The fifth book in bestselling author Elizabeth Chadwick’s William Marshal series, To Defy a 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.
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"Traveling the English and French countrysides with King John is perilous at best yet somehow Mahelt's brothers and father, her husband, Hugh, and the king manage to coexist in this dangerous world. When Mahelt went to the Bigood household to become Hugh's wife, she found she was no longer the cherished firstborn whose every wish seemed to be her father's command. Spirited, lovely, and determined she eventually establishes peace between her husband's father and herself, growing to love her husband deeply. Meanwhile, the king murders those who oppose him, takes hostages from families he distrusts including Mahelt's brothers, and covets the wives of his subjects. Public support gradually erodes until one nobleman after another become disenchanted with his broken promises and philandering. What will happen to Mahelt and her loved ones in this tempestuous era? Upon finishing this read, I found the author's comments entertaining and I believe that Chadwick will continue with another novel with Mahelt as the heroine. A fine novel written by a most talented and creative author. Read it and see for yourself."
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Rusty (4 out of 5 stars)