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The Medieval Saga #6
The Road to Runnymede
The greater the power, the more dangerous the abuse…
England, 1199
After the death of Richard the Lionheart, his brother, John takes the English throne with the support of his mother, Eleanor of Aquitaine.
But John has a rival in the person of young Arthur, Duke of Brittany, who Richard had acknowledged as his rightful heir.
Arthur’s claim is the superior one under Angevin law, and it is backed by the majority of the nobles in Maine and Anjou, supported by King Philip II of France, who is anxious to break up the Angevin Empire.
John’s preference for foreign favourites, his heavy taxation of the English nobility to fund his military failures, his brutal reaction to opposition and his belief in his divine right to rule provoke a powerful group of barons into a rebellion.
But when John agrees to sign the Magna Carta, a fragile peace is restored.
It doesn’t take long for John to renege on his word. And the barons respond by inviting the young Prince Louis of France to invade.
In the midst of all this chaos, Earl Hugh of Flint, together with his powerful cousin Earl Ranulf of Chester, find themselves reluctantly serving a king who is destroying their country from within.
Their lives, their families and their estates are continually at risk as England turns on itself.
Who will emerge victorious? Will a new king bring stability?
Or is England doomed to once more be thrown into a period of turmoil…?
England, 1199
After the death of Richard the Lionheart, his brother, John takes the English throne with the support of his mother, Eleanor of Aquitaine.
But John has a rival in the person of young Arthur, Duke of Brittany, who Richard had acknowledged as his rightful heir.
Arthur’s claim is the superior one under Angevin law, and it is backed by the majority of the nobles in Maine and Anjou, supported by King Philip II of France, who is anxious to break up the Angevin Empire.
John’s preference for foreign favourites, his heavy taxation of the English nobility to fund his military failures, his brutal reaction to opposition and his belief in his divine right to rule provoke a powerful group of barons into a rebellion.
But when John agrees to sign the Magna Carta, a fragile peace is restored.
It doesn’t take long for John to renege on his word. And the barons respond by inviting the young Prince Louis of France to invade.
In the midst of all this chaos, Earl Hugh of Flint, together with his powerful cousin Earl Ranulf of Chester, find themselves reluctantly serving a king who is destroying their country from within.
Their lives, their families and their estates are continually at risk as England turns on itself.
Who will emerge victorious? Will a new king bring stability?
Or is England doomed to once more be thrown into a period of turmoil…?
205 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 20, 2023
About the author
David Field
56 books75 followersDavid was born in post-war Nottingham, and educated at Nottingham High School. After obtaining a Law degree he became a career-long criminal law practitioner and academic, emigrating in 1989 to Australia, where he still lives.
Combining his two great loves of History and the English language he began writing historical novels as an escape from the realities of life in the criminal law, but did not begin to publish them until close to fulltime retirement, when digital publishing offered a viable alternative to literary agencies, print publishers and rejection slips.
Now blessed with all the time in the world, his former hobby has become a fulltime occupation as he enjoys life in rural New South Wales with his wife, sons and grandchildren to keep him firmly grounded in the reality of the contemporary world.
David Field is published by Sapere Books.
Combining his two great loves of History and the English language he began writing historical novels as an escape from the realities of life in the criminal law, but did not begin to publish them until close to fulltime retirement, when digital publishing offered a viable alternative to literary agencies, print publishers and rejection slips.
Now blessed with all the time in the world, his former hobby has become a fulltime occupation as he enjoys life in rural New South Wales with his wife, sons and grandchildren to keep him firmly grounded in the reality of the contemporary world.
David Field is published by Sapere Books.
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
February 17, 2023
David Field infuses drama in his 12th century series, hoping the various sides of England’s growth. The era is rife with controversy and the attentyove reader. Will enjoy everything that is on offer. As things appear to be moving to a finale, this novel offers some real action and historical significance. England stands at a crossroads in its political and monarchical development. Field does everything he can to keep the series exciting for series fans, proving he is just the author for the job.
England again finds itself in a precarious situation when its king dies. The English throne falls to John, Richard the Lionheart’s brother, who is staunchly supported by his mother, Eleanor of Aquitaine. John has no love loss for his brother, keen to return to some of his tyrannical ways to ensure that England is run effectively and free from those who would dare speak out against him. One rival cannot be silenced, which has John somewhat concerned. Arthur, now a duke, is raising support for his own rightful place on the English throne, especially when Richard named him as his rightful heir.
It would seem that Arthur is not alone in his claim, especially when it comes to the law. Many novels and those familiar with the law feel that Arthur should ascend and will do whatever it takes to make sure this happens. King Phillip II of France is also a staunch supporter, which could push things to the brink, if negotiations cannot bring a peaceable solution.
John’s iron grip on the country continues to create more enemies than loyalists and he does not appear to care much. Still, he will stop at nothing to exert his own power, others be damned. In a conciliatory moment, John agrees to sign the Magna Carta at Runnymede, in hopes of finding a lasting peace between the Crown and the protesting barons. For a time, it appears to work.
