Knight in Anarchy

by George Shipway

Book Overview

No Synopsis Available.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0583118453
• ISBN13: 9780583118453
• Release Date: January 1971
• Publisher: Mayflower
• Length: 256 Pages
• Weight: 0.45 lbs.

Customer Reviews

A NOVEL THAT WILL STICK WITH YOU FOR A LONG, LONG TIME - A FASCINATING READ ON SEVERAL LEVELS!

This work was first published in the mid to late 1960s under the title "The Knight." I first read it in 1978 and in digging through shelves and shelves of books in my home, I ran across it a few weeks ago. Relatively speaking, this is a rather short work, but it is one of those novels that simply stick with you throughout the years. I just gave it a reread and it has lost none of its impact over the years. The time and place is in 12 century England shortly after the death of Henry II. This of course is one of the pivotal points in Western History and a time of complete turmoil and chaos. It was a time of extreme brutality and a time when questions were being asked, serious questions of government, the Church and mans place the grand scheme of things. This is the story of one Knight, a Norman Knight; Humphrey Visdelou. It is the story of one man caught up in the conflict of loyalties. The question this story asks is what are the boundaries of sworn fealty? In an age where intrigue, treachery, politics, religion and the mere act of survival ruled, Sir Visdelou is faced with major and soul destroying (as well as physical) decisions that must be made. Can a man stay true? This is an extremely gritty work and pulls no punches. Fine points of the etiquette of Knighthood are closely examined and the convoluted and extremely complex reasoning behind actions as related to Knighthood are also addressed. The best example of this would be an early episode in the book... Briefly, our young hero is placed in charge of a keep. The stronghold is attacked by a rival Knight. Humphrey is out numbered and the only way he can possible expect to win the encounter is through the use of the cross bow which at the time was considered a very un-knightly act as the bolt from such a weapon could easily pierce the armor of the attacking foe. Huphrey's duty is to defend so he is forced into using this "cowardly" and un-knightly weapon. In the end he is defeated anyway and taken prisoner. Now the fellow Knight who captures Humphrey knows that he, Humphrey, was only doing his duty, yet he also knows that Humphrey used a weapon that was not acceptable. How to deal out punishment? It was decided castration would be a swell way to make a point, but since Humphrey was after all only doing his duty, it was decided to give him the benefit of a doubt and only one testicle was removed and ripped out, leaving him partially whole. As odd as that sounds, even Humphrey considered the punishment just. He can still sire children, or can he? Now I personally find this examination of fealty fascinating in lieu of what we have seen in our own politics, industry and commercial houses over the past several years? Did those of the 12th century have it right? Have the questions of ethics, moral fortitude and responsibility changed all that much since those times? Do the standards some held dear during those days of old still apply to us today? Are ethics dead or did th

Knightly life and intrigue in early 12th Century England

Knight in Anarchy - previously published as "The Knight" is a tale of the life of Humphrey Visdelou a Norman knight during the time following the death of King Henry of England. It deals with Humphrey's struggle to remain loyal to the ideals of fealty and knighthood while surrounded by the treachery and politics of the time. Rather accuratly portrays the historical events and personalities of the time. A must read for those interested in the concept of fealty.