Listen free for 30 days
-
Lady of the English
- Narrated by: Patience Tomlinson
- Length: 16 hrs and 59 mins
- Unabridged Audiobook
- Categories: Literature & Fiction, Historical Fiction
Add to basket failed.
Add to wishlist failed.
Remove from wishlist failed.
Follow podcast failed
Unfollow podcast failed
Listen with a free trial
Buy Now for £17.89
No valid payment method on file.
We are sorry. We are not allowed to sell this product with the selected payment method
Listeners also enjoyed...
-
A Marriage of Lions
- An Auspicious Match. An Invitation to War.
- By: Elizabeth Chadwick
- Narrated by: Helen Stern
- Length: 16 hrs and 54 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Raised at the court of King Henry III as a chamber lady to the queen, young Joanna of Swanscombe's life changes forever when she comes into an inheritance far above all expectations, including her own. Now a wealthy heiress, Joanna's arranged marriage to the king's charming, tournament-loving half-brother, William de Valence, immediately stokes the flames of political unrest as more established courtiers object to the privileges bestowed on newcomers.
-
-
A beautiful and moving piece of historical fiction
- By Wayne on 13-09-21
-
To Defy a King
- By: Elizabeth Chadwick
- Narrated by: Patience Tomlinson
- Length: 16 hrs and 31 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
The privileged daughter of one of the most powerful men in England, Mahelt Marshal’s life changes dramatically when her father is suspected of treachery by King John. Her brothers become hostages and Mahelt is married to Hugh Bigod, heir to the earldom of Norfolk. Adapting to her new life is hard, but Mahelt comes to love Hugh deeply; however, defying her father-in-law brings disgrace and heartbreak.
-
-
Narrator!?!
- By Kirstie on 25-02-11
-
The Coming of the Wolf
- By: Elizabeth Chadwick
- Narrated by: Charlotte Strevens
- Length: 9 hrs and 1 min
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
When Ashdyke Manor is attacked, Lady Christen is forced to witness her husband's murder and the pillaging of her lands at the hands of brutal Norman invaders. It seems the pain is finally over when Miles Le Gallois, Lord of Milnham-on-Wye, calls off the attack. But he has Christen's brother under armed guard and a deal to offer: her brother's freedom for her hand in marriage. Christen finds herself hastily married into the enemy side, with her brother swearing his vengeance on her new husband.
-
-
Fabulous.
- By bookylady on 10-09-20
-
The Winter Mantle
- By: Elizabeth Chadwick
- Narrated by: Christopher Scott
- Length: 18 hrs and 54 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Fresh from the Battle of Hastings, William of Normandy has returned home in triumph, accompanied by the English nobles he cannot trust to be left behind. But Waltheof of Huntingdon is not thinking of rebellion; from the moment he sees Judith, daughter of the king's formidable sister, he knows he has found his future wife. The attraction is mutual, but in mediaeval Europe marriage has little to do with love. When William refuses to let the couple wed, Waltheof joins an uprising against him.
-
-
Compelling
- By Nadia on 28-04-17
-
Lords of the White Castle
- By: Elizabeth Chadwick
- Narrated by: Christopher Scott
- Length: 21 hrs and 50 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Westminster, 1184. As a reward for loyalty to the crown, Fulke FitzWarin becomes companion to Prince John. But the FitzWarins are as proud as they are true, so when John accuses Fulke of cheating at chess, his response is inevitable - and disastrous. Thus begins a bitter and life-long personal rivalry. The FitzWarins dream of returning to their family home, Whittington, taken from them during a war.
-
-
Brilliant
- By Mogster on 31-08-10
-
The Summer Queen
- Eleanor of Aquitaine Trilogy, Book 1
- By: Elizabeth Chadwick
- Narrated by: Katie Scarfe
- Length: 18 hrs and 19 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Eleanor of Aquitaine's story is legendary. She is an icon who has fascinated readers for over 800 years. But the real Eleanor remains elusive - until now. Based on the most up-to-date research, best-selling novelist Elizabeth Chadwick brings Eleanor's magnificent story to life, as never before. Young, vibrant, privileged, Eleanor's future is golden as the heiress to wealthy Aquitaine. But when her beloved father dies suddenly in the summer of 1137, her childhood ends abruptly.
