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    To Defy a King
    To Defy a King
    To Defy a King
    Ebook590 pages10 hours

    To Defy a King

    By Elizabeth Chadwick

    4/5

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    About this ebook

    ROMANTIC NOVELIST'S ASSOCIATION'S HISTORICAL NOVEL OF THE YEAR

    "The best writer of medieval fiction currently around."—Historical Novels Review

    The fifth book in bestselling author Elizabeth Chadwick's William Marshal series, To Defy is King is a riveting historical novel of family, loyalty and betrayal, featuring the daughter of medieval England's Greatest Knight.

    The spirited daughter of England's greatest knight, Mahelt Marshal, lives a privileged medieval life. But when her beloved father falls out with the volatile and dangerous King John, her world is shattered. The king takes her brothers hostage and Mahelt's planned marriage to Hugh Bigod, heir to nobility, 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 the British royalty threaten to tear the couple's lives apart, Mahelt finds herself facing her worst fears alone. Caught between the family she was born in and the family she married into, Mahelt is uncertain if she—or her marriage—will survive.

    Written with vivid detail and great historical accuracy, To Defy a King is an immersive novel of medieval England. Fans of Philippa Gregory, Alison Weir, Sharon Kay Penman, and Bernard Cornwall will take pleasure in this well-crafted story of a vibrant, noble woman in a tyrant's world.

    More Novels of Elizabeth Chadwick's William Marshal:

    The Greatest Knight

    The Scarlet Lion

    For the King's Favor

    Templar Silks

    To Defy a King

    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherSourcebooks
    Release dateMar 1, 2011
    ISBN9781402250903
    To Defy a King
    Author

    Elizabeth Chadwick

    Elizabeth Chadwick lives in Nottingham with her husband and two sons. She is a member of Regia Anglorum, an early medieval reenactment society, and tutors in writing historical and romantic fiction. She won a Betty Trask Award for The Wild Hunt, her first novel, and was shortlisted for the Romantic Novelists' Award in 1998 for The Champion. Her novel Lords of the White Castle won the WordWeaving Award of Excellence, and The Falcons of Montabard, her thirteenth novel, was shortlisted for the U.K.'s Parker Romantic Novel of the Year Award for 2004.

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    Reviews for To Defy a King

    4/5

    127 ratings18 reviews

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    • 4/5
      Set in the reign of King John, this is a story based on the eldest daughter of William Marshall, and her marriage to Hugh Bigod, the son of the Earl of Norfolk. It's a fairly tempestuous relationship, set in a time of upheaval and change. During the later stages of the book, Magna Charter is signed, and there is a certain amount of political manoeuvring taking place. I found myself rooting for Mahelt and Hugh (he's adorable, BTW), was glad that William finally did the right thing, and that John got his comeuppance - he's classic pantomime villain material. There's a fair amount of trouble and strife along the way, but it was fairly convincing. I recognised a significant number of the names, and places (Framlingham Castle is just fabulous, if you get the chance go & visit), and the events described were in a framework that hung together. Some readers may find the marital bed scene a little uncomfortable, bedding his young wife of 15 in some fairly extensive detail, but they were married younger - when life expectancy is shorter, you have to get on with it. I listened to this and, at times, the narration was a little overwrought. However, it got to me in the end. Driving down a dual carriageway in tears is probably not the safest option!
    • 5/5
      [TO DEFY A KING by Elizabeth Chadwick].... a historical novel set in the Plantagenet times when King John ruled England, focusing on Hugh Bigod, son of the Earl of Norfolk who marries Mehelt Marshall, first daughter of William Marshal. It is beautifully done. Chadwick is very skilled in weaving everyday life of 1200's England and France into a beautiful tapestry of love, family, danger, daring, and history. I love the portrayal of family love and loyalty, having babies, family tragedy and national triumph. It is exciting to recognize the names of people who actually existed and see how their lives were interwoven and with whom. Featured here are William Marshal, the well loved Earl of Pembroke and his beloved Isabelle De Clare, William Longspee and his mother, Ida de Tosnney, who is featured in Chadwick's [For the King's Favor and harks back to King Henry II who was married to Eleanor of Aquitaine and is the father of John,] the Bigod's, de Bohun's, the Earl of Salisbury, the famous King John, and more, all real people, actual history. I love how she can do this and help in sorting all of them out, clarifying just who did what. It is easy to love and revere them for the lives they lived and who they are. Needless to say, my must-read list has at least quadrupled now. I must read all of these books.
    • 4/5
      This story continues the story of William Marshal, but centers on his eldest daughter, Mahelt and her husband Hugh Bigod. The central characters of the third book, "For the King's Favor", Ida and Roger Bigod, are also cast here, but they are not as likeable - in fact, I didn't recognize them.

