Deadly secrets. Hidden identities. A true enemy.
Silence is the only shield.The year is 1216 and civil war rages in England. King John ravages the countryside against rebellious barons and a French invasion. Unbeknownst to him, his newest squire, Richard, is in fact the son of a man the king would hang without a second thought. A man the common folk call Robin Hood.
For years, Robin has lived as a knight in exile. But when his son is ensnared in the treachery of the royal court, Robin is forced out of the shadows, aided by his outlaw friends in the Hood.
There is no question for Richard where his loyalties lie but it’s more than his own life at risk. He has the trust of a dangerous king. Can he serve the Hood better from within John’s inner circle, or will schemes against the crown unravel?
Rob from the rich, give to the poor takes on a whole new meaning.
Rogues & Kings is a sweeping tale of courage and betrayal in a kingdom on the edge of ruin, of a boy coming of age in the midst of war, and of legends being born.
Woohoo! A Robin Hood story!
As I’m sure you know by now, I have great affection for anything Robin Hood-related. I think it comes from living so close to Sherwood Forest for most of my life. So, when a new Robin Hood story comes out, I have to read it. Rogues and Kings by Charlene Newcomb is particularly special because another of my heroes/heroines is a co-star, Nicholaa de la Haye.
Rogues & Kings is set at the height of the First Barons’ War. Magna Carta has been issued and revoked, the French have been invited to invade in support the English rebels. John is fighting for his political survival. The city of Lincoln had been seized by the rebels, but they retreated as John came north, chasing them into the Isle of Axholme ‘with fire and sword’. The king returns to Lincoln in September, in time for the Michaelmas Feast. And who holds Lincoln?
I have to admit to one disappointment with Rogues & Kings, the scene in which Nicholaa tries to resign her post as constable of Lincoln Castle is not included. And I do think it would have made a great scene, with John confirming his trust in Nicholaa. It is a pity, I would have loved to read Charlene’s take on it. But I have to remember, this isn’t Nicholaa’s story. It’s the story of Robin Hood, his family and allies – and Nicholaa is walking a fine line, as the host and ally of King John and as friend to Robin and his familia.
And Rogues & Kings is a Robin Hood story in the best tradition of the genre. John has taken Robin’s son, Richard, as a squire – though he is unaware that Richard is Robin’s son. And teenage Richard wants to help the outlaws and rebels, by spying on the king. But he soon realises the dangers inherent in working for ‘Bad King John’ while helping his father’s friends.
“Your mother will expect and official wedding.” Which would work well, Robin thought, since the sheriff and the men of Robert’s troop could learn nothing about this ceremony in Sherwood surrounded by the Hood.
Robin clasped Robert’s shoulder. “Tuck can announce the bans at St Mary’s. I’ll bring your mother. She will love Joanna.” He found Robert’s new bride amongst the dancers, and then pounded Robert on the back. “You’ll have a beautiful night together here. Just don’t put off marrying at the church too long in case…”
Robert turned a dark crimson.
Robin eyed him. “You have… You know how -“
“God’s bones, Papa!” Robert groaned. “I’m four and thirty.”
Robin laughed until his eyes brimmed with tears. Wiping them away he said, “There’s that secret room off the castle kitchen. Good place for a tryst.” he winked, tipped his head. “Joanna’s ma might give you a few minutes to yourselves.”
Robert dropped his head into his hands and groaned again.
A shout rose from a sentry deep in the wood, and a covey of birds burst skyward across the crescent moon. The vielle fell silent and the dancing stopped.
“What’s that?” Robert asked as Joanna rushed toward him.
Slinging his quiver over his shoulder, Robin scrambled to his feet. “Rider coming.” He reached for his bow.
The revelers retrieved swords and bows, whisking them from beneath their clothing or from the weapons stashed at the edge of the gathering. Women hurrying for cover at the tree line brandished daggers and cutting knives as the great fire lighting the wedding celebration crackled and tree branches rustled.
Allan studied the ancient oaks and birch, listening, his gray-streaked blonde hair stirring in the breeze. The violent snap of a twig and the damp, grinding crunch of leaves beneath a horse’s hooves betrayed the interloper’s approach. The sound grew louder, closer, until a familiar bird call pierced the air and Allan signaled for calm.
A collective sigh of relief swept the air as wedding guests peeked out from behind moss-covered tree trunks and prickly holly bushes. Firelight glinted off polished swords as the men slowly lowered their blades.
The rider came slowly, the darkened path to the camp mired in thick brush and uneven tree roots. Curses echoed through the forest. Recognizing the voice, Robin smiled and set down his bow before the last branches were swept aside.
The outlaws waved and clapped as Little John urged his horse into the clearing. As a child, “little” described him well – he’d been smaller than his orphan-friend Allan, who’d given him the name when they’d met on the quay in London. But he’d grown. And quite large, too, standing a head above most men.
Little John sprang from his horse and strode toward Robin. The outlaws’ greetings melted away as he held up his hands, the light from the fire revealing his grim face.
“King John has taken Richard hostage.”
Rogues & Kings is hard-hitting, in places it is sad, in other places the suspense is palpable. It leaves the reader egging on the outlaws, hoping for deceptions to succeed and knowing that not everyone can – or will – survive. Including King John. I spend half of the book thinking, ‘just hold on, John dies soon.’ John died on the night of 18/19 October 1216. If only Robin knew this! But, of course, he didn’t and the author does a fantastic job of not giving spoilers to John’s fate, heightening the tension. (Oops! Sorry!)
Robin, Marian, Little John and Allan Dale have to live in the moment, making their decisions ignorant of the fact England’s fate – and their own – was about to take a dramatic twist.
