Queen of Distant Hives
By Theresa Tomlinson
When an unwelcome visitor arrives at Hild’s monastery, Fridgyth the
herb-wife is forced to hold her tongue. The widow of the fierce Mercian king,
who once brought death and destruction to the coastal community, is an uneasy
sight for many. Although everyone is thankful for Northumbria’s fragile peace,
painful memories are still fresh and some can think of nothing but
revenge. A young tanner is found dead after a mysterious liaison - his
brother is nowhere to be seen, and the boy that used to help him is terrified
to speak.
While the Abbess is busy trying to secure an on-going peace for the
kingdom, Fridgyth starts her own investigation, though she has no idea what she
is dealing with or the danger she is in …
Excerpt
Ralf
lifted the reins to drive his beasts on, but then he seemed to change his mind
and, for a moment or two, appeared strangely reluctant to set off again.
“It
is just that...” he began. “I had it in mind to ask a favour... and when I saw
you here...”
Fridgyth
smiled. “Oh aye?” she said.
He
fastened the reins of his waggon and climbed down to stand in front of her. The
herb-wife patted her mule to keep him still and waited patiently, unsurprised
by the sudden change in Ralf’s behaviour.
“How
can I help?” she asked gently, as the lad awkwardly shifted his weight from
foot to foot.
Fridgyth
was used to being approached in this uncertain manner. Love potions were her
stock in trade, as was knowledge of certain lovemaking tricks, which might
prevent conception and the burden of too many mouths to feed.
A
bashful enquirer might need encouragement before he was able to fully state his
business, but the herb-wife always cheerfully shared her knowledge without
passing judgment. Over the years her reputation for sense and kindness in these
matters had travelled around.
She
thoughtfully looked the lad up and down. Though not as handsome as his older
brother Godric, Ralf was still a strong, healthy lad. The tanners’ trade had
thrived since Abbess Hild had founded the monastery on the cliffs, for boots,
shoes, bags and saddles were everyday requirements. The scriptorium too now
made demands on certain branches of the trade and Fridgyth had heard that
Ralf’s brother had recently been studying to learn the skill of curing calfskins,
in order to supply the monastery school with parchment. Both the tanner
brothers would make attractive husbands. No lass who married a tanner would go
hungry, cold, or short of decent clothing, though she’d be expected to turn her
hand to a few unpleasant and stinking tasks from time to time. These
reflections whisked through the herb-wife’s mind, while Ralf still hesitated,
uncertain how to frame his question.
“Is
it a lass?” Fridgyth asked at last.
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Theresa Tomlinson
Theresa
Tomlinson spent many years as a children’s author and was twice short-listed
for the Carnegie Medal. Historical themes have always fascinated her and many
of her books are set close to home in Sheffield where she brought up her
children and Whitby/North Yorkshire where she lived as a child.
Since
hearing stories as a child she has been fascinated by the famous Anglo-Saxon
monastery set on the clifftops at Whitby and Abbess Hild, a powerful woman set
in charge of a community of men and women. A SWARMING OF BEES was the first
adult murder/mystery introducing Fridgyth the half-pagan herb-wife who serves
the community at the time of the famous Synod of Whitby - and QUEEN
OF A DISTANT HIVE takes this warm-hearted, no-nonsense detective onto enjoy a
further adventure.
Fascinating premise! (and I enjoyed the excerpt!)
ReplyDeleteI read the first and loved it. I look forward to your new novel.
ReplyDelete