Lionheart - by Ben Kane Paperback

About the Book

1179. Henry II's Norman conquerors have swept through England, Wales - and now Ireland. Irish nobleman Ferdia has been imprisoned in Wales to ensure the good behaviour of his rebellious father. But during a skirmish on a neighbouring castle, Ferdia saves the life of the man who would become one of the most legendary warriors to have ever lived: Richard Plantagenet. The Lionheart. Taken as Richard's squire, Ferdia crosses the Narrow Sea to resist the rebellious nobles in Aquitaine, besieging castles and fighting bloody battles with brutal frequency. But treachery and betrayal lurk around every corner. Infuriated by his younger brother Richard's growing reputation, Henry rebels. And Ferdia learns that the biggest threat to Richard's life may not be a foreign army - but Richard's own family...

Book Synopsis

REBEL. LEADER. BROTHER. KING.

1179. Henry II is King of England, Wales, Ireland, Normandy, Brittany and Aquitaine. The House of Plantagenet reigns supreme.

But there is unrest in Henry's house. Not for the first time, his family talks of rebellion.

Ferdia - an Irish nobleman taken captive during the conquest of his homeland - saves the life of Richard, the king's son. In reward for his bravery, he is made squire to Richard, who is already a renowned warrior.

Crossing the English Channel, the two are plunged into a campaign to crush rebels in Aquitaine. The bloody battles and gruelling sieges which followed would earn Richard the legendary name of Lionheart.

But Richard's older brother, Henry, is infuriated by his sibling's newfound fame. Soon it becomes clear that the biggest threat to Richard's life may not be rebel or French armies, but his own family...

'A rip-roaring epic, filled with arrows and spattered with blood. Gird yourself with mail when you start.' Paul Finch

'Ben's deeply authoritative depiction of the time is delivered in a deft manner.' Simon Scarrow

Review Quotes

A fast-paced and thrilling read... it expertly examines what was a complex period in English history... a truly vibrant and
gripping read.

--Helena Gumley-Mason, THE LADY

Kane deftly draws a portrait of the charismatic and ruthless Richard. The dynastic complications of an ageing, paranoid king
with four ambitious sons are fascinating. And the battles are gory. Kane's Richard the Lionheart will rightly win loyal camp
followers.

--Antonia Senior, THE TIMES

Ben's deeply authoritative depiction of the time is delivered in a deft manner. I was immersed in the detail of Rufus's life, with its heat and cold, its odours, foods, clothing, beasts, politics and all the other minutiae of the age.--Simon Scarrow

Kane's virtues as a writer of historical adventures - lively prose, thorough research, colourful action - are again apparent.--Nick Rennison, THE SUNDAY TIMES

Lionheart has plenty of betrayal, bloodshed and rich historical detail.--Martin Chilton, INDEPENDENT

Plenty of action, blood, scheming, hatred, stealth and politics here, if that's what you want in your read - and you know it is!--Jon Wise, SUNDAY SPORT

Richard the Lionheart's name echoes down the centuries as one of history's great warriors, and this book will immortalise him even more. A rip-roaring epic, filled with arrows and spattered with blood. Gird yourself with mail when you start.--Paul Finch

The first book of what promises to be an exciting trilogy.--CHOICE

About the Author

Kenya born, Irish by blood and UK resident, Ben Kane's passion for history has seen him change career from veterinary medicine to writing, and taken him to more than 60 countries, and all 7 continents. During his travels and subsequent research, including walking hundreds of miles in complete Roman military gear, he has learned much about the Romans and the way they lived. Ten of his thirteen novels have been Sunday Times top ten bestsellers, and his books are published in twelve languages; a million copies have sold worldwide. In 2016, his research was recognised by Bristol University with an honorary Doctor of Letters degree. Kane lives in Somerset with his wife and children, where he writes full time.