For the King's Favor

The Time of Singing is the story of Roger Bigod. The story opens in the 1170s, when Roger is a young knight. At the court of Henry II, he meets Ida de Tosney, one of Henry’s mistresses, who he later marries. Over the years, as Roger takes on more responsibility as justiciar during Richard’s reign, Roger and Ida’s marriage is tested to the limit. Also added in to the mix is a bitter inheritance dispute between Roger and his half brothers. The novel covers a period of roughly 20 years, up until the death of Richard I in 1199.

Once again, Elizabeth Chadwick hits it out of the park, with a real, vivid story set against the political background of the 12th century, fraught as it is with intrigue and danger. As EC mentions on her Living show more the History blog, Roger’s life closely paralleled that of William Marshal (if you read and enjoyed Chadwick two books about him, you’ll be as pleased as I was to see that William plays a medium-sized role in The Time of Singing).

Unlike William, however, not much is known about Roger’s life, so Chadwick had the additional challenge of piecing together parts of the story based on what little is known. She succeeds in this tremendously, combining historical fact with a little bit of invention sometimes that fits in with the characters. I really enjoyed reading about Roger and Ida’s marriage, for good or for worse. They’re the kind of couple you find yourself rooting for, even as they deal with the tough stuff. I always love when novels get you emotionally involved in that way. Chadwick’s novels are always well-researched, and I know that I can expect a high level of historical accuracy from her books.

I’ve sort of developed a crush on Roger. He’s always able to deal effectively—and generously—with adversity, as witness his interactions with his half brothers or William Longspee (the latter is an arrogant jerk, but Roger, God bless him, still manages to find something nice to say about him). In all, a fantastic novel with fascinating characters. I can’t wait to read EC’s next book. show less

Elizabeth Chadwick is know as a master of medieval fiction and an excellent storyteller who can bring history to life. And it shows in every book she writes. I recently read For the King's Favor, my second Chadwick novel after The Greatest Knight. While I know Greatest Knight is probably one of her best-known novels, I really enjoy For the King's Favor, even more than Greatest Knight. Perhaps it was the female lead, perhaps it was the switch in themes...regardless, I enjoyed the novel more overall, and thought it was easier and comfortable to read because the writing and the historical detail just flowed together so well into a wonderfully seamless tale.

Young Ida goes to the court of Henry II at the young age of 15. Having heard the show more many stories about Henry's countless mistresses, his children, and his not-so-wonderful treatment of his wife Eleanor of Aquitaine, Ida is frightened when the king chooses her as his new mistress. Commanded by her family to yield to him, Ida finds herself the mother of Henry's youngest son, though she wishes for another life. A life with Roger, who has caught her eye at court.

King's Favor is another wonder, exciting historical from Elizabeth Chadwick. Everything readers have come to expect from her is here, complete with excellent characters and a vivid historical world that comes to life on every page. For me what really stood out was the Ida, who grows from an innocent young girl into an intelligent, and mature woman in the midst of court intrigue, romance and family.

For readers who love history, For the King's Favor is another excellent offering from the queen of historical novels. show less

FOR THE KING’S FAVOR
Elizabeth Chadwick,Sourcebooks Landmark, September 2010, $14.99,pb,544p, 978-1402244490

Synopsis the cover jacket:
When Roger Bigod arrives at King Henry II’s court to settle a bitter inheritance dispute, he becomes enchanted with Ida de Tosney, young mistress to the powerful king. A victim of Henry’s seduction and the mother of his son, Ida sees in Roger a chance to begin a new life. But Ida pays an agonizing price when she leaves the king, and as Roger’s importance grows and he gains an earldom, their marriage comes under increasing strain. Based on the true story of a royal mistress and the young lord she chose to marry.

