I went into this book expecting to learn about the Hundred Years War and to be entertained. This story managed to do one of these things. John Potenhale is telling a very lengthy tale to the widow of a French knight who he met and admired. The entire book is told in a kind of flowery language that makes me think of the great King Arthur stories or Chaucer’s tales. Such manner of telling a tale works good for a Shakespearean play but was rather tiring for a 10+ hour long novel.

I did like that setting was well done. The politics of the day as well as the geography were covered but not in a big hard to swallow lump. I felt like I was learning things as Potenhale was as he worked hard to become a knight and gain esteem. I think this is a good introduction to the Hundred Years War if someone is looking for a way to get interested in that time period and location.

There are very few female characters and this was a disappointment. There are plenty of histories (nonfiction and fiction) for this war that fail to include the ladies so I was hoping this tale would be more inclusive. There’s Margery, a handmaid to the Lady Joan. That might be it… I think Potenhale thinks about his mom from time to time…. and the Virgin is mentioned several times when a knight feels like praying. Joan and Margery are love interests and nothing else. So that let me down.

The tale has a few slumps but then a rousing battle scene at the end. It wasn’t all glory, which I was glad to see. Potenhale takes in the reek and savagery of battle. Then there’s a bit of an epilogue in which we learn the outcome of the romantic pining that has been going on. All told, it wasn’t great but it wasn’t bad. 3.5/5 stars.

The Narration: James Young did a good job with this narration. He maintained a flowery oration all the way through as the story required. His French accent and pronunciations were great. His female voices could have used a touch more femininity. His pacing was just a touch slow for my taste. 4/5 stars.

I received this audiobook as part of my participation in a blog tour with Audiobookworm Promotions. The tour is being sponsored by Rosanne E. Lortz. The gifting of this audiobook did not affect my opinion of it. ( )

Personally, I found it quite a welcome change to discover a book written by an American set during the Hundred Year War which was not anti-English. A pleasant surprise, as I tend to steer clear of books set in this period written by Americans generally, as they tend to not only be biased, but also present a hideously stereotyped view of the English and others, and an inaccurate and oversimplified view of events.

I Serve was not in this mould, it was critical of my country folk at times and sometimes perhaps a little uncritical of the French, but generally presented a balanced and detailed representation of the period. Replete with realistic battle scenes, romance, and the life experiences of a young man at arms the service of his lord.
The style appeared to be emulating the works of Victorian authors such as Howard Pyle, with more pseudo-archaic language towards the end of the book, and a rather narrative style of recounting the major events. This may not be according to everyone’s taste, as it was very much ‘telling’ rather than ‘showing’ but as the work covered and long and complex period, it was in some way necessary.

Many Americans know about Joan of Arc, but perhaps not so many are familiar with England’s great King Edward III, and his famous son Edward, the Black Prince of Wales. Rosanne Lortz book brings these figures and their compatriots to life with a host of colourful characters in a world of knights, tournaments, chivalry, villains and warfare. A world of changing certainties in which the Protagonist, Sit John Potenhale (who was a real person) questions the morality and honour of knighthood, and the worthiness of high position in the wake of the Black Death.

The bibliography in the back of the novel attests to the level of research and author's belief in the importance of reading primary sources. So the book is largely accurate- though I did notice one or two errors-like the comparison of the whipped backs of the flagellants
to the stripes of a skunk, a species indigenous to the Americas which the average 14th century Englishman would have had no idea about the appearance of.
The characters seemed to be very much ‘of their time’ which is, in my view a good thing, but could raise issues for others. Namely, they do believe in revering Relics and praying to Mary. This used to be a real issue for me, however I now accept that is a reflection of the time, without condoning it. For others it may still be an issue which they may find off-putting.

With skilful use of contemporary ideas, introduced by one Geoffroi de Charny, and French knight who wrote a book on knighthood the rights and wrongs of the vocation are explored, and the possibility of just war being compatible with Christian ideals. Did being a knight mean a man could not be saved, as Potenhale feared? The solution raised is both touching and relevant.

There did seem to be a tinge of skepticism, perhaps even bordering on ridicule of those who believed the plague to be the judgement of God. In fact, many people in England believed the Black Death to a judgement, not just a few isolated fanatics or those driven mad by their affliction as seemed to be portrayed.

Overall, I Serve is recommended, although those who are not used the writing style, or who already dislike it may have some issues.
( )

A knight, Sir John Potenhale, seeks out the widow of a French knight, Sir Geoffroi, and at her request, tells her his story, starting with his knighting by the Black Prince, his years as one of the prince's men-at-arms, his meeting her husband, who had been his captive, then friend, and how influential Sir Geoffroi has been on his life. He fights in the Hundred Years' War and witnesses the Plague. A good evocation of this historical period. The subtitle was a bit misleading; although a major character, the Black Prince was not THE main character. The language was the author's attempt at recreating the stilted language of those days [14th century] but more understandable to us. Interesting to me if these were true: the origin of the Prince's motto "Ich dien" [I serve]] and of the Order of the Garter and its motto "Honi soit que Mal y Pense" [Shame to him who thinks Evil of it].

Recommended. ( )

This book was very well researched and well written, I enjoyed it immensely. ( )