Rereading: THE HIDDEN TREASURE OF GLASTON by Eleanore M. Jewett

It’s the winter of 1170-71 on the western side of England, and a knight has arrived at the gates of Glastonbury Abbey with his young son, Hugh. The knight is about to flee the country after taking part in the murder of the Archbishop of Canterbury at the King’s command, and he wants the Abbey to take in his son for training. Hugh is lame, and cannot join him as a knight’s page, as they would both prefer. The knight also has books to give as gifts to the Abbey, and they are glad to welcome both the boy and the books. Hugh has been taught to read and write, so he soon finds himself helping Brother John with the Abbey’s small collection of books and manuscripts, and he begins to learn how to prepare and use the tools of book illumination.

Meanwhile, Hugh becomes friends with Dickon, another boy in the care of the Abbey, and they are soon also involved with an old hermit, Bleheris, living alone in the marsh surrounding the church. Dickon shows Hugh a hidden tunnel that leads to a treasure chamber under the hill, one that’s filled with beautiful and amazing things from the time of King Arthur and perhaps earlier. Bleheris also knows about it, he’s been searching for the Holy Grail, and soon the boys also join that search. Is the blessed cup that once held the blood of Christ hidden somewhere in or under the Abbey? A vision given to Hugh when he’s lost in the marsh leads to the discovery of the grave of Arthur and Guinevere, but the Grail remains elusive. Then a terrible fire threatens to change everything.

This was one of my favorite books growing up, and remains a favorite. Beautifully written, wonderful characters. Did the concept first learned here of creating medieval manuscripts with pens, ink, and colors lead me toward a career as a comics letterer? I can’t say it did directly, but perhaps unconsciously. Highly recommended.

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