-
-
Beautifully written & a joy to listen to.
- By Duchess on 26-07-13
-
A Marriage of Lions
- An Auspicious Match. An Invitation to War.
- By: Elizabeth Chadwick
- Narrated by: Helen Stern
- Length: 16 hrs and 54 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Raised at the court of King Henry III as a chamber lady to the queen, young Joanna of Swanscombe's life changes forever when she comes into an inheritance far above all expectations, including her own. Now a wealthy heiress, Joanna's arranged marriage to the king's charming, tournament-loving half-brother, William de Valence, immediately stokes the flames of political unrest as more established courtiers object to the privileges bestowed on newcomers.
-
-
A beautiful and moving piece of historical fiction
- By Wayne on 13-09-21
-
To Defy a King
- By: Elizabeth Chadwick
- Narrated by: Patience Tomlinson
- Length: 16 hrs and 31 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
The privileged daughter of one of the most powerful men in England, Mahelt Marshal’s life changes dramatically when her father is suspected of treachery by King John. Her brothers become hostages and Mahelt is married to Hugh Bigod, heir to the earldom of Norfolk. Adapting to her new life is hard, but Mahelt comes to love Hugh deeply; however, defying her father-in-law brings disgrace and heartbreak.
-
-
Narrator!?!
- By Kirstie on 25-02-11
-
The Coming of the Wolf
- By: Elizabeth Chadwick
- Narrated by: Charlotte Strevens
- Length: 9 hrs and 1 min
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
When Ashdyke Manor is attacked, Lady Christen is forced to witness her husband's murder and the pillaging of her lands at the hands of brutal Norman invaders. It seems the pain is finally over when Miles Le Gallois, Lord of Milnham-on-Wye, calls off the attack. But he has Christen's brother under armed guard and a deal to offer: her brother's freedom for her hand in marriage. Christen finds herself hastily married into the enemy side, with her brother swearing his vengeance on her new husband.
-
-
Fabulous.
- By bookylady on 10-09-20
-
The Winter Mantle
- By: Elizabeth Chadwick
- Narrated by: Christopher Scott
- Length: 18 hrs and 54 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Fresh from the Battle of Hastings, William of Normandy has returned home in triumph, accompanied by the English nobles he cannot trust to be left behind. But Waltheof of Huntingdon is not thinking of rebellion; from the moment he sees Judith, daughter of the king's formidable sister, he knows he has found his future wife. The attraction is mutual, but in mediaeval Europe marriage has little to do with love. When William refuses to let the couple wed, Waltheof joins an uprising against him.
-
-
Compelling
- By Nadia on 28-04-17
-
Lords of the White Castle
- By: Elizabeth Chadwick
- Narrated by: Christopher Scott
- Length: 21 hrs and 50 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Westminster, 1184. As a reward for loyalty to the crown, Fulke FitzWarin becomes companion to Prince John. But the FitzWarins are as proud as they are true, so when John accuses Fulke of cheating at chess, his response is inevitable - and disastrous. Thus begins a bitter and life-long personal rivalry. The FitzWarins dream of returning to their family home, Whittington, taken from them during a war.
-
-
Brilliant
- By Mogster on 31-08-10
-
The Summer Queen
- Eleanor of Aquitaine Trilogy, Book 1
- By: Elizabeth Chadwick
- Narrated by: Katie Scarfe
- Length: 18 hrs and 19 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Eleanor of Aquitaine's story is legendary. She is an icon who has fascinated readers for over 800 years. But the real Eleanor remains elusive - until now. Based on the most up-to-date research, best-selling novelist Elizabeth Chadwick brings Eleanor's magnificent story to life, as never before. Young, vibrant, privileged, Eleanor's future is golden as the heiress to wealthy Aquitaine. But when her beloved father dies suddenly in the summer of 1137, her childhood ends abruptly.
-
-
Beautifully written & a joy to listen to.
- By Duchess on 26-07-13
-
The Greatest Knight
- The Story of William Marshal
- By: Elizabeth Chadwick
- Narrated by: Robert Powell
- Length: 5 hrs and 56 mins
- Abridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
An exciting medieval historical novel, based on fact, about William Marshal, probably the greatest knight of the Middle Ages.
