The Sempster's Tale

From the author -- I remember all too well when I was far too arrogant in my ignorance, and therefore trust that Mae will some day outgrow her belief that a general survey book (about food or anything else)provides sufficient knowledge on which to base criticism. I'm afraid that her comments on my research show her own lack of in-depth research, rather than mine. The situation for Jews in late medieval Europe was in flux, not yet solidified into the ghettos of Eastern Europe. What became true about Jewish life in later centuries was not necessarily true in the 1400s. The Sempster's Tale reflects the complex realities and attitudes of the time, and I consulted with a Jewish scholar about them. Among other things, the debate between Brother Michael and Daved is taken directly from contemporary arguments, not modern attitudes. As for challah, it's history is far older than the late 15th century, whatever a general survey of food may say.

Margaret Frazer's The Sempster's Tale is a work showing the continuing creative power of the author. I have read some earlier works, and this seems to me to be the best yet of those that I have read. For one thing, the historical context gives a ring of reality to the work. I remember when the author--so many years ago--showed me a notebook with day by day events of the period in England. This historical verisimilitude produces an atmosphere in these Dame Frevisse novels that "rings true." The author's homework has richly paid off. I think that this in itself sets the Dame Frevisse series apart from other works. This book focuses on events in the 15th century. The King, not a very effectual figure, has fled the city of London as William Cade and his commoners try to assert themselves. In this turbulent situation, Dame Frevisse must get "vestments"--and gold--for her cousin, Lady Alice, whose husband has recently died. The seamstress (or sempster, as the term was used at the time), Anne, was engaged in an affair with a Jewish merchant, Daved, when Jews had been expelled from England. She works with Dame Frevisse to carry out the mission. Two murders ensue, the first suggesting that Jews were the perpetrators. The second implicates Daved. Dame Frevisse, with the assistance of Daved, works the mystery through to determine who was guilty. All in all, the novel is very much worth reading. The atmosphere has a ring of reality; the characters are well drawn; the pace moves along nicely. For those interested in this period of English history, the book provides a sense of the era. That itself is reason enough to read this volume. Add to this the characters and the plot and these render the novel even more estimable.

First a note to people who have come across this book and aren't familiar with the series: you will need to read others in the series first in order to get the most out of this book; much of what Frevisse is doing is in particular dependent on the previous volume. While the general plot and the curiosity of having Jews in England will still be interesting even if you are unfamiliar with the series, you will enjoy far more about Dame Frevisse's thoughts if you know more of the background. So while you are ordering this book, go ahead and order the previous one in the series "The Widow's Tale," and a couple of others; if you can't get the whole series right now, then for choice, I'd suggest "The Bishop's Tale" and "The Maiden's Tale" (the latter is set in London and in the family of Frevisse's cousin Alice, and sets up a lot of the necessary information for enjoying "The Widow's Tale"). The editorial reviews and other reviewers have outlined the plot, so I won't repeat that; let me instead mention a few things I enjoyed in particular about this book, that made it more than just an OK continuation of a series. First, the Author's Note at the end of the book, which explains such details as why this is "The Sempster's Tale" rather than "The Seamstress's Tale." Other bits of information about the state of the English language at the time are also included. The period of time in the mid-15th century was seeing the Middle English of Chaucer (Dame Frevisse's great-uncle) slowly but surely change into the Early Modern English that would become Shakespeare, and I enjoy knowing some of the details of the evolution of words. Then, there's the way that during the story, we learn about the differences between friars and monks - something that in our own time, we think of as being the same thing; in fact, they weren't. We also learn more about a priest's duties, and the curious fact, from our modern point of view, that priests are in some ways considered inferior to friars. The Inquisition is being powered by friars and monks more than by priests. In our own time, we thing of the various orders of priests such as Jesuits as being the religious who are really learned and sharp, so it is something of a shock to find that in Frevisse's era, the friars were the really learned ones, and priests who just stayed in one place to celebrate Masses for lay people were far less powerful or respected. We also find out some details about Frevisse's childhood, that help us understand her strength of mind and her adaptability to travel, more than most women in a convent. For many history buffs, the larger action of the rebels in London will be the most interesting part; for me, that was just background, and I think that other than providing a reason for people to be either holed up in their houses or leaving London, the fighting and the reasons for the rebellion are just background, not as interesting as the many details of daily life that we get, as we do in every novel

I've been disappointed in the past couple of Margaret Frazer's Dame Frevisse novels, as they felt almost like the author was tired of her character. Not this one, though! I meant to sit down this afternoon and read for about 30 minutes; I ended up by reading all afternoon and finishing the book because I couldn't put it down! Frazer's back to her old form with an excellent, well-told story and a fascinating depiction of life in medievel London. I can't wait for the next one!

It is always a pleasure for me to pick up Margaret Frazer's latest Dame Fervisse mystery novels. Set in mid-fifteenth century England, the books have proven to be well and carefully crafted mysteries, brimming with wonderful historical detail -- I especially enjoy all those details about the lives that the nuns at St. Frideswide lead. "The Sempster's Tale" is the latest installment in this series and it does live up to expectations. In this particular installment, we discover that Dame Fervisse has left the peaceful and serene confines of St. Frideswide for the bustling city of London. And on a more personal note, I was also disappointed that one of my favourite characters, Sister Thomasine, didn't make an appearance in "The Sempster's Tale." It is the summer of 1450, and England seems to be completely fed up with it's ineffectual King (Henry VI) and the greedy and power-hungry noblemen he surrounds himself with. It is ground ripe for a rebellion against the King, and commoner William Cade is quick to use this discontent to mount a popular uprising and to make for London. And the burning question that Londoners now face is whether or not they should open the city gates to Cade and his men now that the King and his favourites have abandoned them to their own fate. Caught up in all this turmoil is Dame Fervisse, who has left her peaceful convent in Oxfordshire in order to do her cousin, the Duchess of Suffolk, a favour: to arrange the funeral vestments for her murdered husband, and more secretly, to convey a sum of gold that the Duke had sent out of London back to her. And while Dame Fervisse is quite incensed that her cousin has involved her in this underhanded affair, she nonetheless agrees to help the Duchess out. The last thing that she expected though was to be left stranded in a city anxiously facing a rebellious mob, or to be caught up in yet another murder investigation -- and one that would make her question some of her religious beliefs... I enjoy reading historical mysteries very much, and Margaret Frazer's Dame Fervisse mystery series is defintiely one of my favourites. This was not always the case; but over the years, I have become a fan of the series and have come to appreciate the author's clever and insightful plots, her well realised and careful character portrayals and brilliant manner in which she brings the period to life with all that wonderful historical detail. And once again the author captured my attention and beguiled with this wonderfully poignant mystery novel that revolved around ambition, greed, a forbidden romance and murder. Some may be a little put off at some of the modern sensibilities that Dame Fervisse and a few other characters display; I however thought that it was well done. The only complaint I had, and this is a small one, is that because the book was so full of what was happening in London that summer of 1450, the mystery who committed the two murder and why, became a bit of an afterthought and was only