A Bloody Field by Shrewsbury by Edith Pargeter

Title: A Bloody Field by Shrewsbury
Author: Edith Pargeter
Publisher: Sourcebooks Landmark
ISBN: 9781402239915
Rating 4 Crowns


Henry Bolingbroke knows that he should be king of England. It’s his God-given destiny, and the young Richard II had no right to banish him and claim the throne. With the help of the powerful lords of Northumberland, especially Harry “Hotspur” Percy, Henry triumphantly overthrows Richard and imprisons him.

But the thrill of becoming Henry IV of England fades as trouble brews in Wales. Rebellion is in the air, and the question of how Richard II really died lingers, poisoning the court.

Henry IV will need all his strength to defend the crown, but the relationships between the king, Hotspur, and the king’s son Prince Hal contain the seeds of their own destruction. The king’s powerful enemies are poised to pounce as the three men are drawn to bloody collision some two miles from Shrewsbury. Filled with the glorious historical detail that fans of Edith Pargeter have come to expect, A Bloody Field by Shrewsbury is a skillful tapestry of the feuds, loves, and triumphs of Henry IV.
(From the publisher)

My Thoughts:

One of my favorite books of the year!!!!!! I read it through in one setting, the way the story flows draws the reader in, while capturing and holding their attention to the very end. I cannot believe that this was my first time hearing about this book as it was originally published in 1972. While I was previously acquainted with the authors work, (The Brothers of Gwynedd Quartet) I was surprised at the degree of variation in the writing, which is a plus for me. I was also intrigued by the plot and the way the Edith Pargeter mixed fiction and fact is seamless.

A lovely edition to my treasure trove of historical fiction novels.


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