THE GREATEST KNIGHT

By Elizabeth Chadwick

Synopsis

A penniless young knight, 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 in arms to her son. However, being a royal favourite brings its share of conflict and envy. William finds he has to confront deadly political intrigue, strained family loyalties and betrayals.

Sample Player

Narrator	Christopher Scott
Length	18hrs 30mins
Catalogue No.	12785
Publisher	Soundings Audio; 2006

Other audiobooks by Elizabeth Chadwick

THE AUTUMN THRONE

England, 1176. Imprisoned by her husband, King Henry II, Eleanor of Aquitaine - freed only by his death, becomes dowager Queen of England. But the competition for land and power that Henry stirred up among his sons has intensified to a dangerous rivalry. Her indomitable spirit will be tested to its limits as she attempts to keep the peace between her warring sons, and find a place in the centre of power for her daughters.

THE CHAMPION

Half brothers, Alexander and Hervi de Montroi, meet in France. Hervi is a professional jouster and Alexander needs a trade. Despite misgivings, Hervi takes him on as his squire. He befriends a girl, Monday, taking care of her after her parents die until, pregnant with Alexander's child, she leaves, finding shelter in a castle as a seamstress. Noticed by King John, she becomes his mistress, bearing his son and gaining a house. Meanwhile, Stefan has returned to England and he and Monday meet again at court and fall in love. They have the King's blessing, but Monday's grandfather, now heirless, sees her as a way to gain power.

THE COMING OF THE WOLF

The Welsh Borders, 1069. When Ashdyke Manor is attacked, Lady Christen is forced to witness her husband's murder and the pillaging of her lands at the hands of brutal Norman invaders. It seems the pain is finally over when Miles Le Gallois, Lord of Milnham-on-Wye, calls off the attack. But he has Christen's brother under armed guard and a deal to offer: her brother's freedom for her hand in marriage. Christen finds herself hastily married into the enemy side, with her brother swearing his vengeance on her new husband. Miles and Christen's precarious union invites enemies from all sides, and when Miles is summoned for a lengthy campaign by the king, Christen is left to watch his lands. In the midst of war, two enemies must somehow learn to trust one another if they are to survive....

THE CONQUEST

When a comet appears in the sky over England in 1066, Ailith feels sure that it can only bode well. Yet, within a year, Ailith's joy turns to heartache as her husband and her child are taken from her and the conquering Normans advance. Ailith's grief turns to love for a brief period with Rolf de Brize, a handsome and womanising Norman invader but in the aftermath of the Battle of Hastings she discovers a betrayal she cannot forgive. Years later, the spirited and strong-willed Julitta is determined to find happiness and her quest takes her on a Pilgrimage to Compostella to a colourful horse fair in Bordeaux, to the terrors of piracy on the open sea

DAUGHTERS OF THE GRAIL

Thirteenth-century France: Bridget has grown up mastering the mystical gifts of her ancestor, Mary Magdalene. But the Catholic Church has sworn to destroy Bridget for using her supernatural abilities. Her duty to continue the bloodline leads her into the arms of Raoul de Mountvallant - a Catholic. As war rages on, it is the children of these passionate souls, Magda and Dominic, who must strive to preserve the ancient knowledge for future generations...

THE FALCONS OF MONTABARD

In the aftermath of a scandal Sabin FitzSimon leaves England for the Holy Land. There he meets Annais, a quiet young woman, accompanying her father to a new life. Annais falls in love with her new country, its people and Sabin, but it will take more than love to secure what she holds dear.

THE IRISH PRINCESS

Ireland, 1160. Aoife MacMurchada is just 14 years old when her father Diarmit, King of Leinster, is brutally deposed, and her family is forced to flee Southern Ireland into English exile. Diarmit seeks help from King Henry II, an alliance that leads him to the charismatic Richard de Clare, lord of Striguil, a man dissatisfied with his lot and open to new horizons. Diarmit promises Richard wealth, lands, and Aoife's hand in marriage in return for his aid, but Aoife has her own thoughts on the matter. She may be a prize, but she is not a pawn and she will play the game to her own advantage.

LADY OF THE ENGLISH

Matilda, daughter of Henry I, is determined to win back her crown from Stephen, the usurper king. Adeliza, Matilda's stepmother, is now married to William D'Albini, a warrior of the opposition. Both women are strong and prepared to stand firm for what they know is right. But in a world where a man's word is law, how can Adeliza obey her husband while supporting Matilda, the rightful queen? And for Matilda - what price for a crown? What does it cost to be "Lady of the English"?