-
-
Dulcet tones
- By J on 06-11-09
-
Daughters of the Grail
- By: Elizabeth Chadwick
- Narrated by: Nicolette McKenzie
- Length: 15 hrs and 41 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Thirteenth-century France: Bridget has grown up mastering the mystical gifts of her ancestor, Mary Magdalene, whose unbroken female lineage has kept a legacy of wisdom alive for a thousand years. But the all-powerful Catholic Church has sworn to destroy Bridget for using her healing talents and supernatural abilities. Her duty to continue the bloodline leads her into the arms of Raoul de Mountvallant – a Catholic.
-
-
Another wonderful story
- By Judith P on 20-07-15
-
The Falcons of Montabard
- By: Elizabeth Chadwick
- Narrated by: Christopher Scott
- Length: 17 hrs and 39 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
In the aftermath of tragedy and scandal, Sabin FitzSimon, illegitimate son of a Norman earl, leaves England for the Holy Land in search of a new beginning.
At first, it seems impossible, as the demons from his past life return to haunt him, and Sabin finds his back to the wall. In the heat and dust, magnificence and danger of Northern Syria, he must either face himself, or be vanquished.
-
-
Chadwick Magic
- By Simone on 13-04-13
-
The Conquest
- By: Elizabeth Chadwick
- Narrated by: Charlotte Strevens
- Length: 20 hrs and 55 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
When a comet appears in the sky over England in 1066, Ailith, a young Saxon wife, feels sure that it can only bode well. Yet within a year, Ailith's joy turns to heartache as her husband and her child are taken from her and the conquering Normans advance. Ailith's grief turns to love for a brief period with a handsome Norman invader. She bears him one daughter, but in the aftermath of the Battle of Hastings she discovers a betrayal she cannot forgive....
-
-
Engaging
- By Anonymous User on 07-05-19
-
Shields of Pride
- By: Elizabeth Chadwick
- Narrated by: Jonathan Oliver
- Length: 14 hrs and 15 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Unable to inherit his father's title, Joscelin de Gael, the beloved bastard son of William Ironheart, is serving Henry II when he encounters the lady Linnet de Montsorrel. On her husband's death, Linnet is bestowed on Joscelin as a reward for his loyalty. While Joscelin's half-brothers plot to overthrow their own father, revelations of past loves and family secrets threaten Linnet and Joscelin's relationship.
-
-
A wonderful surprise
- By Nadia on 20-07-08
-
The Love Knot
- By: Elizabeth Chadwick
- Narrated by: Charlotte Strevens
- Length: 17 hrs and 38 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
1140. Oliver Pascal chances upon a village raided by mercenaries and rescues the survivors: an orphaned boy, who is the illegitimate son of the old king, and a young widow named Catrin. After escorting them to Bristol Castle, they are accepted into the household of Robert of Gloucester and while Catrin finds herself falling in love with Oliver she becomes bored with the frivolity of court life. Thus when the old midwife Etheldreda offers to teach her the secrets of her ancient art, Catrin agrees.
-
-
A fabulous read
- By Melissa on 04-11-19
-
The Irish Princess
- By: Elizabeth Chadwick
- Narrated by: Aoife McMahon
- Length: 16 hrs and 15 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Aoife MacMurchada is just 14 years old when her father Diarmit, King of Leinster, is brutally deposed, and her family is forced to flee Southern Ireland into English exile. Diarmit seeks help from King Henry II, an alliance that leads him to the charismatic Richard de Clare, lord of Striguil, a man dissatisfied with his lot and open to new horizons. Diarmit promises Richard wealth, lands, and Aoife's hand in marriage in return for his aid, but Aoife, has her own thoughts on the matter. She may be a prize, but she is not a pawn and she will play the game to her own advantage.
-
-
Simply Brilliant
- By Paul Dayus Cooke on 14-12-20
-
Templar Silks
- By: Elizabeth Chadwick
- Narrated by: Jonathan Keeble
- Length: 15 hrs and 50 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
To save his soul, William Marshal takes the perilous road to Jerusalem, but the greatest danger he faces there is losing his heart. England, 1219. Lying on his deathbed, William Marshal, England's greatest knight, sends a trusted servant to bring to him the silk Templar burial shrouds that returned with him from the Holy Land 30 years ago. It is time to fulfil his vow to the Templars and become a monk of their order for eternity.
