Lords of the White Castle

Another beauty by Elizabeth Chadwick. This woman just knows so well how to transport her readers to another time and place, all the while sucking them into a fantastic story and making them love the characters in it.

The author does another number on her readers as she transports them back in time to medieval England and Wales, to the turbulent time of King John and Richard the Lion-Hearted. She uses small details woven throughout the narrative to create a sensual experience and treat for her reader's senses. You don't just read the story; you live it. From the misty hills of Wales to the tense world of the Angevin court to the everyday life of a medieval keep, Elizabeth will make the surroundings in her books just leap off the page and show more into your brain, there to stay far after you've finished reading.

Another thing I loved, that is so common in Chadwick's work, is how three-dimensional her characters are. Filled with virtues and foibles alike, the people that populate her pages seem like real people that could walk into your front door and say hi (maybe ignore the chainmail and crown though LOL). I think I especially liked Maude, her main heroine. She can be unforgiving and blind to some of life's circumstances. Yet, she's also a damn brave woman who protects those she loves and is loyal till the sun dies out. And besides, who doesn't love a medieval woman who can whip out a bow and shoot down a bad guy just as well as embroider a stitch?!

And then there's the story. And what a story! I think I got more enjoyment out of it, knowing that parts of it were true. With a few similarities to the Robin Hood legend, Chadwick weaves a story that makes her readers so engaged with characters and their fates that they don't want to stop reading, ever! I like how the author did engage some Robin Hood similarities, but they were few and far between. The actual meat of the story was very different. Survival, betrayal, love, loyalty, and a bunch of dudes riding around in armor and waving swords around... What's not to love?!

This book has just given me another example of how well Elizabeth Chadwick can write. She excels at historical setting world-building, characterization, and telling a story that keeps her readers engaged like nobody's business. If you want a historical novel that will sweep you off your feet, read this one! show less

...of princes, kings and grudges

Richard, Coeur de Lion, an enigma. A man who was king and yet left his kingdom to corrupt and power hungry lords, beggaring his country for the sake of the crusades. Why is not the question. It does however provide the background for this story. It places Prince John, his foibles and his policies, his governing of England whilst Richard is away, and when he later becomes king, firmly in the limelight.
A teenage altercation with Prince John, shown as an arrogant, womanizing, drunken, spoilt whelp who held grudges long and deeply sets the path that Fulke FitzWarin will tread. Growing into a man of the same elk, John further fans this antipathy between them when as king he denies Fulke justice in the matter show more of his birthright holding, Whittington. Fulke refuses to pay homage to John and is declared an outlaw. By now an accomplished commander and knight, Fulke proceeds to harass John at every chance. Fulke becomes the thorn in John's side.
With this background, fiction expounds on fact. Elizabeth Chadwick has taken a story hidden in the mists of time and revealed it to our present eyes via what is essentially the love story between Fulke FitzWarin and Maude le Vavasour, the wife of Lord Theobald Walter. Both characters are impressive and fully elicit our sympathies.
When Fulke's mentor and friend Walter dies, they marry at dying his behest, both to thwart John and keep Maude safe. Fulke had been Theobald's squire. There had always been strong attraction between the two, kept strictly in control out of deference, love and duty towards Theobald.
Around their life's story rages the battles for kingdoms between John and his principalities in France and Wales. The fight for the charter of liberties, a code of conduct (Magna Carta) becomes an important part of this background.
As Fulke explains to Maude, 'It means that never again will [a ruler] withhold land from a man on a royal whim. Never again will a woman be constrained to marry against her will, or an heir pay more than he should Ro inherit his father's lands.'
Bringing history alive is a wonderful skill and Elizabeth Chadwick has it in spades.
A thoroughly enjoyable medieval historical novel--empathetic and interesting.

A NetGalley ARC show less

Chadwick's writing is masterful and I appreciated very much the follow-up chapter of the 'real' facts and her research into Fulke Fitzwarin. The book has a definite "Robin Hood" feel because of the three years Fulke must live as an outlaw. It was a privilege to be invited into the lives of Fulke and Maude, to witness the birth of their children, to worry and wonder if the "family keep" (Whittington Castle) would ever come back into the Fitzwarin family, to grieve when death came to the family, to rejoice when joy crept back in. The herbal medicine element appealed to me very much as well - woven in deftly throughout. A satisfying ending was written for the book and I like to think of Fulke still out there, carrying on.

This is book 2 in the FitzWaren novels, but you do not need to have read book 1 to follow along. This is the story about Fulke FitzWarin who likes his father wants his land and castle back.

