Hidden Treasure: 2

by Eleanore Myers Jewett

Amidst great mystery, Hugh is left in the care of Glastonbury Abbey by his father who must flee to England too swiftly to be burdened by a crippled son.

Dicckon struck flint and lit a candle, then led the way into the dark passage. "What is this place?" asked Hugh. A sudden turn and they were in a low stone-lined room, along two sides of which were heavy black oak chests. Dickon raised the lid of one, which creaked and groaned...

Thus do two boys come upon the hidden treasure of the great Abbey of Glastenbury--the treasure, it is said, of King Arthur himself.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Fiction, Middle Grade, Adventure, Medieval, Historical, Mystery

Hardcover

First published August 30, 1946

About the author

Eleanore Myers Jewett grew up in New York City and loved it, but spent every summer in Cape Ann, Massachusetts, where she was a member of a "summer gang" much like that in Cobbler's Knob. An old sea captain used to take them all out sailing, and she liked best to sit in front of the mast, reveling in the motion of the boat and the long sweep of the blue sea.

After she grew up she taught for four years before she married a doctor and moved to upstate New York. She has two married daughters and three grandchildren.

Reviews

[Manybooks · Rating 3 out of 5]

So yes and unfortunately, you can probably rather easily tell from my reading dates that Eleanore M. Jewett's Newbery Honour winning 1946 novel The Hidden Treasure of Glaston has taken me over a month to complete (and honestly, if a book for younger readers, if a novel written for either children or teenagers takes me longer than two weeks maximum, there is usually something wrong, there is usually something that has made me either annoyed or bored with the presented text).

And sadly, this has indeed also ended up being more than somewhat the case with The Hidden Treasure of Glaston. For while there is much that I have textually enjoyed regarding Eleanore M. Jewett's writing style and her historically accurate and realistically delightful sense and feeling for and of time and place, and that on a general and historical accuracy level, with The Hidden Treasure of Glaston, Jewett really does bring Medieval England and in particular of course Glastonbury with its monastery spectacularly to life (and not to mention that main protagonist Hugh’s character development and how he finally decides to stay at the abbey and become an intellectual rather than joining his father as a knight is wonderful and an upliftingly positive ending for The Hidden Treasure of Glaston), sorry, but my intense and utter textual enthusiasm at the beginning of The Hidden Treasure of Glaston (when I was also reading quickly, as I was indeed narrationally devouring The Hidden Treasure of Glaston) started to diminish pretty rapidly and pretty completely when the author’s, when Eleanore M. Jewett’s storytelling becomes almost entirely focussed on treasure hunting and religiously based folklore, like King Arthur and that Glastonbury is also considered to possibly house the so-called Holy Grail, not problematic I guess in and of itself, but I have never been all that interested in stories that feature treasure hunting. So indeed, when the textual focus of The Hidden Treasure of Glaston moves from basic but really interesting and engaging historical description to for the most part treasure hunting and Christian fantasy, my erstwhile rapid reading speed changed to skimming (and taking longer and longer reading breaks), as I was becoming more and more bored with Eleanore M. Jewett and was finding the text for The Hidden Treasure of Glaston more and more not to my reading tastes.

But I would still recommend The Hidden Treasure of Glaston since treasure hunting stories actually do seem to appeal to many, but for me, the treasure hunting scenarios and that this is such a big part of The Hidden Treasure of Glaston, has definitely lessened my personal reading pleasure and lowered my at first expected four to five star rating to only three stars.

[Abigail · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was read aloud to me when I was young. I remember being enthralled by the mystery and excitement of the book. While it may seem very old fashioned to some readers, I found that only to add to the book's charm. Read this with an open mind, and allow it to transport you back in time to Medieval times.

[Charlotte · Rating 3 out of 5]

I sure do wish I could give this to my 11 year old King Arthur loving self! My adult self thought it could have been a better, tighter story, but still found the treasure hunt for the Holy Grail good, vivid reading.

[Gretchen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read aloud with Molly…this is my last time with this sweet book. There are a few books in our school career that I will always remember with fondness and this is one. Highly recommend.

