A Gift of Sanctuary

A Gift of Sanctuary (1998) Candace Robb

Set in Wales in 1371.

Owen Archer finds himself accompanying his father-in-law on a pilgrimage to Wales.

‘Age brings many blessings,’ Michaelo said.

‘And much humiliation,’ Sir Robert retorted.

Owen and Geoffery Chaucer are on a secret mission to determine whether a Welsh upstart (Owain Lawgoch, or Owain ap Thomas ap Rhodri ap Gruffudd, sometimes called Owain of the Red Hand) supported by France is a true threat, under the cover of observing Welsh preparations for an invasion from France.

But when John de Reine–the bastard son of Lascelles–turns up murdered (or of wounds received in a fight) Owen and Chaucer wonder if it is related to their mission, since de Reine was supposed to be one of their sources.

One of the major themes of this story–besides the murder–is Owen’s discovery of how much he missed his homeland, and dislikes how many of the English treat the Welsh.

Houghton spoke in Welsh.

Owen was surprised— though Houghton had been born nearby, in Caerforiog in the parish of Whitchurch, he was of old English stock. He was the first Englishman Owen had encountered to extend the courtesy of speaking the native tongue to a Welshman.

(H)e saw no break between the grey sky and the grey sea, which this morning appeared to lie placidly in the great arch of Cardigan Bay. A dangerous imagining, a placid sea. Dangerous to one who believed it.

‘You people speak of the folk in your tales as if they were real,’ Brother Michaelo said with a smirk. ‘But they are full of too many marvels to be real.’

Brother Dyfrig bowed his head, shook it as if considering something sad. ‘What we now call marvels were once ordinary occurrences,’ he said softly, as if to himself. ‘How our glory has faded.’

This book made me wish for a cast of characters as well as the glossary. There were a lot of names, many of which were similar. But I do love the historical names and places–although I admit reading this on the kindle makes that much easier.
Rating: 7.5/10

Published by Diversion Books

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