-
-
Beautifully written and very well narrated.
- By Manchester Mama on 14-03-18
-
The King's Sister
- By: Anne O'Brien
- Narrated by: Jessica Ball
- Length: 14 hrs and 26 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
One betrayal is all it takes to change history. It's 1382. Daughter of John of Gaunt, sister to the future King Henry IV, Elizabeth of Lancaster has learned the shrewd tricks of the court from England's most powerful men. In a time of political turmoil, allegiance to family is everything. A Plantagenet princess should never defy her father's wishes. Yet headstrong Elizabeth refuses to bow to the fate of a strategic marriage.
-
-
I would recommend this book
- By Amazon Customer on 14-03-18
-
Katherine
- The classic historical romance
- By: Anya Seton
- Narrated by: Diana Bishop
- Length: 24 hrs and 34 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Katherine comes to the court of Edward III at the age of 15. The naïve convent-educated orphan of a penniless knight is dazzled by the jousts and the entertainments of court. Nevertheless, Katherine is beautiful, and she turns the head of the King's favourite son John of Gaunt. But he is married, and she is soon to be betrothed. A few years later their paths cross again and this time their passion for each other cannot be denied or suppressed.
-
-
Please give us more Anya Seton!
- By C on 07-09-12
-
Beloved Enemy
- By: Ellen Jones
- Narrated by: Robert Blumenfeld
- Length: 19 hrs and 48 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
"Aquitaine is mine. It will never belong to anyone else."
With these words, 15-year-old Eleanor seals her fate. Aquitaine is under the French king’s safekeeping, and Eleanor, the Duke of Aquitaine’s eldest daughter, knows she must wed Prince Louis in order to insure the future of her beloved duchy. Fiercely independent, filled with untapped desire, the woman who would be queen must provide Louis VII, her monkish husband, with heirs. But it is young Henry of Anjou who catches Eleanor’s eye - and sets fire to her heart.
-
The Chosen Queen
- Queens of the Conquest Trilogy, Book 1
- By: Joanna Courtney
- Narrated by: Clare Corbett
- Length: 11 hrs and 27 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
She holds the fate of England in her heart.... The Queens of the Conquest trilogy. It's 1066. Three Queens. One Crown. As a young woman in England's royal court, Edyth, granddaughter of Lady Godiva, dreams of marrying for love. But political matches are rife while King Edward is still without an heir and the future of England is uncertain.
-
-
Excellent
- By J. E. Moore on 19-04-16
Summary
Two very different women are linked by destiny and the struggle for the English crown. Matilda, daughter of Henry I, is determined to win back her crown from Stephen, the usurper king. Adeliza, Henry's widowed queen and Matilda's stepmother, is now married to William D'Albini, a warrior of the opposition. Both women are strong and prepared to stand firm for what they know is right. But in a world where a man's word is law, how can Adeliza obey her husband while supporting Matilda, the rightful queen? And for Matilda pride comes before a fall....
What price for a crown? What does it cost to be Lady of the English?
More from the same
What listeners say about Lady of the English
Average customer ratingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- brenda miller
- 26-07-13
A fascinating subject
What did you like most about Lady of the English?
The story of Matilda and Stephen and the English Civil War - it linked so many isolated incidents that I had heard about in history lessons at school many years ago but this is the first time they have all come together for me. The story of Adeliza and William was also interesting particularly as there were actually supporting different sides.
Who was your favorite character and why?
Elizabeth Chadwick seems to be able to put her academic research into the early medieval period into very entertaining fiction which still keeps true to the period without any irritating anachronisms.
Did the narration match the pace of the story?
I particularly enjoyed the descriptions of costume, household effects, art and architecture - even the horse' s names were explained.
Did you have an emotional reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?
I enjoyed Tomlinson's reading except for when she changed her voice for male characters - it sounded very silly at times and spoilt the narrative flow.
Any additional comments?
I intend to start reading about Marshall and his life and times. I think there is a series of novels about the Greatest Knight.
