I think it's a far more difficult task to write historical fiction based on real people. A few such books have disappointed me lately, and I started the novel with—thankfully—unwarranted trepidation. It took just a few pages to realize I was in the hands of a master. In THE GREATEST KNIGHT, Elizabeth Chadwick tells the story of the life of William Marshal, a great, but little known, knight of the Middle Ages. The trials of his life started at a young age when his father gave him as a hostage to the king. King Stephen threatened to hang the child if his father, John Marshal, didn't give up Marlborough Castle, but in the end, he couldn't do it. Instead, he taught William a lesson on loyalty he never forgot.

As a kinsman, William lived on the charity of Guillaume de Tancarville, where he trained as a squire and then was promoted to a knight in his mesnie. However, with an excess of young knights, William had to leave and moved to the mesnie of his uncle, the Earl of Salisbury. He had won money for equipment and horses in a tourney, and ended up as the greatest jouster of the age. Through his relationship with Salisbury, William had the opportunity to meet the queen, the beautiful Eleanor of Aquitaine. After saving her life, she made him one of her household guards and then he was taken into Prince Henry's mesnie. He formed a close bond with the queen, one of the two relationships that had the most impact on his life, the other being his wife, Isabelle de Clare of Ireland. William served Prince Henry, his father and his brother and events continually tested his loyalty.

Elizabeth Chadwick tells her story masterfully, giving the reader insight into William's thoughts and emotions. While the bulk of her story is based on fact, she seamlessly fills in any gaps, but a reader would be hard-pressed to pick fact from fiction. Chadwick introduces us to other characters who play important roles in William's life from the queen, princes, other knights and his future wife, Isabelle de Clare of Ireland. She weaves romance, adventure, mystery and court intrigue into William's life in such a way that reading the book more resembles hopping into a time machine and seeing his life firsthand. William is a true leader with many friends, but he also has enemies who start rumors that have him banished from court for a time. His brother, too, harbors a palpable resentment for William's place, and while the two are family, they never share a close-knit relationship.

THE GREATEST KNIGHT historical fiction at its best, a novel that brings its subject to life. She has done meticulous research interspersing wisdom about customs, foods, the environment and many other details about life in the Middle Ages. As part of her research, Chadwick participates in re-enactments, and her dedication to understanding her subjects and the world in which they live clearly show through in every page. I recommend this novel to any fan of historical fiction. You won't be disappointed.

Book Summary

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 and fickle Prince Henry. But being a royal favorite brings its share of danger and jealousy as well as fame and reward.

A writer of uncommon historical integrity and accuracy, Elizabeth Chadwick resurrects the true story of one of England's greatest forgotten heroes in a captivating blend of fact and fiction. The Greatest Knight restores William Marshal to his rightful place at the pinnacle of the Middle Ages, reflecting through him the triumphs, scandals, and power struggles that haven't changed in eight hundred years.

Read an Excerpt

Author Note

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT ELIZABETH CHADWICK AND THE GREATEST KNIGHT:

The Greatness of William Marshal: The descendants of the Greatest Knight himself include George Washington and Winston Churchill, as well as the Stuart kings of England and Scotland. He was partly responsible for the Magna Carta. He vowed his body to the Templars and is buried in Temple Church in London.

The Appeal of the Time Period: There are very few novels about Marshal, and no one has covered him as in depth as Elizabeth Chadwick has. In addition, unlike the Tudor era, there are not extensive amounts of historical fiction set in the 13th century.

The Integrity of the Research: Elizabeth Chadwick's research is impeccable. She not only visited many locations, but she re-enacted with a living history society where a quarter of the membership are either historians or archaeologists, and she collected and used replica artifacts from the period and engaged in experimental archaeology. She has taken courses in various medieval studies to facilitate her knowledge.

The Breadth of the Audience: Readers who are fans of Sharon Kay Penman, Anya Seton, Diana Gabaldon, Phillipa Gregory, and Jean Plaidy will like Elizabeth Chadwick. She appeals to readers who are looking for historical accuracy and strong, believable characters, readers who want to feel that they are being immersed in the period with well-rounded characters.