Another book where King John is a total ass, honestly this guy deserve a kick in the behind. Fulke and prince John gets in a fight at 15 and hates each other for the rest of their lives. As all this happened a long time ago, and legends grow, we can't know it all. But yes I can see it happening like this. Later on Fulke becomes an outlaw when the now King John is a total asshat.

Fulke is, well a man oh his time. He can be so stubborn at times, a right idiot. But he loves his family. He sure wants Whittington back and he is a man of honor. And I liked show more how he went up against King John, now that is how a legend is made.

It was a hard time, but a great time to read about. You know it's good when I have to go google different people I read about,´even though I have googled them before.

An interesting story, but I must admit I wish the could have ended it a bit before the end. I did not need to know that which I shall not say. Then again, I had already read Chadwick's own words so I knew what would happen. But I like the illusion of everyone staying young and happy.

History at it's best. show less

Lords of the White Castle is one of Elizabeth Chadwick’s longer books. Set during the later part of Richard I’s reign and King John’s, this is the story of Fulke Fitzwarin, a young squire who acquires the enmity of Prince John. Fulke and his family have lost their family home, and Fulke and his brothers spend a good deal of the novel fighting to regain it—becoming, at one point, outlaws. Moreover, Fulke falls in love with Maude le Vavasour, a noblewoman at court and the wife of his mentor, Theobald.

As I’ve noticed in the past, Elizabeth Chadwick’s books follow a certain formula. The romance aspect of the novel takes center stage, but despite this, the book really works as a historical novel. I’ve said this over and over show more again, but Elizabeth Chadwick is exceptionally skilled at depicting the late 12th and early 13th century. With Elizabeth Chadwick’s novels, you’re guaranteed a historically accurate read, without being too bogged down with excessive details.

Despite her rather formulaic characters, you really feel sympathetic towards them. Lords of the White Castle is a little bit long at nearly 700 pages, and could have used some editing, but the plot moves at a great amount of speed and you never feel as though it drags at any point. Another really good, solid novel from Elizabeth Chadwick; I’ve not yet read the prequel to Lords of the White Castle, Shadows and Strongholds, but that one will be next! show less

The Outlaw Knight is the continuation of the FitzWaren family saga begun in Shadows and Strongholds. You do not have to have read the first book to appreciate this one. This book follows Fulke FitzWarin from a young man in the service of Prince John to his years rebelling against King John when what he feels is his rightful inheritance is being kept from him.

Young Fulke is removed from John's service but not from court. He rises in the service of Theobald Walter and ultimately ends up marrying his widow despite John's competing interest. No matter where he turns he finds things going against him until he finally snaps and he becomes that outlaw knight. Will it ruin his family?

There is one thing you can count on with any Elizabeth show more Chadwick book and that is attention to the smallest detail of the period be it attire, food or accommodations. This is why I love her books so very much; I know that once I begin to read I will soon find myself lost in the medieval world. I will almost smell the aromas and feel the materials yet she does it in a manner so smooth and so masterful you hardly realize it's happening. I feel as if I'm in the middle of a movie in my head and re-entering the modern world is always jarring.

Fulke's was a good story but he didn't thrill me as much as other characters from the pen of Ms. Chadwick hence the 4.5 stars instead of 5. A mild difference. I don't know what it was about him - the cover freaked me a bit, perhaps that didn't help. He just wasn't as heroic I suppose as his father Brunin or everyone's favorite knight, William Marshal. I still read the book over the course of two days so it's not like it was painful to read....I will pick up anything Ms. Chadwick writes because I know that when I do I am in for a magical experience. show less

THE OUTLAW KNIGHT by Elizabeth Chadwick is another exciting Medieval Historical Fiction 1184. Ms. Chadwick is a powerful storyteller of Medieval fiction that engages the reader with her characters and storylines. "The Outlaw Knight" is the story of Fulke FitzWarin, a rebellious Lord,and the fair Maude Walter, a wealthy widow that King John has chosen for himself. Thus begins the affair between Maude and Fulke. With rivalry, a family dispute, treachery,danger, deceit,shifting alliances, passion and love what's not to enjoy about "The Outlaw Knight". Throw in a tragedy and young Fulke is on a path of destruction,chaos,and the turmoil of the Magna Carta rebellion, you will be turning pages all through the night. A biography that uses show more little known facts about the real Fulke FitzWarin as well as a chronicle record that was written during Fulke's time,add in the story telling of Ms. Chadwick and you have a fast paced, adventure and danger filled story of Medieval England during a time of turmoil and treachery. Beautifully written! A must for any historical reader as well as anyone who enjoys English history, and a great read! *"The Outlaw Knight" is a re-print of Lords of The White Castle* Reviewed for an honest review from the publisher.

RATING: 4

HEAT RATING: MILD

REVIEWED BY: AprilR, Review courtesy of My Book Addiction and More show less