However, John cannot keep to his word and begins his tyrannical ways once more. When Prince Louis of France comes to invade, the country is once again in shambles, without a leader who can unite the people of England and defend the land. With John on the throne, England is in peril, though there does not appear to be any solution from within. Field builds to this climactic moment in order to keep the reader in suspense as they await another novel in the series.
David Field has not stopped with the action since the start of the first novel and keeps building upon themes and historical events. There is a great deal to discover in this book, from political upheaval to new bonds made and even some plotting to keep the treachery at its height. A great narrative helps push the story along, mixed with characters who serve their purpose and know how to highlight the various faces of England’s transformation. Plots with a balance of fact and fiction are peppered throughout, allowing the reader to feel as though they are in the middle of the action, ready to face whatever Field has to offer. I am eager to see how things will go from here, wondering if this might be the penultimate novel in the series. Whatever Field has next will surely be even more stunning, as readers await a new dawn for England in a century that has been anything but dull!
Kudos, Mr. Field, for keeping the action high throughout.
Love/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at:
http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com/
England again finds itself in a precarious situation when its king dies. The English throne falls to John, Richard the Lionheart’s brother, who is staunchly supported by his mother, Eleanor of Aquitaine. John has no love loss for his brother, keen to return to some of his tyrannical ways to ensure that England is run effectively and free from those who would dare speak out against him. One rival cannot be silenced, which has John somewhat concerned. Arthur, now a duke, is raising support for his own rightful place on the English throne, especially when Richard named him as his rightful heir.
It would seem that Arthur is not alone in his claim, especially when it comes to the law. Many novels and those familiar with the law feel that Arthur should ascend and will do whatever it takes to make sure this happens. King Phillip II of France is also a staunch supporter, which could push things to the brink, if negotiations cannot bring a peaceable solution.
John’s iron grip on the country continues to create more enemies than loyalists and he does not appear to care much. Still, he will stop at nothing to exert his own power, others be damned. In a conciliatory moment, John agrees to sign the Magna Carta at Runnymede, in hopes of finding a lasting peace between the Crown and the protesting barons. For a time, it appears to work.
However, John cannot keep to his word and begins his tyrannical ways once more. When Prince Louis of France comes to invade, the country is once again in shambles, without a leader who can unite the people of England and defend the land. With John on the throne, England is in peril, though there does not appear to be any solution from within. Field builds to this climactic moment in order to keep the reader in suspense as they await another novel in the series.
David Field has not stopped with the action since the start of the first novel and keeps building upon themes and historical events. There is a great deal to discover in this book, from political upheaval to new bonds made and even some plotting to keep the treachery at its height. A great narrative helps push the story along, mixed with characters who serve their purpose and know how to highlight the various faces of England’s transformation. Plots with a balance of fact and fiction are peppered throughout, allowing the reader to feel as though they are in the middle of the action, ready to face whatever Field has to offer. I am eager to see how things will go from here, wondering if this might be the penultimate novel in the series. Whatever Field has next will surely be even more stunning, as readers await a new dawn for England in a century that has been anything but dull!
Kudos, Mr. Field, for keeping the action high throughout.
Love/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at:
http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com/
January 24, 2023
Another excellent well researched, compelling historical fiction story that never fails to entertaining and make,s me wish I had learnt history this way at school some 50 odd years ago. But seeing as I only tort myself to read half decently in the last 15 years.
That's my shame. Looking forward to the next and last installment in this series of books.
That's my shame. Looking forward to the next and last installment in this series of books.
February 2, 2023
Another great story
I like the way that David Field presents the history in his books, he makes it a joy to read. His fictional characters are very good too and I like the way he keeps the continuity going with members of the same family playing their various parts. I love this series and I can’t wait for the next book to be published.
I like the way that David Field presents the history in his books, he makes it a joy to read. His fictional characters are very good too and I like the way he keeps the continuity going with members of the same family playing their various parts. I love this series and I can’t wait for the next book to be published.
January 22, 2023
David Field writes well researched, compelling historical fiction that never fails to entertaining and make me learn something new.
This good book confirm my opinion.
Recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this arc, all opinions are mine
This good book confirm my opinion.
Recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this arc, all opinions are mine
March 30, 2023
I am so much enjoying this series. David Field does such a great job of bringing the story and the characters to life. The perfect combination of narrative and description makes for a very enjoyable and balanced read. It's also about King John's reign and you have to love reading about that!
January 22, 2023
An exciting fast paced read after the death of Richard the Lionheart King John tries to capture the real heir Arthur Duke of Brittany
April 12, 2023
I live every minute
I enjoy these stories so much. Love the known historical fact with the back drop of the fictional family. Next book is lurking.
I enjoy these stories so much. Love the known historical fact with the back drop of the fictional family. Next book is lurking.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews