The Reeve's Tale

Sister Frevisse #9

by Margaret Frazer

MURDER, PLAGUE, AND DEATH...

As reeve of the small village of Pryor Byfield, Simon Perryn must rule on many local disputes - a task he often shares with the steward of St. Frideswide's nunnery. But when the steward is accused of dishonesty and forced to step aside, the worldly Dame Frevisse is sent to replace him.

Her new duties thrust the reluctant Frevisse into the conflicts, rivalries, and domestic dramas of the locals - and when a plague sweeps through the town, the overworked nun must stay so as not to expose the nunnery to the disease. But after two villagers are brutally killed, Frevisse must divide her time between tending for the sick and searching for the truth.

As death casts a cloud over Prior Byfield, fear and suspicion reign - and Frevisse's keen deductions lead her ever closer to the disturbing truth...

MINNESOTA BOOK AWARD NOMINEE
 
"Offers a brilliantly realized vision of a typical medieval English village... Suspenseful from start to surprising conclusion... another gem." - Publisher's Weekly (starred review)

Genres: Mystery, Historical Fiction, Medieval, Historical Mystery, Fiction, Historical, British Literature

288 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published January 1, 1999

About the author

Margaret Frazer is a pen name used at first by Mary Monica Pulver Kuhfeld and Gail Lynn Frazer writing in tandem for a series of historical medieval mysteries featuring Dame Frevisse. After the sixth novel, the works are written by Gail Frazer alone, and the name has subsequently been used exclusively by her. A second series of novels by Ms Frazer set in the same time and place feature the player/minstrel Joliffe.

See also: Monica Ferris, Mary Monica Pulver

Series:
* Sister Frevisse
* Joliffe

Reviews

[Kilian Metcalf · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dame Frevisse never disappoints. I particularly enjoyed learning more about Dame Thomasine. Villains can be delicious, but making goodness and holiness attractive can be a challenge. Frazer rises to the occasion with her delightful depiction of this saintly nun. For all her goodness, she is never annoying or simpering. She is simply good, and even the children respond to this. Oblivious to the passions and small-minded behaviors swirling about her, Dame Thomasine goes about her duties, judging no one, praying for all. Dame Frevisse is blessed with having such a partner to work with, and she is beginning to realize the value of this extraordinary woman.

[Pauline Calkin · Rating 4 out of 5]

This author has shown she has deep knowledge of English politics of the 15th century, but she is equally well-versed in its social and cultural life. She also has the rare ability of seamlessly weaving her knowledge into the story. There is no better example of this talent than in The Reeve’s Tale where Dame Frevisse is forced to leave the confines of St. Frideswide to assume the duties of the priory’s steward, Master Naylor. Naylor has performed his duties (admirably it may be said) for many years, but a charge has been leveled against him that he is not a freedman, but one of Lord Lovell’s villeins. Awaiting the outcome of this investigation, Frevisse must learn about the villagers and the upcoming harvest. Her duties require her to preside over the village court in conjunction with Lord Lovell’s Reeve. (Some of the lands and villeins are the priory’s and others are Lord Lovell’s.) There, in the village green, they must decide who should have the lease to a land; the man whose family has long held it but has let it go to waste or an energetic, but grasping man who already has more land than he needs? And who pays when a goat invades a neighbor’s yard and eats the vegetables: the goat’s owner or the neighbor who left his fence in disrepair. Tempers flare at the hearing, but worse occurs in the next few days—murders and an outbreak of the little plague, meseles (measles), among the children. While Frevisse tries to solve the murders, she and Sister Thomasine join with the mothers of the village to nurse the ailing children.

There is also an interesting note when a man is arrested and the crowner eagerly seizes his property before the man is proved innocent. Ricardians will be aware that this is one of the reforms of Richard’s only parliament—no forfeiture before conviction!

The people in 1440 (or 1441) are believable and not so different from characters than those we in the 21st century can relate. On the outside, Dame Frevisse may seem worldly but she longs for nothing more than to lose herself in prayer. Sister Thomasine—who is a character introduced in the first novel, The Novice’s Tale, is lost in prayer—but accepts the outside world as part of God’s world when she accompanies Frevisse into the village, and throws herself in nursing the children. After a harvest, it is customary that a girl from the village is given the honor of cutting the last of the harvest. After this year of famine, plague, and corruption from the murders, it is Sister Thomasine that the villagers want to cut the harvest home.

[Laura Edwards · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was glad to have Dame Frevisse a little closer to home in this book, even if she and Sister Thomasine weren't allowed into St. Frideswide. I have to say I'm a little bit on the fence about Domina Elisabeth. I was angry when she ordered Frevisse to take Master Naylor's place without a thought to how upsetting it might be to Frevisse's ordered routine, especially since she had so recently come back from time spent away outside the nunnery's walls. To me, the spiritual aspects seem to come in second with Domina Elisabeth at times. But I did like how Domina Elisabeth took up for Master Naylor when he was accused of wrongdoing and didn't allow herself to bullied in regards to his care while the matter was being looked into and settled. So, I guess I can only wait for further books and see how my opinion of Elisabeth takes shape.

I was glad Sister Thomasine was chosen to accompany Frevisse into the village. I really like her character and I also like the way her unassuming piety makes Dame Frevisse look deeper into herself.

Montfort was back, to my annoyance and Dame Frevisse's. Interestingly enough, he has a son, Christopher, who is the exact opposite. Might Frevisse have found an ally to help in future books?

Once Simon and Gilbey Dunn were accused of the crime, I immediately deduced someone was trying to get all those in positions of most power out of the way. Who would benefit the most? The answer was obvious (though the link with Mary and the true reason behind his motivations were different than my original thought). Why didn't Dame Frevisse's mind seize on the connections? And, even once they did to some extent, why not come to the correct conclusion before damning evidence is given? I like to think because, for all her worldly ways, there is still a bit of naïve goodness to her outlook. And maybe that's true because, at the end, every time she considered just what had been done and by whom, her anger surged back to the fore. And with good reason.

Very good description of life in a medieval village and the fear and devastation disease can bring. All in all, a satisfying entry in the series.

[Kristen · Rating 4 out of 5]

f you love historical fiction and mystery, then you'll love the Sister Frevisse series. Although this is the ninth out of seventeen books in the series, this is a good series set in Medieval England, one of my favorite historical periods. In this series, Sister Frevisse helps the reeve, Simon Perryn, with some court cases, when there's an outbreak of the measles. During this time, one man is found dead, and questions are asked on the guilty party. When another dead body turns up, secrets come out with sin, when it hits close to home with a surprise ending. Plenty of action, drama and lots of historical facts about Medieval England that set the scenes for a great wallop of a delightful read.

[Kathy Davie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awards: 2000 Minnesota Book Award nominee for Best Novel

Ninth in the Sister Frevisse medieval mystery series revolving around a very bright nun. This takes place in the village near the priory.

My Take
Medieval CSI.

A real education in the medieval English justice system regarding villeinage and the crowner's perks. If this doesn't make you appreciate our system, you're brain dead! It's also a fun bit of background on where the New England system of town meetings arose. Makes me wish we had this system in place in a lot more places and more intimately than what we have now, if only because it takes into account real people. Yes, it's paternalistic, but that part of the system did work then.


I do like how Domina Elisabeth stands up for Master Naylor! I definitely prefer "innocent until proven guilty" and I see how important that doctrine is when I see how Spencer treats Naylor!

It's difficult to believe that Simon has no clue about Dame Frevisse what with the priory right there. It is, however, great fun to read of Simon's relief!

Okay, okay, once Frevisse explained, it made sense how Walter got the best of the deal with Hamon. Tricksy bits. It was interesting to see how they went about finding jurors and witnesses to the deceased. An evolution of the legal system. It was fascinating to read of the different ways in which barter worked within the village and between village and priory.

I just wanna smack that Mary. What a cow!! I'd be surprised if she had any friends. Then I wanna take a contract out on Monfort. What a jerk! Lucky for everyone that Frevisse is in Priory Byfield and won't accept his actions. I do want to know how it is that Monfort manages to hang on to his position when he's such a clod.