      The reign of John is the backdrop and once more we have excellent research and character development, though at times I thought characters repeated dialogue. My favorite characters were Hugh and Hugh's half-brother, William Longspee, the bastard son of Henry II. They have the same mother, but their personalities and motivations are as different as night and day - Hugh a man of duty and honor like his father Roger, but more sympathetic to his wife and clearly shown to be in love with her, and William, a royal who makes up for his lack of legitimacy with snobbery and lording over those less fortunate in their circumstances.

      The back story of the civil war that festered and broke out after the signing of the Magna Carta was well developed and had me staying up late to see what disgusting thing John would do next and how long it would be before the barons finally said 'enough.' The life of Mahelt Marshal, countess of Norfolk is the central theme and she is a woman in the mould of Eleanor of Aquitaine and the Empress Maude. It made the story interesting and once more I was sorry it ended.
    • 4/5
      This is effectively the fourth in the quartet of novels the author has written about the dominant Marshal family in Angevin England. The leading figure here is William Marshal's eldest daughter, Mahelt (who was later in life the only surviving Marshal of her generation and was appointed hereditary Marshal of England after the deaths without heirs of all five of her brothers - surely a unique role in the period for a non-royal female). The thrust of the novel is the clash between love and duty towards family on the one hand; and loyalty and honour towards one's seigneur or King on the other, during the troubled times of King John after the loss of Normandy (when Christ and His Saints, if not actually sleeping, were certainly dozing in a rather relaxed state). The story is as colourful a page turner as all Ms Chadwick's novels are, though I was somewhat less keen on this than the William Marshal novels, and I found Mahelt's relentlessly headstrong nature and constant stubborn refusal to compromise on any issue of any nature a bit irritating at times. Hugh and Roger Bigod came across very well, especially the former, while William Marshal very much took a back seat here and was hardly in it, despite being the mainstay of support for King John. John is certainly depicted here as without a single redeeming feature (except perhaps a love of books); and indeed his ability to alienate so many barons to the point where they fought for the French dauphin Louis as their preferred alternative monarch could have radically altered the course of English history, had not John died unexpectedly at the age of 49 in 1216 and prompted most of those barons to reassess their position and declare loyalty to the boy king Henry III and William Marshal as his guardian. In sum, despite minor reservations, this was as engaging a read as ever. 4/5
    • 3/5
      An interesting novel about the daughter of William Marshal, who lived during the reign of King John and whose husband rebelled against him. While this novel was compelling and well-researched, I found myself more drawn and interested in the character of William Longespee, who was portrayed as partial villain. More so than the central characters of Mahelt and Hugh, William struck me as a much more complicated person with a unique story and deep psychological issues. I find myself wishing this book had focused more on William and explored his character more. Nevertheless, a fine read about the reign of King John in early thirteenth-century England.
    • 4/5
      I love Elizabeth Chadwick's works. I read half of this book a few months ago and then set it aside due to school but have been thinking of picking it back up again as soon as I had more time to get into it. Finally the time arrived and I found it again, read through the first half again and then finished the book this weekend on a camping trip. Reading about the medieval period while living at a campsite for a few days really puts in perspective how good we have it now a days. Getting as close as possible to the time period Mahelt lived in was a treat. I felt as if I could relate more than usual. I am particularly interested in her father William Marshall now and feel as if I will look for more books about him in the future and I enjoyed reading about his daughter. The kicker though is Chadwick's talent at spinning a tale with any character. I love history so that's a bonus. :) I've only got a few books left of Chadwick's to read before I will need to wait for each new book to come out but I'm sure I will be reading anything that she comes out with. It sounds like she has many ideas and I look forward to them all.
    • 5/5
