Rivalry, an ancient family dispute, an impossible love and one man's fight to survive. 1184-1224. King John destroys Fulke Fitzwarrin's ambition to become Lord of Whittington castle in the Welsh Borderlands following a fight over a chess game. Accepting his fate he rebels. Danger reaches new heights with a passionate love affair that leads to marriage of the widow Maude Walter. ( )

La verdadera historia del caballero que inspiró la leyenda de Robin Hood. En las páginas de esta novela se revive uno de los periodos más fascinantes y turbulentos de la historia de Inglaterra, que abarca el reinado de tres reyes legendarios: Enrique Plantagenet, Ricardo Corazón de León y Juan Sin Tierra. Ambientada a comienzos del siglo XIII y basada en hechos y personajes reales, narra la trayectoria del caballero Fulke FitzWarin desde sus tiempos de inexperto escudero al servicio de Theobald Walter hasta convertirse en el poderoso señor de un extenso territorio. Un problema de tierras con la Corona que la familia FitzWarin arrastra desde hace varias generaciones provoca que la vida de Fulke dé un dramático giro. Tras una disputa con Juan Sin Tierra, se ve obligado a abandonar su ambición de convertirse en uno de los más influyentes pares del reino y emprende una vida fuera de la ley. Convertido en proscrito, Fulke se enfrenta a un sinfín de asechanzas y peligros, aunque siempre acompañado de sus fieles hermanos y seguidores y de su gran amor, una dama a la que también pretendía su encarnizado enemigo, el príncipe Juan.

This is book 2 in the FitzWaren novels, but you do not need to have read book 1 to follow along. This is the story about Fulke FitzWarin who likes his father wants his land and castle back.

Another book where King John is a total ass, honestly this guy deserve a kick in the behind. Fulke and prince John gets in a fight at 15 and hates each other for the rest of their lives. As all this happened a long time ago, and legends grow, we can't know it all. But yes I can see it happening like this. Later on Fulke becomes an outlaw when the now King John is a total asshat.

Fulke is, well a man oh his time. He can be so stubborn at times, a right idiot. But he loves his family. He sure wants Whittington back and he is a man of honor. And I liked how he went up against King John, now that is how a legend is made.

It was a hard time, but a great time to read about. You know it's good when I have to go google different people I read about,´even though I have googled them before.

An interesting story, but I must admit I wish the could have ended it a bit before the end. I did not need to know that which I shall not say. Then again, I had already read Chadwick's own words so I knew what would happen. But I like the illusion of everyone staying young and happy.

History at it's best. ( )

Another beauty by Elizabeth Chadwick. This woman just knows so well how to transport her readers to another time and place, all the while sucking them into a fantastic story and making them love the characters in it.

The author does another number on her readers as she transports them back in time to medieval England and Wales, to the turbulent time of King John and Richard the Lion-Hearted. She uses small details woven throughout the narrative to create a sensual experience and treat for her reader's senses. You don't just read the story; you live it. From the misty hills of Wales to the tense world of the Angevin court to the everyday life of a medieval keep, Elizabeth will make the surroundings in her books just leap off the page and into your brain, there to stay far after you've finished reading.

Another thing I loved, that is so common in Chadwick's work, is how three-dimensional her characters are. Filled with virtues and foibles alike, the people that populate her pages seem like real people that could walk into your front door and say hi (maybe ignore the chainmail and crown though LOL). I think I especially liked Maude, her main heroine. She can be unforgiving and blind to some of life's circumstances. Yet, she's also a damn brave woman who protects those she loves and is loyal till the sun dies out. And besides, who doesn't love a medieval woman who can whip out a bow and shoot down a bad guy just as well as embroider a stitch?!

And then there's the story. And what a story! I think I got more enjoyment out of it, knowing that parts of it were true. With a few similarities to the Robin Hood legend, Chadwick weaves a story that makes her readers so engaged with characters and their fates that they don't want to stop reading, ever! I like how the author did engage some Robin Hood similarities, but they were few and far between. The actual meat of the story was very different. Survival, betrayal, love, loyalty, and a bunch of dudes riding around in armor and waving swords around... What's not to love?!

This book has just given me another example of how well Elizabeth Chadwick can write. She excels at historical setting world-building, characterization, and telling a story that keeps her readers engaged like nobody's business. If you want a historical novel that will sweep you off your feet, read this one! ( )

Another great read from Elizabeth Chadwick she never disappoints. ( )