It is only recently that the second tier of nobility has been given serious notice by historians. In this biography, archaeologist Soden searches for evidence on Ranulf de Blondeville, sixth earl of Chester (1170-1232). Ranulf served four English kings, went on crusade with Richard the Lionheart and was one of the lords who remained loyal to King John. His life was spent in almost constant warfare, fighting to keep his lands on both side of the channel and those of his kings, intact. The book follows the complex Anglo-Norman politics which were generally entangled in family dynamics. Many primary sources are cited, along with archaeological evidence. There are several color plates of sites associated with Ranulf, a family tree and maps. The work is marred only by Soden's tendency to assume he knows the emotions and motivations of the people involved, often with little or no substantiation. Annotation ©2010 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)