Review:
I was simply enchanted and swept away as Chadwick captured my attention and show more introduced me into the world of Ida de Tosney. There is such a clear vision in your mind of Ida’s thoughts, her agony and the fear she has upon first meeting King Henry. It’s painful to witness her self loathing consume her. She shivers at times knowing the word “whore” is attached to her name. This way of life will never bring her happiness, regardless of her favored position and the lavish lifestyle at court. Her sense of what’s right and wrong are always clear to her. Her intelligence is what saves her, as she envisions a better life for herself, knowing the King will cast her aside one day for a younger woman. Ida is a proud woman who has keen survival instincts. Empathy for Ida is unavoidable. As the reader you just want to make it all better for her, become her confidant, offer advice.

One can never tire reading about King Henry II, who is a complex royal with a lustfully exciting life. Roger Bigod is a perfect knight in shining armor. His story is less familiar, creating the drama of a dysfunctional 12th century family complete with betrayal and greed. The characters live because of this writers breath. One of the best historical fiction novels I have read this year. Everyone must experience Elizabeth Chadwick’s exquisite writing. Her proficiency and talent place her among the elite in her genre.
Disclosure: This ARC release was sent to me by the publisher.

Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to [Wisteria Leigh] and [Bookworm's Dinner] with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.

© [Wisteria Leigh] and [Bookworm's Dinner], [2010]. show less

There are few certainties in life: you will get gray hair, you will eventually turn into your mother and you can't go wrong with an Elizabeth Chadwick book!! I mean this woman is GENIUS at writing medieval novels! You can always expect (and get) brilliance at dialogue, character development and interactions, description of medieval life - the scenes are so beautifully written, just close your eyes and you're there.

There are many literary couples that stay in your mind long after closing the book on their story; Jamie and Claire, Llewelyn and Joanna, and now we can add Roger and Ida. A true love match. Chadwick brings to life one of the most charming love stories from the medieval era as only she can. The best parts of the novel for me show more were the scenes with Roger, Ida and their family - I don't think I've ever felt so much like a fly on the wall as I did in this novel. The mention of Roger's hats (which EC recently posted about) and Ida's sewing abilities were an extra glimpse into their lives that we as mere readers aren't usually admitted into. I loved that Chadwick included bits about Ida's son, William, growing up at court and the insights into what type of a boy he turned into and then watching William getting acquainted with his mother again was interesting.

There is an added bonus of meeting the studly William Marshall in this novel as well. Eat up ladies!

I highly recommend this novel to um, well, everyone. show less

I thrive in Christian Historical Fiction, but as I have found with two of my favorite authors Michelle Moran and Deanna Raybourn there is quality fiction to be had in the General Market realm. Elizabeth Chadwick, I am glad to say is another author who has found herself on my look for more in the future list. With Michelle and Deanna I found them shortly after they started and now I can keep up with their books as they come, but with Elizabeth, I will have to go back to previous publications as well as look for more to come!

It is with delight that I have dipped my toes in the general Historical Fiction genre and I have not come away disappointed. There were a few times where I was a bit confused with many of the characters having the show more same name, but with diligence I was able to catch myself when I thought it was someone else. This is a long book and while reading this novel, there was a lull period where I just was not seeing why everyone was all four stars and five stars and loving it. But within a hundred or so pages, my attention was back in and stayed. Overall, I enjoyed the story, although the typos in this advance reader copy are a bit to overcome as a distraction. (Obviously changes in formatting and so on.)I've gone back and forth on my thoughts. I don't love it, but it is fascinating to think of the historical characters as living breathing entities. After reading a guest post about why Elizabeth wrote the book, I am even more intrigued.

As I came close to finishing the book I could more understand the love others are expressing. I really do like it and plan to definitely go for more of her books in the future. What I enjoy most about this novel world that Elizabeth Chadwick has introduced me to with her novel and website is that it is a world, an entire encompassing surroundings filled with romance and history. Reading this book was an education and makes me want to delve more into my British heritage that I do not know very well. Something I found interesting was although Ida de Tonsney is a main character, really the absolute main character is Roger Bigod. I fully enjoyed going back and forth between their and other character's perspectives to experience the story. The budding romance between Ida and Roger that brought them through years of hardships and pleasure was fascinating and real to watch page by page. Elizabeth Chadwick did an incredible job making the romance real in a physical sense while remaining tasteful and the descriptions of the emotions brought along in a marriage are so real and right on point.

