Product Description

This novel about the struggle for power in England in the Middle Ages centres on the life of Simon de Montfort, a French nobleman who came to England to lay claim to an earldom, married the King's sister, and eventually mounted a civil war against Henry III.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #51118 in Books
• Published on: 2000-09-28
• Original language: English
• Binding: Paperback
• 560 pages

Customer Reviews

The meteoric rise and fall of Simon de Montfort.
I love Sharon Penman. She writes fantastic, well-researched, human history. This is just such a book. It tells the story of Simon de Montfort, and how he shaped the history of England. He was a strong, passionate man, who had total belief in his God, and his destiny, which was to change the way that England was ruled. It also tells the story of Llewelyn ap Gruffyd, the Welsh Prince, and his struggles to make Wales one kingdom. This book is exciting, never boring, happy, ultimately heart-crushingly sad, and most of all, thought-provoking. Simon was married to Nell, sister of Henry, King of England, who was a weak man, unfit for the role of King. They had a brood of sons, all of whom played their part in their fathers' fate. It is a tale of treachery, betrayal, love, passion, politics, and the ability of one man to rouse such emotions in the hearts of many, that they would follow him, to certain death, and defy their King for his sake. Simon's fate is appallingly cruel, making you realise just how callous medieval times were. I cried my eyes out at the end of this book, and can't help but draw comparisons between Simon de Montfort and Richard III. Their destinies were so very similar, and so very cruelly ended. I have read all of Sharon Penmans' books, and love them all. This is a fantastic book. Forget the stuff we learnt at school, these books should be part of a history lesson, and then more of us would be fascinated by history. It has everything you could wish for, and I found it impossible to put down until the very end. Read it, but keep the tissues handy.

A superbly written book
In Comparison with many other historical authors, Sharon Penman, stands clearly in the upper echelon. An absolutely captivating book, that entwined itself far into my dreamscape, once I'd begrudgingly succumbed to droopy eyelids each night! You do not have to be to be a history buff to enjoy this novel, as with any good author you will find yourself learning at different levels as you go. Where there are insufficient historical records, the authors imagination fills the gaps with an intelligent and captivating approach.
May Simon be long remembered, he goes a long way in redeeming the De Montfort name from the evil his father wreaked during the Albigenisian crusades.

One parting thought ... All Polticians should be made to read this novel, and take a test, thus proving they have respect and love for the power they are due to be entrusted with!( rather like their immigration tests !) ...mind you with voter turn outs as they have been of recent, maybe it's just time for another revolution...........

This book sweeps you into medieval England and Wales..
This, the second part of Sharon Penman's Welsh/Norman trilogy, focuses mainly on the career of the "greatest soldier in Christendom" and the oft-called father of representative government, Simon de Montfort. The book's other focus is on Wales, particularly the northern principality of Gwynedd, divided and beset by enemies after the death of Llewelyn Fawr. The story of Simon de Montfort is a thrilling one, and Penman brings him to life in these pages with her usual skill. The English monarchy is shown in a far less sympathetic light, and no wonder, since Henry III was one of England's weakest kings, petty, vindictive and vacillating. His greatest achievement was undoubtedly in his offspring, for there were few medieval kings greater than Edward I. His rivalry with Simon dated almost from the time of de Montfort's semi-clandestine marriage to Henry's youngest sister, and relations between the two men were in a constant state of flux, with Henry embracing Simon as a brother one day and turning on him the next. The climax of Simon's career was his astounding political and military victory at Lewes, where he captured not only Henry, but also Prince Edward and Henry's younger brother Richard, Earl of Cornwall. The latter, who was a calculating and practical man, would have made a far better king for England than the brother only a year his senior. De Montfort's triumph after Lewes was relatively short-lived. Edward escaped, and Simon was betrayed by some of his closest allies. Trapped in a curve of the River Severn, he awaited the army of his second son, Simon (known as Bran) - however, Bran, through his own carelessness, had been ambushed by Edward, and the latter advanced on Simon's army at Evesham flying Bran's captured banners. As a result, Simon and his followers were unaware of their danger until too late, and the outcome was a massacre. Simon, as he lay dying, was cut to pieces, and various parts of his body were despatched around the kingdom.
The Welsh side of the story is largely focussed on Llewelyn ap Gruffydd, grandson of Llewelyn Fawr and heir to his dreams of a united Wales. Wales in the 13th Century was a land beset by enemies - not only the immensely larger and more powerful English Crown but also enemies from within, for it was a divided country, with several small principalities generally at odds with one another. The most divisive element was the Welsh law regarding succession - for in Wales all a man's sons could inherit, and the system fostered fratricide and civil war.
Sharon Penman's love for the period shines through in every chapter. The reader is superbly drawn into the medieval world, and will find themselves rooting strongly for certain characters and hating others. The battle scenes are very well depicted (as usual), but Penman's true talent lies in bringing the everyday detail to life. Be prepared for some tear-jerking scenes - I have read this book several times and I still cry!