3 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Ama
- 16-04-14
Fair enough
Would you consider the audio edition of Lady of the English to be better than the print version?
Well, I feel that this book was actually a better portrayal of Adeliza of Louvain, I felt for her more. Matilda was fair enough, i was very sorry that she didn't get what was her birthright, or a husband who was of her choice or actually not a complete and utter terror.
What was the most interesting aspect of this story? The least interesting?
Adeliza of Louvain her inability to conceive with a very fertile man, her sorrows and then her incredible fecundity with Will. You actively root for her.
Which character – as performed by Patience Tomlinson – was your favourite?
Adeliza of Louvain
Did you have an emotional reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?
Not really. The Actor was good but something about the book left me a little cold
2 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Anonymous User
- 09-08-22
fascinating!
A wonderful fascinating book!
I enjoyed it so much I did not want it to end.
so descriptive and a historic look into the lives of two fascinating women . Excellent!
the narrator was faultless.
-
Overall
- Marilyn
- 07-04-19
Lady of the English
My first audio book, and shall be listening to more, two very strong women, written brilliantly
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Maureen Stewart
- 20-10-18
Great insight into the life of Empress Matilda
As usual Elizabeth Chadwick leads one into the past and draws you deeper and deeper into the intriguing lives of the subject and her relatives, friends and courtiers. The description of the beautiful strong women with unrelenting goals make you proud to be female.
Thank you Elizabeth for another wonderful adventure into medieval times.
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Nadia
- 28-04-17
Would have been better with a different narrator
What made the experience of listening to Lady of the English the most enjoyable?
The story was well written, which got me through
Who was your favorite character and why?
Will because he stood up for what he believed in.
Did Patience Tomlinson do a good job differentiating each of the characters? How?
She did give them all different voices, trouble was, they sounded ridiculous.
Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?
Not especially.
Any additional comments?
This book could have benefited from a different reader. It's the one drawback with audio books, if the narrator is bad, then it doesn't matter how good the book is. Obviously narrators are a personal thing, and others might love her, but for me, she ruined the book. I'm all for women speaking in a slightly lower register to differentiate between male and female characters, but her men sounded like they were living at the bottom of a well. Lady of the English is informative and clearly well researched, but it lacked the raw emotion I'm used to associating with Elizabeth Chadwick.
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story

- Cat Morgan
- 28-09-16
Very Enjoyable!
This book is well worth the credit! The writing is wonderful and extremely historically detailed. The narrator also gave a beautiful performance, and I will be looking for both the writer and the narrator again.
4 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story

- Compute
- 20-01-16
Sooooo Good
I always enjoy Elizabeth Chadwick's books. She makes history simply come alive. This is a story about two strong women ... Matilda, the young daughter of King Henry who was never satisfied with what life gave her, and her stepmother Adeliza, a young woman close to Matilda's age. Both women are so very different, yet they find a friendship that transcended the years, politics and family dynamics. It also shows how a woman's strength can be displayed in such very different ways. Matilda, always brash, hard and ready to go found herself depending so many times on Adeliza, who was soft, kind and always looking at the very best in others. Both women forged a bond that was unique and lasted throughout their lives. The book was so well written that it had me looking up historical facts about both their lives. Excellent book and very well written, which is what I have learned is the norm for Ms. Chadwick. Excellent once again.
3 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story

- Erica Amodeo
- 13-06-19
Awesome
Great story. Great narrator.
Will listen again. I love the series. I love the author.
1 person found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story

- mumsy
- 19-08-18
Another terrific read
Elizabeth Chadwick always does such meticulous research and discovers so many details of her characters!
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story

- Janet
- 19-06-18
Enjoyable story
So glad I spent my credit on this book. I enjoyed all of it. I had not read about Henry's 2nd Queen Adeliza before but am glad to in this book !
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story

- spoiled
- 07-11-15
If you are into boring dialogue and steamy sex scenes buy this book
Intensely boring. Very poorly performed. Steamy hot sex scenes (and lots of them) which should not be necessary if the dialogue was engaging. Not a book worthy of comparison to Jane Austen or Phillipa Greggory as advertised. I'm so sorry I wasted my time on this piece of cliterature.
4 people found this helpful