Charlene Newcomb uses the historical background of 1216 – John’s pursuit of the rebels, visit to Lincoln, disastrous crossing of the Wash and agonising death – as the backbone of her story. She weaves the intrigues and actions of her heroes around the historical facts.
Her depiction of King John is suitably paranoid, duplicitous and dastardly. Nicholaa de la Haye is a masterful creation. She is a politically savvy woman navigating her way in a world where the king is unpredictable and vindictive and her castle is surrounded by enemies. Robin is older than he appears in other stories; a man experienced in war and regret, he has much to lose and has to learn how to let go, how to trust that his sons are capable of looking after themselves – in a world fraught with danger.
Rogues & Kings is fast-paced, fun, gripping, agonising and adventurous. And I love it! (All the more so because Nicholaa de la Haye gets a significant supporting role.)
My only regret is that Charlene says this is the last. There will be no more Robin Hood stories – I hope to persuade her otherwise.
I really do think Robin should stick around to help out at the end of the First Barons’ War. How can he resist helping Nicholaa defend Lincoln Castle and being present at the 1217 Battle of Lincoln?
Surely the story will write itself?
About the author:
Charlene Newcomb, aka Char, writes historical fiction and science fiction. Her award-winning Battle Scars trilogy is set in the 12th century during the reign of Richard the Lionheart. Her writing roots are in the Star Wars Expanded Universe (aka Legends) where she published 10 short stories in the Star Wars Adventure Journal. She published the scifi/space opera Echoes of the Storm in 2020, and returns to medieval times with her latest novel Rogue in 2023.
Librarian (retired).
U.S. Navy veteran.
Mom to 3, grandma to 3.
My Books
Signed, dedicated copies of all my books are available through my online bookshop. or by contacting me.
Coming 30 March: Princesses of the Early Middle Ages
Daughters of kings were often used to seal treaty alliances and forge peace with England’s enemies. Princesses of the Early Middle Ages: Royal Daughters of the Conquest explores the lives of these young women, how they followed the stereotype, and how they sometimes managed to escape it. It will look at the world they lived in, and how their lives and marriages were affected by political necessity and the events of the time. Princesses of the Early Middle Ages will also examine how these girls, who were often political pawns, were able to control their own lives and fates. Whilst they were expected to obey their parents in their marriage choices, several princesses were able to exert their own influence on these choices, with some outright refusing the husbands offered to them.
Their stories are touching, inspiring and, at times, heartbreaking.
Princesses of the Early Middle Ages: Royal Daughters of the Conquest is now available for pre-order from Pen & Sword and Amazon.
Also by Sharon Bennett Connolly:
Scotland’s history is dramatic, violent and bloody and Scotland’s Medieval Queens have seen it all. This is the story of Scotland through their eyes. Available now from Amazon and Pen and Sword Books. Heroines of the Tudor World tells the stories of the most remarkable women from European history in the time of the Tudor dynasty, 1485-1603. These are the women who ruled, the women who founded dynasties, the women who fought for religious freedom, their families and love. Heroines of the Tudor World is now available from Amberley Publishing and Amazon UK. Women of the Anarchy demonstrates how Empress Matilda and Matilda of Boulogne, unable to wield a sword themselves, were prime movers in this time of conflict and lawlessness. It shows how their strengths, weaknesses, and personal ambitions swung the fortunes of war one way – and then the other. Available from Bookshop.org, Amberley Publishing and Amazon UK. King John’s Right-Hand Lady: The Story of Nicholaa de la Haye is the story of a truly remarkable lady, the hereditary constable of Lincoln Castle and the first woman in England to be appointed sheriff in her own right. Available from all good bookshops Pen & Sword Books, bookshop.org and Amazon.
Defenders of the Norman Crown: The Rise and Fall of the Warenne Earls of Surrey tells the fascinating story of the Warenne dynasty, from its origins in Normandy, through the Conquest, Magna Carta, the wars and marriages that led to its ultimate demise in the reign of Edward III. Available from Pen & Sword Books, Amazon in the UK and US, and Bookshop.org. Ladies of Magna Carta: Women of Influence in Thirteenth Century England looks into the relationships of the various noble families of the 13th century, and how they were affected by the Barons’ Wars, Magna Carta and its aftermath; the bonds that were formed and those that were broken. It is now available in paperback and hardback from Pen & Sword, Amazon, and Bookshop.org. Heroines of the Medieval World tells the stories of some of the most remarkable women from Medieval history, from Eleanor of Aquitaine to Julian of Norwich. Available now from Amberley Publishing, Amazon, and Bookshop.org. Silk and the Sword: The Women of the Norman Conquest traces the fortunes of the women who had a significant role to play in the momentous events of 1066. Available now from Amazon, Amberley Publishing, and Bookshop.org.
Alternate Endings: An anthology of historical fiction short stories including Long Live the King… which is my take what might have happened had King John not died in October 1216. Available in paperback and kindle from Amazon.
Podcast:
Have a listen to the A Slice of Medieval podcast, which I co-host with Historical fiction novelist Derek Birks. Derek and I welcome guests, such as Ian Mortimer, Bernard Cornwell, Elizabeth Chadwick and Scott Mariani, and discuss a wide range of topics in medieval history, from significant events to the personalities involved.
Every episode is also now available on YouTube.
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Don’t forget! Signed and dedicated copies of all my books are available through my online bookshop.
For forthcoming online and in-person talks, please check out my Events Page.
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Article: © 2020 Sharon Bennett Connolly FRHistS
History... the interesting bits! 