How can you rescue what you hold most dear, when to do so you must break your vows?
1363. When Mother Angelica, the old prioress at Northwick Priory, dies, many of the nuns presume Sister Rosa – formerly Johanna de Bohun, of Meonbridge – will take her place. But Sister Evangelina, Angelica’s niece, believes the position is hers by right, and one way or another she will ensure it is.
Rosa stands aside to avoid unseemly conflict, but is devastated when she sees how the new prioress is changing Northwick: from a place of humility and peace to one of indulgence and amusement, if only for the prioress and her favoured few. Rosa is terrified her beloved priory will be brought to ruin under Evangelina’s profligate and rapacious rule, but her vows of obedience make it impossible to rebel.
Meanwhile, in Meonbridge, John atte Wode, the bailiff, is also distraught by the happenings at Northwick. After years of advising the former prioress and Rosa on the management of their estates, Evangelina dismissed him, banning him from visiting Northwick again.
Yet, only months ago, he met Anabella, a young widow who fled to Northwick to escape her in-laws’ demands and threats, but is a reluctant novice nun. The attraction between John and Anabella was immediate and he hoped to encourage her to give up the priory and become his wife. But how can he possibly do that now?
Can John rescue his beloved Anabella from a future he is certain she no longer wants? And can Rosa overcome her scruples, rebel against Evangelina’s hateful regime, and return Northwick to the haven it once was?
What did I think?
Oh how I love a virtual visit to Meonbridge and this six instalment of The Meonbridge Chronicles is a little different as it's set in Northwick Priory. The link to Meonbridge is Sister Rosa, who was formerly Johanna de Bohun, and I absolutely loved the spotlight being shone on her.
Northwick is a priory steeped in history and filled with politics due to its link with the Goddeffroy family. When the prioress Mother Angelica (a Goddeffroy) dies she wishes to pass the priory into the safe hands of Sister Rosa but Sister Evangelina (a Goddeffroy) has other ideas and believes the priory is hers by birthright. It is no surprise when Evangelina becomes prioress but the nuns aren't happy with the way she runs the priory. How do you solve a problem like Evangelina? Rebellion!
It's an absolutely gripping tale of greed, corruption and privilege that kept me riveted from start to finish. It is really interesting to see how a priory is run in the 14th century and how much they rely on patronage from rich families. It's very much like selling your soul to satan though as they don't give their money for nothing.
As always, Carolyn Hughes transports her readers back in time to the 14th century and you actually feel as if you are experiencing the highs and lows with the characters as you walk in their footsteps. This is one of my favourite historical fiction series and it keeps going from strength to strength and long may it continue.
A very highly recommended read that can be read as a standalone or as part of this wonderful series.
I received a digital ARC to read and review and this is my honest and unbiased opinion.
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