- Paperback: 560 pages
- Publisher: Penguin; New Ed edition (6 July 1989)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 014011324X
- ISBN-13: 978-0140113242
- Product Dimensions: 19.4 x 12.4 x 4 cm
- Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars See all reviews (20 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 123,498 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
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Product Description
Product Description
This novel about the struggle for power in England in the Middle Ages centres on the life of Simon de Montfort, a French nobleman who came to England to lay claim to an earldom, married the King's sister, and eventually mounted a civil war against Henry III.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
29 of 29 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
I love Sharon Penman. She writes fantastic, well-researched, human history. This is just such a book. It tells the story of Simon de Montfort, and how he shaped the history of England. He was a strong, passionate man, who had total belief in his God, and his destiny, which was to change the way that England was ruled. It also tells the story of Llewelyn ap Gruffyd, the Welsh Prince, and his struggles to make Wales one kingdom. This book is exciting, never boring, happy, ultimately heart-crushingly sad, and most of all, thought-provoking. Simon was married to Nell, sister of Henry, King of England, who was a weak man, unfit for the role of King. They had a brood of sons, all of whom played their part in their fathers' fate. It is a tale of treachery, betrayal, love, passion, politics, and the ability of one man to rouse such emotions in the hearts of many, that they would follow him, to certain death, and defy their King for his sake. Simon's fate is appallingly cruel, making you realise just how callous medieval times were. I cried my eyes out at the end of this book, and can't help but draw comparisons between Simon de Montfort and Richard III. Their destinies were so very similar, and so very cruelly ended. I have read all of Sharon Penmans' books, and love them all. This is a fantastic book. Forget the stuff we learnt at school, these books should be part of a history lesson, and then more of us would be fascinated by history. It has everything you could wish for, and I found it impossible to put down until the very end. Read it, but keep the tissues handy.
16 of 16 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
In Comparison with many other historical authors, Sharon Penman, stands clearly in the upper echelon. An absolutely captivating book, that entwined itself far into my dreamscape, once I'd begrudgingly succumbed to droopy eyelids each night! You do not have to be to be a history buff to enjoy this novel, as with any good author you will find yourself learning at different levels as you go. Where there are insufficient historical records, the authors imagination fills the gaps with an intelligent and captivating approach.
May Simon be long remembered, he goes a long way in redeeming the De Montfort name from the evil his father wreaked during the Albigenisian crusades.
May Simon be long remembered, he goes a long way in redeeming the De Montfort name from the evil his father wreaked during the Albigenisian crusades.
One parting thought ... All Polticians should be made to read this novel, and take a test, thus proving they have respect and love for the power they are due to be entrusted with!( rather like their immigration tests !) ...mind you with voter turn outs as they have been of recent, maybe it's just time for another revolution...........
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
In "Falls the Shadow" Penman continues her trilogy of the turbulent times in Wales and England through the troubled thirteenth century.
We meet again characters introduced in a peripheral fashion in "Here Be Dragons" - the grandson of Llewelyn Fawr, also called Llewelyn; the sister of both Joanna and Henry III of England, Eleanor often called Nell; and Elen, daughter of Llewelyn Fawr and Joanna.
This tale takes us back to just before the death of Joanna - a time of relative peace between Wales and England. It centres upon the characters of Nell and Simon de Montfort - a celebrated soldier whose silvered tongue won him back an earldom from the Earl of Chester - and their conflict with the King of England.
Simon is a man with a zeal for reform, which includes making a King accountable to his Lords and bishops rather than just to God. Clearly, this was a view that had little appeal for Henry of England - believing himself to be the Anointed and chosen of God - and the two men (plus their sons) got caught up in a terrible conflict that culminated on the battlefield.
Although the novel is as well written as any of Penman's historical epics, with rich details of medieval life, it is not as fast reading. I attributed this mainly to the fact that I had very little sympathy or liking for many of the characters. I felt that Simon and Nell's relationship was based upon a casual disregard for religious oaths - since Nell had dedicated herself to God after the death of her first husband. The fact that they then defied and lied to the King of England - implying that Nell was with child to ensure his agreement - left me feeling as though they were due a comeuppance.
