Medieval Historical Fiction Novel of the Week
Falconer’s Crusade by Ian Morson
Publisher: St Martins Mass Market Paper (January 1996)
ISBN-10: 0312956975
Editorial Review from Publishers Weekly:
This sparkling medieval mystery debut introduces an appealing sleuth, Regent Master William Falconer of Aristotle College, Oxford University, who calls himself a “deductionist.” When not tutoring young clods, Falconer, who keeps a live owl in his rooms, experiments wth flying devices. The year is 1264, but Falconer, a disciple of Friar Bacon, is ahead of his time, notably with his heretical belief, drawn from his observations, that the earth’s surface must be curved. The stabbing murder of Margaret Gebetz, Master John Fyssh’s French servant girl, is followed by the murders of three students. What connection, if any, do the slayings have to the visit to Oxford of Prince Edward, weak King Henry III’s son, who is being wooed by rebellious barons? What is the nature of the small book that illiterate Margaret possessed and which she believed would protect her? Thirteenth-century Oxford, with its political entanglements, its town vs. gown clashes and suspicion of Jews, comes vividly to life in Englishman Morson’s tight, absorbing tale, first in a projected series.
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc. –This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
Editorial Review from Library Journal:
Morson joins the ranks of fictional historians with this first novel set in 1264 Oxford, where townspeople and students coexist uneasily. New student Thomas Symon stumbles over the fresh corpse of a beautiful girl and narrowly escapes a lynch mob by hiding in the Jewish ghetto. His instructor, Master William Falconer, begins a dangerous investigation that reveals superstition, chicanery, and deception. Falconer, who keeps a pet owl, also lives up to his name by experimenting with bird skeletons. This work showcases a knowledgeable sense of place, sturdy prose, and a critical grasp of character.
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc. –This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
Filed under: Middle Ages History, Medieval History, Historical Fiction on February 12th, 2009
Why is it people still insist that no one in the middle ages knew the earth was not flat! Read Dante for heaven’s sake! This is one of my pet peeves, really.
Good point. The world was known to be round by most people. Is this book any good? I haven’t heard about it before? The reviews on Amazon seem good to mixed.
Not sure why people hold to that belief about people in the Middle Ages. It’s a misconception — one of many about people in that time period. I haven’t read the book yet. I just run across these historical fiction novels set in the medieval period and post them on my site. Maybe I’ll get around to reading them all someday.