[Allison Tebo · Rating 3 out of 5]

DNF. Just couldn't get into this re-read.

[Marie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Grail lore. Medieval historical fiction. What’s not to like?

[Mary Herceg · Rating 2 out of 5]

I gave this two stars the other day, and I decided to come back and say why. Because I read this years ago, and I have no idea if I would actually rate it two stars if I had read it later on. I read it when I was in middle school, and even though I liked it somewhat, I didn't fully understand it or enjoy it that much. The two stars are for how much I liked it then. I have no idea if I might like it better at an older age. And I'm sure actually has merit, no matter what I thought, so I'm really glad some of my friends enjoy it!

[Thomas Bell · Rating 3 out of 5]

So what do you do if you murder the Archbishop of Canterbury, one of the most powerful and influential people in the world? Naturally you flee the country to go protect the Holy Land from the Infidels and abandon your crippled son with a bunch of monks in an Abbey in Wales.

Anyway, this story is about that son and his life for a couple years in the Abbey. Every once in the while it seems that there is a villain, but really this book doesn't have one. Just a life around a bunch of good people, most of whom are monks.

There is also a mystery going on. Vague stories about King Arthur and the Holy Grail. So during much of the story we are chasing these things and playing with treasure and special books in ancient secret tunnels. It is interesting and exciting but not that interesting or exciting.

Also let me note that the whole idea of this Holy Grail is nothing more than Christianity absorbs Germanic Paganism. Think of a magical relic that if you see it or drink from it you will be healed and live forever. Might be a pagan potion. Might be the Holy Grail. Hmmm...

Oh, and note to author: they stopt spelling it 'stopt' about a hundred years before you wrote this book, so you should probably spell it 'stopped.'

[Joshua · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book has all of the elements for a "historical-medieval-Joshua-core" stories which is why I am honestly surprised I had not read until now.

[Michael Fitzgerald · Rating 4 out of 5]

A bit long, but enjoyable. Some elements have been duplicated in other books set in the medieval period (The Door In The Wall, Otto of the Silver Hand, Pangur Ban, et al.), but this provides more depth than most.

Jewett uses archaic language (and mostly obsolete British spellings like "dropt") to add to the flavour. Illustrations, though only found at the start of each chapter, are excellent. A good author's note provides historical context.

[Beverly · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this story! The writing style flowed easily, the plot was mostly well-paced, the characters were interesting, the adventures mesmerizing or heart-breaking. I especially loved the scene in which Hugh has finally arrived at the manor house where King Henry and his company are staying. Hugh hears the King saying that he wished he could have talked to the boy at the monastery who had seen the vision of Arthur. Well, that had been Hugh, of course, and he steps forward and tells the King that he is that boy and can answer any questions the King has. The King's response is priceless: "By all the saints! This land must be enchanted! I have but to express a wish and the fellow I wish for literally springs up out of the earth at my feet!" I can see why it received a Newbery Honor.

[Sandralena Hanley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great adventure for young readers. Go along with Hugh and Dickon as they learn about the Holy Grail and search for it on the grounds of Glastonbury monastery in the twelfth century.

[Katie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This Newbery winner from 1947 is a hidden gem that the kids and I listened to while driving to/from CA (we finished it at home). It was an exciting tale and grew more interesting as it went along; the kids really enjoyed it and then we were able to look online at the ruins of the real Glastonbury Abby. So cool!

[Shera · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is one of many books we have read that were surprisingly good reads. There is definitely a fair amount of sadness and many trials to endure... but unlike many other books, it has a decent mix of adventure/excitement, triumphs and sorrow.

[Elevetha · Rating 2 out of 5]

2 1\2 stars. I read it for school and was pretty dang bored. Characters were bland. It never held my interest. Historical fiction.