Add to that the feeble character of Henry III (widely held to be one of England's most incompetent kings), whose petty motivations caused so many of the issues through the novel; his arrogant and dishonourable son Edward; the the carousing sons of Nell and Simon, and it doesn't feel as though there are many characters that deserve liking or respect.
I will read the third book in the trilogy, but I was glad that "Here Be Dragons" was my first foray into Penman's work, since it is preferable in every way.
We meet again characters introduced in a peripheral fashion in "Here Be Dragons" - the grandson of Llewelyn Fawr, also called Llewelyn; the sister of both Joanna and Henry III of England, Eleanor often called Nell; and Elen, daughter of Llewelyn Fawr and Joanna.
This tale takes us back to just before the death of Joanna - a time of relative peace between Wales and England. It centres upon the characters of Nell and Simon de Montfort - a celebrated soldier whose silvered tongue won him back an earldom from the Earl of Chester - and their conflict with the King of England.
Simon is a man with a zeal for reform, which includes making a King accountable to his Lords and bishops rather than just to God. Clearly, this was a view that had little appeal for Henry of England - believing himself to be the Anointed and chosen of God - and the two men (plus their sons) got caught up in a terrible conflict that culminated on the battlefield.
Although the novel is as well written as any of Penman's historical epics, with rich details of medieval life, it is not as fast reading. I attributed this mainly to the fact that I had very little sympathy or liking for many of the characters. I felt that Simon and Nell's relationship was based upon a casual disregard for religious oaths - since Nell had dedicated herself to God after the death of her first husband. The fact that they then defied and lied to the King of England - implying that Nell was with child to ensure his agreement - left me feeling as though they were due a comeuppance.
Add to that the feeble character of Henry III (widely held to be one of England's most incompetent kings), whose petty motivations caused so many of the issues through the novel; his arrogant and dishonourable son Edward; the the carousing sons of Nell and Simon, and it doesn't feel as though there are many characters that deserve liking or respect.
I will read the third book in the trilogy, but I was glad that "Here Be Dragons" was my first foray into Penman's work, since it is preferable in every way.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Just Brilliant
To my delight I came across this book some years ago, and am about to buy and read it again.
Sharon Penman is an historian, second to none, in that she teaches history in the... Read more
Sharon Penman is an historian, second to none, in that she teaches history in the... Read more
Published 5 months ago by Oscar
superb
As usual Ms Penman "pens" a novel to be proud of, it is a fantastic read, really difficult to put down, but please do not read when in bed! Read more
Published 8 months ago by Mw R. Moore
History Comes Alive!
Falls the Shadow is the second of the trilogy of Here Be Dragons, Falls the Shadow and The Reckoning. Read more
Published 24 months ago by Sarah Aldridge
My favourite by far
I have read all Sharon Penman's novels and I love them all. This is my favourite of her work. The romantic development between Simon and Eleanor is without equal, as is Simon's... Read more
Published on 4 May 2010 by K. Punjwani
Wonderful, as always...
This is the second in Sharon Penman's Wales trilogy, although this one deals more with England and the Second Barons' War between Simon de Montfort and Henry III than it does with... Read more
Published on 19 Mar 2009 by C. Ball
This book sweeps you into medieval England and Wales..
This, the second part of Sharon Penman's Welsh/Norman trilogy, focuses mainly on the career of the "greatest soldier in Christendom" and the oft-called father of representative... Read more
Published on 21 Jun 2007 by Anna Tigg
Penman is a Closet Snob
Having read Elizabeth Chadwick's "The Greatest Knight," I set aside my natural preference for male authors when it comes to novels involving war, and read "Falls the Shadow. Read more
Published on 24 Mar 2007 by K Culbertson
Heartbreaking
Part II of the Welsh trilogy. Much tragedy, heartbreak and courage. I had never heard of Simon DeMontfort before -- and we all have much to be thankful to him for his courage to... Read more
Published on 30 Jan 2007 by Misfit
Simon de Montford shines through Ms Penman's writing
1231-1267. I liked this one more even more than the two books which precede this one chronologically. Read more
Published on 25 Nov 2005 by aapjebaapje
A Masterpiece Of Medieval Historical Fiction
Sharon Kay Penman is a remarkably gifted writer. Her impeccable historical research, attention to detail and superb storytelling ability make her novels consistently excellent. Read more
Published on 28 Feb 2005 by Jana L. Perskie
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