The Winter Mantle. Elizabeth Chadwick

England, 1067, not long after the Norman Conquest. The Saxons are in France, and King William plans to go to war against them. The Earl of Waltheof, a giant of a man with Viking looks, falls for Judith, King William's niece. William, of course, is opposed to this union, but that doesn't stop the earl from desiring Judith as his wife. But then things change. William thinks it over and comes to the conclusion that an alliance with Waltheof would be beneficial for him. A political alliance through marriage would come in handy for him. And so, a deal is made. And that is just the beginning for Waltheof and Judith. The hardships they go through, mixed in with some tragedies and struggles, really make them test their feelings. What's worse is that they have different beliefs, different views, which makes their union all the harder to take. Each person has a preference for his upbringing and cultural/political views, which is understandable, but spells trouble to an otherwise passionate couple. Does love conquer all in a time when war and politics rule since William conquered England? Elizabeth Chadwick wowed me with The Conquest, which also takes place during the Norman Conquest. Once again she has captured me with this beautiful and at times sad tale of love and war during the medieval times. Chadwick uses modern language for her narrative and at times with the dialogue as well. I like the fact that she does this without throwing the reader with a wording that may sound too modern for the times. She has explained in her author notes that she'd rather use modern terminology at times so as not to confuse the reader. I for one appreciate this. Though I like my historical novels to have a convincing language that captures the times, I also understand that authors mustn't go too far and try too hard to sound like they're from another time -- thus sounding fake and pretentious in the process. This is far from the truth with Chadwick. The Winter Mantle, like The Conquest, is wonderfully researched, and you are transported to a time when men wore armor and tunics and the women covered their long hair with pieces of cloth that looked not unlike a nun's headdress. Waltheof and Lady Judith moved me, and the secondary characters are also very compelling. I couldn't put this wonderful effort down. I recommend The Winter Mantle and Elizabeth Chadwick. I already have The Marsh King's Daughter and The Scarlet Lion in my possession, and I look forward to reading them. But first I will take a break and absorb this wonderful effort for a while longer. This author is not published in the US (at least, not that I know of), and I won't be able to order her UK books for a while.

In 1067, William the Conqueror has become the King of England and Normandy. To secure his hard-earned throne, he holds hostage many local nobles including the Earl Waltheof Siwardsson of Huntingdon, who remains a noble because he did not fight at Hastings. Shockingly, Waltheof finds he desires William's Norman niece, Judith and even more surprisingly they make a match of it even while treachery lurks behind every niche and cranny.Two decades later, loyalty has become even more complex as William recently died and his two kingdoms divided between his older sons. Many of the Conqueror's followers believe that the middle son should have received nothing instead of sitting on the Normandy throne. Waltheof's oldest daughter, Matilda marries her father's former squire Simon de Senlis. Matilda and Simon want to live and love in peace, but once again treachery and shifting alliances make life as dangerous if not more so than when her father was an English hostage in a Norman court.Though the story of William and his sons have been told numerous times few efforts match the thrilling saga provided by Elizabeth Chadwick. The story line focuses on people wanting peace and love yet caught up in an age of immense chaos and turmoil fostered by treachery, hatred and betrayal. Real people and recorded information of the period provide fans with an exciting historical novel that is probably as much factual as fictional, all elements interwoven into a cohesive delightful tale that William readers will cherish.Harriet Klausner

The Winter Mantle is an excellent book. It was actually one of my favorite by Elizabeth Chadwick. As always, Chadwick, seems to weave factual details into a very engrossing story. I love reading her work. I always feel as though I learn many things about medieval history. I enjoy a great story. The Winter Mantle was a winner.

This title began in the year 1067. King William (the Conqueror) had just triumphed at Normandy. One of his young noble hostages was Waltheof of Huntingdon. Waltheof set his eye on William's niece, Judith. During this time of war and turmoil, their lives would be tested often for loyalty toward each other and their king. The book continued into the next generation. Matilda, Waltheof's oldest daughter, married Simon de Senlis. Simon had once been Waltheof's squire. Old King William had died and the eldest son was now king of England, while the middle son was king of Normandy. Some believed the eldest son should have received BOTH kingdoms, thus the chaos continued. Matilda and Simon would now be tested. Treason may lurk around any corner and being at court was more dangerous than anyone today could possibly imagine. Author Elizabeth Chadwick's pen has taken real people from the past and written an awesome tale of the love, hatred, and betrayal, that existed during the past of England and Normandy. The author kept all the details she could find of the people in this novel true and only added her own fiction to the many parts of history that would unable to be found. I found this book to be extremely well done. I am happy to recommend it highly to everyone!