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The Roots of Betrayal (Clarenceux Trilogy 2)
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Product Description
The brilliant new Elizabethan thriller from the highly acclaimed author of SACRED TREASON.
1564: Catholic herald William Harley, Clarenceux King of Arms, is the custodian of a highly dangerous document. When it is stolen, Clarenceux immediately suspects a group of Catholic sympathisers, the self-styled Knights of the Round Table. Francis Walsingham, the ruthless protégé of the queen's Principal Secretary, Sir William Cecil, intercepts a coded message from the Knights to a Countess known to have Catholic leanings. He is convinced that Clarenceux is trying to use the document to advance the cause of the Catholic Queen. And soon Clarenceux enters a nightmare of suspicion, deception and conspiracy. Conflict and fear, compounded by the religious doubts of the time, conceal a persistent mystery. Where has the document gone? Who has it and who really took it? And why? The roots of betrayal are deep and shocking: and Clarenceux's journey towards the truth entails not just the discovery of clues and signs, but also the discovery of himself.
1564: Catholic herald William Harley, Clarenceux King of Arms, is the custodian of a highly dangerous document. When it is stolen, Clarenceux immediately suspects a group of Catholic sympathisers, the self-styled Knights of the Round Table. Francis Walsingham, the ruthless protégé of the queen's Principal Secretary, Sir William Cecil, intercepts a coded message from the Knights to a Countess known to have Catholic leanings. He is convinced that Clarenceux is trying to use the document to advance the cause of the Catholic Queen. And soon Clarenceux enters a nightmare of suspicion, deception and conspiracy. Conflict and fear, compounded by the religious doubts of the time, conceal a persistent mystery. Where has the document gone? Who has it and who really took it? And why? The roots of betrayal are deep and shocking: and Clarenceux's journey towards the truth entails not just the discovery of clues and signs, but also the discovery of himself.
About the Author
James Forrester is a pen name for historian Dr Ian Mortimer. Dr Mortimer is a Fellow of the Royal Historical Society and the author of four highly acclaimed medieval biographies. He is also the author of The Time Traveller's Guide to Medieval England which was a Sunday Times top ten bestseller. He lives with his wife and three children on the edge of Dartmoor. For more information, visit www.jamesforrester.co.uk.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
10 of 11 people found the following review helpful
Thrilling piracy, religion and manhunts in Elizabethan England. Just don't call it accurate!
28 Jun 2011
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Vine™ Review
(What's this?)
The author's note at the end of this tale cautions the reader against considering The Roots of Betrayal an accurate historical novel. As the author is the well-respected historian Ian Mortimer writing under the pen-name James Forrester, we'd do well to listen to him. Roots of Betrayal is out-and-out fiction, and a great piece of fiction at that.
The tale follows William Harley, Clarenceux King of Arms, in the time of Queen Elizabeth I. Harley has possession of a secret document that would prove that Elizabeth I is illegitimate, and so should not be queen. The next in line for the throne is Mary Queen of Scots. The problem is Elizabeth I is Protestant, Mary Catholic. So if Elizabeth was shown to be illegitimate this would spark religious war in England. Harley, despite being a Catholic himself, does not want to see this religious war and so, when the document is stolen, Harley suspects the secret Catholic society the Knights of the Round Table, and sets off in pursuit. As he has been trusted to keep the document safe, his life depends on it.
As the novel weaves its course it includes wonderful descriptions of 16th century London and Southampton, including Calshot fort (which still stands), and some detailed and very convincing descriptions of the life and battles of a pirate, Carew.
We may take the author at his word that the book shouldn't been seen as an accurate depiction of life in Elizabethan England - nevertheless a particular highlight for me is the true-to-life portrayal of the nuances of the struggles over religion under her reign.
Walsingham, a famous historical figure, Member of Parliament and de facto head of Elizabeth's spy network, is rightly depicted as ruthless and spreading a climate of fear and suspicion about pro-Catholic activities. Yet Forrester also makes clear that it's not as simple as Catholics v Protestants. There are those, like Clarenceux, who are fervently religious yet do not think that any true religion would condone the bloodshed perpetrated by characters like Walsingham in its name. There are those, like Sir William Cecil, the Queen's Principal Secretary, who support whichever religion is winning at the time. And then there are those like the pirate Carew, who are not religious at all.
The Roots of Betrayal is impeccably researched, as you would expect from a historian who researches Elizabethan England as his career. Forrester uses this research to great effect to bring the period alive. Yet the book reads like a seat-of-your pants thriller at times - and the pace of the story never slows. This is no mean feat - and makes for a hugely enjoyable read.
The tale follows William Harley, Clarenceux King of Arms, in the time of Queen Elizabeth I. Harley has possession of a secret document that would prove that Elizabeth I is illegitimate, and so should not be queen. The next in line for the throne is Mary Queen of Scots. The problem is Elizabeth I is Protestant, Mary Catholic. So if Elizabeth was shown to be illegitimate this would spark religious war in England. Harley, despite being a Catholic himself, does not want to see this religious war and so, when the document is stolen, Harley suspects the secret Catholic society the Knights of the Round Table, and sets off in pursuit. As he has been trusted to keep the document safe, his life depends on it.