I so enjoy this series. Yeah, partly because it's an historical mystery, but also because Frazer has created warm, caring characters. It's not as cozy as an Agatha Christie with Miss Marple, but Frevisse is cut from the same cloth as Christie's various detectives. Even if people do keep turning up murdered. It's a microcosm of the world with most of its types reflected in this one tiny village. And remember, always, to suffer the little children.

The Story
It's the three-month court in Priory Byfield and, while it can be tricky seeing as the village is held by both Lord Lovell and St. Frideswide, Simon and Naylor work well together. This time around, the two settle the usual petty disputes and problems. However, Matthew Woderove's lease on some land has come up and he has done nothing with the land while offers are made by others.

The difficulty lies mostly in perception. Of Matthew and his wife's pride. Of Gilbey's ambition. Of Tom Hulcote and Mary's making their union official.

But now Master Naylor has been accused of a life-altering crime and it's Dame Frevisse, who is forced to take on Master Naylor's duties. With Sister Thomasine along as chaperon.

Then plague strikes, and Frevisse and Thomasine are forbidden the priory.

The Characters
Dame Frevisse is an extremely intelligent and devout woman who simply wants to be left to her prayers and her duties in the kitchen. Sister Thomasine is truly devout and yet adapts well to life outside St. Frideswide. Dames Claire, Perpetua, and Juliana and Sisters Johane and Cecely are mentioned. Father Henry is the priory's priest. A slow-witted man, but very devout. Abbot Gilberd is in charge of St. Frideswide's since Domina Alys screwed everything up and he's put his sister, Domina Elisabeth, in charge.

Father Edmund came last autumn to be the priest for Priory Byfield. Mistress Margery is a healer.

The villagers of Priory Byfield who belong to the priory include:
Master Naylor manages affairs for St. Frideswide Priory. At least. He did. Dickon is his oldest son and is being held hostage at Simon's to ensure Naylor's staying put.

Tom Hulcote wants to marry the new widow and take on her property. Well, he wants to regularize their affair anyway.

Alson Bonde is a widow and inherits her husband's land as does her son, Young William. Just a wee problem between them of how she manages her share when Martin Fisher offers to lease from her. Then there's the matter of Hamon Otale paying back the money he borrowed. Seems there's a bit he's forgotten.

Those belonging to Lord Lovell include:
Simon Perryn is married to Anne and manages local affairs for Lord Lovell acting as reeve for Priory Byfield. He has two sons, Adam and Colyn, and one daughter, Lucy. Cisily is their maidservant while Watt handles the heavier chores. Master Spencer is Lord Lovell's bailiff while Master Holt is his high steward.

Tomkin Goddard, Bert Fleccher, and Walter Hopper are villeins along with Gilbey Dunn except that he's making something of himself. Including getting married to Elena, a freeborn woman from Banbury, since we last encountered him in The Servant's Tale . And does that ever have people in a pucker. I do like Elena! Agnes, Jack Fleccher, and Tom Hulcote work for Dunn.

Mary is Simon's sister and married to Matthew Woderove. Mary is a real nasty shrew of a woman who can't bear to be denied. Matthew is a man who should have done well if he had simply stayed on his father's path.

Master Monfort is the crowner and one of the most prejudiced, obtuse, stupid men you'll ever meet! Of course the revelation about a convicted person's goods goes a long way to explain his desire to wrap things up quickly. Surely whoever Monfort accuses of a crime is guilty of something? An ally! Monfort has a son, Christopher. He's intelligent. Must have gotten it from his mother.

The Cover
The cover is beautiful and both warm and cold in its depiction of a scene from the story. The cold is from the metallic deep blue gray background while the warm arises from the deep red, ornately carved frame which encases a sad scene of one man riding a horse and leading another while the wife kneels on the ground, keening her grief and two nuns attempt to provide comfort. In the background is a church and a house with a promenade. It's familiar from previous appearances on covers.

The title reflects a man around whom the story revolves both intimately and from a distance. This is The Reeve's Tale to tell.

