our two heroes ever come to terms? I can’t help but root for both of them. Baldor is in charge of his own division by now, though he is far from comfortable. Threatened by personal vendettas from his old antagonists—the family of his original enemy—dodging assassination attempts, and failing to control his temper, his life is one continuing struggle. Even Hannibal is beginning to lose patience with him. But worse is yet to come as his enemies go after those most dear to him. More in the next volume! ...more
In this book three of the series, Olaf and Torgil are obliged to go off on their own. Olaf has managed to offend Prince Vladimir—something to do with In this book three of the series, Olaf and Torgil are obliged to go off on their own. Olaf has managed to offend Prince Vladimir—something to do with his wife—and Torgil is obligated to go into exile with him because he had sworn to protect Olaf (apparently for his whole life). Torgil must leave behind his beloved and very pregnant wife Turid, much to his chagrin. So they go off on an adventure with a brand new boat and crew that Olaf has managed to cobble together. More accidentally than on purpose, they fall in with the Wagrians, who need their help against the Danes but don’t particularly trust Olaf and company. On the other hand, their gold is tempting:
"I agree with Torgil," added Sveinn. "We owe the Wagrians nothing, nor do we know what kind of army they can put in the field to stop the Danes. We may find ourselves in a lopsided match." Grumbles of support met Sveinn's words. "We have not yet agreed to anything with the Wagrians," replied Olaf. "I meant only that we could name our price for facing the Danes. Here, we will find only scraps." Understanding dawned on their faces, and a few men smiled, including me.
So once again, Olaf gets his way, mostly through guile. They ended up with more than they bargained for, and the odds were certainly against them. But our Torgil is the clever one and comes up with a foolhardy plan to outsmart the enemy. Do they have any other choice? The story moves along at a good clip, and leaves us wanting more. ...more
In this volume, we continue the travels of Bethia and Mainard (and their growing family). It’s beginning to look like there isn’t a safe place in EuroIn this volume, we continue the travels of Bethia and Mainard (and their growing family). It’s beginning to look like there isn’t a safe place in Europe for these religious outcasts. Neither Catholic nor Jewish, the Conversos are rejected by both, and Bethia is tainted by association with her new family, while Mainard shows alarming tendencies of relapsing back into Judaism. His sister Katheline has already gone over the edge, displaying reckless behavior that threatens her family with arrest, execution, or worse. Poor Bethia’s world seems to constrict all around her, though she initially finds solace in Venice, which still leans toward veneration of the Virgin Mary, giving her comfort. But before long, the old persecutions are rearing their ugly heads in Venice as well. The author depicts the fears and frustrations of the Conversos very effectively. I was easily able to identify with their paranoia:
Then one day da Molina came to warn Mainard that the family were under suspicion. Katheline’s activities were not so secret after all. And there were questions about Papa's burial. Neighbours had reported the unnatural speed with which he was interred and even worse that the corpse was wrapped in white linen – a most foreign and unchristian act. The sense of being constantly watched grew until Bethia was glancing all around her whenever she left home.
At the same time, Bethia’s brother Will has gone back to Calvin and trains to be a preacher, himself. So now she has something else to worry about. The Protestants are beset with internal fighting between Calvin and the heretic Servetus, and although this is all in the background, it serves to illustrate even more religious strife in the period. There is no safe place for Bethia to raise her family, and it’s a wonder she is able to hold body and soul together. As a character she is amazingly resilient, and provides the anchor for the reader to hang onto. ...more
For some strange reason I was surprised to discover that Shakespeare had a sibling. In fact, he had three brothers and two sisters. Richard, the firstFor some strange reason I was surprised to discover that Shakespeare had a sibling. In fact, he had three brothers and two sisters. Richard, the first-person protagonist in this novel, was the second youngest, born ten years after the great bard. Since almost nothing is known about William, there’s no surprise that his younger brother’s life is a blank slate. So Cornwell has concocted a story having him run away from home and finding semi-employment in his brother’s company—a most unwilling and unfriendly brother, at that. In fact, William Shakespeare is not a nice fellow, at least from Richard’s point of view. Feeling abused, our protagonist considers going over to the competition:
“Why are you here?” And what was I to say to that? That I was poor, owed rent, and needed employment? Or that I wanted revenge on my brother-owning brother who had cozened me by offering me a man’s part only for me to discover that Francis Flute played a woman? My anger at that betrayal had brought me across the river, but this was not time to tell that truth. “I hear you want players, sir,” I said, with as much dignity as I could muster.
