Finding the heart of a 'Lionheart'

In reality, he was all of those things.

Penman, who has written seven acclaimed novels aboutmedieval England and four mysteries about Eleanor of Aquitane, haslaunched into writing about what could be the most complex time inmedieval history, requiring extensive research to separate the mythfrom reality.

“Lionheart,” which goes on sale Tuesday, was originallysupposed to be one book, telling the entire tale of Richard I,including his Third Crusade, his unusual relationship with his enemySaladin, his capture by enemies and his triumphant return to England;however, the sheer immensity of the tale led to the necessity of asecond book, “A King’s Ransom,” which will be out next year.“Lionheart” ends as Richard I begins his voyage home.

Rightly so, Penman begins “Lionheart” with a much-neededlist of characters (which runs three pages), without which the bookwould be impossible to follow. Also included are maps of Sicily, Cyprusand the Holy Land, where most of the book is set. The book opens in1189, as Richard I makes preparations for a holy war to invadeJerusalem. But before he gets there he stops to rescue his sister,overthrows a despot or two and finds time to marry. Along the way hisbad brother John — of Robin Hood infamy — begins conspiring tooverthrow him. 

Penman said that keeping the similar names of monarchsstraight “drives historical novelists to drink. The name problem is abane to the historical novelist.”

She said to maintain her sanity she writes extensive outlines to keep the confusion to a minimum.

Penman said in writing about Richard the Lionheart shewas assisted by the extensive number of first-person memoirs — called“chronicles” — which were written at the time of Richard’s reign. Shesaid what makes this period so unusual is that the chronicles were notonly written by English and French writers but also by Saracens,including Saladin himself.

The writings are a virtual treasuretrove of tales about the first King to “take up the Cross,” some mightsay in penance for his previous indiscretions and brutality. Moreimportant, the chronicles contain descriptions of the battles by sevenmen who were actually there, including three Saracens.

Penman said the writings show Richard tobe “a military genius pure and simple. He was one of the best generalsof the Middle Ages. He was almost invincible in hand-to-hand combat.”

She said if the chronicles had only comefrom one side she would have thought the “chronicler was acting as his(Richard’s) p.r. agent.”

“The most incredible thing he did wasride his stallion up and down the Saracen line, challenging anyone tocome out and fight him. No one did.”

She said two of the Saracen chroniclers, including Saladin, had identical descriptions of that encounter.

“The Crusade was the defining part of Richard’s life,” Penman said.

In Penman’s view, Richard was not only a fierce warriorbut also showed immense respect for Saladin, even knighting one of hisMuslim enemies on the battlefield and proposing a marriage alliancebetween the two enemies.

The novelist also makes it clear that Richard was apragmatist who decided that even though he may have been able to takeJerusalem, he would not be able to hold it, which is why he withdrew.

Penman, who has a bachelor’s degree in history from theUniversity of Texas, said she began writing a novel about Richard IIIwhile in her second year of law school at Rutgers.

Her 400-page manuscript, which had taken 12 years towrite, was stolen — in its own Hemingwayesque tale — and she was leftwith no copy.

“It was a very traumatic loss and I was unable to write for six years,” she said.

Once she got over writer’s block she became prolific,publishing “The Sunne in Splendour,” her 900-pages-plus Richard IIItale in 1982.

She has not left the Middle Ages since. In 1996, she published her first medieval mystery.

Although unable to visit the Holy Land for research for “Lionheart,” Penman said she usually visits the castles, walks and  battlefields she writes about.

“I felt bereft I wasn’t able to visit, but it’s not essential anymore: Thank God for YouTube,” she said.

Sharon Kay Penman

7 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 6

Schuler Books & Music

2820 Towne Center Blvd.,

Lansing

Free

(517) 316-7495

www.schulerbooks.com

Read the first chapter of "Lionheart" at Penman’s website, www.sharonkaypenman.com