Battle Song by Ian Ross

Book Blurb

‘There is a fury in England that none shall suppress – and when it breaks forth it will shake the throne’

1264

Storm clouds are gathering as Simon de Montfort and the barons of the realm challenge the power of Henry III. The barons demand reform; the crown demands obedience. England is on the brink of civil war.

Adam de Norton, a young squire devoted to the virtues of chivalry, longs only to be knighted, and to win back his father’s lands. Then a bloody hunting accident leaves him with a new master: the devilish Sir Robert de Dunstanville, who does not hesitate to use the blackest stratagems in pursuit of victory.

Following Robert overseas, Adam is introduced to the ruthless world of the tournament, where knights compete for glory and riches, and his new master’s methods prove brutally effective.

But as England plunges into violence, Robert and Adam must choose a side in a battle that will decide the fate of the kingdom. Will they fight for the king, for de Montfort – or for themselves?

My Review
Regular readers will know that I love my historical fiction as I am a history addict, I love learning more about our past. I have to admit though that I know little about thirteenth century English history, knowing more about Italy in that period. When Hodder and Stoughton got in contact about a review for Battle Song I saw an opportunity to read a great piece of fiction and get more of an insight into this period in English history.

Battle Song centres around Adam de Norton, a young squire who fortuiously finds himself squire to Sir Robert de Dunstanville, whose fearsome reputation is well known by all. Whilst at first sight they seem very different personalities but in fact they both have a common goal, to get back the lands that they should have inherited. I enjoyed watching Adam’s confidence grow, in combat and in himself during the book, and his determination to get his family lands back from his step-father, and hopefully become a Knight himself at some point. Sir Richard is a charming character but also brutal in what he fights for. He is hardened by living a life touring around Europe taking part in the jousts and melé’s that make up the Knights Tournaments, in which he seeks victory and money. I felt that during the course of the book that his harsh exterior softened a bit due to his relationship with Adam, who questioned decisions and gained his respect. Following them in the tournaments and the civil war I had my heart in my mouth, as they faced death on too many occasions and I didn’t want anything to happen to them.

Ian Ross’s historical research shines through in the historical detail of the plot. When I normally think of jousting I think of the Knights being the champion of a lady, putting on a display for royalty, but Ian Ross shows a very different version. There is no chivalry and glamour about it, it is brutal and dangerous where the aim is to win and to take the oponent down, to capture them then ransom them off for money. The melé is more like a battle where it is every knight for himself, it was like going into battle where blood is shed and some are killed. Ian Ross’s detailed description of the rebellion by Simon de Montfort on the reign of King Henry III was fascinating, the political intrigue that set father against son in some cases and friend against friend. The details of battle, the weapons used, left me on the edge of my seat as I felt I was there with Adam and Richard, feeling the burning sand and hearing the clashing of swords. These scenes are not for the faint hearted as the foracity and ruthlessness of battle are described in great detail. There is lightness to offset this darkness with some wit and a forbidden romance for Adam.

Battle Song is the first book I have read by Ian Ross but it certainly won’t be the last. I loved the amount of historical detail included in the plot, showing the reality of the tournaments, the political machinations of the period, the violence that the civil war brought to England and the straetgy of the wars. In Adam and Richard he has created characters whose lives I became invested in and enjoyed following. This is an immersive read that once picked up is hard to put down; the writing has an authenticity about it making you believe you are there with characters. Full of action and excitement this is a stunning piece of historical fiction, and I can’t wait for the next book in the series.

I’d like to thank Hodder & Stoughton for my copy of this book in return for my honest review.