[Melissa · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 stars. I was going to give it 2 stars but my problem was with pacing; it just didn't move quickly enough and that kind of pacing was common with books of the era, so it gets 3. The story was good: Hugh, 'crippled' son of one of the knights involved in the murder of Thomas a Beckett, is left at the monastery of Glaston when his father flees England. He meets another boy (ages probably early teens), Dickon, and together they find the treasures of King Arthur - but don't tell the monks (this drove me nuts)! There's also a 'crazy' hermit, mysterious passages, and various mystical adventures. I'm a huge fan of the Brother Cadfael mysteries which are set about 25 years earlier in the 12th c. and had high hopes of this. I read this for my 2019 Reading Challenge and my Newbery Challenge (Honor Book 1947)

[Mrs. Clark · Rating 5 out of 5]

First, why is this book listed with the wrong author? Please credit Eleanore M. Jewett for her book.

Next, it was a terrific read. All the good stuff: a stormy night, a crippled young boy abandoned by his father, kindly monks, a good friend, a mystery, adventure, danger, Arthurian legends, visions, a crazy hermit, treasure, and sacrifice. Plus lots of nice detail about the medieval Catholic Church in England. I enjoyed the story immensely, then read the first two chapters aloud to my 11 year-old son who immediately took up the book and is reading it right now.

[Kerry · Rating 4 out of 5]

By Eleanor M. Jewett

A cripple boy is left at a monastery with a rich treasure of books, which were rare during the middle ages. A historical novel for children with action, adventure, and mystery. Learn how books and ink were made in monasteries, what kind of food was eaten during this era, and the superstitions attached to relics (especially the Holy Grail). The boys desire to find this relic drive his zeal in learning how to read and copy ancient manuscripts.  An interesting story for those studying the middle ages.

[Amber Scaife · Rating 3 out of 5]

Hugh is taken by his father (who is fleeing England on charges of treason) to live with the monks at the Abbey at Glastonbury. He finds a happy home there among the scribes and scholars, and makes friends with another young resident and an old, crazy hermit. Between the three of them, they stumble into a search for the Holy Grail, which they believe to be hidden on the monastery grounds.
A solid entry in the Newbery Honor Book ranks, with interesting characters and a fair mystery.

[Emily · Rating 3 out of 5]

I thought it was an excellent book. It certainly kept me hooked, and it was exciting. There were sufficient plot twists, good characters, etc. It just didn't stand out as much as some of the other bones I've read for homeschool, like Betsy and the Emperor. I thought it was a good book, I enjoyed it, but it wasn't really a favorite.

[Jen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a unique time period for historical fiction for me. It is set in 1170, so King Arthur is already long ago history, but the legends of the Holy Grail factor heavily in this story. I enjoyed the adventure and the character development. I'm not 100% convinced that the supernatural elements of the story were internally consistent and not just a deus ex machina, but I can let it go.

[Rebecca · Rating 4 out of 5]

Set in 1171, this adventure story gives insight into monastery life at that time, along with attitudes about knights, religion, and the king. There are secret passages and Arthurian legend to help make it appealing as well as relics, miracles, and visions. Aimed at middle to high school age.

[Katharine · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this many years ago, probably in 5th grade. I have never forgotten the amazing scene where the supposed grave of Arthur and Guinevere is discovered. This made a very strong impression on me at the time, and I had to revisit it.

[April Pike · Rating 5 out of 5]

My youngest and I started this book several years ago and somehow didn’t finish it. I decided to download it on a solo trip I took last week and listen to it while I was driving because I’d always been curious about the end. Very much enjoyed it.

[Phoebe Hinkle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good exciting story! It's very much steeped in legend and the mystical tradition of the Catholic church at the time, but that made it all the more interesting in my opinion. It was a perfect accompaniment to the Middle Ages history I've been studying!

[Sofia Alessandrini · Rating 2 out of 5]

Pretty good for a school book. I found it a bit hard to picture some parts though. Over all decent

[Christina · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5

[Draper · Rating 5 out of 5]

Entertaining, historically faithful in its context, and excellent themes. I enjoyed it far more than I expected.

[Rose · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book! Very interesting and well written.

[Irene · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book to my children as part of our history lessons. We all really enjoyed the story.