This is a book I picked up for a very specific reason. My father has become thoroughly enthralled, obsessed almost, with the subject of ancestry. He’s on a mission to trace nearly every line of our family tree as far as it will go, and it turns out, the subject of this novel is my Great however-so-many it may be Grandpappy. Dad acquired Chadwick’s book series about William Marshal and now I’m reading them as well. This first book is more of a prequel, as it follows William’s father, John Fitzgilbert, or John Marshal. John was marshal to King Henry I, inheriting the title from his father, Gilbert Giffard, sometime prior to 1130. This book begins here, moving into the death of King Henry which begins the civil war between the Empress Matilda and King Stephen. The novel illustrates John’s instrumental role as a skilled tactician during the war and brings us up through the end of the war in 1153, in which William is an adorable addition (but a VERY important one) as a feisty 5-year-old.

What did I expect? Looking at that cover, as well as other variations, I expected a pretty schmaltzy romance, not going to lie. That is absolutely not what I got. To my pleasant surprise, I got a meticulously researched historical novel about a badass nobleman with a little smattering of romance. It was definitely there. I actually found myself getting a bit annoyed with all the sex John and Sybilla were having. Though, I guess I should thank them, because if they hadn’t I wouldn’t exist in this plane of reality. Go forth and procreate, little medieval bunnies!

John is an extremely controversial figure, and a lot of people think he was an emotionless ass. Perhaps that’s true, I don’t know. But I do like the way Chadwick presents him. He’s extremely cunning, and he’s willing to take some pretty unbelievable gambles to win. He knows the price of losing. He’s always two steps ahead of everyone else, and his enemies positively hate him for it. All I can say is I wouldn’t want to be on the opposing side of John Marshal in a conflict. His most controversial decision involved William when he was a young boy, but had he not made such a decision we arguably wouldn’t know the name William Marshal more than 800 years later. The important part of how Chadwick portrays him is in her humanization of the man. She shows us the guilt, anxiety and fear he refused to show the rest of the world in his own time. We may not see all that on a wikipedia entry listing his accomplishments, but it was definitely there, and that’s why historical fiction is such a valuable tool at going beyond history into the realm of understanding.

If you do pick up one of Chadwick’s books, be aware that they are long and meaty. Despite this, I didn’t find my interest waning. I really enjoyed my journey through this chapter of history I knew very little about prior to reading. Chadwick is skilled at both presenting the known history as accurately as possible while also adding her own touches of poetic license to her character development. Her prose is clear but lovely and enthralling. I look forward to continuing the series, though I probably won’t blaze through it considering how voluminous it is. Plus, the casual and overt sexism of the medieval period, which Chadwick very deftly presents in all its glory, is really difficult to stomach in large doses. With a series like this, I like to afford myself some breaks in between, though it’s definitely worth the read.

First published October 4, 2007 by Sphere. This edition published September 1, 2012 by Sourcebooks Landmark. ISBN 9781402271083. Paperback. 504 pages.