[Lucy Barnhouse · Rating 3 out of 5]

An enjoyable read, with lots of detail about English borough law and custom (colorfully and entertainingly rendered.) The whodunit itself was secondary in the development of the novel, but the characterization was good.

[Nancy G · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book tied up loose ends. Sister F got angry and more pushy than is her usual style. I found the book to be less contemplative and more confronting than I have come to expect.

[Joje · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fun read, especially when not under pressure to do other things, though that happened. It was a nice change from the usually surly, awkward or asocial detective, and I even appreciated the quiet moments with the 2 genial investigators. Best was the giggle between them at the end.

[Eva · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reeve starts from the point of view (POV) of the village reeve, a local alderman, who tries to solve problems at the village level so the Lord doesn’t have to be bothered. Frazer’s research permeates the book, especially the first chapters when the village council meets to resolve disputes.

Frazer uses real historical cases to illustrate what life was like for common folk hundreds of years ago—a nice change from most authors’ focus on the nobility. I found myself drawn into the story rather quickly because the characters were well drawn and the situations believable. The action moves quickly and the chronology is fairly simple. Throughout the book, Frazer hints at past relationships between characters, but I never felt lost. New terms were grasped from conjecture and context instead of patronizingly spelled out. Good.

But Frazer’s writing is so stylized that some readers might be put off by the effort to detangle her sentences. The central sentence on page 48 is 130 words long and run-on sentences are common throughout the book. Frazer uses a quasi-medieval diction that keeps the reader at a distance from the characters

Another weakness of Reeve is the lack of real suspense. I got the impression she’d rather ramble on about the complicated judicial system or how land holdings were assigned. I’d also wager (as Frazer would say) that the author is biased against pretty people. Most of the attractive adult characters are viewed with suspicion or assigned negative personality traits. We don’t know what Frevisse looks like, but she’s a nun so that’s appropriate.

Overall, I enjoyed the book and might pick up others in the series.

[Catherine Mustread · Rating 4 out of 5]

A reeve, was an appointed official in medieval England who supervised the work done on a manor, or a part of a lord's holdings.  In this mystery, #9 in the Sister Frevisse Medieval Mysteries, Sister Frevisse is required to work with the reeve of Prior Byfield, a village located adjacent to St. Frideswide's nunnery, when both the husband and the lover of the reeve's sister are murdered.

I especially enjoyed the closer look at daily village life in the 1400s, and the similarities in issues that can be found in society today.

Over half way done with the series!

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked this one. The characters and situation grabbed my interest from the get-go. I learned a great deal about medieval village laws and life in the midst of a good story with characters I could care about. And it turns out the cases in the manor court at the beginning all come from actual medieval cases. Reading The Reeve's Tale made me reevaluate the author and led me to look for another in the series.

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the best in the Sister Frevisse series, this mystery provides some fascinating insights into medieval English village life and community justice, with a surprise twist of an ending and a "measels" epidemic, to boot. The development of the characters of Sister Thomasine, Master Naylor and his son, Dickon, Simon Perryn, and Gilbey and Elena Dunn, as well as the introduction of Christopher Montfort, make this a real enrichment of the series. Highly recommended.

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

What I like best about these books is the detailed depiction of life in the 15th century, in nunnery, village, manor, and the development of the characters. There is, of course, also the suspense of finding out who committed murder and how, and how that information will be uncovered. In this case, I was pretty sure of who did it but it was still exciting to follow Sister Frevisse along as she tried to make sense of it all.

[Sharon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting historical mystery showing the complexity of medieval life. Characters well drawn and appropriately positive or negative. Sister Frevisse is a delightful woman, shrewd, kind, human and well acquainted with the faults and foibles of humankind. She uses her brains to solve what appears to be unsolvable and in the process twarts some of those who would take advantage of their position.

[Ali · Rating 4 out of 5]

The mystery provides a setting to explore the medieval administration of a town. Once again asking the reader to suspend some disbelief at Frevisse's involvement, the mystery nevertheless clips along and the portrayal of village life is more detailed than previously.