Unfortunately, the price for new employment would have been to steal Shakespeare’s brand new play, Romeo and Juliet, which Richard was unwilling to do. For the reader, this opens up a whole underworld of unscrupulous competition, brutal extortion, and lots of beating people up. All the while, Shakespeare’s company is rehearsing his other new play, Midsummer’s Night Dream to be performed for a wedding of the Lord Chamberlain’s granddaughter. Richard is caught in the middle of all this rivalry, potentially to be victimized by the nasty poursuivants—or Percies, as they are called—who are constantly attempting to shut down the theatres once and for all, using any means at their disposal. This book gives us a thorough background of late Elizabethan London, filth, poverty, persecution, and all. As a reader who wanted to know more about William Shakespeare, I was pretty disappointed; he is a relatively minor character. However, if you are an aficionado of Shakespeare’s comedies, this book will give you a rare treat....more
This is an extremely well-written biography about Henry VI. As expected, especially during his minority, the story concerns what his uncles and advisoThis is an extremely well-written biography about Henry VI. As expected, especially during his minority, the story concerns what his uncles and advisors are doing, rather about the boy himself. As a child, he is totally in the shadows, but the struggle continues as to who will control him. The first third of the book is preoccupied with the ongoing conflict between the Duke of Gloucester (youngest brother of Henry V) and Cardinal Beaufort, uncle to Henry V. Gloucester’s antagonism created many problems, and overall went against England’s interests, especially in France.
The war in France started downhill when Joan of Arc came on the scene, instilling the French with new hope, leading them to victory and convincing the dauphin Charles to crown himself in Reims. The English responded with their own coronation, first in England then in Paris, so young Henry became king of both countries—at least as far as the English were concerned. He was all of seven years old. But as king he started attending councils and even parliament, and though he was seen as a serious and even intelligent child, he was content to do as he was told. It became a habit, all the way into adulthood. But by his teenaged years, he loved giving gifts, grants of land, and pensions, and his generosity was becoming a drain on the exchequer. In this respect, he wouldn’t be governed. In another respect, his will was becoming clearer and clearer: young Henry VI wanted peace. And this policy was in direct conflict with his father’s legacy.
The biggest take-away from this book was that the author laid the blame for many of the most damaging mistakes directly on Henry’s shoulders. For instance, the Duke of Suffolk was blamed for the disastrous policy of giving away the county of Maine in exchange for the privilege of Henry marrying Margaret of Anjou. But according to Johnson, Suffolk was acting under Henry’s direct orders; he couldn’t have made these momentous decisions on his own. In the end, the duke was condemned for the negotiations and eventually it led to his exile (and death). Henry’s incapacity to negotiate for his own benefit, his indecisive behavior, his inability to see the consequences of his behavior left a trail of casualties in his wake. As Henry apparently never fully recovered from his psychotic incident, his queen felt obliged to step into his shoes, so to speak. She was already too deep in duplicity and partisanship to smooth over divisions between the great nobles. The broken government became paralyzed, and the horrors of civil war followed. By then, Henry was everyone’s puppet king, and the author mused that he surely must have viewed the tragedy of his life with dismay. “It is a terrible irony that a man so devoted to peace was the trigger for the bloodiest battle in English history.” Even though Henry VI was the subject of this book, he is not depicted as a hero, nor is he whitewashed in any way. His faults are laid bare, and his good points, few though they were, were also presented rationally and fairly. In the end, we see a man just not suited for the position that was thrust upon him, and for that I think we feel more pity than censure. ...more
This was a very complicated and hair-raising story about a man who unexpectedly found himself promoted to the Praetorian Guard, after he unknowingly sThis was a very complicated and hair-raising story about a man who unexpectedly found himself promoted to the Praetorian Guard, after he unknowingly saved the commander from ambush. Leaving his legion behind, in a sort of command performance he was presented to the young emperor Commodus, accoladed in front of the troops, and awarded a place in the Guard. Whether he liked it or not—and he didn’t particularly like it—Gnaeus Marcius Rustius Rufinus (Rufinus for short) was singled out for his past performance and given a secret posting. As you can imagine, this was no ordinary assignment. He was to ferret out potential traitors who were allegedly plotting to kill the emperor, led by Commodus’s nasty, suspicious, dangerous sister Lucilla:
Paternus took a deep breath. ‘Needless to say there’s a great deal of risk involved, and I’m not talking about risk to your life and limb, either. You’re a combat veteran so you’ll be prepared for that. The risk is of discovery with everything that would bring, from us losing any further chance at uncovering the plot down to the inevitable torture of those involved, yourself at the head of the list.’