I do recommend this read. There was some physical passion as I said, but it was done in a good manner and for a mature reader. This book is full of so much that it is hard for me to wrap my mind all around it, but with the history and romance I'm in the right genre.

*Thanks to Danielle Jackson of Sourcebooks, Inc for providing an ARC for review.* show less

Reading too many books by the same author in quick succession is always a risk, because the stories unravel to become stylistic quirks and repetitive devices. 'The Time of Singing' is a fictional tale of a the real-life Earl of Norfolk, Roger Bigod, a contemporary of William Marshal. The only trouble is that Marshal, hero of 'The Greatest Knight' and 'The Scarlet Lion' is by the far the strongest character, and so when their lives and places in history start to overlap, the author reintroduces Marshal into the story. Roger is relegated to a sidekick in his own novel!

In her notes, Elizabeth Chadwick mentions that the most interesting events of Roger Bigod's sparse biography are his marriage to Ida, former concubine of King Henry, and the show more battle to reclaim and keep his earldom and lands after the death of his father. This is true, but the imaginative weaving of both threads becomes lost in the familiar recounting of history from William Marshal's life. Once Roger marries Ida, and she start producing children, the story loses momentum - Roger leaves, Ida has a baby, Roger comes back, Henry dies; Roger leaves, Ida has a baby, Roger comes back, Richard dies. No doubt the Earl of Norfolk was every bit as noble and powerful as the Earl of Pembroke, but he is far from the same calibre of romantic hero as William Marshal. Ida is also lacking as a leading lady, a wife and countess without Isabelle Marshal's strength and independence of nature.

Well told, but not on the same level as Chadwick's other historical novels. show less

The Time of Singing retells the story of Roger Bigod, son of Hugh Bigod Earl of Norfolk, who joined the younger Henry in his revolt against his father Henry II. When the revolt fails Hugh loses the Earldom and lands and when he dies there is a bitter dispute over the right to inherit the Earldom between Roger and his step-mother and her two sons. While Roger serves Henry and bides his time to claim his Earldom young Ida de Tosney arrives in court as the King's ward. Henry is smitten and has other plans for Ida and he makes her his mistress and she eventually bears him a son, William. Unhappy with her position as mistress to the king, Ida casts her hopes on Roger and Henry allows them to marry -- although she must leave her son behind. show more

Henry still withholds the Earldom, but he does restore some of their lands and Ida and Roger build a life and family together and begin rebuild Framlingham Castle to greater heights than it was before. Once Richard I takes the crown at the death of Henry the Earldom is restored to Roger, and the rest of the book recounts their lives as they struggle to keep everything they hold dear as the battle lines are drawn during Richard's absence on crusade and subsequent kidnapping threatens to bankrupt England.

A very enjoyable surprise for me was the appearance of my personal favorite hero, William Marshal - I did not expect him at all, or to feature so prominently - but it appears Bigod and Marshal were contemporaries and friends. Another big surprise was Ida's son William - who readers of fiction set during the reigns of John and Henry III will recognize as William Longespée, and I have to admit many of my favorite moments in the book were of William and his attempts at a relationship with his mother, Roger and their children.

While I enjoyed this book very much, this is not an action packed, page turning, sit on the edge of your seat type of book, but one to sit back and savor like a fine red wine or a box of chocolates (or both!!). As always with Chadwick's books, the way she brings the medieval period to life in such a graceful and effortless way, be it the sights, sounds, smells, food, clothes and battles is just awesome. As quoted on some of her book jackets, the next best thing to time travel. 4.5/5 stars. show less