On this day in 1189, Richard I of England was crowned at Westminster. He was known as Richard the Lionheart for his military courage even before he became king. Legendary leaders rely upon loyal men. For Richard I, it was William Marshal, 1st Earl of Pembroke, "the greatest knight". William was shaped by the events of his childhood. His father, John Marshal, faced a moral dilemma regarding William during his service to Richard's predecessor, Stephen I.
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| King Stephen gave Ludgershall Castle to John Marshal wikipedia.com |
William's dilemma is the subject of Elizabeth Chadwick's A PLACE BEYOND COURAGE:
The early twelfth century is a time for ambitious men to prosper. John FitzGilbert is a man of honor and loyalty, sworn to royal service. When the old king dies, his successor rewards the handsome and ambitious John with castles and lands. But King Stephen has a tenuous hold on both his reign and his barons, and when jealous rivals at court seek to destroy John, he backs a woman's claim to the crown, sacrifices his marriage, and eventually is forced to make a gamble that is perhaps one step too far.
Rich with detail, masterful in its storytelling, A Place Beyond Courage is a tale of impossible gambles and the real meaning of honor.
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| King Richard gave Pembroke Castle to William Marshal coastal-holidays.co.uk |
Although that one step too far and the real meaning of honor is an infamous moment in medieval history, you must read this book to visualize it through Chadwick's prose. I posted my review of A PLACE BEYOND COURAGE on Goodreads at this link. Sourcebooks is giving away a print copy of A PLACE BEYOND COURAGE plus THE GREATEST KNIGHT (William's story) to one randomly selected commenter. To enter the giveaway,
1. Leave a comment about a title you would give yourself, for example, I am the Kim, the Countess of Cats (as I volunteer with a cat rescue).
2. Sourcebooks' giveaway is open to US and Canadian residents. I'll giveaway a Hawaiian Royal souvenir to one international reader.
3. Comments are open through Saturday, September 8, 10 pm in Hawaii. I'll post the winner on Sunday, September 9.
Mahalo,
Kim in Hawaii
To learn more about Elizabeth and her books, check out her website at elizabethchadwick.com.
Mary, Mistress of All She Surveys. Someone has to run the house.
ReplyDeleteDebby, Duke of Duty. I make everyone do their duties. LOL
ReplyDeleteMy title would be 'Queen of the Shopping" I love to shop.
ReplyDeleteLory, The Bluestocking Spy.
ReplyDeleteI want to be the Empress of Reading and Chocolate.
ReplyDeleteI would be Barbara, Queen of the Universe. I figure why not aim high, maybe I can go on a tour of my kingdom. :D
ReplyDeletehmmm you took my name lol. How about Jeanne, the Duchess of Cats lol.
ReplyDeleteI would be the Baroness of Good Friends.
ReplyDeleteI once had 11 cats at one time and they called me the cat lady---so Lady of the Cats.
ReplyDeletequeen of chocolate
ReplyDeleteI think I should be called Lady Grandma as I now have eight grandchildren.
ReplyDeleteThanks for a great post! I'd have to be Erin, Duchess of Dogs ;)
ReplyDeleteThe picture of Ludgershall Castle is beautiful, I would love to walk around it...imagine what it was when it was just built.
ReplyDeleteHmm...The Siberian Countess. Only because I like Siberian Huskies and it sounds good with Countess.
Linda, the Lady of travel, books, animals, and chocolate. :)
ReplyDeleteNa, Madam of White Chocolates.
ReplyDeleteEli, The Lady Book Lover :)
ReplyDeleteHmmmm... it would be the duchess of gummies. :)
ReplyDeleteI would choose to be the Duchess of Pets in distress.
ReplyDeleteCountess of the M&Ms...
ReplyDeleteI got so excited when I saw this. I love Elizabeth Chadwick's books!
ReplyDeleteI use leahluvsmedieval as my screen name on a lot of sites and that pretty much sums me up in a nut shell, LOL! As for a title, I guess it would be something along the lines of Leah, Duchess of Dreams, as I dream of another time and place that I feel my soul is from. Oh, to be able to time travel back to the medieval era.......
I am Elizabeth the Evader of Housework
ReplyDeleteI'd be Carol, Countess of Kilts. I love my Highlanders. :)
ReplyDeleteCarol L.
I am Jeanne, the Queen's Lady of Quiet. Even though I sit quietly in the background I am actually quietly listening for any tales of intrigue and rebellion within the Queen's circle.
ReplyDeleteI'm not tall nor am a willowly and often go unnoticed as I sit quietly in the background but oh, I hear what the other ladies are all saying and remembering every detail for mention of disent.
I am the Queen's ears and no one notices me there in the background but I am listening, quietly and unnoticed.
I would be Maureen, the Queen of Procrastination although I am trying to get better, truly.
ReplyDelete