An Historical Note to Vol. 1
It is impossible to do justice to these three volumes in a brief review. So before beginning the second volume I want to put the first volume into some sort of context, while at the same time fleshing out some of the historical context within which the story is set, and that makes Edith Pargeter's books so special.
When Talvace and Boteler flee, they do so to Shrewsbury Abbey to seek sanctuary. Here after recovering from their ordeal, Talvace begs audience with Abbot Hugh de Lacy, to put his case for sanctuary from the verderer of the chaise where the two boys were found near the body of a deer. There ensues a scene in which Talvace puts the case for his villein breast-brother, Adam Boteler to be spared losing his hand as punishment. Abbott Hugh listens and questions Talvace about the circumstances in some detail, before advising Talvace that this is not likely to work though he would argue for it as best he could.
The two boys flee once more in the covered wagon of a merchant where they meet the merchant's daughter, Gilleis Otley, a young girl, who later bears Talvace' child. The merchant is going to France to sell his merchandise and the two lads go with him and Gilleis.
Now I must cut this review short before it becomes as long as the book. In France Talvace is inspired by the cathedrals and churches that were then being constructed - especially Chartres Cathedral and the Abbey of St-Étienne, Caen. In France Harry and Adam also met Isembard and, separately, Benedetta. Here, too, Isembard offers to finance Harry to build a church for his Parfois Castle. Harry accepts the generous offer, a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
The main point of this historical note is to show how Edith Pargeter weaves into her tale historical details. Even Hugh de Lacy is the Abbot who was also the Abbot in the history of the Abbey. Brother Cadfael was also located here in Pargeter's series of novels The Cadfael Chronicles, that she wrote under the name of Ellis Peters.
Robert Holden Mythago Wood
Anyone familiar with Robert Holden's work? Mythago Wood is just one of a whole series of books by Holden. Set in the Welsh borderlands, this book has an atmosphere of mystery and strangeness. I will try to borrow more by him of the mythago cycle.