To Defy a King by Elizabeth Chadwick

To Defy a King

ISBN: 9781402250897

544 pages 

By: Elizabeth Chadwick

Published: February 2011 

The adored and spirited daughter of England’s greatest knight, Mahelt Marshal lives a privileged life. But when her beloved father falls foul of the volatile and dangerous King John, her world is shattered. The king takes her brothers hostage and Mahelt’s planned marriage to Hugh Bigod, son of the Earl of Norfolk, takes place sooner than she expected. Mahelt and Hugh come to care for each other deeply, but Hugh’s strict father clashes with the rebellious Mahelt. When more harsh demands from King John threaten to tear the couple’s lives apart, Mahelt finds herself facing her worst fears alone, not knowing if she—or her marriage—will survive.

A brilliant story of a vibrant woman in a tyrant’s world, To Defy a King is another impeccably researched masterpiece from a beloved author.

Go here to read excerpt at Sourcebooks 

My Thoughts:

Mahelt Marshal, Countess of Norfolk, Countess of Surrey  was an Anglo-Norman noblewoman, and she was the eldest daughter of  William Marshal, 1st Earl of Pembroke, and mother Isabel de Clare  4th Countess of Pembroke. This story takes place in the 12th - 13th century. Mahelt married Hugh Bigod, but the marriage was not consumated due to her age. Mahelt and Hugh became true man and wife after she reached the age that her father and father in law had agreed upon. I loved how the marriage of Mahelt and Hugh was shown in such a heartfelt way and I loved both of them and how they loved each other through all that is thrust upon them. There are long separations, and happy reunions, she bears him five children. Mahelt is a very headstrong woman for her time and she does clash with her father in law, has a great relationship with her mother in law, Ida, and hates King John. King John, was the youngest of five sons of King Henry II of England and Eleanor, Duchess of Aquitaine. King John is portrayed as a very demanding, distasteful egotistical leader. He could be very cruel in his dealings with the noblemen, causing them to rebel against him and attempts were made to remove him from being king of England. The Marshal and Bigod families are swept along in the King's wars and rebellions with France, forcing the families to be opposing sides.

This book is full of medieval intrigue, historical content that brings the reader right into this long ago world. I have to be honest and say that this was the first book of Elizabeth Chadwicks that I have read and I was very impressed with her writing. The author wrote of these characters and timeframe with as much historical accuracy that can be put in a work of fiction. I can see why To Defy A King is Historical Novel of the Year by the Romantic Novelists’ Association.  So congrats to Elizabeth on a great book! I loved it...

I received this book from Sourcebooks and was not monetarily compensated for my review.