The Lollards' Tale by Christina Eastwood

For young readers, and even for those not so young, this will be a good read. It follows the movements of a young beggar lad and his many contacts, in England and more particularly at the disputed Welsh border marches during the reign of Henry IV around the year 1400. The tale is told against the background of the emerging Reformation movement, just after the days of John Wycliffe when the earliest copies of the English Bible began to be distributed. And of course, as the title claims, it enlightens us as to the identity and place in history of the Lollards. Learn who they were and how they were part of it.

The author’s realistic descriptions make fascinating reading, verifiable historical fiction carefully selected to include a big battle involving Welsh bowmen and a big wedding involving influential families, the activities of priests and friars and some frauds add intrigue and excitement, with outlaws and noblemen in an impressive list of characters in an ongoing plot which make it a real page-turner. As the story continues, the gospel message come across clearly in its context.

For anyone interested in English history this is a valuable resource, and for those who interested in languages there are some good Welsh sentences and some Latin too. At the end, a glossary and a longer historical note provide extra information which readers might be glad of.