      You have to know when to seize the advantage and when to yield. I do not make the mistake of pushing at doors that will never unlock." Mahelt Marshal never yields. Born of famous knight William Marshal, "she has all her father's vigor and energy-if not his tact. From being a tiny girl she always tried to matcher her big brothers at everything. " As the beloved daughter, Mahelt is taught to honor a vow, to defend her family at all costs and how to be a strong woman capable of the Marshal name. Upon her marriage to Hugh Bigod, her father-in-law demands that she forget all else but to honor and obey her new family. Mahelt struggles to fly with her newly clipped wings. Precarious times leave her birth family and her marriage family on opposite sides of the fence. Mahelt loves her husband, but it is impossible for her to watch her family suffer. As the hands of time move forward, it is the Bigod family facing political treachery. Can Mahelt both please and protect her birth and marriage families?This is the first Elizabeth Chadwick book I have read and I am hooked! When I first got the book, I was daunted by how large this book seems. When I cracked open the book, I was transformed into Mahelt's world! I loved this book and had a hard time putting it down. I was so captivated, I found myself dreaming about Mahelt's world. I am definitely addicted to the Marshal Family Story now.I loved how unrelenting Mahelt is. She never gives up without a very strong fight. But she also has a soft side. She is constantly putting others' needs and safety before her own. She is a perfect heroine.Some of my favorite parts:"... she is so different from day to day. You never know whether there will be clouds or sunshine. You bask in the sunshine and run for cover when there's a thunderstorm... but you are never bored, and sometimes you are overwhelmed that such a beauty could even exist."
    • 5/5
      A good yarn involving the life of the wealthy in Medieval England. Mahelt Marshal, daughter of William Marshal, at age 13 is fulfilling her duty and has been promised to a kind, wealthy man, Hugh Bigod. Although many marriages are loveless at this time, Mahelt and Hugh share a marriage unique to the times. Well researched and well told, this is a tale to tell. (Part four of the Marshal series. )
    • 4/5
      It's impossible to say no to another Chadwick novel. Fans of history-driven, medieval novels always find that Chadwick delivers, each time with a more compelling and wonderful story than the last. Even though I always know what to expect when I pick up a Chadwick novel, she never fails to impress.To Defy a King continues the William Marshal saga, this time focusing on his daughter, Mahelt. Mahelt, it seems, spends most of her younger years living a good life, as her father continues to stay in the king's favor. She's even betrothed to the son of Roger Bigod (son of Ida Bigod, whose story is documented in For the King's Favor), but after the death of Henry II and unexpected ascension of Johnto the throne, Mahelt's father falls out of favor with the king, and her marriage is moved up. Though Mahelt finds a deep love with her husband, she constantly clashes with her father-in-law and even with the new king. Mahelt finds herself torn between her duty to her family, and her duty to her marriage.Chadwick creates another spirited and enjoyable character in Mahelt, who readers can't help but cheer for, and another complex and fascinating web of court intrigue and lies. In a sense, it was also really enjoyable to see appearances of several of the other characters in Chadwick's universe that readers have already come to know and love, and in some senses, the overarching plot about William Marshal continues with shades of Ida's story while bringing in new plot lines that manage to feel new while still comfortably keeping up with the old. I think that's one of the things that I enjoy the most about Chadwick's novels -many of them weave together, and help readers keep up with old favorites while bringing new life to her world constantly. It's hard to find something negative to say about a Chadwick novel. There were a few points where the plot got a little slow, but that only lasted a moment, and not really enough to complain about. Chadwick feels like she's hit another hit point here with her storytelling, and she only continues to get better with every book.
    • 5/5
      This is my second book by Ms. Chadwick and it won't be my last. This tale of Mahelt Bigod takes you through the life of a woman who left little to history but who was the joint between two of the most powerful families of her time. By taking bits and pieces left in documents Ms. Chadwick has managed to create a story that brings Mahelt to life in a bold and vibrant way. She was not just a girl who followed her father's orders to marry then submitted to her husband - her strong personality comes through and is believable due to the writing.Ms. Chadwick has a way of telling her stories that pulls me from my current surroundings and submerges me in the place of her tale. Her eye for detail AND storytelling is so good that you forget where and almost who you are and just join the characters in the book. It is almost disconcerting to put the book down and rejoin the real world. I am never bored when I am reading one of her books. I have one more on my shelf and one on my Nook and I just keep looking for the time to get to them!If you are looking for a fantastic tale of a bold and intelligent woman from the medieval age grab up To Defy a King. But you might want to start at the beginning of the tale with The Greatest Knight which tells the tale of Mahelt's father, William Marshal.
    • 5/5
      To Defy a King by Elizabeth Chadwick deserves the success it has, including the recent RNA award for best historical fiction.As always Elizabeth Chadwick weaves an intriguing plot with well drawn characters that leap from the page and suck you into their world. The author's medieval research is deep and clear, allowing you to feel like you are in each scene.I especially admire how EC creates her characters, especially Mahelt and Hugh as likeable and strong, yet also very human with flaws and weakness so they aren't perfect and instead are very natural and enjoyable to know.A thoroughly wonderful story.
