First published 2008
In a medieval village, twenty-one young people speak their truths. Hugo, the Lord's nephew, shares his world alongside Taggot the blacksmith's daughter and Will the plowboy. Alice tends her sheep while Thomas, son of the village doctor, pursues his studies. Constance travels as a pilgrim, and Mogg lives as the villein's daughter. The miller's son Otho works the grain while Jack, called the village half-wit, finds his own way through life. Simon trains as a knight's son, Edgar learns falconry, and Isobel grows up as the lord's daughter. Barbary slings mud for construction, Jacob Ben Salomon navigates life as the moneylender's son, and Petronella represents the merchant class. Lowdy serves as a varlet's child, Pask runs from his past, and Piers apprentices with the glassblower alongside sisters Mariot and Maud. Nelly catches eels as the village sniggler, Drogo learns the tanner's trade, and Giles begs for survival. Each voice reveals the complex social fabric that binds their community together, showing how medieval life extends far beyond the castle walls to include every level of society.
Genres: historical-fiction, coming-of-age, young-adult, medieval
Vibes: intimate, lyrical, thought-provoking
Tropes: found-family, multiple-perspectives
Setting: Medieval Village
Period: Medieval
Audio CD · Recorded Books, LLC