The Scarlet Lion (William Marshal, Book 2) [Paperback]

Elizabeth Chadwick (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 1, 2010

"Elizabeth Chadwick is a gifted novelist and a dedicated researcher; it doesn't get any better than that."
-Sharon Kay Penman

The Legend of the Greatest Knight Lives On

William Marshal's skill with a sword and loyalty to his word have earned him the company of kings, the lands of a magnate, and the hand of Isabelle de Clare, one of England's wealthiest heiresses. But he is thrust back into the chaos of court when King Richard dies. Vindictive King John clashes with William, claims the family lands for the Crown-and takes two of the Marshal sons hostage. The conflict between obeying his king and rebelling over the royal injustices threatens the very heart of William and Isabelle's family. Fiercely intelligent and courageous, fearing for the man and marriage that light her life, Isabelle plunges with her husband down a precarious path that will lead William to more power than he ever expected.

"Everyone who has raved about Elizabeth Chadwick as an author of historical novels is right."
-Devourer of Books on The Greatest Knight

(20100104)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

William Marshal returns in this sequel to The Greatest Knight with the older and wiser William well settled with his wife, Isabelle de Clare, and their ever-growing brood. However, he is now in uneasy service to King John, who suspects William for his ties to John's late brother Richard I, but cannot openly despise the powerful earl's allegiance. Still, ever spiteful John systematically strips William of titles, power, honors, and even his son, Will, who the king demands as his squire. Then John dies suddenly, and William must take the rebellious kingdom in hand and assume the regency. Chadwick delivers another accomplished historical, albeit without the thrills of its predecessor. Like William, the story is too settled and comfortable to be as exciting as the story of the young knight on the rise, but the in-depth exploration of the intrigues of King John's court is riveting. Isabelle remains a powerful noblewoman and excellent match for William. This will be best appreciated by fans of Chadwick's other work or readers curious to learn more about medieval England. (Mar.)
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Review

Fans of historical fiction will devour this novel, appreciating the depth of research, flowing prose, eye for detail and feeling like you knew William Marshall. (Katharine Romance Junkies 20100226)

When Elizabeth Chadwick writes about history, you feel like you are there in the thick of it... A definite must read for any lover of history. (The Long and Short of It 20100226)

The characters are brought to life. (Ana Historical Tapestry 20100226)

Graceful... elegantly sexy, realistic. (Margaret Donsbach HistoricalNovels.Info 20100226)

The Scarlet Lion is everything I look for in fiction: adventure, romance, intrigue, told through well developed characters and vivid descriptions of settings. (Elizabeth Bogardus Thoughts From an Evil Overlord 20100301)

From the colors, scents, sounds, emotions of people, places and things you can't help but feel as if you are a bystander watching the entire story unfold right before your very eyes. (Terra Studer Yankee Romance Reviewers 20100304)

Wonderful characters, fascinating history, and detailed beautiful writing. (Laura Gerold Laura's Reviews 20100309)

Recommended for historical fiction lovers. (Sandie Kirkland Booksie's Blog 20100309)

The writing is just so good, the characters and places so real, it's happy and sad and just so well researched – it's exactly what a book of this genre should be. (Virginie Barbeau She Read a Book 20100309)

Chadwick is very talented at bringing her characters and the Medieval world alive in the pages of her books. (Danielle A Work in Progress 20100310)

In this sweeping tale of medieval England, Elizabeth Chadwick creates a intriguing and delightful story full of gallantry, tournaments, treachery and a love story for the ages. (Svea Love Confessions of a Muse in the Fog 20100413)

Elizabeth Chadwick is a consummate author of historical fiction. (Jen Devourer of Books 20100413)

[Chadwick] makes the time period come alive for the reader, utilizing small historical details in order to really set each scene. (Swapna Krishna S. Krishna's Books 20100413)

Elizabeth Chadwick masterfully strikes the balance of blending historic fact with modern storytelling. Accurate period detail, sweeping scenery descriptions, and deeply developed characters (Allie Hist-Fic Chick 20100413)

Brilliantly weaving a strong plot line, historical accuracy, depth of character and dialogue filled with intelligence and wit... Elizabeth Chadwick is one of the very best of historical fiction authors. (Amy Bruno Passages to the Past 20100413)

Excellent... Elizabeth Chadwick brings William and Isabelle to life on the pages and draws you into the action. (Robin My Two Blessings 20100413)

Very well-written... This one's for the historical fiction fans out there. (Drey Drey's Library 20100413)

the perfect mix of battle, love, rich history and exacting character portrayal... The story progressed and flowed exquisitely- I was hooked till the end. (Lucy Enchanted by Josephine 20100413)

