The Lymond Chronicles is historical fiction author
Dorothy Dunnett's master work. There are six books in the
series which were written between
1961 and
1975. In Dunnett's complex and richly textured novels, the stories take place between the years
1545 and
1558. They tell the story of
Francis Crawford of Lymond, a
Scottish nobleman with the skill, looks and wits to change the course of countries. Lymond's travels over the course of the series take him to
Scotland,
France,
Italy, the
Ottoman Empire and
Russia as
kings and
generals vie for his support. Dunnett skillfully weaves the story of Lymond's quest for
power,
love and belonging into real historical events including the Ottoman raid of
Malta, the reign of
Mary Tudor, the marriage of
Mary, Queen of Scots and the
Italian Wars. Superbly developed fictional characters interact seamlessly with genuine historical figures like
Ivan the Terrible, Sultan
Suleiman the Magnificent,
Mary, Queen of Scots,
Elizabeth I, and
Michel Nostradmus to name the smallest fraction of them.
Dunnett's masterpiece is rich in detail and peopled with fascinating and memorable characters. Her plots twist and turn with a vicious complexity, drawing the reader wholly into her vividly painted world of suspense and intrigue. Most impressive about Dunnett's work however, is the breadth of her historical knowledge. Dunnett's characters, particularly the sardonic and witty Lymond, make regular references to literature, music and history that would be obscure to even the well educated of the 16th century. She regularly includes epigrams, sonnets and madrigals from French, English, Spanish and Italian poets of the era as well as older writing and mythology from myriad cultures and regions.
The Lymond Chronicles
I. The Game of Kings - 1961 - Scotland
II. Queen's Play - 1964 - Scotland and France
III. The Disorderly Knights - 1966 - Malta, Tripoli and Scotland
IV. Pawn In Frankincense - 1969 - Greece, North Africa and Constantinople
V. The Ringed Castle - 1971 - Russia, Scotland and England
VI. Checkmate - 1975 - Scotland and France
Dunnett's tale of love and betrayal is truly epic in scope. She is a masterful storyteller in a much maligned field, every bit the equal of Mary Renault and Patrick O'Brien. She could teach Dumas a thing or two about suspense. Her grasp of history and masterful description and dialogue make the Lymond Chronicles one of the finest achievements in historical fiction.