Lords of the White Castle [Audiobook] [Audio Cassette]

Elizabeth Chadwick (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 30, 2003

Westminster, 1184-- in the court of King Henry, playful competition is about to turn into something far more serious. Young courtier Fulke FitzWarin would not be an obvious companion for Prince John, but the boy from the Welsh Marches is there as a reward for his family's loyalty to the crown. The FitzWarins are as proud as they are true, and when Fulke is accused by John of cheating during a game of chess, he cannot help but respond. Thus begins a bitter rivalry that will resonate throughout their lives.

The FitzWarins dream of reclaiming their family estate and title, Lords of the White Castle. After this quarrel with Fulke, however, John's vindictiveness leads to Fulke renouncing his allegiance and becoming a rebel outlaw.

In romance, too, Fulke is no closer to fulfilling his heart's desire. A youthful dalliance means nothing compared to his love for the spirited Maude le Vavasour, but marriage in medieval England is more about alliance than about love, and Fulke can only watch helplessly as Maude's father arranges a more suitable match. After all, what can Fulke offer Maude apart from a lifetime on the run....

With all the intrigue and pageantry that bring the twelfth century vividly to life, this award-winning novelist spins us an irresistible tale of a deadly rivalry and an impossible love.

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Veteran medievalist and romance novelist Chadwick (The Conquest; The March King's Daughter) provides another vivid portrait of her native Britain in feudal times, complete with circus-like tourneys and deadly woodland skirmishes. The tourneys feature knights in full regalia honing their fighting skills and competing for prize money, while in the skirmishes grim antagonists defending family fiefs suffer grievous wounds or die with their mounts. Quintessential hero Fulke of the FitzWarin clan is being tutored at court and serves petulant young Prince John as squire. In strong, stalwart Fulke at 15 the eldest of six sons rests the family hope of regaining Whittington castle, the seat of dispossessed forebears. But a confrontation over a chess game renders Fulke and John sworn enemies. When John eventually takes the throne, he punishes his recalcitrant former squire by denying his claim to the property and awarding it to the rogue occupant, whereupon Fulke becomes an outlaw with a price upon his head. Meanwhile, 12-year-old tomboy Maude le Vavasour is offered in marriage by her father to any noble prepared to pay a fee; Lord Walter, a bachelor in his 40s, pities the child and marries her. Subsequently widowed, she becomes Fulke's bride, a tempestuous, passionate woman with skill as an archer that saves her husband's life. The novel is based on fact, with Chadwick's period scholarship and vivid imagination thoroughly fleshing out the meager historical record. The end result is a lively, well-plotted drama, superior to the norm.
Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Review

"Reading an Elizabeth Chadwick novel is the next best thing to time travel."--Sharon Kay Penman

"A wonderful book. I read it in gulps to know what happens, just so I could go back and read it again slowly to savour every scene and mood."--Roberta Gellis

"A rousing sample of English medieval life, replete with violence, lust, royal schemes, and religious scandal."--Publishers Weekly on Elizabeth Chadwick's The Champion

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Audio Cassette
• Publisher: Soundings Ltd; Unabridged edition (November 30, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 184283388X
• ISBN-13: 978-1842833889
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (20 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #11,185,693 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Elizabeth Chadwick is a best selling, award winning author of historical fiction. A born storyteller, her first novel The Wild Hunt won a Betty Trask Award in 1990. She has been four times shortlisted for the RNA Award in the UK for the best mainstream romantic novel. Her book The Scarlet Lion was selected as one of the top ten works of historical fiction of the decade by Richard Lee, founder of The Historical Novel Society.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

36 of 36 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Winner of the WordWeaving Award of Excellence, April 22, 2002

By 

C. Penn "WordWeaving" (Greenville, SC) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Lords of the White Castle (Hardcover)

Fifteen year old Fulke FitzWairin was sent to court to serve as a companion to King Henry II's youngest son, Prince John, in hopes of ultimately regaining Whittington Castle. Prince John treats Fulke poorly, deriding him as a country bumpkin because he heralds from the Welsh marshes. His father's lessons in honor have not prepared Fulke for the deceptions and cruelty of court, making him a frequent target of Prince John's ire, culminating in the day the prince breaks a chessboard across Fulke's nose. When the dust settles, the prince looked much worse. A lifetime of bitter rivalry has begun.