Doesn’t sound like a job any sane man would want to take on! Unfortunately, Rufinus isn’t given a choice, and his unscrupulous commander sends him into an impossible situation, where he doesn’t know who to trust and hasn’t the vaguest idea how to insinuate himself into Lucilla’s inner sanctum. I have to say, this is not a book for the faint-hearted. There are lots of scenes where Rufinus gets beaten up, lots of blood, lots of killing, lots of torture. I found myself skipping some of the most unsavory passages because I was just too squeamish. But if that sort of thing doesn’t bother you, the action is brisk and the story did keep me on the edge of my proverbial seat. There were some very satisfying twists in the plot and our hero proves himself most resilient—way beyond your average Roman strongman. ...more
I first read this book decades ago, in a college class entitled “Realism and Naturalism”. I found it depressing but interesting. Sorry to say that nowI first read this book decades ago, in a college class entitled “Realism and Naturalism”. I found it depressing but interesting. Sorry to say that now I just find it depressing! And preachy. I suppose much of this is because I’m in my sixties now, and have had my fair share of disillusionment since college. So maybe the message was not all that pointless. The author floods us with philosophy, observations about life and so on. The closer we get to the end of the book, the more sermonizing Dreiser indulges in, until he actually starts repeating himself. Our protagonist Carrie is a good-looking but shallow individual who is more impressed with fine clothes and luxury lifestyles than hardship and struggling—mostly because she is saved from the worst circumstances by lustful men who are perfectly willing to “keep” her. One step at a time, she works her way up the social scale, not deliberately, but rather inadvertently. Not once does the author mention that she is sleeping with these helpful men, and we never get a glimpse of a seduction. But it’s all there. The tragic anti-hero Hurstwood, a successful man-about-town becomes obsessed with her to the point that he “accidentally” steals $10,000 from his employer and whisks her away (under false pretenses) to New York. He gives most of the money back but he is ruined, and their lifestyle goes from modest to pathetic, while she wakes up to the realization that there’s a better life out there for her. We get a good dose of the ugly reality of the late 1800s—especially the poverty-stricken. None of the characters in the book are laudable; all are flawed, though Dreiser doesn’t really judge them. They are what they are. All are unhappy. It doesn’t seem that we are given much hope. I can understand why the book wasn’t well received, though it certainly expresses its genre well....more
This is the first book I read that was sympathetic to King Charles I and Queen Henrietta Maria. And was it ever! I’m really just beginning my reading This is the first book I read that was sympathetic to King Charles I and Queen Henrietta Maria. And was it ever! I’m really just beginning my reading about this period, but I’ve gotten enough under my belt to feel that much has been left out in order to paint them so favorably. The queen’s role during the troubles was supportive and behind-the-scenes; I saw no real attempts to direct his decisions, or pour foolish advice into his ears as she is often depicted. And it seemed to me that Charles was very much on the defensive here; I didn’t get a feel for why the Commons were after him.
Although the king had announced in York, ‘I have of myself resolved to call a parliament,’ the truth was he had had little choice. What would become known as the Long Parliament was due to open on Tuesday 3 November 1640. Warwick gave friends the news, crowing that ‘the Game was well begin!’ The opposition’s next move in their power play was to provoke fears of an internal Catholic threat. This would encourage MPs to help them take power from the king.