THE LEOPARD UNLEASHED

When Renard, heir to Ravenstow, is summoned home to his ailing father, he brings Olwen with him, an exotic dancing girl whose sensuous beauty has ensnared him. Yet, in a political match made by their families, Renard is already betrothed to the innocent Elene. Renard's personal dilemma is set against a background of increasing civil strife, and his fate is soon placed in the hands of the two women..

LORDS OF THE WHITE CASTLE

In 1184 the bitter rivalry between Fulke Fitzwarin and Prince John is set to last a lifetime and jeopardise the Fitzwarins' dream of returning to their family home as the Lords of the White Castle. It also leads to the life of an outlaw for Fulke.

THE MARSH KING'S DAUGHTER

Despite having signed the Magna Carta and made promises to mend his ways, there is still great dissatisfaction with King John's rule. Among the rebellious nobles is young Nicholas de Caen. While fighting John's troops, he is captured, but during the trip back to be questioned, the treacherous marshes cause trouble and Nicholas and King John's treasure are both lost. Nicholas is injured and ends up at a nunnery where he is nursed by Miriel of Wisbech. News of the lost treasure comes to them and the nuns realise the young man they are looking after probably knows something about this...

A PLACE BEYOND COURAGE

The early twelfth century is a time for ambitious men to prosper - and royal servant John FitzGilbert is one of them. But when the old king dies and his successor is appointed, John's position at court is weakened and he is forced to make a terrible sacrifice. Sometimes keeping your honour means breaking your word...

THE RUNNING VIXEN

Powerful romance set in medieval England. Sequel to: 'The Wild Hunt' (3120);

THE SCARLET LION

The loyalty of the great knight William Marshal is rewarded by the hand in marriage of Isabelle de Clare. But the stability William and Isabelle enjoy comes crashing down when King Richard dies and his brother John takes the throne. As rebellion stirs, William steers an increasingly precarious path that will lead him, eventually, to the rule of a country in desperate straits, with Isabelle walking with him every step of the way.

SHADOWS AND STRONGHOLDS

In the 13th century, Lord Fitzwarin decides that his young son will become a good for nothing wastrel unless he takes drastic action. He sends Fulke away from home to learn knightly arts in the household of Joscelen de Dinan.

SHIELDS OF PRIDE

The year is 1173. King Henry's efforts to crush his rebellious sons ignite bloody border skirmishes throughout the land. It is a time of triumph for mercenary Josceline de Gael, bastard son of the king's most trusted ally. But when his heart is conquered by the lovely Linnet de Montsorrel, their love will find its greatest challenge as an enemy from beyond the grave threatens all they hold dear.

THE SUMMER QUEEN

Young Eleanor has everything to look forward to as the heiress to wealthy Aquitaine. But when her beloved father dies suddenly in the summer of 1137, her childhood is over. Forced to marry the young prince Louis of France, Eleanor must face the complex and vivacious French court. She is only 13.

TEMPLAR SILKS

To save his soul, William Marshal, medieval England's greatest knight, begins a pilgrimage to the Holy Land with his brother - a perilous experience that will impact him for the rest of his life. The brothers are quickly enveloped by the turmoil in Jerusalem, the devious scheming and lusts of the powerful men and women who rule the kingdom.

THE TIME OF SINGING

The young Roger Bigod, heir to the earldom of Norfolk, arrives at Henry II's court to wrestle his inheritance from the arms of his half-brothers. While there, he encounters the pretty and gentle Ida de Tosney, young mistress to the King. They begin a careful courtship, but the King's anger soon catches them up. Forced into a corner, Ida's decision will carry an agonising price.

TO DEFY A KING

Mahelt Marshal is the privileged daughter of one of the most powerful men in England. But her life changes dramatically when her father is suspected of treachery by King John. Her brothers become hostages and Mahelt is married to Hugh Bigod, heir to the earldom of Norfolk. Adapting to her new life is hard, but Mahelt comes to love Hugh deeply. However, when King John sets out to subdue the Bigods, Mahelt faces a heart-breaking battle, fearing neither she, nor her marriage, will be likely to survive the outcome....

THE WILD HUNT

Wales at the turn of the twelfth century and Guyon, the young lord of Ledworth, is about to wed Judith of Ravenstow. They have never met but political intrigue is rife and soon they have to face the horror of war together.

THE WINTER CROWN

It is the winter of 1154 and while her husband King Henry II battles for land across the channel, Queen Eleanor fulfils her duty as acting ruler and bearer of royal children. But when Henry falls for a young mistress, Eleanor is forced into a rebellion of devastating consequences. She knows how much Henry needs her, but does Henry know himself?

THE WINTER MANTLE

Fresh from his defeat of King Harold at the Battle of Hastings, William of Normandy has returned home in triumph. But Waltheof of Huntingdon, is not thinking of rebellion; when he catches sight of Judith, daughter of the King's formidable sister he knows he has found his future wife...