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Royal protector. Loyal servant. Forgotten hero. A penniless young knight with few prospects, William Marshal is plucked from obscurity when he saves the life of Henry II's formidable queen, Eleanor of Aquitaine. In gratitude, she appoints him tutor to the heir to the throne, the volatile... read more

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Quotes edit see section history

  • “But there was also truth in things cast lightly into a conversation: the sort of gossamer to be snatched as it passed, and then examined later in the open palm.”
    thought by William Marshall
  • Popular Highlights from Kindle Customers
  • How did one hold on to one’s loyalty when love was dead and fidelity betrayed? Perhaps one did so because it was the only light in the void and to let go was to fall for eternity.
    Highlighted by 35 Kindle customers
  • The Romans said that there was truth in wine—that men and women spoke their inner feelings when the grape loosened their tongues. But there was also truth in things cast lightly into a conversation: the sort of gossamer to be snatched as it passed, and then examined later in the open palm.
    Highlighted by 23 Kindle customers
  • If you could avoid it, you never showed your opponent that he had hit home.
    Highlighted by 12 Kindle customers
  • Stephen’s bloodline lay in the grave and Empress Matilda’s son, Henry, the second of that name, had been sitting firmly on the throne for thirteen years.
    Highlighted by 10 Kindle customers
  • Clara was like a cat: self-contained, self-sufficient, but needy for affection.
    Highlighted by 9 Kindle customers
  • Remember that the lands you rule are hers and that she might desire to have a say in what you do with them. Take her with you when you can. Use her as your captain and your deputy when you cannot, and never give her cause to resent you, because she will have the raising of your sons and daughters.”
    Highlighted by 9 Kindle customers
  • What a poisoned chalice trust was, he thought, both for those who poured the wine and those who drank it.
    Highlighted by 8 Kindle customers
  • “He’s as sharp as a needle, but too often he uses that sharpness to stab and wound, instead of sewing a good seam.
    Highlighted by 7 Kindle customers
  • “He is so eaten up with what he thinks he should have that he doesn’t see what he’s got.
    Highlighted by 7 Kindle customers
  • “You’re brooding up a rare clutch of troubles there,” he said. “In my experience the ones that hatch are never those you expect.”
    Highlighted by 7 Kindle customers
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Organizations edit see section history

First Sentence edit see section history

In the dark hour before dawn, all the shutters in the great hall were closed against the evil vapours of the night.

Table of Contents edit see section history

Chapters 1-43
Epilogue
Author's Note
Acknowledgments

Series & Lists edit see section history

This is book 2 of 5 in William Marshal. (standard series)

Preceded by A Place Beyond Courage, and followed by The Scarlet Lion.

This book is in Medieval Historical Fiction. (community list)

Authors & Contributors edit see section history

  1. Elizabeth Chadwick (Author)

First Edition edit see section history

Original Language: English
Publisher: St Martin's Press
Country: UK
Publication Date: August 22, 2006
ISBN: 978-0312358761
Page Count: 560

Classification edit see section history

Notes for Parents edit see section history

Reading Level: Adults

Some violence and sexuality

Books with Additional Background Information edit see section history

   
  • William Marshall
  • Court, Household, and Itinerary of King Henry II: Instancing Also the Chief Agents and Adversaries o

Books That Influenced This Book edit see section history

   
  • William Marshal: Knighthood, War and Chivalry 1147-1219, Second Edition
  • England without Richard, 1189-1199

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