As the novel weaves its course it includes wonderful descriptions of 16th century London and Southampton, including Calshot fort (which still stands), and some detailed and very convincing descriptions of the life and battles of a pirate, Carew.
We may take the author at his word that the book shouldn't been seen as an accurate depiction of life in Elizabethan England - nevertheless a particular highlight for me is the true-to-life portrayal of the nuances of the struggles over religion under her reign.
Walsingham, a famous historical figure, Member of Parliament and de facto head of Elizabeth's spy network, is rightly depicted as ruthless and spreading a climate of fear and suspicion about pro-Catholic activities. Yet Forrester also makes clear that it's not as simple as Catholics v Protestants. There are those, like Clarenceux, who are fervently religious yet do not think that any true religion would condone the bloodshed perpetrated by characters like Walsingham in its name. There are those, like Sir William Cecil, the Queen's Principal Secretary, who support whichever religion is winning at the time. And then there are those like the pirate Carew, who are not religious at all.
The Roots of Betrayal is impeccably researched, as you would expect from a historian who researches Elizabethan England as his career. Forrester uses this research to great effect to bring the period alive. Yet the book reads like a seat-of-your pants thriller at times - and the pace of the story never slows. This is no mean feat - and makes for a hugely enjoyable read.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
I enjoy reading Ian Mortimer's history books and was very much looking forward to his historical novels. James Forrester (his middle names) is the pen name he uses for his fiction. I raced through "Sacred Treason" and couldn't wait for "Roots of Betrayal" which is the follow up. Just brilliant. If like me, you want historical fiction well grounded in history, you will enjoy these books. It is well written with great characters and a gripping story line. Can't wait for "The Final Sacrament". It will continue the story but I sincerely hope it will not be the last in the series!
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Vine™ Review
(What's this?)
If, like me, your a fan of the CJ Sansom books featuring Matthew Shardlake you'll already be in tune with this book. The main difference between Sansom's Tudor mystery books and James Forrester's is that Forester's story is set during the Elizabethan age. So we are few years on from Sansom's books which are set during the reign of Henry VIII. Like Sansom though Forrester expertly pulls the reader into the every life of his middle aged characters. The author seamlessly weaves real and fictitious characters into the story. The main plot involves our hero, William Harley, Clarenceux King of Arms, trying to track down a stolen document which could prove that Queen Elizabeth has no right to the throne. So enabling the catholic Mary Queen of Scots to oust her. At the same time Harley, a catholic himself, comes under suspicion from the likes of Walsingham and William Cecil for being conspirator in the plot. So the race is on for Harley to track down the document and end the plot before he is accused himself. A very enjoyable read if you like this kind of historic crime/mysery fiction. Not quite as good as CJ Sansom...but very nearly.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Historical Fiction Rollercoaster
If you like a title that's has elements of historical fiction and backed up with a fantastical ride to discover a truth then this title could well be for you. Read more
Published 1 month ago by Gareth Wilson - Falcata Times Blog
Historical thriller with a modern feel
I'll start by saying I read this book when I was feeling particularly unwell and distinctly sorry for myself and it really made having the dreaded lurgy really rather bearable. Read more
Published 2 months ago by Cheeky Monkey
An engaging read
If you like fast paced, historical, intriguing reads, this could be the book for you, both my husband and I enjoyed this book. Read more
Published 2 months ago by L. mckay
It all got a bit lost.
I've just finished listening to the Audible (audio) version of this book. I loved the first book so was very much looking forward to this one. Read more
Published 5 months ago by MS
could not really get into this book
I really wanted to like this book, but could not really get into it.
The story is being sold as historical fiction, but it's somewhere between fiction and fantasy - it... Read more
The story is being sold as historical fiction, but it's somewhere between fiction and fantasy - it... Read more
Published 5 months ago by A. Kubicek
The Roots of Betrayal
This book is the sequal to Sacred Treason. The exciting adventure of Clarenceux the Herald where he prevented a document showing the existance of a marriage contract for Anne... Read more
Published 6 months ago by Mrs. Stella White
A cracking good read
William Harley, Clarenceaux King of Arms, is guarding a "treasure", a document that could bring down Queen Elizabeth I. Read more
Published 7 months ago by Alpaqaeda
The Roots of Betrayal
After really enjoying 'Sacred Treason', I was thrilled when I was offered the sequel 'The Roots of Betrayal' for reviewing. Read more
Published 8 months ago by stacey987
Excellent
Excellent novel that I feel far surpasses Sacred Treason. This time around, the characters seemed to me slightly more vivid, and the plotlines seemed far more elaborate,... Read more
Published 8 months ago by Dismal Angel
Historical Romp
This is a fairly undemanding historical romp - not the greatest thing you will ever read but it is clearly well-researched, well-plotted and (on the whole) well written. Read more
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