Religion was a big factor—I get that. Having a Catholic queen didn’t help a bit. I see there was a big struggle between Puritans and Presbyterians and the Church of England, as best as I can tell. Frankly, I had a hard time following the thread. But I believe the king was trying to steer a middle course and no one was happy. The king attempted to get help from the Scots and later from the Irish, but once Cromwell entered the picture (about halfway through), the king was pretty much outmaneuvered. I was surprised that Cromwell had such a small role in this book. Anyway, the book was very readable, but I did come out of it feeling under-informed. There are 75 pages of notes in the back, and I have a feeling that much of that material might have been put to better use in the text itself, or at least as footnotes at the bottom of the pages. It was too much to keep flipping back and forth. I did feel very sorry for Charles by the end, but I really didn’t understand why he was so widely detested. ...more
I read this book decades ago, and I remember being quite taken with it. So I tried it again this week, curious to see my reaction. I think, overall, mI read this book decades ago, and I remember being quite taken with it. So I tried it again this week, curious to see my reaction. I think, overall, my reading tastes (or discernment) must have deepened over the years, because this time around I found it a little tedious. OK, I found it silly. The whole concept of taking a drug that plunges you six hundred years into the past is interesting (better than touching a tree or something). The purpose of the drug tied into how the brain worked, and I could accept that. The story is written in first person by our protagonist Dick, a friend of Magnus, the man who developed the drug. He is staying at Magnus’s house and agreed to this experiment, though the side effects could be awful at times. The hallucinations are so realistic Dick is hooked and needs to keep taking more doses to found out what happens to his 14th century friends. They really existed, by the way; there is a family tree at the beginning of the book. Unfortunately, Dick needs to be in the exact location of the events he was watching, and his 20th century body is not conscious of where he is as he moves about. This creates some really uncomfortable situations:
Before I collapsed I had been aware, dimly, that there was another car in the lay-by besides my own, and after what seemed an eternity, when the nausea and the vertigo ceased, and I was coughing and blowing my nose, I heard the door of the other car slam, and realized that the owner had come across and was staring down at me.
Another time he came home covered with mud, to find his wife had unexpectedly come early for a visit. Oh dear, how to explain this one? Throughout the book we go back and forth from the unhappy present to the much more interesting past (at least, more interesting to Dick). Matters go from bad to worse as our protagonist struggles with his growing emotional addiction to this dangerous drug. We get some intriguing glimpses of fourteenth century events—namely as young Edward III struggles against Mortimer—but history is secondary to the drama of the lovely Isolda and her doomed lover. Dick wants to be part of her story but can only watch helplessly, for he is invisible to them. ...more
This is a must read! Hunlaf, our protagonist, is a monk who witnesses the terrible slaughter at Lindisfarne. And he did more than witness: he actuallyThis is a must read! Hunlaf, our protagonist, is a monk who witnesses the terrible slaughter at Lindisfarne. And he did more than witness: he actually killed a Norseman in defense of the monastery, surprising himself at the ease with which he performed the deed. The emotional ease, that is. What kind of monk finds a warrior within himself? And so begins the struggle which transforms Hunlaf from one to the other. He joins a tiny group of fighters sworn to defend his own monastery against the expected next wave of attacks, predicted by a Norse giant left behind when the Norsemen finished ransacking their first target. Reminiscent of “The Seven Samurai”, our little band must train the locals—and the monks—to defend their own home. Our hero had to prove himself to the others while he fought his own conscience:
“I am one of this band of warriors,” I said, more forcefully. He fixed me in his stare. “You wear the habit of a monk and the sword of a warrior. You cannot be both, I fear, Hunlaf.” I had been thinking much on this and knew he was right. “I am a warrior in the clothes of a monk,” I said, feeling a weight lifted from me as I spoke the words. Hereward held my gaze for a time, before nodding. “Very well,” he said. “Warrior it is.”
Since this story is written in first person as an old man (and reformed monk) looking back on his life, we know Hunlaf is going to become a great warrior—in future books, of course. This story is very satisfying and Hunlaf’s emotional roller-coaster gives depth to his character. There’s plenty of action in Harffy’s distinctive style, and we are certainly left wanting more. ...more
I first read and enjoyed this book many, many years ago—way before I ever delved into research of this period. I didn’t know any of the characters. AnI first read and enjoyed this book many, many years ago—way before I ever delved into research of this period. I didn’t know any of the characters. And so now, reading it again on impulse, it was like visiting old friends. I know the story thoroughly, and can say with no reservation that the author was faithful to the history of the period. The places where she took creative license—like placing Katherine in the Savoy during the Peasants’ Revolt—were well thought out and enhanced the story. That particular passage was fabulous; I really felt the terror of being at the mercy of marauding fiends:
Soon the bearded Kentish peasant came back into the room with Cob, leaving Jack in the passage to finish with Brother William’s body. The man from Kent seized the pike the friar had tried to use and amused himself with shattering each of the tinted windowpanes, one after the other, proudly counting as he did so, “One, twa, tree, four—“ He had learned no higher than ten, so he started over again. He had still two panes left when they heard the shouts of their leader from the passage and Wat Tiler strode into the chamber, crying, “Come lads, come. Get on wi’ it. What’s keeping ye so long?”
