"Chivalry is itself the poetry of life."
      -- Schlegel, Philosophy of History

Author Topic: The Greatest Knight  (Read 7779 times)

Sir Brian

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The Greatest Knight
« on: 2010-08-21, 10:36:55 »
I recently acquired this book from the public library and although it is a historical fiction, (I just love that oxymoron! :D) I am enjoying it immensely because it is well written and the storyline flows seamlessly from historical point to point without miring the reader in mounds of tedious factoids.  :)



"Chivalry our Strength, Brotherhood our sword"
Vert, on a Chief wavy Argent a Rose Sable,
a Gryphon Segreant Or

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Dragonlover

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Re: The Greatest Knight
« Reply #1 on: 2010-08-21, 12:34:37 »
being that time of year again, with the reading assignments I have, I won't be reading another book for quite some time. Too busy in texts....

Sir William

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Re: The Greatest Knight
« Reply #2 on: 2010-09-16, 19:55:10 »
LOVED it.  Historical fiction's great when you're burned out on actual history...plus the author's ability to mold and shape a believable world does wonders in drawing the reader in.  Think I've read it 3 times already- she uses Crouch for a lot of the historical aspect of Marshal's life (such as there is of it) and makes use of literary license for the rest.  A great read, no doubt.  One of the few books I made my sister return to me after reading it (usually she just gets to keep whatever I've "loaned" her lol).
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Sir Wolf

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Re: The Greatest Knight
« Reply #3 on: 2010-09-17, 12:27:52 »
oooooooOOOOOOOOOOOoooooooooooooo Sir's Brian's dirt and smut books! ehhehe

Sir Brian

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Re: The Greatest Knight
« Reply #4 on: 2010-09-17, 15:14:38 »
I take exception to that innuendo Sir Wolf! ~ At no time in that book is there a hero named “Fabio” ever mentioned!  :D


"Chivalry our Strength, Brotherhood our sword"
Vert, on a Chief wavy Argent a Rose Sable,
a Gryphon Segreant Or

[img width=100 height=100]
<a href="http://s221.photobucket.com/user/Tah908/media/LP_Medals_zpsq7zzdvve.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i221.photobucket.

Sir William

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Re: The Greatest Knight
« Reply #5 on: 2010-09-17, 18:33:34 »
Fabio...LOL

He's obviously not familiar with swords, unless he intends to beat people to death with the flat of his blade.  lol
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“Pride makes a man, it drives him, it is the shield wall around his reputation.  Men die, but reputation does not.”

Sir Patrick

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Re: The Greatest Knight
« Reply #6 on: 2011-10-12, 02:39:26 »
I just got the "Greatest Knight" and the sequel "The Scarlet Lion" and tore through them.   Chadwick does an excellent job of bringing Marshal and his time to life.  Up until this point, the only other time I've really encountered the Marshal in fiction was in Sharon Kay Penman's "Time and Chance" and "Devil's Brood" (both excellent BTW), but in those books he was more of a supporting character.  My only regret is Chadwick told his tale in two volumes instead of three! ;)
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Sir William

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Re: The Greatest Knight
« Reply #7 on: 2011-10-12, 14:56:47 »
Red, agreed on the desire for a 3rd book.  Even though she did an amazing job of cataloguing his exploits and beefing up the story...and you're right, it flows naturally.  I guess I just didn't want it to end.

  I caught up with the Scarlet Lion sometime last year...must've read it 4 times since then.  In fact, I just re-read Greatest Knight last week and started Scarlet Lion...and then came across a volume I'd not read in years and got engrossed in that; once I get through that one, I'll wrap up Scarlet Lion and wade my way back into the realm of the Seven Kingdoms (Game of Thrones is the first book).
« Last Edit: 2011-10-12, 14:57:40 by Sir William »
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.”

Sir William

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Re: The Greatest Knight
« Reply #8 on: 2012-02-22, 21:23:44 »
Also thought I'd add that Marshal figures in at least two more books Chadwick's written, mostly about Hugh Bigod and Mahelt (the eldest daughter of Sir William and Lady Isabel); supporting character status but she seems to breathe life into him every time he shows up on a page.  Its great.
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.”