After Hours

not disqualify anyone from inheriting money or land. In this way she continually emphasizes a nascent feminism that took root in a country whose people resisted oversight. In her books the Welsh people’s fatal flaw is fighting with each other over territory, thus weakening their ability to resist the much more heavily populated England.

As King John maneuvered to make Wales more English and a vassal state, Joanna found herself torn between a husband she adores and a father who loved her but acted ruthlessly towards those from her adopted country.

Falls the Shadow becomes the story of Simon de Montfort, a driven, clever Frenchman whose silver tongue earned him an earldom and the hand of Eleanor, also known as Nell. Nell was the sister of King Henry III, an irresolute, temperamental man who could be vindictive but loved his family. Many of Penman’s characters come in shades of grey, rather than black and white, making them relatable even in novels that are about battles and political rivalries.

In time the deeply Christian Simon made an enemy of the king by pushing reforms that would lessen the power of the monarchy while giving more to the nobility and even commoners in the trade guilds in London. Like Joanna, Nell was torn between family members, since her brother eventually wanted to destroy her husband, Simon. In particular, Simon wanted to use his native leadership abilities to create a slightly more democratic society. A woman equally strongminded as her husband, Nell supported him in the face of her brother’s enmity. Simon’s story is one of a flawed, admirable man, one whose implacable will made inroads into the political development of England.

The Reckoning continues the story of Llewelyn Fawr’s descendants. Llewelyn lost his most cherished links to his family and looked for a successor. His illegitimate son, Gruffydd, was too impulsive and anti-British to unify Wales and keep England at bay, so he looked to Davydd, his son by his English wife, Joanna, to carry his mantle. Wales did not have the strength to battle King John or his successor, King Henry III, so he needed a wily maneuverer who could bend the knee when necessary, but also battle to keep the English from Anglicizing Wales through colonizing its land and imposing its system of laws. Henry III, a feeble king who often made disastrous decisions regarding battles with France and Wales, became weaker and even more irrelevant as his canny, treacherous son Edward I takes control of the country.

Llewelyn’s grandson, Llewelyn ap Gruffydd, had the leadership abilities to rule the country as the selfstyled Prince of Wales. He consolidated his internally warring peoples to a level not even seen in his grandfather’s time. In Penman’s books the Welsh engaged in a constant struggle to retrieve territories from British nobles who have seized those on the border, and then British attempts to burrow further into the Welsh way of life. The Welsh regained them, and then the British took them again. Llewelyn battled Edward I, the predatory, tough warrior who became king after his father. Edward I was much more dangerous than Henry III. Llewelyn must also keep tabs on the brother he loves who constantly betrays him, the whimsical, treacherous Davydd.

In marrying Ellen, the daughter of Nell de Montfort, Llewelyn ap Gruffydd achieved happiness despite the many concessions he made to Edward I to release her from his confinement. Penman sometimes temporarily turns her stories into bodice-rippers when she writes the romantic relationships of the Welsh princes, but they are very engaging.

There is an end to the combined tales of these Welsh rulers, and I will not spoil the details. Penman writes a ripping yarn with verve, pathos, and humor. She brings her portraits of nobles to life with vivid descriptions of battles, political parleys, and romance, along with violent, fair-minded, pitiless, and charismatic characters.

Penman describes the casual cruelties of medieval punishments with ease and does not neglect the sad stories of the Jews of London and other urban areas, blamed for usury while restricted from practicing trades. As is the traditional case in history, they were the scapegoats who paid for the vagaries of Londoners’ fortunes. When they had to charge high interest rates because some people would not pay them back, Londoners and others attack them, while rulers constantly consider expelling them from the country. Penman repeatedly includes the theme of women’s rights and prejudices against Jews throughout these stories, hoping to portray them as fully fledged humans in a time that did not consider them as such.

I also recommend Penman’s trilogy to those who enjoy Ken Follett’s The Pillars of the Earth, or anyone who relishes a lively story of that time frame replete with glittering character studies. These novels are less literary than the works of Hilary Mantel, for example, and appropriate for a more casual and fun read. Enjoy visiting medieval England, France, and Wales, and breathe a sigh of relief when you return.

Become a Published Author with Dorrance. We want to read your book!

Trusted by authors for nearly 100 years, Dorrance has made countless authors’ dreams come true.

Our staff is made up of writers, just like you. We are dedicated to making publishing dreams come true.

Complete Book Publishing Services

FIVE EASY STEPS TO PUBLICATION:

1. Consultation 2. Book Production 3. Promotion 4. Distribution 5. Merchandising and Fulfillment

Call now to receive your FREE Author’s Guide 877-974-8307

www.dorranceinfo.com/otc

AFTER HOURS

Birchmere 703.549.7500 3701 Mt. Vernon Ave. birchmere.com The Blackwall Hitch 571-982-3577 5 Cameron St. theblackwallhitch.com Carlyle Club 411 John Carlyle Dr. 703-549-8957 thecarlyleclub.com Chadwicks 203 S. Strand St. 703.836.4442 Evening Star Cafe 703.549.5051 2000 Mt. Vernon Ave. The Fish Market 703.836.5676 105 King St. fishmarketoldtown.com La Portas 703.683.6313 1600 Duke St. The Light Horse 703.549.0533 715 King St. lighthorserestaurant.com Murphys Irish Pub 703.548.1717 713 King St. murphyspub.com O’Connell’s 703.739.1124 112 King St. Rock It Grill 703.739.2274 1319 King St. Shooter McGees 703.751.9266 5239 Duke St. shootermcgees.com Southside 815 703.836.6222 815 S. Washington St. St. Elmos 703.739.9268 2300 Mt. Vernon Ave. Taverna Cretekou 703.548.8688 818 King St. TJ Stones 703.548.1004 608 Montgomery St. tjstones.com LaTrattoria 703-548-9338 305 S. Washington St. Two Nineteen 703.549.1141 219 King St. Village Brauhaus 710 King St. 703-888-1951

These establishments offer live entertainment. Call to confirm show times, dates and cover charges. Check our advertisers’ websites.