The Sanctity of Hate

I am sorry I’ve been flying under the radar recently, but I couldn’t help it. History has cooperated by making early November a “slow time” for historical events, births, or deaths, so I don’t feel too guilty about skipping my Today in Medieval History posts.  Tomorrow is a much more interesting day, though, and I promise to make up for all this lost time.
If anyone heard a whoop of delight this afternoon, that was me. I got an early Christmas present today—an advance copy of Priscilla Royal’s new medieval mystery, The Sanctity of Hate. I am a huge fan of Priscilla’s series; her plots are always suspenseful and surprising and she excels at bringing thirteenth century England to vibrant life and in capturing the medieval mind-set. Her characters are always firmly rooted in their time—no Plantagenets in Pasadena in any of Priscilla’s books! This new one looks particularly intriguing as it deals with the ugly underside of medieval life—anti-Semiticism. Unfortunately, The Sanctity of Hate does not hit the book stores until December 4th, but I have no doubt it will be well worth waiting for.
I hope those who were affected by that accursed storm are coping as best they can, which may be all we can hope for right now. As strange as it sounds, Sandy may have done us a favor, forcing us to have a serious, long-overdue public discussion about climate change. And believe it or not, we are bracing for a new Nor’easter along the East Coast. All this battered, water-logged region needs is more heavy rain and high winds.
Meanwhile, back in the 12th century, Richard finally was reunited with his wife. I am sorry to report it did not go all that well. And the Duke of Austria, finding himself the chief scapegoat for the scandalous imprisonment of a crusader king, is making some very ominous threats.