Using characters known to recorded history, including one to become the real Sheriff of Nottingham, Elizabeth Ashworth weaves a tale of loves lost and found during the exile of Richard the Lionheart. Young Richard Fitz-Eustace's return from Palestine is far from joyous. Damned by leprosy he must bid his mother, grandmother and sisters a final and sorrowful farewell and leave his estates at Halton Castle forever. Condemned to shun the company of others he must now find a place of solitude where he can seek forgiveness for sins committed in the Holy Land for which he is certain he has earned God's curse. Resolved to live out his life as a hermit, he journeys north into the newly named county of Lancashire. But this is no arbitrary journey; there is one last obligation undertaken for his grandmother: that he will seek out her kinsman, Sir Robert de Lacy, at Clitheroe Castle and there press his consideration of her claim to his estate. Meanwhile, at Halton, Richard's headstrong fourteen-year-old sister, Johanna is distraught. The fate of her beloved elder brother has done more than leave her bereft. Her other brother, ruthless and ambitious Roger has returned to take his place as head of the family. He and Johanna's mother have contrived a marriage for her to a wealthy old landowner, and without Richard's protection there seems little she can do about it unless she can escape and find him.
The de Lacy Inheritance
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An appealing tale... The subject of lepers... is fascinating. Richard FitzEustace is a complex hero... Johanna is a sparky heroine with whom readers will engage. --Susan Hicks, Historical Novels Review
From the very first page the readers attention is demanded, as we are drawn into what promises to be a a gripping historical story of lost love, new love, family betrayal and compassion. --Catherine Craw, Lancashire Life
Well researched, gripping, and packed with plenty of romance and adventure. --Jenny Itzcovitz, Sixty Plus Surfers
From the very first page the readers attention is demanded, as we are drawn into what promises to be a a gripping historical story of lost love, new love, family betrayal and compassion. --Catherine Craw, Lancashire Life
Well researched, gripping, and packed with plenty of romance and adventure. --Jenny Itzcovitz, Sixty Plus Surfers
About the Author
Elizabeth Ashworth is a former teacher who lives in Blackburn. Passionate about writing from an early age, she had her first story published in Pony Annual aged fifteen. Her published work includes several books about Lancashire local history and she is a regular contributor to Lancashire Magazine. She is now engaged in completing a companion novel to The de Lacy Inheritance entitled The Heiress of Hornby, set during the Wars of the Roses.
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12 of 15 people found the following review helpful
By Monica
Format:Paperback
I knew almost nothing about the period in which this book is set (England, 1192), but Elizabeth Ashworth brought it very vividly to life in this, her first novel. From the sharp cold of the Lancashire winters to the warmth and bustle of the life village and castle; from the superstition and the primitive medicine, with its talk of humours and punishments from God, to the richness of Christmas feasting - all of it felt real enough to see and taste and smell.
I loved Johanna FitzEustace. She is portrayed as a feisty and strong-willed girl on the brink of womanhood, attractively engaging to a modern audience without ever crossing over the line into anachronistically modern behaviour or attitudes. I enjoyed the sweet, slightly naive development of the romance between the two young protagonists, and the poignant way that it is set against Richard FitzEustace's earlier, lost love.
All the characters are well rounded and real - from the ruthless Roger FitzEustace and the machiavellian Dean of Wallei to the kind and gentle Geoffrey, with whom it's very easy to fall in love. This is a great story, well told, with pace and drama as well as painstaking attention to historical detail. Highly recommended.
I loved Johanna FitzEustace. She is portrayed as a feisty and strong-willed girl on the brink of womanhood, attractively engaging to a modern audience without ever crossing over the line into anachronistically modern behaviour or attitudes. I enjoyed the sweet, slightly naive development of the romance between the two young protagonists, and the poignant way that it is set against Richard FitzEustace's earlier, lost love.
All the characters are well rounded and real - from the ruthless Roger FitzEustace and the machiavellian Dean of Wallei to the kind and gentle Geoffrey, with whom it's very easy to fall in love. This is a great story, well told, with pace and drama as well as painstaking attention to historical detail. Highly recommended.
12 of 16 people found the following review helpful
By grendel
Format:Paperback
When land is power and love a sin!
Welcome to the C12th - a period in history I knew very little about, and so much more now!. From a few known facts about Richard FitzEustace Elizabeth has woven a delightful tale about an unlikely hero and his family.
I found myself fascinated by Richard, afflicted with leprosy yet determined to carry out his grandmother's wishes. This was a book I just couldn't put down until I'd reached the end - it's on my list of books to buy for Christmas presents this year.
Welcome to the C12th - a period in history I knew very little about, and so much more now!. From a few known facts about Richard FitzEustace Elizabeth has woven a delightful tale about an unlikely hero and his family.
I found myself fascinated by Richard, afflicted with leprosy yet determined to carry out his grandmother's wishes. This was a book I just couldn't put down until I'd reached the end - it's on my list of books to buy for Christmas presents this year.
3 of 6 people found the following review helpful
By Juno
Format:Paperback
Richard is a captivating character and his story and that of his family made this period of history come to life very vividly. From the first few pages of the book I had a clear picture in my mind of the characters and their lives. I read the book quite quickly as I was impatient to know the fate of Richard, Johanna his sister and Geoffrey, Johanna's suitor. A gripping story told in a very enjoyable style.
0 of 1 people found the following review helpful
By Caz
Format:Paperback
The de Lacy Inheritance was inspired by the old Lancashire legend of the hermit who lived beneath Cliderhou (Clitheroe) Castle.
