The website dedicated to the novels, now entirely FREE to download, entertaining true stories and favourite facts of the 2003 'Brain of Britain' Dave Stedman
The medieval world, in all its piety, passion, romance, superstition and bloody barbarity, comes to vivid life through the eyes of an ambitious court jester to tell the true story of Edward Longshanks, who literally battled his way to his rightful inheritance, the throne of England.
This is the purportedly long-lost account of Hamo Pauncefoot, a crafty and ambitious jester who daringly insinuates himself into the service of the future King Edward I, known as Longshanks. He reveals his story of clever scheming but also courageous loyalty as he rises, through war and battle, to a high rank and becoming indispensable to Edward's cause.
As Pauncefoot plots and connives his way further into Edward's life, he introduces us to other historical characters such as Leonora of Castile, Edward's passionate and beautiful wife; the pious but naive King Henry III; Henry's scheming wife Queen Eleanor of Provence and his noble brother Earl Richard of Cornwall. The Prince of Wales, Llwelyn ap Gruffyd attempts to invade England, while the ruthless and self-assured earl of Leicester, Simon de Montfort, very nearly snatches the throne of England for himself.
But in Pauncefoot's most triumphant moment, after he has risen to exalted favour with Edward, everything he has built comes crashing down following a shocking revelation that leaves him in the thrall of a man who is a more cunning manipulator than Pauncefoot himself…
With chapters headed by dates that guide the reader through the authentic time frame of these historical events, Pauncefoot's fictional account is woven into the true story of Edward's bloody and tragic ascent to the throne. This makes the book a fascinating read for those who enjoy a good story that is backed up by facts and history.
At the start of the Mel Gibson film 'Braveheart', very loosely based on the true story of Scottish patriot Sir William Wallace, the commentary states that 'England is being ruled by a cruel and pagan king', that king being Edward I.
Cruel?
There are regrettable incidents of bullying cruelty when Edward was a young man and out on a drunken spree with friends, and at the end of his life Edward acted with barbarity during certain phases of his invasions of Scotland when he was suffering from illness, and he undeniably exceeded the standards of even those cruel times. Also, the expulsion and persecution of the Jews during his reign is an indisputably dark stain on Edward and England. To state that such pogroms were happening throughout Europe is no mitigation. But in between, and certainly in English terms, Edward's life was marked by a genuine concern for the rights of common people, the poor, and for the sanctity of parliament and the law. So much so that Edward earned the title of 'the English Justinian'. There are also instances of great personal kindness by Edward and a lively sense of humour, as typified by having to buy his laundress a horse after losing a bet when she caught him loafing in bed at Easter. Edward had a quick temper but he was also a loving father and deeply devoted to his wife Eleanor (or Leonora) of Castile. His grief was harrowing when she died and he erected the famous Eleanor Crosses in her memory. Yes, he subjugated Wales and attempted to subjugate Scotland, but Edward was doing what was expected of every medieval monarch of that time and preserving and protecting his realm, that is England. After Robert the Bruce became king of Scotland he embarked on a campaign of exterminating his enemies in a revenge genocide in Scotland that far exceeded any atrocity committed by Edward I.
Pagan?
Edward was exceedingly pious and attended a church service twice a day whenever he could, and sometimes more. Indeed, it became a subject of disapproving gossip when, for any reason, he could not worship during the day. Add the foundation and support of several religious establishments and the fact that he went on crusade to the Holy Land, the accusation of being pagan simply does not stand at all.
I chose the life of Edward I when I needed to study a specialist subject for Mastermind. I thought he would be easy to study, which was true, but what really surprised me was the disparity between what I, and everyone else, seemed to think he was like, that is a cruel and warlike barbarian, with the lawmaker, devoted husband, sincere Christian and great reformer that he actually was. He literally had to battle his way to the throne, proving to be a courageous and talented military commander, and his life story often reads like an exciting historical novel. After Edward died and his ineffectual son Edward II took over and lost Scotland, Robert the Bruce commented that it had been easier to take the whole country from the son than it had been to take an inch of land from the father.
In The Chronicles of Pauncefoot and Longshanks I have attempted to catch something of the character of Edward I as he ascended to the throne and, as far as he is concerned, most of the facts related about him are perfectly true . . . amazing but true.
This is, quite simply, the best historical 'faction' I have ever read. If you are remotely interested in English medieval history and the truth about King Edward I, untwisted by centuries of adverse propaganda, then read this book. Intelligent, entertaining and informative all in one. Brilliant.