Chadwick masterfully brought [William Marshal] to life... a reading experience you won't soon forget (Michele A Reader's Respite 20100413)

Elizabeth Chadwick has brought William Marshall back into the limelight. (Aarti BookLust 20100413)

[Chadwick] will make you fall in love with William Marshal with her unforgettable story of his life, as his memory is finally being given its just rewards. (Marie Burton The Burton Review )

Chadwick has a marvelous writing style that transports you right into the story (Susie All Things Royal )

One of the strengths of Chadwick's writing is her ability to make you feel for the characters. (Heather The Maiden's Court )

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 563 pages
• Publisher: Sourcebooks Landmark; Original edition (March 1, 2010)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1402229992
• ISBN-13: 978-1402229992
• Product Dimensions: 8 x 6.4 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (42 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #71,799 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

53 of 53 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars `William Marshal: man, hero and courtier', February 11, 2008

By 

J. Cameron-Smith "Expect the Unexpected" (ACT, Australia) - See all my reviews
(TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Scarlet Lion (Audio Cassette)

William Marshal steps out of the pages of history and, larger than life, provides us with an insight into the times in which he lived. This novel opens in 1197 and depicts the turbulent times around the reigns of King Richard I and King John.

While following the life of William and his wife Isabelle, we are treated to a finely depicted view of the politics, intrigue and events of medieval England and Ireland. The novel is multi-faceted: it enables us to relate to William and Isabelle as two human beings who needed to balance their own needs and those of their family with the code of honour and political constraints of the day. At the same time, the known historical facts are woven into the story in a way that breathes life into history and will have many readers wanting to know more about the actual events depicted.

And while those readers are learning more about the history, I have been provided with another hero worthy of my admiration.

Brava, Ms Chadwick! Few authors have ever made medieval history as interesting to me as you have.

Highly recommended.

Jennifer Cameron-Smith

38 of 38 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Outstanding Historical Fiction From One of the Best Writers Around!, March 23, 2007

By 

Tamela Mccann "taminator40" (Nashville, TN USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Scarlet Lion (Hardcover)

Unable to wait for the American release, I had to pick up Elizabeth Chadwick's newest novel, The Scarlet Lion, from Amazon.uk as soon as it was available. And I am so glad I did! This is one author who continues to give us quality historical fiction that will leave you breathless and eagerly awaiting her next venture.

Elizabeth Chadwick has given us a gift---the sequel to her outstanding novel, The Greatest Knight. The Scarlet Lion picks up the life of William Marshal, Earl of Pembroke and eventual Regent of England in the early 1200s. To say that this man was more than a mere knight would be an understatement of the first order, and would be a disservice to the writing skills Ms. Chadwick displays so well.

Where should I begin in describing this magnificent novel? Maybe I will start with William's accomplishments, all of which were almost unheard of for someone who had to make his own way in life. Or perhaps I should begin with the cast of characters who populate this tale, among them Richard the Lion Heart, King John of Magna Carta fame, and the young Henry III who was placed in the care of Marshal upon the death of his father. But starting with those would take away the heart of the novel: the uncommon relationship between William and his wife, Isabelle. William, in a time when women were basically chattel, cherished his wife and listened to her counsel. Ms. Chadwick has taken all of these historical facts and woven them into one grand tapestry that brings Marshal to life and inserts him into your heart, mind, and soul. Her research is impeccable, and her gift of phrase will make you want to slow down while reading so as to savor every word.

To those who are lovers of good fiction, this is one of the best and truly deserving of a widespread audience. To those who are lovers of historical fiction, I can say with complete assurance that this will be a book you will treasure forever. Ms. Chadwick's skill in recreating the past pulls you into the story immediately, and won't let you go once you close the book. Highly, highly recommended.

22 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This author just keeps getting better, March 1, 2008

By 

Misfit (Seattle, WA USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)   

This review is from: The Scarlet Lion (Paperback)

Historical fiction just doesn't get any better than this. This is a wonderful tale of one of the most honorable men to grace this earth, William Marshal and his true partner in all things, his wife Isabelle. The first novel, Greatest Knight, covered more of William Marshal's early life as a knight and courtier. This novel covers his life with Isabel and the dangers and terrors of living in the court of the King John, and then as regent for the young Henry III. I have to admit shedding more than a few tears at the last chapter, the end of William's life.

I have read all of this author's works that I can get my hands on and I am amazed at how consistly she is improving (not that the earlier works were poorly written at all). As always with Chadwick's books, the way she brings the medieval period to life in such a graceful and effortless way, be it the sights, sounds, smells, food, clothes and battles is just awesome. As quoted on some of her book jackets, the next best thing to time travel. Five stars.