Lords of the White Castle. Elizabeth Chadwick

This year, I'm steadily working my way through the novels of British author Elizabeth Chadwick. If I allow myself one novel a month, I should be able to last until October, when she has several books being released at the same time, without any serious pangs of withdrawal. Since the early 1990's, Elizabeth Chadwick has been writing novels set in the England and France of the 12th and 13th centuries, full of people who actually lived, and looking not just at the great events of the time, such as wars and crusades, but also at the lives of people who were of the minor nobility and gentry, giving new life to stories of chivalry. In The Lords of the White Castle, she continues the story begun in Shadows and Strongholds, telling more of the FitzWarin family. A generation has passed, with Fulke le Brun, and his Hawise having raised up a brood of six sons. The eldest, also named Fulke, has been given a place in the household of Theobald Walter, a great landowner, and brother of a bishop. It's a place where he rubs shoulders with royalty and gains not just fighting skills, but also gains some of the finer social arts. Unfortunately, in young Fulke's case, things go awry during a chess game with King Henry's son, John, that results in a violent fight between the pair and a mutual loathing that will affect the FitzWarins for decades to come. For during the early part of the reign of King Henry II, the FitzWarins had to give up the estate of Whittington in exchange for a lesser one. That loss has tormented the FitzWarins, and only the knowledge that there would be terrible repercussions has kept them from starting a bloody and private war between themselves, and the current owners of Whittington, the FitzRoger family. When King Richard grants that Whittington be returned to the FitzWarins, the FitzRogers refuse to give it up -- and just as it seems that Fulke le Brun is going to see justice done, King Richard dies, and a tragedy strikes the family. His son, Fulke FitzWarin, is raw over the loss of his father, the continued presence of Morys FitzRoger at Whittington, and when the new king, John, refuses to honor the return of his family's estate, Fulke turns to outlawry. But he's not the only one who has been wronged by the new king. King John seems to have a desire to stir up trouble everywhere now that he has his heart's desire of being king of England. Theobald Walter has married a young heiress, Maude la Vavasour, and while he is old enough to be her father twice over, it is a marriage of strong loyalty and devotion on both sides. While there's tension between Fulke and Maude, their own sense of personal honour keep them straying to anything physical between them. Theobald, a loyal subject of the king, is pushed to near rebellion when John accosts Maude, and she fights him off. Other characters in Angevin English history appear as well. Ms. Chadwick's depiction of Isobel of Angouleme, John's twelve year old bride, is particularly on target. Read

Elizabeth Chadwick does it again! This is the second novel I have read by her (the first being "The Love Knot") and this one is incredible too! The story begins in 1184 after Fulke FitzWarin is sent to serve Prince John, son of Henry II. His family thought it a great honor as did Fulke until John accuses him of cheating at chess, which by the way he didn't. He just plays chess better. Well, a fight ensues over this and both hold grudges against each other for a lifetime.Meanwhile, Fulke is training under Theobald Walter, who becomes his friend and mentor. He also meets his future wife, Maude,on the day of her wedding to Theobald. Fulke's life takes many twists and turns and he becomes an outlaw. He tries to reclaim his family's estate of Whittington Castle time and time again, after his father's many attempts and failures. This struggle eventually kills his father, but Fulke endeavors to make his father's quest a realization.After years pass by, he ends up finally marrying the woman of his dreams, Maude. However, their life from the beginning is spent running from King John's vengance. Even after all of this they manage to raise a family, endure one adventure after another and never cease to support and love one another.The day-to-day trials and joys of the middle ages are brought to life with a wonderful perspective on how life must have been for not only the nobles of twelfth century England but also the commoners. The author really makes you feel as though you were there. So far all of her books have been winners, and if you love a great medieval story, this book is one of the best!

Elizabeth Chadwick does it again with yet another engrossing historical novel about medieval England. I have read all her other novels and was never disappointed with any of them. It is easy to see how the true figure of Fulke FitzWarin could have given rise to the legend of Robin Hood. For those who crave historical fiction about the time period surrounding the reign of King John, this novel will not disappoint. Highly recommended!

Fifteen year old Fulke FitzWairin was sent to court to serve as a companion to King Henry II's youngest son, Prince John, in hopes of ultimately regaining Whittington Castle. Prince John treats Fulke poorly, deriding him as a country bumpkin because he heralds from the Welsh marshes. His father's lessons in honor have not prepared Fulke for the deceptions and cruelty of court, making him a frequent target of Prince John's ire, culminating in the day the prince breaks a chessboard across Fulke's nose. When the dust settles, the prince looked much worse. A lifetime of bitter rivalry has begun.Fulke leaves Prince John's service to become a squire to Lord Theobald Walter. Theobald proves himself to be a caring mentor of true honor. A chance game of ball among his younger brothers results in Fulke meeting the twelve year old Maude le Vavasour, who later weds Theobald. While Fulke eventually come to recognize the possibilities of passion between himself and Maude, neither wish to compromise the love and trust of Theobald, a man they both love. Eventually destiny takes a hand as Prince John's machinations make Fulke an outlaw and he threaten to marry the newly widowed Maude off to one of his court cronies. Award winning author Elizabeth Chadwick captures the true essence of historical fiction in LORDS OF THE WHITE CASTLE. The challenges and triumphs of Fulke FitzWairin come alive on the pages from the ecstasy of marriage to his heart's desire to the agony of wounds both physical and mental. His king and his destiny challenge his ethics and beliefs even as Fulke remains a man of honor and valor. Although Fulke is a flawed hero, readers will adore his dedication to family and honor. Likewise, Maude presents a remarkable heroine with an impetuous spirit and fierce independence. As skilled with a bow as she is with her children, Maude sharply contrasts the typically meek and yielding women of her time. Yet Chadwick still adheres to the conventions of historical accuracy, for example, women marrying young and being left behind for safety's sake. In addition, Fulke and Maude share a passion that make the pages sizzle, and binds them even as it tears their hearts in two. Their wedding night is absolutely beautiful with fanciful touches and burning desire.Chadwick is a remarkably gifted storyteller. Although the book numbers more than 600 pages, it reads quickly, fascinating the reader with the medieval period. Chadwick's admitted love for medieval reenacting gives her prose the ring of authenticity that will enthralls. LORDS OF THE WHITE CASTLE is a Winner of the WordWeaving Award of Excellence.

...P>Chadwick is a remarkably gifted storyteller. Although the book numbers more than 600 pages, it reads quickly, fascinating the reader with the medieval period. Chadwick's admitted love for medieval reenacting gives her prose the ring of authenticity that will enthralls. LORDS OF THE WHITE CASTLE is a Winner of the WordWeaving Award of Excellence.<p>Cindy Penn, Editor, WordWeaving.com