This imaginative re-stitching of 13th century historical events uses the fictional confessions of King Edward I's lead court jester and fool to sit the reader in a dark corner of a monastery and listen to a story of the making of a king and tale of a shrewd fool. Through the mists of time Hamo Pauncefoot reveals his involvement in historical events from 1253-1274 to a monk he has hired to document the story of his life. The narration takes on dark eloquent styling and magnificent character representation; characters are magnified by this narration and of course embellished for the sake of the story and the narrator's royal benefactors. If readers are familiar with The Lymond Chronicles by Dorothy Dunnett or Bernard Cornwell's Warlord Chronicles then you may find another antihero in Hamo Pauncefoot. The reader is taken to this fool's humble beginnings and then witnesses Hamo's all consuming obsession of advancement of life and status which he believes can be obtained by providing his distinct set of services to the young prince Edward.
Set to the backdrop of England during the mid 13th century the reader is privy to the intimate complicated relationships and manipulations of the court of King Henry III. As the story progresses the locations thunder on from battle fields, to towns, to clandestine rooms of taverns, to the holy crusade and back again with always Hamo Pauncefoot under the table or in a corner collecting vital information for his advances. This narration takes on a delicious dark phrasing that leaves more of a convincing representation of the mid 13th century, characters are painted with flaws and very few are described as faultless. Piety and virtue serve little in this story, greed and lust for power reigns over this storyline.
In the end, although a few anachronistic terms in the dialogue briefly pulled this reader from this striking narration and the middle sagged with the different excursions, these can be forgotten with the twists and surprises that leapt from the corners of The Chronicles of Pauncefoot and Longshanks: The Making of a King. The footnotes at the end were a creative touch that leant more validity to the beginning claim that this story is true and recently discovered in 2007; all research and implantation was explained and (to this reader) showed superb attention to detail. Finally the sometimes awkward formation and execution of showing time and births to the reader were seamless in this narration (a very hard thing to accomplish). Overall this was gem of a read, an original story that I highly recommend for those readers who enjoy a more realistic view of this time period, those who enjoy reading about the machinations of a mind born into misery and desperation and another game for the control of England. The ending clearly indicates a sequel and this reader eagerly awaits the next installment about this shrewd narrator.
Pauncefoot’s thrilling rise is a cracking read, 5 stars.
The latest novel from local author David Stedman is a thrilling and superbly crafted account of the true early life of King Edward I as viewed, and manipulated by, his faithful but scheming jester Hamo Pauncefoot.
The author tells the story as if Pauncefoot himself is relating it, at the end of his long and eventful life, to a hired scribe. This gives the narrative verisimilitude and the inclusion of factual footnotes at the end of the book help to bring the medieval atmosphere to life in a most compelling way.
We follow Pauncefoot’s rise from miserable poverty to wealth and fortune by using the guise of a harmless entertainer behind which is a ruthlessly subtle schemer. Pauncefoot craftily befriends the young prince, makes himself indispensable and then serves him faithfully through civil war, crusades, assassination attempts and also Edward’s great love affair with his eventual Queen Leonora of Castile. The only criticism is that the author sometimes tries to include too much history that tends to make the story drag in places. Such passages, however, are more than made up for by the cracking action scenes that surround them. There is, however, a mighty sting at the end of this tale which this reviewer did not see coming. The novel ends with a promise of a follow-up second chronicle that may resolve this sting and lead us towards more incredible adventures through Pauncefoot’s eyes.
Any devotee of historical fiction, or any reader with an interest in British medieval history will not be disappointed by this great read which, for this reviewer, is fit to stand beside the best historical novels.
This is a medieval from a different perspective — that of Hamo Pauncefoot, the fool and jester to King Edward I of England, he of “Braveheart” fame. The king is portrayed much more sympathetically in this book, however, and his jester is not really a fool of any sort. He is manipulative and deceptive, but nevertheless Hamo worms his way into our hearts.
The story is about the military exploits and home life of Longshanks, and how his clever jester helps him during key high points and low points of his life. Characterizations are fully developed and the narration is smooth; we’re smiling as we despair with Pauncefoot and yet know a better future is somehow ahead.
It’s an entertaining story.
Also, the ending wasn’t emotionally satisfying. A second book is apparently coming, but we are left at a spot where the hero, Hamo, is hapless. I also didn’t like the fact that footnotes were included in the novel, and the lengthy end notes make it appear as though this book is a true account from an actual person named Hamo. I think I would have preferred some sort of essay from the author regarding his research.
All in all, this book is clever and readable. But if you’re thinking it might be a romance, it’s not. I would call it an anti-romance, something that will become clear if you read the book. This doesn’t detract from the enjoyment of the book, however.
I look forward to the second book. And I hope Hamo has a happier ending there than here.
I received this book free from NetGalley and this is an honest review.
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