Helpful Score: 2
If Sharon Kay Penman were a history teacher, there would be no grumbling about boring history lessons. She beautifully and vividly brings the people and times to life and creates suspense and interest in the politics of the thirteenth century.
This is a story of two different historical characters from the 13th century: Llywelyn ap Gryffydd , Prince of Wales and Simon de Montfort. Both of these men craved power and political connections; however they were very different people.
When Llywelyn the Great died, the legacy of a united Wales could be in jeopardy while Llywelyns family members squabble among themselves. Can the Welsh put aside their family strife and pull together to keep the English from gaining their lands? Can a militarily inept King Henry III of England squash the Welsh rebellions and tame the French at the same time? Can a penniless youngest son of a French nobleman, Simon de Montfort, claim his English inheritance and become a political force in King Henrys court?
The characters and dialogue seem so real, you feel like you are sitting down and having a conversation with these people from the 13th century. Although this book spent more time in England than Here Be Dragons, the story of Simon de Montfort is worth the effort. The powerful portrayal of the characters and the time and place make this another 5 star read from Sharon Kay Penman!
This is a story of two different historical characters from the 13th century: Llywelyn ap Gryffydd , Prince of Wales and Simon de Montfort. Both of these men craved power and political connections; however they were very different people.
When Llywelyn the Great died, the legacy of a united Wales could be in jeopardy while Llywelyns family members squabble among themselves. Can the Welsh put aside their family strife and pull together to keep the English from gaining their lands? Can a militarily inept King Henry III of England squash the Welsh rebellions and tame the French at the same time? Can a penniless youngest son of a French nobleman, Simon de Montfort, claim his English inheritance and become a political force in King Henrys court?
The characters and dialogue seem so real, you feel like you are sitting down and having a conversation with these people from the 13th century. Although this book spent more time in England than Here Be Dragons, the story of Simon de Montfort is worth the effort. The powerful portrayal of the characters and the time and place make this another 5 star read from Sharon Kay Penman!
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