Young Henry Clifford, heir to vast estates in the North of England, is spirited away after the Battle of Towton for fear that the Yorkists will take his life in reprisal against his father's actions. He is brought up as a simple shepherd boy so that his noble background does not betray his true identity. Narrated by the shepherd that raised him until it was safe to reveal his true identity and reclaim his birthright, this is a riveting tale contrasting a life on the run against an idyllic pastoral backdrop. It is a tale of identity, roots and nurture one of an unbreakable and everlasting bond that develops between two people from very different backgrounds. A true story, that has been all but ignored for centuries and is now bursting to be told.
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Editorial Reviews
Review
The basis for this novel is a true story. When John, 9th Lord Clifford, was killed at the battle of Towton his children were in great danger. While his younger son was sent overseas, Henry, the older son, was sent into hiding in the north of England. He was entrusted to his former wet nurse, and to her shepherd husband, and for the next two decades was raised in safety before emerging to reclaim his title after Henry Tudor's victory at the Battle of Bosworth. Algar had taken the limited facts known to us about this period, combined them with some local traditions (many recorded in ballads), and then filled the gaps with his own take on events to produce an entertaining novel that followed the young Henry during the period between the two battles, and from his original refuge in Yorkshire to final safety in Westmorland. This main central section is almost entirely fictional, as very little is known about Henry's life in this period. The main character, Tom Lawkland, the shepherd who raises Henry as his son, is also fictional, but is a well thought-out figure. Algar also includes two poems that mention the story, the most interesting being The Nut Brown Maid, a poem that was almost lost before being rescued by Samuel Pepys. This is an entertaining read that tells one of those amazing true stories that are almost stranger than fiction in the first place. I look forward to the planned sequel, which will look at Henry's life after his return to public life --History of War
'The Shepherd Lord' is saturated with passionate understanding of Yorkshire's past in a way that puts more conventional historical accounts to shame. In truth, it is a remarkable achievement: the sights, the voices, the very smell of this turbulent age seem to rise from the page. With spellbinding realism, George Peter Algar tells the tale of a young Lord, who is spirited away by his murdered father's shepherd, to the safety of the Yorkshire Dales, chased by an ever more malevolent and brutal Yorkist regime. With every chapter, the reader becomes engrossed in a tale of desperation and triumph against adversity. Though it does not shy away from dark themes, the overall effect of this novel is extremely uplifting. With the same gritty realism often found in works of literature (or indeed music or film) from Yorkshire, 'The Shepherd Lord' depicts the adventures of an everyman whose humility and loyalty see him prosper against more powerful, but morally corrupt foes. I felt the same way when I saw the fantastic film Kes for the first time. Though this was not necessarily a story about things I had experienced, the hero Tom Lawkland, was someone I could identify with, or rather, aspire to be. In short, this is a top class read by a master of historical drama. --Les Hutton
Just finished it. Marvellous. This is an anthem for Yorkshire. It should be on every Tyke's bookshelf along with the King James' bible and the Complete Works of Shakespeare. I loved the chapter at the court of King Henry VII - it was as comical as 'A Yankee at the court of King Arthur.' The rest of it is full of realism and grit. --S Hedley
'The Shepherd Lord' is saturated with passionate understanding of Yorkshire's past in a way that puts more conventional historical accounts to shame. In truth, it is a remarkable achievement: the sights, the voices, the very smell of this turbulent age seem to rise from the page. With spellbinding realism, George Peter Algar tells the tale of a young Lord, who is spirited away by his murdered father's shepherd, to the safety of the Yorkshire Dales, chased by an ever more malevolent and brutal Yorkist regime. With every chapter, the reader becomes engrossed in a tale of desperation and triumph against adversity. Though it does not shy away from dark themes, the overall effect of this novel is extremely uplifting. With the same gritty realism often found in works of literature (or indeed music or film) from Yorkshire, 'The Shepherd Lord' depicts the adventures of an everyman whose humility and loyalty see him prosper against more powerful, but morally corrupt foes. I felt the same way when I saw the fantastic film Kes for the first time. Though this was not necessarily a story about things I had experienced, the hero Tom Lawkland, was someone I could identify with, or rather, aspire to be. In short, this is a top class read by a master of historical drama. --Les Hutton
Just finished it. Marvellous. This is an anthem for Yorkshire. It should be on every Tyke's bookshelf along with the King James' bible and the Complete Works of Shakespeare. I loved the chapter at the court of King Henry VII - it was as comical as 'A Yankee at the court of King Arthur.' The rest of it is full of realism and grit. --S Hedley
About the Author
Peter Algar was born and bred in Yorkshire and spent his formative years on his Auntie's farm where his first friends were the livestock. He has always dreamed of owning his own farm. He realised this dream almost forty years later and now tends to his sheep, goats and chickens when he escapes to his retreat in Normandy. His wife won't let him have a sheepdog, but he's working on that. He came upon this story whilst researching his family's history and put aside a couple of hours every day before dawn to write it. This is his first novel, but he is already planning a sequel.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
The Shepherd Lord is an exciting read,
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This review is from: The Shepherd Lord (Paperback)
The Shepherd Lord by George Peter AlgarThis story of adventure begins when Tristram Bolling, a lad of 14, rushes from the battlefield to warn the Clifford family that Lord John "Blackface" Clifford is dead. King Edward's revenge toward Lord Clifford is then directed towards the family when he vows that no Clifford heir shall be left alive to inherit and lay claim on the now attainted Skipton Castle. Young Henry must be saved! To hide him he is placed with the trusted local shepherd, Tom, to be reared as one of his own sons. A great deal of the charm found when reading this book comes from the narrative voice of Tom, as he tells the tale of Henry or Moses as he was known during the many years he was in hiding from King Edward's men. This tale is based on historical reality and the author is a member of the ancient family, the Bollings, on which part of the plot is based. The novel follows Henry as he is raised in hiding as a shepherd, until he finally begins his journey back to becoming Lord Henry Clifford of Skipton Castle. The inclusion of poetry within the text is unusual and enhances the story that follows. Mr. Algar has skillfully captured the mood of these violent and adventurous times through the use of vivid language and historical accuracy. This book is a compelling read, true to the ways of these turbulent times.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
The Shepherd Lord by George Peter Algar,
By C. B. Smith (Fresno, California, US) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Shepherd Lord (Paperback)
G.P. Algar has written a truly wonderful historic novel that immediately draws the reader in. He has a wonderful way of weaving together characters from vary diverse backgrounds, and brings to life an era of British history of which most Americans know very little. His description of the northern English landscape is beautiful and inspiring. This book is uplifting and very moving, and I can't wait for the sequel!
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A haunting and fast moving tale,
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This review is from: The Shepherd Lord (Paperback)
I have been living in Australia for the best part of fourty years and love the life "down under". Reading this book transported me straight back to my native Yorkshire roots. It actually made me feel homesick for the dramatic beauty of the Yorkshire Dales and my taciturn fellow countrymen. As a rule, I am not into historical novels but this is a ripping yarn that haunts you to the extent that when you think it's time for bed and put it down, you pick it up again just to find out what happens in the next chapter, and the chapter after that. I am reading it now for the second time as there are bits of detail I missed first time around, as I was in such a rush to finish it. It actually has lots of interesting historical facts and taught me some things I did not know about the Wars of the Roses. Thoroughly recommend it.
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