The Champion

By: Elizabeth Chadwick

Narrated by: Jill Tanner

Alexander and Hervi de Montroi, half-brothers with no inheritance, meet in France. Hervi is a professional jouster and Alexander, fleeing the beatings of an English monastery, needs a trade. Despite misgivings, Hervi takes him on as his squire, introducing him to the travelers' immoral lifestyle. He befriends a girl, Monday, taking care of her after her parents die until, pregnant with Alexander's child, she leaves, finding shelter in a castle as a seamstress. Noticed by King John, she becomes his mistress in England, bearing his son and gaining a house.

Meanwhile, Stefan has returned to England too, in the pay of an earl—they meet again at court and, now older, fall in love. They have the King's blessing, but Monday's grandfather, now heirless, sees her as a way to gain power. She escapes his kidnapping to be reunited with Alexander on the land granted to him by the earl.

©1997 Elizabeth Chadwick (P)2024 Recorded Books

Love her books! So satisfying and more!

I love that Chadwick’s books don’t follow the same old pattern of conflict, then virgin wooed, another conflict, and then happily ever after.
She fully develops her characters, women are strong and able, characters are intelligent and detailed, and she writes about a much broader life of the characters than the usual 8-10 hour historical fiction novel.
She writes with amazing period detail and atmosphere, and brings intelligence and wit. My favorite historical fiction author for years! 🤩💗

From beginning to end - such a fantastic story

Jill Tanner is terrific reader who showcases Elizabeth Chadwick’s beautiful writing. So well researched with a rich cast of characters to enjoy.

Good story well read

The heroine was complex while her love rose to the occasion and his brother went through a significant transformation.