[Dennis Fischman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Clever plotting, and even more insight into medieval life than usual. My only reservation is that I can't believe in the personality of the murderer.

[Reggie Billingsworth · Rating 3 out of 5]

Delicate and nuanced writing honouring a historical period that presents a nun-detective's tale in the midst of educating law of the time makes this a genuinely interesting work in Frazer's popular series.

It would be a mistake to think Frazer is one of those plot deficient authors who spin out a cast of thousands to no end but add cheap confusion. The multitudinous characters here are all a necessary part of village life including referrals to the Priory connection inherited from previous stories. Reading this series in order might help those who find it difficult to keep track.

However, the reason this review lost a star is because I agree with a few other reviewers who have actually noticed what they are calling "run on sentences". To my mind they are actually largely blocks of text that could easily and should readily be broken up into shorter paragraphs. The publisher's editors seem loath to do this and I cannot fathom why. This is not some academic treatise they must not dare to break down into more easily handled segments for fear of ruining an involved academic argument. It's historical fiction for the luvva pete.

It might be editorial snobbery operating but it is annoying and ignores simple graphic layout rules that make the pages easier to read and the change in topics within the paragraphs are already there so what gives?
They do WANT readers, right?
So get with it guys.

[Amy K. · Rating 4 out of 5]

The proprietor of the used bookstore where I bought my copy was volubly enthusiastic about this book, so I chose to read it first of my massive bookstore haul. (I really cannot be trusted in enormous rooms full of musty paperbacks all costing between .50 and 2.00.) It took me some time to get into it, particularly because I wondered why Frazer was belaboring the issue of village government in the 1440s. Not being familiar with Frazer, and being partly distracted by the thoroughly horrid nature of the real world these days, I was restless and a little frustrated. This is not the author's fault.

About halfway into the novel, I had become so captivated by Dame Frevisse, Simon Perryn, and the rest, and so avid to discover what would happen to the children of the village, that my initial frustrations were entirely forgotten. Add in the actual murder mystery, which has everything to do with the disposition of properties and the various roles of power in village government in the 1440s and, well, it turns out Frazer deserved every word of that shop-owner's praise. I loved it, and I am glad to report that there were several more Frazer's on the same shelf where I found this one, so I will definitely be returning soon to scoop those up.

[Marsha Valance · Rating 4 out of 5]

"The Reeve's Tale: a Dame Frevisse medieval mystery" is 9th in a series that continues to improve. It offers the reader a lively, compelling look at the daily life of serfs in rural medieval England: how they were constrained, and how they evaded the constraints. Dame Frevisse again leaves the confines of St. Frideswiede's, at first to determine the true status of the convent's reeve and his family: are they serf (as an anonymous writer contends) or freemen? Before she finds the solution, Dame Frevisse and her companion, Sister Thomasine, must catch a murderer and cope with a deadly measles epidemic. The characters are well-rounded and credible, and the English countryside at harvest-time is vividly portrayed. This is a fascinating look at rural medieval England, an aspect often skimmed over in historical novels, and at the real but unrecognized people who became the spiritual, if not physical, ancestors of the English-speaking world. It is also a fast-moving, well-plotted mystery.

[Nancy · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a well-researched,well-written series that offers readers the opportunity to immerse themselves into the complex political world of medieval England, but also the simple, contemplative world of the priory where our protagonist lives as a nun.

Each book is unique and non-repetitive into the insight offered into Dame Frevisse’s world. This story removes her from the priory and pkaces her as an official in the local court. I love the series, but this particular set of circumstances forced Dame Frevisse to behave in a more strident, tougher manner than usual. She is always a compelling character, but i enjoy her more when she uses her considerable intellect and grace in dealing with others to solve mysteries. This set of circumstances necessitated a different approach, and i prefer the “ softer” character to this hard-edged woman.

[Corrie · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Reeve’s Tale by Margaret Frazer is the ninth book in the Sister Frevisse Series.

"Within the graceful prose rhythms that have garnered her two Edgar nominations, Frazer's tale of 15th-century nun Dame Frevisse transports the reader to a medieval England made vivid and a world of emotions as familiar then as now." -Publisher's Weekly.

