Book Review of The Time of Singing by Elizabeth Chadwick

Elizabeth Chadwick is one of the most prolific and successful authors currently writing historical fiction.  She currently has fifteen novels available, plus reprints of older novels and new novels planned for publication.  Perhaps because of the cover art—he book jackets almost always feature a woman in medieval finery—her books are often assumed to be simply period romances.  However, especially in The Time of Singing, Chadwick proves herself to be capable of more.

The Time of Singing is a substantial novel at over 500 pages, and is now available in paperback as well as hardback.  However, you don’t realize how long the book actually is because you become so engrossed with the story.  The Time of Singing is based on real people and events, and has been carefully researched to be as historically accurate as possible.  Chadwick’s gift is in making people come alive as individuals that we can identify with and care about, whilst staying true to the historical evidence and records. 

 Set between 1173 and 1199, the book spans twenty-six years and the stories of two strong characters.  Ida de Tosney comes to the court of King Henry II as a naïve girl on the verge of adulthood.  However, the king is drawn to her innocence, and quickly maker her his unwilling mistress.  Eventually she bears him a son: William, later known as Longespée. 

Meanwhile, Roger Bigod finds himself following his conscience as he defies his tyrant father in order to support the king and do his moral duty.  He will struggle for much of his life to regain the earldom that was his birthright, but was stripped from his father for rebellion and was disputed by his stepmother and brother.

The Time of Singing is the unlikely love story of these two remarkable individuals, and their long and meaningful relationship with each other.  It has moments of longing and tenderness, of lust and comfort.  However, it is more than just a romance.  Yes, there are romantic elements, but it is a real-life romance set in a tumultuous period.  This is also the story of medieval England as it is bankrupted by the Crusade and politics, as the country found itself adjusting to new kings and leaders, and as wars and peacemaking both played their roles.  This is a meticulous look at life during this period, and not only includes daily details (such as what they would eat and wear), but also the broader scope of politics and events during the period.  If you are interested in this period, then you will enjoy the historical detail and accuracy.

The book kept a steady pace and emotional tension that propels the reader through the book.  It has a refinement of writing style not reached in some of Chadwick’s earlier books (enjoyable as they are), and it is evident that she is an experienced author who has learned much through her previous novels.

If you enjoy The Time of Singing, I would recommend reading Elizabeth Chadwick’s other books (some of them include some of the same characters as in The Time of Singing), or the novels of Posie Graeme-Evans (similar time period and historical detail, but more romance and sex) or Philippa Gregory (especially her books set in the Tudor period).