Strongbow: The Story of Richard And Aoife Mass Market Paperback – April 15, 1997

Although this is definitely written for Children it is a good book for anyone to read who is interested in the history of Ireland. It is accessible and easily understood as a children's book should be--but for adult reading it is also clear in explaining the what and whyfore of historical events and technicalities otherwise difficult to understand.The book is set up in alternating He said, She said chapters--showing both the Irish (Aoife, pronounced Eve) side of the question and the English (Richard or Strongbow, a Norman knight) side.This book outlines how and why Ireland came under English rule. Basically Aoife's father lies to Richard in order to get him to come and help him get his kingdom back.Richard does as he is hired to do, expecting a wife, and a kingdom for his efforts. He finds out that the wife must first accept him--something that stuns him as in Norman culture women are chatel and have no say in who they marry. Next shock: Aoife can read and write and has a good classical education in history and politics--all of which he lacks.Final betrayal, there is no kingdom for him as he is not eligible to become a king of an Irish Territory according to Celtic law.The English King, Henry II, hates and is afraid of Richard, so Henry forces Richard to relinguish all he has won in Ireland to the English / Norman crown or be branded a traitor.Thus Ireland became an English possession, the acquisition of which is blessed by the only English Pope in history.The only bright spot for Richard is his new, light hearted wife, who is at least 30 years younger than he is. She bears him sons (the exact number is not mentioned in the book)in the six or seven years they are married before Richard dies of old age.Aoife was maybe 22 when Richard died, and lived long enough to raise her sons, but was murdered by a rival clan on an now unknown date.A sad story, a love story, and a clear explanation of history as it happened in 1110 through 1167 a.d. Well worth reading if one is interested in the differences between English and Irish law, and customs, history and events that shaped Ireland and English relations to this day.

Interesting book. Filled in some early Irish history for me.

Morgan just writes well.

This book is a quick and easy read; its intended audience younger readers. My biggest gripe with the story was the veering from historic record in regards to Strongbow's children. Early in the book the author suggests Richard "Strongbow" de Clare had been married prior to going to Ireland and that this 'wife' had been the mother of his two children of record, Gilbert and Isabella. The story continues to build on this premise of the poor widower, Strongbow. However, research shows that Aoife MacMurrough--"Red Eva"--was the mother of both Gilbert (who died in 1185, prior to the age of majority) and Isabella (Strongbow's sole heir, who went on to marry William Marshall). I realize it is a work of fiction; at least an explanatory afterword would've sufficed.The rest of the historic details, though, seemed to follow historic record well enough so that the reader gets the general flow of the invasion and conquest of Ireland as led by the Anglo-Norman forces during the reign of Henry II of England. More mention of dates would've been nice, to get a better idea of how much time passed between sieges and battles, but that is a minor bone to pick in contrast to the glaring error mentioned above.

Short book, easy to read, but filled with historical inaccuracies. If you're looking for a general sense of the time period and lifestyle in Ireland, I suppose it is ok. If you are interested in the characters, choose another source. This definitely puts more emphasis on legend and fiction than on fact, and provides no follow up to inform you which is which.

I love Historical fiction, and this gave me just enough history so I learned something, as well as a legendary romance. I love Morgan Llywelyn's work, anyway, and this one didn't disappoint.

This was a great book.

This is not one of Llywelyn's better efforts. The book is historical fiction loosely based on Strongbow and his Irish wife, Aoife. It is written in first person alternating between two narrators which requires, at times, keeping track of who is talking. Considering the emphasis the book seems to place on wives and daughters, it completely neglects any mention of the daughter of Strongbow and Aoife who was the heiress who inherited his estates (he had no surviving sons). It is at odds, on various points, with conventional history and genealogy and is not recommended as a source. Llywelyn could have done much better.