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Author Topic: The Scarlet Lion - William the Marshal's later years  (Read 9416 times)

Sir William

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The Scarlet Lion - William the Marshal's later years
« on: 2011-01-10, 16:58:08 »
Ok, so I read the first book, The Greatest Knight, also by Elizabeth Chadwick, and what I like about this book is that it takes what we know of in history and spins a tale that incorporates the fact with fiction written to suit the prose- but none of it comes off as hokey or contrived.  In fact, the book reads as well as any in the genre- Chadwick's grasp of all things medieval is what sets this book apart from some others; it is obvious she's done her research and her treatise on the Marshal does him justice, IMHO. 

Definitely worth reading, both books- since we are of The Order of the Marshal, why not?
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The Black Knight, Order of the Marshal
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Sir Brian

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Re: The Scarlet Lion - William the Marshal's later years
« Reply #1 on: 2011-01-10, 17:39:28 »
Excellent reminder for me Sir William to put this book on hold...I've been meaning to read it several months ago!  ;)
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Sir William

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Re: The Scarlet Lion - William the Marshal's later years
« Reply #2 on: 2011-01-10, 19:57:27 »
I'm not yet through, but I don't anticipate anything earthshattering...Chadwick's style is perfect in bringing out the Marshal into flesh and sinew, very good read.  No one else has even addressed his years after Richard's death, other than the smattering of writings dealing with John's ascendancy to the throne and maybe shortly thereafter, but this one looks like it'll run the entire gamut.

Not historical, mind you, but historical fiction.  I like it.
« Last Edit: 2011-01-10, 19:57:36 by Sir William »
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The Black Knight, Order of the Marshal
'Per Pale Azure and Sable, a Chevron counterchanged fimbriated argent.' 
“Pride makes a man, it drives him, it is the shield wall around his reputation.  Men die, but reputation does not.â€

Sir James A

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Re: The Scarlet Lion - William the Marshal's later years
« Reply #3 on: 2011-01-10, 22:59:59 »
Looks like a good read. I just picked up both of them off Amazon, and since I was $5 short on the free super shipper saving, picked up "Arms and Armor: A Pictorial Archive from Nineteenth-Century Sources" to get me over that free shipping minimum.

My reading list is piling up quite quickly. :)
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Sir William

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Re: The Scarlet Lion - William the Marshal's later years
« Reply #4 on: 2011-01-12, 21:48:12 »
3 excellent choices, Sir James...they'll keep you enthralled for a while at the least!
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The Black Knight, Order of the Marshal
'Per Pale Azure and Sable, a Chevron counterchanged fimbriated argent.' 
“Pride makes a man, it drives him, it is the shield wall around his reputation.  Men die, but reputation does not.â€

Sir William

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Re: The Scarlet Lion - William the Marshal's later years
« Reply #5 on: 2011-02-08, 20:41:58 »
So I'm currently re-reading this book and I must say- if there was ever a 'true history' of a medieval person, I would say that Chadwick's take on The Marshal has him nearing superhero status in my book.  I'm in agreement with this assessment, having read Crouch's Marshal, as well as numerous references in various medieval texts, this book fleshes out his later life, from 1197 right up until his taking of the Templar vows on his deathbed - she manages to make him human and yet he is still the epitome of chivalry and the very essence of knighthood for his time.  Who is to say it didn't happen this way?

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The Black Knight, Order of the Marshal
'Per Pale Azure and Sable, a Chevron counterchanged fimbriated argent.' 
“Pride makes a man, it drives him, it is the shield wall around his reputation.  Men die, but reputation does not.â€

Sir James A

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Re: The Scarlet Lion - William the Marshal's later years
« Reply #6 on: 2011-02-11, 22:31:03 »
I have it on my shelf, but I'm still going through a few other books on the list first. I've read nothing but good things from her, and picked up "For The King's Favor" (or similar) by her in my last Amazon purchases to get me over that $25 free shipping mark.
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Sir Brian

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Re: The Scarlet Lion - William the Marshal's later years
« Reply #7 on: 2011-02-11, 23:17:40 »
I've been reading it for the past couple of weeks but haven't gotten that far due to the hectic schedule! It is good though! :)
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"Chivalry our Strength, Brotherhood our sword"
Vert, on a Chief wavy Argent a Rose Sable,
a Gryphon Segreant Or
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Sir William

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Re: The Scarlet Lion - William the Marshal's later years
« Reply #8 on: 2011-02-15, 21:49:41 »
Quote from: James Anderson III on 2011-02-11, 22:31:03
I have it on my shelf, but I'm still going through a few other books on the list first. I've read nothing but good things from her, and picked up "For The King's Favor" (or similar) by her in my last Amazon purchases to get me over that $25 free shipping mark.

Ha!  I just downloaded that one to my Kindle...reading and enjoying it now.
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The Black Knight, Order of the Marshal
'Per Pale Azure and Sable, a Chevron counterchanged fimbriated argent.' 
“Pride makes a man, it drives him, it is the shield wall around his reputation.  Men die, but reputation does not.â€
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