A PLAGUE OF MURDERS The village of Prior Byfield is blighted with famine, devastated by plague, and cursed with ill-fortune. Simon Perryn, the poor reeve of the village, is driven to distraction by the petty rivalries and hopeless troubles of his neighbors. His adulterous sister and her dolt of a husband have entangled their affairs with Gilbey Dunn, the richest man of the village, and Elena, the beautiful and seductive woman that he calls his wife. With wealth on the line and lives at the stake, old quarrels and ancient angers are boiling over into the once-quiet streets of the village. That’s when things get even worse for Simon: A horrid scandal curses him with a pair of nuns, sent from the nearby nunnery of St. Frideswide’s to make sure all is kept right in the village. Dame Frevisse, however, suspects that the scandal which has drawn her and the innocent Sister Thomasine from the safety of the priory is but the tip of a terrible intrigue which threatens both nunnery and village alike: The good, kind, and honest Master Naylor stands accused of a crime which threatens to strip him and his entire family of their freedom. Who could stand to profit from his loss? Is it the same silent killer who stalks the village youth? Or are they all being played like fools? Yet even if Frevisse’s keen wit can lay bare the ugliness in the hearts of men, she fears that no amount of prayer will serve to cleanse her own soul of that sickly hate. Can even God pardon one who has turned from a holy path? PRAISE FOR THE REEVE’S TALE “Everything about it bespeaks quality and care… Frazer draws us into a medieval village in England with a story of lust, greed and murder.” – St. Paul Pioneer Press “Exquisitely written, the novel offers a brilliantly realized vision of a typical medieval English village, peopled with full-blooded men and women who experience the human range of joys and sorrows. Suspenseful from start to surprising conclusion, this is another gem from an author who’s twice been nominated for an Edgar.” – Publisher’s Weekly “This tale is a trip back in time, a time when your personal wants had to be satisfied with what could be found in your immediate surroundings. You will appreciate the intense need for each village and villager to be self-sufficient. You experience the terror caused when children fall ill. The Reeve’s Tale is a fascinating one.” – Martha’s Vineyard Times “Frazer [turns] the screw of the mystery… The looming threats guarantee suspense… Greed and self-interest lurk beneath marital agreements knotted to land contracts, reminding God’s virgins just who feeds them.” – Kirkus Review PRAISE FOR THE DAME FREVISSE MEDIEVAL MYSTERY SERIES “Within the graceful prose rhythms that have garnered her two Edgar nominations, Frazer’s 10th tale of 15th-century nun Dame Frevisse transports the reader to a medieval England made vivid and a world of emotions as familiar then as now.” – Publisher’s Weekly “Frazer’s quiet yet intense medieval mysteries are so vividly and gracefully written you just float back in time…” – The Poisoned Pen “Those who meet Frevisse here for the first time will want to get to know more about more.” – Detroit Free Press “Ms. Frazer provides a real treat for lovers of all things medieval.” – Romantic Times “Frazer is a master because she combines her love and knowledge of history with the true skills of a mystery writer.” – Aunt Agatha’s A Romantic Times Top Pick. Twice nominated for the Minnesota Book Award. Twice nominated for the Edgar Award.

Six-hundred-year-old tales with modern relevance. This stunning full-colour edition from the bestselling Cambridge School Chaucer series explores the complete text of The Miller's Prologue and Tale through a wide range of classroom-tested activities and illustrated information, including a map of the Canterbury pilgrimage, a running synopsis of the action, an explanation of unfamiliar words and suggestions for study. Cambridge School Chaucer makes medieval life and language more accessible, helping students appreciate Chaucer's brilliant characters, his wit, sense of irony and love of controversy.

Visiting Minister Lovell while on pilgrimage from St. Frideswide, Sister Frevisse suspects that a mentally ill guest, who is prone to violent fits, has been framed for the murder of an innocent man. Original.

Essay from the year 2011 in the subject English Language and Literature Studies - Literature, grade: 2.1, Churchill College, Cambridge (-), language: English, abstract: A comparative analysis of the two of Chaucer's bawdiest tales, exploring the very differing philosophy that underpins each tale.

Seminar paper from the year 2007 in the subject English Language and Literature Studies - Linguistics, grade: 1,0, Martin Luther University, language: English, abstract: The draft not only focuses on the content of the tale but particularly analyzes its linguistic idiosyncrasies. Thus, several aspects of Medieval English are taken into consideration: pronunciation, morphology, terminology and syntax.

Join Geoffrey Chaucer on a literary pilgrimage through medieval England with The Canterbury Tales And Other Poems. This collection invites you to experience a vibrant tapestry of tales told by colorful characters, each with their own unique story to share. As you immerse yourself in Chaucer's rich narratives, you'll ask: What truths about human nature and society are revealed through these timeless tales? Each story unfolds with wit and wisdom, exploring themes of love, morality, and the human condition. Chaucer's masterful use of verse captures the essence of the characters and their journeys, making every page a delightful exploration. Are you ready to uncover the lessons hidden within these poetic tales? Take a step back in time and savor the insights of a bygone era. Purchase The Canterbury Tales And Other Poems today, and let the journey through history and humanity inspire you.