The Winter Mantle: Amazon.ca: Elizabeth Chadwick: Books

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With a practiced hand, Chadwick spins an irresistible historical romp that spans two generations. In 1067, William the Conqueror has successfully crushed the English at the Battle of Hastings. Compelling an array of British nobles to accompany him back to Normandy as his enforced guests, he unwittingly sets into motion a series of events that will ultimately lead to passion and betrayal. When Lady Judith, William's niece, catches the eye of Waltheof Siwardsson, earl of Huntingdon, he vows to make her his bride. Equally taken with the robust earl, Judith wages a private war between self-preservation and lust. Eventually convincing William to allow them to wed, Waltheof pledges his allegiance to the Norman king. Finding his pledge increasingly difficult to honor, he becomes involved in an ill-fated rebellion against Norman rule, a decision that has profound consequences for the futures of both his wife and his daughter. History, romance, and suspense are interwoven in a heartrending tale of love and loss on an appropriately grand scale. Margaret Flanagan
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

Review

Elizabeth Chadwick is a disciplined and hugely talented storyteller...highly recommended. HISTORICAL NOVEL REVIEW Elizabeth Chadwick knows exactly how to write convincing and compelling historical fiction Marina Oliver The author blends authentic period detail with a modern convnention for emotional drama. MAIL ON SUNDAY An author who makes history come gloriously alive. THE TIMES --This text refers to the Paperback edition.

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6 Reviews

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4.8 out of 5 stars (6 customer reviews)

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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Another Excellent Medieval Historical!, July 13 2003

By

Kimberly Gelderman (Spring Lake, MI USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)

This review is from: The Winter Mantle (Hardcover)

This is the third book I have bought authored by Elizabeth Chadwick and even though I had to order it from the Great U.K., and wait well over two weeks for it, it was well worth the wait!

This story begins with the relationship of Waltheof of Huntingdon and Judith, niece of William the Conqueror. It also details the complex friendship Waltheof nutured and strained with Simon de Senlis, originally King William's squire and royal messenger. Things do not go well for Waltheof, who is easily led by rebels that happen to be his friends and he is eventally executed at the King's command.

Meanwhile, Waltheof's daughter Matilda and her mother Judith continue to run his estates in England. However, all that is about to change as Simon is commanded by the new King, William Rufus, to take over the control of his estates much to the chagrin and disgust of Judith and much to the delight of Matilda, her daughter.

The story is epic, sweeping through the countries of Normandy, England, and the Holy Land. Matilda and Simon have a stormy but eventually loving relationship that has weathered the worst of storms. Read this latest Elizabeth Chadwick novel if you crave excellent historical fiction! You will not be diappointed!

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4.0 out of 5 stars What's not to say? My favorite author of medieval fiction, Dec 23 2008

By

Misfit (Seattle, WA USA) - See all my reviews
(TOP 50 REVIEWER)

This review is from: The Winter Mantle (Paperback)

The Winter Mantle begins in 1067 after The Conquest as Waltheof of Huntingdon and several other English nobles are kept under William's close eye in Normandy. Waltheof desires William's haughty niece Judith and is torn between making his peace with William and pressing suit for her hand or participating in further rebellion against the Norman conquerors. After one rebellion in the north fails, William forgives Waltheof and marries him to Judith, although she is torn between pride in her Norman ancestry and desire for her husband, and this eventually leads to discord in the marriage. Waltheof allows himself to be convinced to participate in one last attempt at overthrowing William, and this time with drastic results.

The story then takes up with the second generation, Waltheof's beloved daughter Matilda and Norman courtier Simon de Senlis who at the behest of King William Rufus comes to take charge of the lands Judith inherited from Waltheof. Furious, the ever haughty Judith refuses to cooperate and wed Simon and he turns his eye to Matilda as a younger and more appealing choice. The story then continues as Matilda and Simon raise their children, and Judith finally comes to terms with her own guilt in Waltheof's fate and his death as a traitor, as well as the consequences to Simon and Judith's marriage from Simon's actions on his return from the Crusades.

Based on true people, this was a lively entertaining tale and I very much enjoyed how the author was able to take such a snotty piece of goods like Judith and humanize her in the end - it really was a love/hate relationship between she and Waltheof and in many ways those two warring emotions are very much the same. As with all of her books, Chadwick has an amazing knack of bringing the medieval period to life, be it the sights, sounds, smells, food, clothing and more. Highly recommended and a side note that the tiny baby at the very end of the book has his own story in The Falcons of Montabard.

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5.0 out of 5 stars 1067-1098 Comes Alive, Jun 21 2003

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Catherine M. Lawler "cathie-l@comcast.net" (San Rafael, CA United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Winter Mantle (Hardcover)

Elizabeth Chadwick has written a wonderful book based on Waltheof Siwardsson, Earl of Huntington and Northampton, and his lady love Judith, niece to William the Conqueror. These are real people and real events and the story is written so well that the reader can actually experience the emotions of the characters.

Ms. Chadwick has written a sequel to this story which should be out this year (2003), and she is currently working on a prequel to The Lords of the White Castle.

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Most recent customer reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars cohesive delightful historical tale
In 1067, William the Conqueror has become the King of England and Normandy. To secure his hard-earned throne, he holds hostage many local nobles including the Earl Waltheof... Read more

Published on April 15 2003 by Harriet Klausner

5.0 out of 5 stars Engrossing Historical Epic
The Winter Mantle is an excellent book. It was actually one of my favorite by Elizabeth Chadwick. As always, Chadwick, seems to weave factual details into a very engrossing... Read more

Published on April 6 2003