Medieval Historical Fiction Novel of the Week
A Bloody Field by Shrewsbury by Edith Pargeter
ISBN-10: 0747233667
Paperback: 378 pages
Publisher: Headline Book Publishing (October 1, 1989)
Average Customer Review on Amazon: 4.5 stars (9 reviews)
From Publishers Weekly:
Henry IV of England becomes jealous of the friendship between his son Prince Hal and a knight known as Hotspur in this account of events leading up to the 1303 battle of Shrewsbury.
Product Description:
It is 1399. Henry Bolingbroke, unjustly banished and deprived of his inheritance by Richard II, returns to claim his rights and deposes the king to become Henry IV of England. He is aided by the powerful lords of Northumberland, especially by his friend, Harry Percy. But the triumph of his accession quickly turns sour in the face of ever-growing crises in his new kingdom, and Wales is the most pressing and troublesome of these. The specter of Richard holds sway beyond the grave, and the shadow of regicide, the memory of past crimes, and growing doubts and divisions cause a dangerous rift. The king also has powerful enemies who are all too willing to take advantage of this.
Filed under: Middle Ages History, Medieval History, Historical Fiction on December 23rd, 2008
This is one of my favourites, though it’s a while now since I last read it. Edith Pargeter’s writing style is beautiful, Hotspur is a tragic hero, and the conflicts between Hotspur, Prince Hal and Henry Bolingbroke are moving and believable. I can take or leave the fictional love interest, which is often the case for me with Ellis Peters/Edith Pargeter - it seems to me she goes in for rather excessively idealised true-love-for-ever - but it’s fairly low-key in any case. I liked the inclusion of the Welsh side of the politics as well. Have you read it?
I have not read it actually. It’s on my TBR pile along with many others I post here on my site. For the most part, if it’s on my site, I’ve either read it or plan to read it in the future. How are things with you lately? What all are you working on at the present? Good to hear from you again!