Customer Reviews

Montfort The Founder of Parliament: The Viceroy 1243-1253

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This is a great book. It held my attention from beginning to end. well researched and well written, there was much adventure action as well as telling the story of Montfort's fight to advance himself socially and financially. A fascinating character in an exciting time in history, the book is a great read. As volume 2 continues Ashe manages to keep the story moving with the same pace and grace that distinguishes the first volume. Montfort saves himself from the unjust accusations of his enemies and continues his quest for more power and glory. The book brings to vivid life the complexities 13th century politics and society, as Simon risk all in his quest for his rightful place in the world he lives in. Volume 3 promises to be even better.

Without having read Volume I, I read Volume II of Katherine Ashe's Simon de Montfort series, and found enough good descriptons of characters and events, along with action for me to follow it well. Even though there were lots of names and personages all through "The Viceroy" it was easy to keep my focus on the main characters and their issues.

Simon's guilt at his adultry, his deep grief at not being able to go on the crusade to the Holy Land, and his patience and frustration with the deceptive,vacillating King Henry, all intrigued me. I leared much about 13th century England, its hierarchy and its financial woes through this well-written book. I want to keep on reading in the series to see what happens to Simon, a deeply devout but conflicted man of his time; a fearless warrior and a loyal subject severly tried, but so far, true to his king.

It was so good to find that volume 2 was of the same high quality and energy as volume I of Montfort by Katherine Ashe.I continue to be impressed with the fine research and skillful structure of this fascinating historical novel in four volumes..The characters are well defined and authentic, the pace gripping. I am looking forward to the next volume!

"Montfort The founder of Parliament, The Viceroy 1243 to 1253" is the second in Katherine Ashe's projected four volume exploration of the life of Simon de Montfort. The promise of volume 1, "The Early Years 1229 to 1243" is more than extended in this book and prompts pleasurable anticipation for volumes III and IV.

As in the first volume, Ashe uses her meticulous reasearch to propel a story of chilvalry, honor, intrigue and treachery in the lands claimed -- and mismanaged -- by England's Henry III. She individualizes a daunting array of characters. There's Henry himself, petty, easily swayed, frequetnly vengeful; Henry's beautiful, self-indulgent Queen Eleanor; Montfort's own wife Eleanor, plain, intelligent and rigid in her own rectitude, and of course Montfort, fond husband, secret lover, talented general, loyal subject, would be Crusader, reluctant administrator, and intolerant of frailty, especially his own.

This volume takes Montfort home to France where what he hoped would be a brief stop on th4 way to Crusade becomes a quagmire of often brutal conflict between forces loyal to Henry and those who feign loyalty and follow their own agendas. There's sword play and archery and even the early use of black powder in battle, battlefield medicine and a look at the wine trade.

Finding a new author is a little like making a new acquaintance. You're introduced, discover commond ground, explore a theme or two and -- after you part -- you tell your old friends there's an interesting new person in town.

The second meeting is the critical one. That's when you find out whether your first impressions hold true. Is the new acquaintance really that smart? Does the conversation flow easily? Do you actually have that much in common?

If the answ4r is yes, it's time for a party invitation.

Katherine Ashe, what are you doing Saturday night?