Lady of the English

Sourcebooks Landmark

Lady of the English
Elizabeth Chadwick
2011

The Summary
"Matilda, daughter of Henry I, knows that there are those who will not accept her as England's queen when her father dies.  But the men who support her rival Stephen do not know the iron will that drives her.

"Adeliza, Henry's widowed queen and Matilda's stepmother, is now married to a warrior who fights to keep Matilda off the throne.  But Adeliza, born with a strength that can sustain her through heartrending pain, knows that the crown belongs to a woman this time."

The Good
Elizabeth Chadwick is an excellent writer.  She has an incredible skill in weaving together an exceptional story, pulling from historical events and giving her work an unrivaled emotional depth.  Although she pulls individuals from historical record, she manages to give them a vibrancy and depth that we wouldn't otherwise experience.  She breathes life into history, which can seem dusty and dull by comparison.

I especially enjoyed that Chadwick decided to focus on such an incredible (and controversial) figure with Matilda, daughter of King Henry I.  I also liked Adeliza, Henry I's widow and Matilda's stepmother.  Both women, endowed with an incredible inner strength and personal fortitude, are truly incredible to behold.

Matilda was surely before her time in regards to the monarchy and she possessed an iron will that makes her one of the most fascinating characters (and historical figures) I've had the pleasure to meet my recent reading.

The Bad
Lady of the English spans a number of years, making it a particularly lengthy endeavor; more importantly, it runs the same risk as any novel based in historical fact:  it's history, which means it has already happened.  (And it's easy to spoil things for yourself if, say, you're acquainted with medieval English history - or, you know, have access to Google.)

The Ugly
I suppose I should point out that Matilda does start a war when her place on the throne is contested.  With the death of Henry I and her natural ascension is interrupted by Stephen of Blois, Matilda spends the next twenty or so years at war to regain her kingdom.  Violence is surely on the menu.

And, point of fact, Matilda isn't surrounded with the nicest men.  Between her father's manipulative games (which, I assume, completely blow up in his face) and her marriage to an abusive, controlling adolescent, I'm surprised she even lived as long as she did.