Fulke leaves Prince John's service to become a squire to Lord Theobald Walter. Theobald proves himself to be a caring mentor of true honor. A chance game of ball among his younger brothers results in Fulke meeting the twelve year old Maude le Vavasour, who later weds Theobald. While Fulke eventually come to recognize the possibilities of passion between himself and Maude, neither wish to compromise the love and trust of Theobald, a man they both love. Eventually destiny takes a hand as Prince John's machinations make Fulke an outlaw and he threaten to marry the newly widowed Maude off to one of his court cronies.

Award winning author Elizabeth Chadwick captures the true essence of historical fiction in LORDS OF THE WHITE CASTLE. The challenges and triumphs of Fulke FitzWairin come alive on the pages from the ecstasy of marriage to his heart's desire to the agony of wounds both physical and mental. His king and his destiny challenge his ethics and beliefs even as Fulke remains a man of honor and valor. Although Fulke is a flawed hero, readers will adore his dedication to family and honor. Likewise, Maude presents a remarkable heroine with an impetuous spirit and fierce independence. As skilled with a bow as she is with her children, Maude sharply contrasts the typically meek and yielding women of her time. Yet Chadwick still adheres to the conventions of historical accuracy, for example, women marrying young and being left behind for safety's sake. In addition, Fulke and Maude share a passion that make the pages sizzle, and binds them even as it tears their hearts in two. Their wedding night is absolutely beautiful with fanciful touches and burning desire.

Chadwick is a remarkably gifted storyteller. Although the book numbers more than 600 pages, it reads quickly, fascinating the reader with the medieval period. Chadwick's admitted love for medieval reenacting gives her prose the ring of authenticity that will enthralls. LORDS OF THE WHITE CASTLE is a Winner of the WordWeaving Award of Excellence.

27 of 29 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An Exciting Medieval Ride!, April 26, 2002

By 

Kimberly Gelderman (Spring Lake, MI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Lords of the White Castle (Hardcover)

Elizabeth Chadwick does it again! This is the second novel I have read by her (the first being "The Love Knot") and this one is incredible too! The story begins in 1184 after Fulke FitzWarin is sent to serve Prince John, son of Henry II. His family thought it a great honor as did Fulke until John accuses him of cheating at chess, which by the way he didn't. He just plays chess better. Well, a fight ensues over this and both hold grudges against each other for a lifetime.

Meanwhile, Fulke is training under Theobald Walter, who becomes his friend and mentor. He also meets his future wife, Maude,on the day of her wedding to Theobald. Fulke's life takes many twists and turns and he becomes an outlaw. He tries to reclaim his family's estate of Whittington Castle time and time again, after his father's many attempts and failures. This struggle eventually kills his father, but Fulke endeavors to make his father's quest a realization.

After years pass by, he ends up finally marrying the woman of his dreams, Maude. However, their life from the beginning is spent running from King John's vengance. Even after all of this they manage to raise a family, endure one adventure after another and never cease to support and love one another.

The day-to-day trials and joys of the middle ages are brought to life with a wonderful perspective on how life must have been for not only the nobles of twelfth century England but also the commoners. The author really makes you feel as though you were there. So far all of her books have been winners, and if you love a great medieval story, this book is one of the best!

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A wonderful read!, April 23, 2002

By 

NovaGirl "aloera3" (New Hope, PA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Lords of the White Castle (Hardcover)

Elizabeth Chadwick does it again with yet another engrossing historical novel about medieval England. I have read all her other novels and was never disappointed with any of them. It is easy to see how the true figure of Fulke FitzWarin could have given rise to the legend of Robin Hood. For those who crave historical fiction about the time period surrounding the reign of King John, this novel will not disappoint. Highly recommended!