Wow! Rarely does a page go by in which Mat doesn't fall in love with a beautiful girl, kill three people, make several new enemies and read a pile of books on some new subject. L'Amour was attempting to stuff everything he'd ever heard about the 1100s into one book, and I think he succeeded. Mat was likeable enough, as were his women, but I find it hard to believe anyone could be that proficient in so many areas, know so much about so much, and meet so many beautiful girls on their way to marry bad guys but ready to fall in love with him instantly.