Simon the Coldheart

Simon the Coldheart

Author: Georgette Heyer
Desc: In the early 15th century during the middle of the Hundred Years' War England and France were fighting for sovereignty over France. It was a time of hand-to-hand combat the invention of the longbow and real knights in armor. Simon was born in 1386 the illegitimate son of Geoffrey of Malvallet. After his mother's death in 1400 he and his half-brother the legitimate son and heir of his father became great friends of the Prince fighting against France. Simon of Beauvallet is what he called himself. But as the tales of his chivalrous exploits spread throughout the realm -- even to the king's chambers -- the people who loved him would call him Simon the Lynx-Eyed... the Soft-Footed... even Simon the Lion. Indeed Simon was all of these things. Valiant and strong with a keen mind and fair visage he had defied his ignoble birth to become a page then a squire and at last a lord of the land. Friend of kings and princes gentle and just with his people and known for his silence Simon seemed to lack only one emotion -- the ability to love. In truth not even the most lovely and charming ladies of his time could stir the sleeping passion within him. For this they called him Simon the Coldheart. Until he came upon Margaret a French Lady. The Amazon. The Tigress. After the Battle of Agincourt in 1415 he was sent to besiege Belremy where he met the heartless beauty whose courage and strength of will were more than a match for this knight in gilded armor. Margaret who eventually surrendered to the English and became his bride. Although he had captured her kingdom Simon would never capture her heart....