STEPHEN AND THE SLEEPING SAINTS

by Pamela Bennetts ‧ RELEASE DATE: April 12, 1977

Outlawed earl Geoffrey de Mandeville has created a hell on earth in the English west country in 1144. The fields are burnt over, the peasantry dying of torture, rape, and starvation (except those who turn cannibal), and King Stephen, a nincompoop, can't do much about it. In this Walpurgisnacht, two pairs of lovers meet. De Mandeville has kidnapped beautiful, amoral Leceline de Waterville, the betrothed of Stephen's right-hand man, Graeland de Haye. She and de Mandeville are made for each other, both being entirely selfish. Meanwhile, sprightly Leonia FitzAdeline ventures into the fens--disguised as a peasant--in search of her own fiance. She is rescued from the horrid Earl by heroic Graeland de Haye. Swordfights, disguises, lovers' misunderstandings, and endless scurrying about, but true love can conquer even the Dark Ages, and one pair of lovers certainly has a happy ending. So do we, for the last chapter brings us Henry II, an end to this Angevin primitivism, and the feeling that Bennetts must have by now exhausted the 12th-century roll call.

Pub Date: April 12, 1977

ISBN: N/A

Page Count: -

Publisher: St. Martin's

Review Posted Online: N/A

Kirkus Reviews Issue: April 1, 1977

Categories: FICTION