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As Royal explains in her forward, while most medieval religious houses were single sex, monks residing in monasteries and nuns in convents, each governed by a member of the community, there were a few belonging to the Order of Fontevraul that were double houses containing both monks and nuns. The two groups were physically separated for most purposes but worked for a common good. These houses were governed by a Prioress, a woman. The small fictional priory of Tyndal is the setting for this novel. The old prioress has died and King Henry III pays off a debt to a nobleman who supported him during the rebellion of Simon de Montfort by appointing his daughter, Eleanor of Wynethorpe, as the new prioress. This is in spite of the fact that the house has already elected Sister Ruth to that office. Felicia, the now deceased prioress, had been uninterested in governance and had left most of the decisions to Brother Simeon who controlled the books and was puppet-master for Prior Theobald. Naturally he is very bitter about a young and inexperienced woman demanding to actually make decisions about the priory. Also a new arrival, Brother Thomas is the illegitimate son of an earl but educated and raised with the aristocracy. However he formed a homosexual attachment to his close friend Giles, was discovered, and thrown into prison. He was rescued by a unknown man who sent him to Tyndal to learn if an anonymous accusation against Brother Simeon was true. Eleanor and Thomas have just arrived when the body of an elderly brother, Rupert, is discovered, stabbed and castrated. The crowner from the village, Rolf, is called in but Eleanor and Thomas, for different reasons, feel they must discover the truth of the murder before it infects the entire priory. This is a fascinating look at one aspect of medieval life. While double houses were not the norm, certainly they existed. And women, strong, educated, and capable, were certainly able to lead, to make decisions, and to govern. In fact women had more opportunities of leadership at this time than during many other times of history. Eleanor seems a completely believable character. Raised by her aunt and taught to lead, she is wise enough to consult others and to observe before making changes. Thomas is also very believable. Homosexuality existed, of course, and those who were discovered were severely punished. He regrets the life he has lost, but he also uses his talents and his background to help discover what is rotten in the priory. The action is fast-paced and pulled me right into the story from the very beginning. The book is very well-written and enjoyable to read. The plot is complex enough that I did not discern answers until the very end of the book. It all made sense, however, when the denouement revealed the secrets. This is an excellent first novel. I do not know how I missed it last year, but I certainly did enjoy reading it and hope that we will be meeting Eleanor and Thomas again soon. I especially enjoyed watching the tension in the priory as Eleanor slowly but firmly begins to take charge and make her mark on the community.
Reviewed by Sally A. Fellows, February 2004
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Contact: Yvonne Klein (ymk@reviewingtheevidence.com)
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