    • 4/5
      My thoughts:Another great book by Chadwick. It's a fascinating era with a cruel king, and the daily struggle to survive the political turmoil.This is the story of Mahelt Marshal and Hugh Bigod, who married because of an alliance. Her father is not always King John's favorite person, and her brothers are taken to become his hostages, while the rest of the family goes to Ireland. King John tries to keep his country together, but he takes out more taxes, and tries to seduce his noble's wives. All while The Bigod's try to keep their heads down.I did like Mahelt, but she was also a bit of a, oh I do not know, but she could be irritating. She did one truly foolish thing, and then she complained. She also talked back and sure she wanted to do what is right so that was sort of good. But during that time you could not just do the right thing. That would get you killed. Sometimes one has to follow and wait for a better opportunity. Also like Hugh mentions in the book, his family did the same thing the Marshal's did, but she never found in fault in her family. I just felt like she was lucky to have a husband like Hugh, cos someone else would have surely slapped her around. I was also a bit sad to see how Roger's and Ida's marriage had turned out (The King's Favor.)Ok, a long passage about poor Mahelt. Do not get me wrong, this was amazing historical fiction because of the setting. King John is a total creep, Hugh's half-brother Longspee is an ass. It's the time of the Magna Charta, wars with France, trouble with Scotland and Wales. The political intrigues are great, and the Bigod's were a family in the midst of it all.And again Chadwick has taken people that has lived a long time ago and given them life. Sure some things might be wrong since much has been lost, and there is always artistic freedom. But I like the tale told. This was truly a time I had to stop myself from going online to see what truly happened. Instead I waited it out so not to spoil this book.Recommendation and final thoughts:A big yes for historical fans. There is love, war, politics, a wicked king and the daily life of a noble family in 13th century England. I could not put it down.
    • 5/5
      Like all Elizabeth Chadwick's book, it is a wonderful blending of history and entertaining story combined
    • 5/5
      I must admit to being a huge Elizabeth Chadwick fan - which is why I ordered this prior to it's release in the States. Check out the Book Depository for tittles that you simply can't wait to read. They have excellent service, great selection and FREE shipping no less!I loved this book and read it while I was recuperating. It was the perfect book for getting lost in another time and place! It recounts the life of Mahelt Marshall - eldest daughter of greatest knight of all William Marshall. The action takes place during the reign of King John - when, it seems everyone, even those most loyal to the crown as William Marshall was, are suspected of treason for one reason or another. Quite honestly this book made me want to read more about King John because he comes across as a neurotic, paranoid kind of man who thinks that all of his subjects are out to over through him (hummmm - maybe they were - that might make sense come to think of it!). He holds two of William Marshal's sons captives as surety for William's allegiance. I got bad vibes about this King just from reading the book.With his sons held captive William Marshall arranges an advantageous marriage for his beloved daughter Mahelt to Hugh Bigod, son of the Earl of Norfolk Roger Bigod. This book is the story of Mahelt's marriage, and, in a way, of her "coming of age" when women were thought of as little more than breeding machines. The book covers the years 1204 to 1217. The books skillfully tells the tale of the Mahelt's family allegiance to her father came into conflict to her marriage family's ambitions at times. He marriage to Hugh is tested as as the vicissitudes and tyranny of John's reign causes both as well as religious upheaval within the country. Keeping one's footing in the good graces of the Court becomes a slippery slope as all of the main characters attempt to hang on to to what they have and stay alive in the process.There is something about Elizabeth Chadwick's work that reels me in and hold onto my consciousness as I read her books. I am transported to another time - when the place of women was so much different than it is today. Ms. Chadwick's book's, I believe, really do make the 13th century come alive in a way that some other books of the same period fail to do. I believe that this book is stong enough to be read without having read Md. Chadwick's earlier books but it is also true that if you have already read "The Greatest Knight", "The Scarlet Lion" or the "Time of Singing" you might have a better grasp of the historical background as a whole. One thing I think I can assure you of is that if you love historical fiction and begin with this book - you will be looking for each and every other book that Ms. Chadwick has written before you close this book on the last page! Fabulous book
    • 5/5
