War Cry (de Norton trilogy)
The title refers to the second Barons’ War (1264-67). Fifty years earlier, rebel nobles had curbed royal power with the Magna Carta. Now their descendants, led by the charismatic Earl of Leicester, Simon de Montfort, are attempting more sweeping reforms. After capturing King Henry III in the previous book (Battle Song), De Montfort is now effectively ruling in his name, but opposition is growing.
De Montfort is credited with the establishment of Parliament, meaning these are major events in our modern cultural and political development. He talked a lot about freedom and rights, even if he reserved those ideals for noblemen like himself. Unfortunately, none of this is explored. Our protagonist, Adam de Norton, is a minor knight tied to the rebel cause by economic and political reality, not conviction.
This may be realistic, but it does not make him a very endearing hero. There are a lot of battles and graphic violence, and a romance with his liege’s daughter which goes nowhere. There’s a more involved affair with an old flame, now married. In fact, the cuckolded husband is the most interesting character in the novel. It’s all well done, but the problem is Adam doesn’t influence proceedings, which makes it hard to root for him, particularly as he ends up on the losing side.
