The Ramsay Scallop [Paperback]

The Ramsay Scallop provides an excellent introduction to medieval history and mentality, in both sacred and secular areas. Scattered throughout the chaste love story we uncover segments of the phenonmenon called Pilgrimage. We follow their route (The Way, as it is reverently called) from England, through France, across the Pyrenees into Spain; we learn of their raiment and restrictions, travel decorum, religious customs and Eastern beliefs.

The author invites her secondary charaters to elucidate the arts of cathedral building and glass blowing. We witness peaceful coexsistence between Christian and Saracen in Spain, and shiver to learn to the atrocities committed against the Albigensians because of their Biblical heresy.

The eve of the 14th century threatens the peace of mind of all Europe, but 14-year-old Elenor has a more immediate cause for alarm: the long-delayed but inevitable return from the Crusades of her fiance (betrothed during her childhood). She dreads Thomas not only for his remembered youthful escapades, but because she secretly fears marriage and childbirth, which caused her mother's death.

Elenor chafes under the pre-nuptiual vows arranged by their parents; she welcomes any delay in becoming a wife. Thomas also is reluctant to wed and bed THE BRAT, as he thinks of her. As each is the last of their line, the marriage is necessary to preserve the Ramsay heritage. Their trusted, village priest sends them on a pilgrimage, to bear the sins of the returning Crusaders, as well as the villagers who surived for 8 years without their menfolk, and deposit the scroll of confessions at the Saint's shrine.

Yet this spiritual journey will shape their personal development and focus their social destiny. Both will make difficult decisions and sacrif! ice prized possessions to benefit others. The Knights Templar lay an additional burden on Thomas: he must assume responsibility for a large group of fellow pilgrims. He has to shepherd a ragtag mob and come to terms with Nora, as she decides to be called. Their lives for three months on the road intertwine with those of many other pilgrims, some of whom become good friends; he also decide on a practical course of action for his return to the manor. And in true Canterbury Pilgrim style, they pass the time and the dusty miles by telling tales. Medieval lore cleverly set into a gem of a love story. About Roland and Charlemagne and the Legend of St. James himself. This relaxed introduction to the Middle Ages will educate and amuse young students of World History, as well as provide valuable literary detail and insight into medieval Catholicism. Like a good drama, the story ends after their imposed goal has been achieved, even though the couple have yet to return to England. There are strands of humor as well woven into this tapestry of travel, plus clever comments on the role of Women (as seen by themselves) in Medieval Society.