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4.0 out of 5 stars
Exciting classical historical novel, 19 Nov 2009
Synopsis: the year 1349, just after the Black Death, and in the early part of the Hundred years War, and young Nigel Loring of Tilford tries to fend off the encroaching of the Abbey of Waverley - who are claiming his ancestral land. How this threat came about, how nigel wins a horse, and armour, and some honour, this tale tells. It tells, too, of how Nigel becomes squite to Sir John Chandos, of his voyage to Calais, and how he crossed his own King; and much besides.
Well, it is obvious that the creator of Sherlock Holmes is an accomplished writer! Here he has chosen to have the conversations in 'archaic' style - some would call it fusty... "and wherein lies our wisdom, honoured sir?" but in the excitement of the story this soon becomes normal. Because it *is* an exciting story, spanning the Home Counties, Brittany and SW France, with murder, mayhem, war, torture, romance, riches and poverty. For the casual reader the style might be offputting; for the connaisseur, it is a pleasure. It is a romantic tale, but also shows the harsh realities of the time: poverty, inequality, war, callousness. It is a chronicle of noble deeds in harsh times, and it ends in an epic battle; all told in a stirring manner. Enjoy!
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