The central characters are brother and sister, Richard and Johanna FitzEustace. Richard contracted leprosy during his time on crusade in the Holy Land and has come home to be read the "Mass of Separation", which declares him effectively dead. He cannot see his family or oversee his lands; he cannot enter a church to pray, something which, to a person of that time, was a true hardship. Leprosy was seen as an affliction visited upon those who had sinned against the Lord rather than as an illness; and thus, Richard is cast out from society and denied the comfort of the church.
At the request of his grandmother, he journeys to Lancashire to seek out Sir Robert de Lacy, her kinsman, in order to put forward her request that he bequeath his lands to her upon his death. Richard undertakes the journey and, thanks to the kindness of some of the villagers, finds food and shelter near to Sir Robert's castle. In the village is a well, reputed to have healing powers, and while he is waiting for de Lacy to return home from another of his estates, Richard avails himself of the waters and is miraculously (but plausibly) cured. (I actually looked this up - the water is described as having a strong smell of sulphur - and sulphur was an ingredient used in treatments for Leprosy). He has already determined to spend the rest of his away from the world, doing God's work - and even though cured of his illness, Richard does not wish to go back on his promise to God and immediately be declared `clean' so that he can take his place as head of the family.
Alongside Richard's story runs that of his youngest sister, Johanna, who is fourteen at the start of the story.... Read more ›
The central characters are brother and sister, Richard and Johanna FitzEustace. Richard contracted leprosy during his time on crusade in the Holy Land and has come home to be read the "Mass of Separation", which declares him effectively dead. He cannot see his family or oversee his lands; he cannot enter a church to pray, something which, to a person of that time, was a true hardship. Leprosy was seen as an affliction visited upon those who had sinned against the Lord rather than as an illness; and thus, Richard is cast out from society and denied the comfort of the church.
At the request of his grandmother, he journeys to Lancashire to seek out Sir Robert de Lacy, her kinsman, in order to put forward her request that he bequeath his lands to her upon his death. Richard undertakes the journey and, thanks to the kindness of some of the villagers, finds food and shelter near to Sir Robert's castle. In the village is a well, reputed to have healing powers, and while he is waiting for de Lacy to return home from another of his estates, Richard avails himself of the waters and is miraculously (but plausibly) cured. (I actually looked this up - the water is described as having a strong smell of sulphur - and sulphur was an ingredient used in treatments for Leprosy). He has already determined to spend the rest of his away from the world, doing God's work - and even though cured of his illness, Richard does not wish to go back on his promise to God and immediately be declared `clean' so that he can take his place as head of the family.
Alongside Richard's story runs that of his youngest sister, Johanna, who is fourteen at the start of the story.... Read more ›
6 of 14 people found the following review helpful
By DaisyBelle
Format:Paperback
Oh dear. Where to start? I love anything with a whiff of historical drama/romance and was looking forward to 'discovering' a new author...however it looks like Elizabeth Ashworth is more of a historical fact-teller than story-teller.
Very little romance, very litte drama. What there is, is squandered - why on earth was more of Richard's time in the Middle East not recounted? Richard is DULL, really, really dull, two dimenional and a leper when we meet him but the Middle East makes him seem exciting, heroic and noble...and we see him that way for all of about 9 pages. When my husband read the back he said that it sounded like a story about a leper (not my usual fare). I have to say that he's right. It's marketed for Phillipa Gregory/Elizabeth Chadwick fans but this is a grave error - it's just this author's indulghent imaginings of a 'what-if' variant to a piece of local history. Had this been handled by one of the above authors they could have probably got away with it. But in the capably factual hands of a local historian it is an opportunity squandered.
Plus the 'villains' weren't that bad - what was with Roger suddenly becoming a pussy cat at the end - bearing in mind all we'd been lead to believe I imagined him staking Richard to ensure his succession...but, no. And then Richard looks lovingly on both his siblings at the end...windering how alike they are...err, what? Johanna didn't seem cruel, nasty and sadistic (as Roger was portrayed).
I hope that this has gotten the fiction itch out of this author and that if any more attempts are made that: (1) some proper character background is given; (2) there is less about leprosy - or if we have to have leprosy at least make it more interesting!... Read more ›
Very little romance, very litte drama. What there is, is squandered - why on earth was more of Richard's time in the Middle East not recounted? Richard is DULL, really, really dull, two dimenional and a leper when we meet him but the Middle East makes him seem exciting, heroic and noble...and we see him that way for all of about 9 pages. When my husband read the back he said that it sounded like a story about a leper (not my usual fare). I have to say that he's right. It's marketed for Phillipa Gregory/Elizabeth Chadwick fans but this is a grave error - it's just this author's indulghent imaginings of a 'what-if' variant to a piece of local history. Had this been handled by one of the above authors they could have probably got away with it. But in the capably factual hands of a local historian it is an opportunity squandered.
Plus the 'villains' weren't that bad - what was with Roger suddenly becoming a pussy cat at the end - bearing in mind all we'd been lead to believe I imagined him staking Richard to ensure his succession...but, no. And then Richard looks lovingly on both his siblings at the end...windering how alike they are...err, what? Johanna didn't seem cruel, nasty and sadistic (as Roger was portrayed).
I hope that this has gotten the fiction itch out of this author and that if any more attempts are made that: (1) some proper character background is given; (2) there is less about leprosy - or if we have to have leprosy at least make it more interesting!... Read more ›
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