Crossbows and Crucifixes: A Novel of the Priest Hunters and the Brave Young Men Who Fought Them

by Henry Garnett

England, 1585: Queen Elizabeth's spies lurk everywhere, searching out Catholics who refuse to attend the non-Catholic services of the State religion. Officers of the law hunt down and kill Catholic priests, and imprison those who shelter them. In these perilous times, fifteen-year-old Nicholas Thorpe discovers that his widowed mother has become Catholic, and he soon joins the Church she has come to love. Thus begin Nicholas's adventures in the Companions, a pious underground army of resistance that shelters priests and leads them in strict secrecy and great danger from one estate to another, so the Catholic faithful can continue to receive the Sacraments the law now forbids. In this adventure for all ages, author Henry Garnett brings to life the drama of a nation where unjust laws forced good men and women to choose between their country and their Faith, and young people heard early and well the call to heroism that Christians must be ever ready to heed. Recommended in Seton Home Study Grade 7

Genres: Historical Fiction, Catholic

208 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1962

Reviews

[Michael Fitzgerald]

This book does an excellent job of explaining at an appropriate level some of the challenging issues which are all too often glossed over in other texts. What were Elizabeth's motivations in persecuting Catholics? Did the impetus come from her or from her counselors? What were the doubts concerning the Babington Plot and Mary's involvement in it?

In addition to the thoughtful consideration, there is plenty of action and intrigue, climaxing with the confrontation at Clifton Court. In the end, things work out a little too well for our hero and his side, but that's OK, if not perhaps so believable.

I was sad to miss the original illustrations by Kurt Werth that have been excised from this paperback edition.

[Anjanette Barr]

This was a very well-written historical fiction set in England during the reign of Queen Elizabeth (and Mary of Scots). It follows a young man who sets out on an adventure to protect and hide priests being persecuted and killed.

I did not do much research about this book ahead of time and read it aloud to my 8 and 10 year olds. It would have been more appropriate for 10+ as the protagonist is 15 and there are some scenes that are quite graphic (violent). However, it still led to. Lots of great conversation and the kids liked it a lot.

[Kate Jackson]

3.5 stars

[Siobhain]

An interesting story of the time of religious persecution of Catholics in England during the 16th century. I didn't do any fact checking to see if the story told was realistic. My feeling while reading it was that it might have been a bit more imaginative and adventurous than the real situation. However, it is a good story of how faithful Catholics might have helped priests hide and kept the Catholic faith going under sever persecution. It's lively narrative captures the attention.

[Ethan]

I liked it. It's a book for teenagers, but has some Tolkien-esque/ British descriptions of landscapes. I will definitely read this to my kids when they get old enough.

[Elevetha]

I read this for school(normally causing all sorts of animosity toward the book being read) and I actually enjoyed reading it.

[Nicole]

pretend for 3rd grade. addition to ambleside year 3.