      If you are looking to immerse yourself in medieval England, look no farther than this novel. Not only will you feel as tho you are really in the story, but you will gasp in shock, smile, chuckle here and there, and at one point, shed a tear or two. On top of all that, you will also learn about King John's reign and the rebellions that ensued throughout.Spirited daughter.. Mahelt is the daughter of William Marshall, the greatest knight. It's no great surprise that she throws salve in her brother's faces while "defending her castle" and is the first one to meet her father when he comes back from his excursions. She is not only spirited, but deeply loyal. Throughout the novel, her strong family ties and loyalty remain no matter the circumstances she finds herself in.Rebellious Wife.. Her marriage to Hugh Bigod combines two of the greatest families in England. When faced with a domineering father in law, Mahelt refuses to allow him to always have his way and even goes so far as to jump fences in the night to meet her brother. She may be a Bigod in name, but her heart is still a Marshall. This causes much friction between her and Hugh, her husband. Meanwhile, King John is ruling England as tyrant and even he will not get his way with Mahelt.Powerful Woman.. This is woman that will stand up the king and refuse to allow him to take her child. King John is man known for "taking hostages" of the noble children and often even killing them for their parents supposed crimes. Mahelt must protect her children at all costs. Perhaps "Protective Mother" should be added to the front cover. The novel is not all about Mahelt tho. There is much history about England during these turbulent times with King John, war with France, and shifting loyalties. Other characters play major roles in the novel and their stories are just as intriguing. To mention a few: Roger Bigod and his wife, Ida. Also, Ida's son by a previous king, Longespee and his wife, Ela have their own tale and issues entwined into the novel.Superb. I'm blown away by this one.
    • 5/5
      This is my second book by Ms. Chadwick and it won't be my last. This tale of Mahelt Bigod takes you through the life of a woman who left little to history but who was the joint between two of the most powerful families of her time. By taking bits and pieces left in documents Ms. Chadwick has managed to create a story that brings Mahelt to life in a bold and vibrant way. She was not just a girl who followed her father's orders to marry then submitted to her husband - her strong personality comes through and is believable due to the writing.Ms. Chadwick has a way of telling her stories that pulls me from my current surroundings and submerges me in the place of her tale. Her eye for detail AND storytelling is so good that you forget where and almost who you are and just join the characters in the book. It is almost disconcerting to put the book down and rejoin the real world. I am never bored when I am reading one of her books. I have one more on my shelf and one on my Nook and I just keep looking for the time to get to them!If you are looking for a fantastic tale of a bold and intelligent woman from the medieval age grab up To Defy a King. But you might want to start at the beginning of the tale with The Greatest Knight which tells the tale of Mahelt's father, William Marshal.
    • 5/5
      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...
    • 4/5
      To Defy a King is the story of Mahelt Marshal, eldest daughter of the famous William Marshal—who appears as the main character in two of Chadwick’s previous novels, and a minor character in a handful of others. As the oldest daughter of one of the most famous men in England, Mahelt married Hugh Bigod. The novel covers a period of about ten years, from Mahelt’s marriage to Hugh up through the Magna Carta.I do love Elizabeth Chadwick’s novels; her writing really takes her reader back in time. But for some reason, I just didn’t love this one quite as much. Maybe because there’s so much less known about Mahelt than about her father, her character seems a lot sketchier here. Still, I thought Chadwick did a wonderful job of trying to ring her and Hugh to life. Hahelt matures as a character, but it’s too abrupt; at one point she’s running off to meet her brother in secret, the next she’s a responsible young chatelaine. Maybe having children made her more mature and responsible, but it happened too suddenly for me.Another frequent theme that pops up in the novel is loyalty; the Bigods and Marshals were on different sides of the King John conflict. Who should Mahelt side with: the family she was born into or the side that her adoptive family is on? Like a previous reviewer, I thought that Chadwick should have focused more on the internal struggle that Mahelt faces—and there’s a lot of opportunity to deal with the topic in this novel.Still, as I’ve said before, Chadwick really knows how to get her reader into the mindset of her medieval characters. Her research is always detailed, and her descriptions of the time and place in which her novels are set are always absorbing. I think there’s a lot more promise for this book—but if you’re new to Elizabeth Chadwick’s novels, I’d start with her books on Mahelt’s father, instead—The Greatest Knight and The Scarlet Lion. To Defy a King assumes that the reader knows about William Marshal, so his involvement in this story is more peripheral. The ending of the novel is a bit open-ended, which makes me think that a sequel may one day be in the works.

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    To Defy a King - Elizabeth Chadwick

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