The Love Knot

Even Chadwick's second best novels are a cut above much of the historical fiction genre.This is one of her earlier books and more of a historical romance than true historical fiction, the main characters being fictional. This is the second time I've read the book, in between I had read SKP's When Christ and His Saints Slept about England's civil war. Having a better understanding of that complicated period made this novel much more enjoyable than the first time. I don't understand a previous reviewer's comment about Wicca, I didn't get that in the book at all -- all I read was that Catrin became an experienced midwife and herbalist. All in all a very nice story, Catrin was stubborn to a fault, Oliver steadfast and honorable, a truly evil villain and a surprise return from the past of someone long thought dead.

I wouldn't say that "The Love Knot" is the best of Elizabeth Chadwick's books that I've read (that will always be "Daughter's of the Grail") but it is second best, and thus, being written by Elizabeth Chadwick, it is very good indeed. This takes place during the English Civil war between King Stephen and Empress Matilda (with her son Henry Plantagenet) and follows supporters of Matilda's cause over a period of about 14 years. Oliver is a man just home from the Crusades, where he made a pilgrimage in honor of his young wife who died in childbirth. Once home he finds that King Stephen has stolen his family lands, and signs on with the Empress Matilda so he can get them back. On a journey to Bristol to get orders he comes across a burned down country-house where he grew up, with one almost dead woman he grew up with, her young son, and his nurse. The nurses' name is Catrin. Catrin and the dead woman's son (who happens to be the bastard son of the old king) Richard, are taken by Oliver to Bristol. Naturally, we have a love connection between Oliver and Catrin, both of whom are raw and damaged by the deaths of their spouses. Catrin also starts to learn the trade of a midwife, and thus we are taught a great deal about childbirth and healing in the middle ages (it wasn't pretty.) Reading this part of the book will make you glad that you we born in the 20th (or 21st) century and have access to modern medical care and good birth control! Then something happens in Catrin's life which changes everything, allegiances, love and both her and Oliver's lives. But still they are bound by the love knot that Ethyl, the midwife who raised Oliver and taught Catrin, made for them. As always, if it's by Elizabeth Chadwick you are guaranteed a good read. This is one of her more romantic and less biographical novels, comparable best probably to "The Marsh King's Daughter." If you like romance, medical history, action adventure and good twisted plot you'll like this book. I do agree at time the characters are a little stereotypical, but it's not enough to detract from the overall novel. Five stars.

This was the second book of Ms. Chadwick's that I had the pleasure to read, and it surpassed the first one by far. The characters had the depth that is sometimes lacking in historical novels, everything was brought vividly to life, from the danger of childbirth in the middle ages to the romance between the characters.An excellent curl up in your favourite armchair book.

Absolute best book ever written!! So much depth and plot tied together. I strongly recommend it.

In 1140, everyone suffers from the bloody Civil War between the supporters of King Stephen and those of the Empress Mathilda. The countryside is filled with heinous crimes, as Oliver Pascal will soon learn when he comes across the raped and battered body of a friend, Lady Amice, who soon dies. Oliver escorts Amice's ten-year old son Richard and her maid Catrin to a relative, Earl Robert in BristolCatrin tries to protect Richard, who she sees as more of a son than a burden. She also feels obligated to Oliver for rescuing them even though she loathes the concept of depending on any male. Still she begins to fall in love with him and he reciprocates those feelings. As Oliver tries to regain his lost lands, he marries Catrin, not knowing that their relationship stands in jeopardy due to external forces having a different agenda.THE LOVE KNOT is a well written according-to-the-book, medieval romance. Sub-genre fans will enjoy the interesting story line that places honor and love in peril though the swing between present and past vernacular is a bit disconcerting. The lead characters are wonderful champions and Robert adds much depth to the tale. Elizabeth Chadwick writes a fine tale that her fans will enjoy.Harriet Klausner