My second book for this year’s Reading Wales Month, or Dewithon, hosted by Book Jotter, is not actually by a Welsh author (Sharon Kay Penman – or simply Sharon Penman as she is published here in the UK – was an American historical novelist) but it’s set in Wales and is the third and final part of the Welsh Princes Trilogy, following Here Be Dragons and Falls the Shadow. I loved both of those books, so I expected to love this one too and I wasn’t disappointed.
Although I would recommend reading all three books in order, it’s not essential and it’s been such a long time since I read Falls the Shadow that I had forgotten a lot of the details anyway. I did remember the dramatic descriptions of Simon de Montfort’s defeat at the Battle of Evesham that ended that book; The Reckoning begins more than five years later in January 1271, but the effects of the battle are still being felt. Simon de Montfort’s surviving family members have fled England to take refuge elsewhere in Europe and his daughter Ellen’s planned marriage to Llewelyn ap Gruffydd, Prince of Wales, now seems in doubt. With de Montfort defeated, Henry III of England’s position on the throne is now much more secure and when he dies in 1272 his eldest son, Edward, succeeds him as king.
Meanwhile, the situation across the border in Wales is less stable. Prince Llewelyn is determined to continue the work of his grandfather Llewelyn the Great and keep Wales independent and united, but with his own younger brother Davydd conspiring against him it’s not going to be easy. When England’s new king, Edward I, turns his attentions to bringing Wales under English rule, Llewelyn finds that he can’t rely on the support of Davydd and the other Welsh lords – and to complicate things further, his bride Ellen de Montfort has been captured by Edward on her way to Wales for the wedding.
The Reckoning is a wonderful, thorough account of the final years of an independent Wales. Reading the book from a modern perspective, knowing that Edward will succeed in conquering Wales and that Llewelyn will become known as ‘Llewelyn the Last’, it’s impossible not to feel a sadness as the story approaches its end and it becomes clear even to Llewelyn himself that defeat is inevitable. What makes it particularly sad is that divisions between the Welsh nobility and even within Llewelyn’s own family play such a big part in their defeat and by the time war actually breaks out, Llewelyn has already had to concede so much Welsh territory and political power that he knows there’s little hope of succeeding.
A book of this size – around 600 pages – takes a long time to read when the story is so detailed and needs a lot of concentration, but I thought it was worth every minute. I loved Ellen and Llewelyn (although having read several of Penman’s books now, I’ve found that her brave, honourable heroes all seem to be cast in the same mold) and found the ‘villains’ equally interesting. Some sections of the novel are written from the perspectives of Edward and other members of the English court, which adds some nuance to the story – and I was particularly intrigued by the complex character of Davydd, who spends the entire book switching between supporting his brother and plotting to betray him, but has a personal charm that makes him difficult to actually dislike.
I learned a lot about Wales from this book, and from the first two in the trilogy – not just about Welsh history, but also Welsh laws and customs and how life in medieval Wales differed from life in medieval England. Although I had to read it in small doses due to the length and the small print in my edition, the story held my interest from beginning to end – and the ending, when it came, was heartbreaking, but that was to be expected!
Have you read this or any other books about the English conquest of Wales?
Book 13/50 for the Historical Fiction Reading Challenge 2024
She Reads Novels 
I really enjoy reading your reviews. Thank you for taking the time to write and share them.
You’re welcome. I’m glad you like them!
Thanks for reviewing this Helen; I hadn’t heard of this series and since I know little about Welsh history, this seems the perfect way to start. Will look this up.
As a native of Wales I can heartily recommend this series for its insight into the history of our country and why there is so much tension between us and England
It’s a great trilogy, Mallika. I previously knew very little about this period of Welsh history, but these three books have given me a much better understanding.
I’ll certainly be looking them up.
A long time ago, I read the ‘Brothers of Gwynedd’ novels by Edith Pargeter (aka Ellis Peters) and loved them, but also found them profoundly sad, especially the last one, ‘Afterglow and Nightfall’. I’ve always found it quite difficult to get into Sharon Penman’s books, so I’m not sure I’m going to try this – it would have to be spectacularly good to improve on the Pargeter novels.
I like Sharon Penman’s books, but I can see why her style wouldn’t work for everyone. I’ll try the Brothers of Gwynedd series but I already have an unread copy of The Heaven Tree which I would like to get to first.
Heartily agree with you about the sadness of the ending even though it’s a matter of historical fact. Penman tends to overwrite but there is no getting away from the overall power of her series
Yes, I think it’s a testament to Penman that she can elicit so much emotion, even when we already know what’s going to happen.
Not sure if I’ve *ever* read a book based in Wales…
Maybe a future reading project for you! 🙂 I haven’t read all that many myself, in comparison to books set in England, Scotland and Ireland.
Great review. I’ve loved all of Sharon Penman’s historical novels. I hate the fact that you know that they will always end badly but that’s the problem with a lot of historical novels based on real characters isn’t it? Very few of the really interesting characters had happy endings.
I still have a lot of her books left to read, but I’ve enjoyed everything I’ve read so far. I had been putting off reading this one for ages because I knew it was going to be sad!
I have to admit, I don’t know much about the history of Wales. Though it is a country that’s always fascinated me. I’ll have to remember this series when I’m ready to dive into their history.
Wales has a fascinating history. This is a great series, but a big commitment due to the length of the books!
That reminds me, I still haven’t read her last book about the Crusades. It’s just so big!
But I love her Welsh trilogy.
I read the Crusades book, The Land Beyond the Sea, during one of the lockdowns when I had more time. It’s good, but definitely not a quick read!
Your excellent review has convinced me I must read this series. Thank you so much, Helen. 😊👍
I’m pleased to hear that, Paula. It’s a great trilogy.
Hmm, I only read one Penman years ago and was not impressed, but this trilogy sounds interesting. I would like to learn more about Wales, too.
I didn’t really know anything about this period of Welsh history until I read these books. Most of what I’ve read about Wales has been much more recent.
I still need to read this series. I want to first finish her Plantaganet series , and I already like her storylines set in Wales the most.
I haven’t even started the Plantagenet series yet! I still have those to look forward to.
Someone gave me a beautiful hardcover when this came out and I started it eagerly that night. There must have been a reprise of Simon de Montfort’s death at the beginning because I got so tearful I couldn’t go on reading. He had really captivated me as a character in the previous book. I think it was quite a while before I picked it up again! I never met her but she responded to an email once with a lovely message, wishing me luck on the bar exam.
I loved the character of Simon de Montfort in the second book too and was in tears at the end. I put off reading this third book for years because I knew it was going to be another emotional one, but I’m glad I finally did it!
I have been a fan of this author for years! I don’t really read her books anymore because they are too big but one day I will get back to them!
Thanks for sharing your review with the Historical Fiction Reading Challenge.
I love her books, but the length does make them seem very daunting.