I was happy to reconnect with Dame Frevisse again after catching up with the Joliffe series. She and Sister Thomasine are outside St. Frideswide’s once more, in the village of Pryor Byfield. Frevisse is very much outside her comfort zone, taking on the job of Master Naylor and has to deal not only with a measles outbreak, but also a nasty double murder.

Themes: June 1440, Pryor Byfield, Oxfordshire, harvest, villeins, unloved and unmourned, a lusty priest.

5 Stars

[Patricia Vroman · Rating 3 out of 5]

Extremely interesting regarding the way of life in a country village attached by bonds of land and labor to a manor and a convent. In this tale, Dame Frevisse is enlisted to act on behalf of the convent's steward in matters regarding property disputes and then murders. Because an epidemic of measles attacks the village, Frevisse and Sister Thomasine also act as nurses to the sick children kept isolated in the church. Frevisse finds both roles difficult and becomes quite stern in her dealings with erring villagers. I'm glad I read "The Servant's Tale" first, which I much preferred, as I found this tale too intricate in its dealings with the ramifications of who owns what, who has to work for whom, etc. and the medieval way of speaking that the author employs. Definitely recommend the series, though.

[Melanie Barbarito · Rating 1 out of 5]

I’ve read a number of books by this author, and I keep reading them. I gave this one my best shot but had to give it up halfway through. The mystery wasn’t interesting; the story wasn’t compelling. None of the characters were worth caring about. Even Sr. Frevisse was a bit testy. What annoyed me most, however, was run-on sentences. I found my mind wandering while reading and started paying closer attention and realized that there were sentences that took up a third of the page. It’s not as though the author is loath to begin sentences with And or But! She does that plenty. They were grammatically correct, but seemed to lead away from the main point. I will continue to read her novels, but I just coudn’t invest any more time in this one.

[Cindy · Rating 5 out of 5]

My first Dame Frevisse book, and I loved it. While the suspicion of who might be the killer developed slowly, it was all circumstantial. Of course in the end, all but one fact was just circumstantial. And that fact was mostly unproven. But I very much enjoyed the description of medieval village life, even if I do believe reality was less sanitary. Ms Frazer did a great job of trying to make it realistic. I love herb lore, and would have enjoyed more description of herb they might use to treat the measles, but I know this is not what the series is about. Trying to find out what happened without any modern techniques is always fascinating to me, and I’m glad it was not just finding the witness that saw it all.

[Carol Flatten · Rating 4 out of 5]

In this mystery, Dame Frevisse is sent out to the nearby village to help solve the conflicts that are shared by the nunnery and the village because the steward is being investigaged and cannot perform his duties. I learned a great deal about how a small village in 1440 operated. There was a detailed description of the duties of all the governing involved. And, of course there was a murder and then a second murder that she solved.

[Harriet Lindblom · Rating 4 out of 5]

Margaret Fraser is an excellent writer and she has created a credible and extremely interesting universe taking the reader back to the world of a nun living in medieval times. I was between 3 & 4 stars on this one. It was not my favorite story, but still enlightening about the system of justice at these times.

[Adelais · Rating 3 out of 5]

Пішла дама Фревісса у сусідне село поговорити з головою сільради, а там спочатку почалася пошесть, а далі посипалися вбивства, карантин, пристрасті вирують, треба однією рукою лікувати, а іншою розслідувати. Гарна книга сама по собі, майже підручник "як воно тоді все працювало на цьому рівні", але якось без натхнення, і загадка така, досить звичайна.

[Christine Austin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Mystery and history

While I enjoyed "The Prioress' better, I enjoyed this tale for its detaled history and complexity of story. I actually enjoy medieval history, so combining it into a whodunit makes it entertaining.

[Pamela · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good history of how work was divided between Lord of estate and their own strips of land and how measles was dealt with back then. There was a lot of details to pull together in this mystery, which got a little bit confusing until near the end. Good conclusion though sad.

[Julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

A nice visit with Dame Frevisse as she is faced with the burdens of representing the priory and solving a murder in the local village. I liked the character development and the melancholy in this one.