It was very tricky for the author to get her out of this horrendous situation, and I lost a lot of sleep during this and other passages in the book. As we know from a study of Gaunt’s life, they parted company in an attempt to assuage their guilt over their affair after the Savoy was burned down. It was commonly thought that Gaunt renounced the relationship and went back to his second wife. Here, she was the one who made the decision. Who knows? It could have happened that way. These departures from the historical record—sparse though it was—do not detract from the story. Even the formidable John of Gaunt comes across as flawed but human and likeable. It was a very satisfying read and I can understand why I liked it so much the first time. ...more
This is a satisfying book to read about Agincourt, which takes us from the preparation stage, to Harfleur, the long crossing to Calais, the battle itsThis is a satisfying book to read about Agincourt, which takes us from the preparation stage, to Harfleur, the long crossing to Calais, the battle itself and the aftermath. I wish I could say all my questions were answered, but alas, I think I have even more questions than when I started. Anne Curry asks a lot of good questions herself, and she also reasons out the many interpretations. Unfortunately, every chronicler has a different point of view—some are eye-witnesses, others write second-hand. Even eye witnesses can’t see every part of the battlefield at once. All of the sources get equal time, and if we’re lucky the passages that make the most sense will get Curry’s vote. But there are no definitive answers, which of course is not her fault. It seems that we are destined never to know how many fought on the French side, nor now many were killed. How were the archers deployed? There are so many possibilities. She does not venture to guess Henry V’s frame of mind at any point, except by judging his actions. Anyway, at important junctures, Curry’s logic will carry the day:
There was no need for archers to be sharpshooters able to hit targets with consummate accuracy. It was the weight and continuous nature of their fire that had the necessary effect. This made it extremely difficult for the French to keep up the momentum of a foot charge. By the time the French engaged with the English men-at-arms they were wearied and wounded. We cannot imagine what it was like to try to walk forward under such a barrage. Men could not be trained for this situation. It was therefore a totally novel and exceptionally frightening situation. Furthermore, the archers were firing not only head-on but also from the flanks.
Reading this, I suddenly understood the novelty of the situation. Of course they would have no way of knowing what it felt like to run into an arrow storm. No wonder they blundered into each other! I can imagine the chaos. Some of Curry’s conclusions are debated; she feels that the numbers are much closer together than traditionally taught. She didn’t represent as many Welsh archers as expected in their numbers. Nonetheless, her reasoning and incredible research makes it hard to argue. Although I made plenty of bookmarks, I found the writing a bit of a struggle and wouldn’t call it light reading. ...more
In Book Two, we follow Hannibal’s army as it moves toward Rome. This is one busy campaign! First, we have a mid-winter battle at the River Trebbia, whIn Book Two, we follow Hannibal’s army as it moves toward Rome. This is one busy campaign! First, we have a mid-winter battle at the River Trebbia, where Hannibal lures the Romans out of their camp and divides his forces, attacking them from several angles. This is a major achievement for the Carthaginians but we are only halfway through the book! Our Baldor is given a command where he is to overcome a Gallic tribe in order to assure the support of their enemy. Although he doesn’t feel ready, he leads a small force that lay siege to the town of Victumulae, though things certainly did not go his way:
He saw his men’s actions changing from belligerently offensive to defensive. The attack was stalling, losing ferocity and impetus as men fought to stay alive and survive. The tide of battle was flowing against them and he quickly considered his options. Blinking to clear the sweat that streamed from under his helmet, he instinctively ducked as the head of the man next to him exploded when a slingshot burst it like a ripe melon. Grimacing and swearing, he wiped the hot blood and grey-jelly substance that splattered his face, neck and corselet. Horrified at the carnage and chaos and for which he felt responsible he realised enough was enough. He knew now what Hannibal meant about experience teaching him and he grabbed his signaller roughly by the shoulder.
