Previously reviewed on The Good, The Bad, & The Unread:Don’t be put off by the implication from Amazon that this is the second book in a series. The Outlaw Knight is a US republication of Chadwick’s Lords of the White Castle, which was originally a standalone novel. The first book of what’s now the series, Shadows and Strongholds, is actually the prequel, which was written after the success of Lords of the White Castle. So if you haven’t read the prequel, you haven’t read the original under its previous title, and you’re in the mood for meaty historical fiction, you definitely need to grab this now.Fulke FitzWarin is sent to the court of Henry II as a fifteen year old and soon makes an enemy of Prince John. However, he is befriended by other nobles and learns to mostly keep his temper in check for the sake of his four younger brothers and his father’s campaign to have the castle at Whittington (on the border of England and Wales) restored to the family. The book follows his progress as a squire to one of those sympathetic nobles, his adventures with his brothers on the tournament circuit and then as outlaws, his eventual marriage to a young widow, as well as the rise and fall of his family’s fortunes after Fulke inherits his father’s title, properties and campaign for the restoration of Whittington to the FitzWarins.Based on the true story of one of the inspirations behind the Robin Hood legends, this book paints King John as the chief villain of the piece, but never shies away from the grittier details of the lives of the nobles surrounding him. An author’s note at the end states that she avoided using the more fantastical parts of a contemporary chronicle, but this book is still packed with action and adventure. Nor are the women neglected; both Fulke’s mother and his eventual bride get important roles and there’s a wonderful anti-heroine early on, who doesn’t sidestep any chances to improve her lot in a difficult world.This review has been tricky, since to say much about the story would give away too many of its twists and turns, although it’s fun spotting where Fulke’s story overlaps with the commonest Robin Hood legends. The ending is rather bitter-sweet, as can be expected from a true story set in such difficult times, but the whole is compelling and well worth reading for any fan of epic tales and accurately depicted, action-packed historical adventures.
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!
Do You like book Lords Of The White Castle (2002)?
I generally find Chadwich books fascinating, I can't put them down and devour them quickly. This is not true of Lords of White Castle, at all, in the slightest. It is well written and clearly well researched but Maude and Fultz are 2 of the most boring characters in a tedious relationship. We spend the first half of the book of them being apart then the rest of the book watching them fight. And fight. And spend time apart. Then fight some more. Maude comes off as a shrew and Fultz as a man so concerned with his pride (pretty sure it is suppose to be honour but I just thought he was being an unreasonable ass at some points) that he leaves for pretty much any reason just due to his issues with Prince John. This by no means turned me off Chadwick, her writing is flawless and hearing about William Marshall just makes me want to go back and re-read his books. e
—Sarah
While serving as a squire at the court of Henry II, fifteen year old Fulke FitzWarin runs afoul of a drunken Prince John and fights back when John attacks him with a wooden chess board, leaving a grudge that both men carry into adulthood. The FitzWarin family fights to have Whittingdon Castle, that was taken from them during the Civil War, returned to them, yet upon Richard I's death the now King John refuses to consider Fulke's plea out of spite. Fulke and his brothers rebel against John and become outlaws, living in the woods and robbing whenever they can from John (hmmm, a bit similar to a certain legend?). Fulke has carried a torch for Maud Walter, who was married to a much older Theobald Walter when she was very young. Recently widowed, and at risk of being married off to one of John's henchmen, Fulke literally whisks her out from under John's nose and marries her and she joins Fulke and his brothers as outlaws as they continue to fight to regain Whittingdon Castle. There's a whole lot more to the story than that, but as usual I'm not into book reports, read it for yourself. As always with Chadwick's books, the way she brings the medieval period to life in such a graceful and effortless way, be it the sights, sounds, smells, food, clothes and battles is just awesome. As quoted on some of her book jackets, the next best thing to time travel. Chadwick has also written a prequel of sorts telling the story of Fulke's parents, Shadows and Strongholds that I also highly recommend.
—Misfit
I loved this book! I'm taking a break from Chadwick for this year, but what a closure, a golden one, no doubt. Learned that this novel was titled "The outlaw knight" it was to my thinking a better one, but I understand the change. The story of Fulke is an amazing one! so audacious that is considered the one that inspired the Robin Hood legend, I don't doubt it. It is amazing that after leading such a live he lived to be ninety years old! surviving two wives, the second one very much younger than him. Learning about his live was an enthralling journey. I will certainly re-read this book, a well deserved read.
—Susana