But Baldor isn’t beaten so easily, and his natural belligerence and strength—and skill—hold him in good stead. Although he often doubts himself, his followers, for the most part, have absolute faith in him. The ones that don’t eventually come to terms. In many ways this is a coming of age story, though most of us wouldn’t want to face his odds. Baldor feels many regrets, and quite a few of his friends don’t survive. He feels responsible for every death. All the while he grows stronger as a warrior, though I think he would have preferred to trade his successes for the quiet life he experienced at the beginning of book one. Alas, our author has other ideas! ...more
OK, I admit it. This is a book with a very limited readership. Most of us have scratched our head about the Southampton Plot while watching ShakespearOK, I admit it. This is a book with a very limited readership. Most of us have scratched our head about the Southampton Plot while watching Shakespeare’s Henry V, then moved on to the good stuff. But we tend to forget that Henry V’s inheritance was not etched in stone. He was the son of a usurper and there was another, closer candidate to the throne: Edmund Mortimer, 5th Earl of March. He did not show up in Shakespeare, but Mortimer is the one who exposed the whole plot. The revolt was formed ostensibly in his name, but at the last minute he denounced his co-conspirators and saved his own neck. This was the second conspiracy in Henry’s short reign so far (the first was led by the Lollards), so the king might have wondered if leaving the country would put him in the same boat as Richard II. But maybe not. Both conspiracies were half-baked and short-lived. This book gives us the background of the major conspirators and their probable motivation, which I found extremely helpful. For instance, with Edmund Mortimer:
There would have been no Southampton plot in 1415 if Henry V had not imposed an enormous fine of 10,000 marks on the earl of March for permission to marry his kinswoman, Anne Stafford. It was the prospect of finding himself burdened with debt to the crown for the rest of his life that reduced the Mortimer earl to a state of bitterness and despair, and gave Cambridge an opportunity to plot treason, which he was quick to exploit.
Makes so much sense! Unfortunately, because it was all done in secret, we don’t get to see the plot. We go from the personal backgrounds of these important characters directly to the trials and the confessions (in the appendix). I suppose it’s the job of a historical novelist (myself) to fill in the gaps. But this book certainly brings us closer to the heart of the matter. I found it very helpful. ...more
Raleigh Tudor Adventurer covers the part of his life while Queen Elizabeth was alive. I was wondering when he would go to jail; I didn’t realize that Raleigh Tudor Adventurer covers the part of his life while Queen Elizabeth was alive. I was wondering when he would go to jail; I didn’t realize that I had to wait until the next reign for him to get into trouble! In this book, although he was busy making money, commanding as admiral, sending out fleets—though not always as captain—and acting as the queen’s advisor, I didn’t actually discover why he was so famous. The book was written in first person and he was very modest. Also, it felt to me more of a remembrance than “live action”. For instance:
The queen’s rapier-sharp, accusing voice echoed in the crowded privy chamber of Richmond Palace, silencing the chatterers of court. ‘You stare at our ladies, Master Raleigh.’
All heads turned to see how I would respond. The late Earl of Leicester once said there is nothing so dangerous as a bored queen – and he should know. There was only one thing I could do. I laughed, and saw the glint of amusement in her eyes. If the queen wanted sport, she would have her wish. I raised an eyebrow and glanced at her oldest companion.
It was very subtle. Although Leicester was long dead by then, it struck me that Raleigh was speaking from long memory, too. This may not have been the author’s intention, but who’s to know how a reader will react? So when he went on those ridiculous voyages to find gold, I knew he’d be coming back; I never worried that he wasn’t going to come out safe and sound. I think I felt as annoyed as his wife. He did seem to have a habit of easily getting out of trouble, although admittedly Queen Elizabeth exiled him from her presence for quite some time. I didn’t get the feeling that he was actually close to her personally, like Essex, and perhaps that’s what saved him. Elizabeth was obviously a dangerous person to take for granted; one never knew how she was going to react at any moment. Our Raleigh seemed to know just how far he could presume, and survived when the more flamboyant Essex crashed and burned—as we learned from Tudor Rebel....more
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