Book Talk #26

Ela of Salisbury Medieval Mysteries

I have a new series to share with you! I liked it so well that I have actually, over the last month or so, read all ten books in the series and will embark on the author’s next series shortly.

The Ela of Salisbury mystery series is set starting in the year 1226. Ela of Salisbury was a real Countess who was married to King Henry II’s illegitimate son William Longspée (or Longsword). After Longspee’s death, Ela became High Sheriff of Wiltshire, castellan of Salisbury Castle, and ultimately founder and abbess of Lacock Abbey, where she died in 1261 at the age of 74.

She was a fascinating figure, having been able to keep the post of Sheriff at a time when women were not expected to hold positions of power. She also managed several manors profitably and was one of the wealthiest people in England during her lifetime.

Read more about her here.

Lacock Abbey is now on my list of places to visit in England. It was shut down by Henry VIII (of course) and became a private home, but the foundations are still there. It would be so cool if it were still an Augustinian monastery. Blasted Henry.

The series focuses on Ela’s work as the Sheriff of Wiltshire, and it includes many historical figures. The mysteries are interesting, and her methods are real to life. That is, she often is bewildered until something makes the perpetrator obvious. Her deep faith and love for her children all seem to be historically accurate. The author, J.G. Wells, came upon Ela when researching her own genealogy and decided that she was less known as a powerful historical figure than she should be, so she wrote these books.

If you enjoy this period in history and a decent mystery story, I am sure you will enjoy these mysteries. The descriptions of how the jury system worked and how a coroner determined the cause of death were interesting.

There are ten in the series, so you could have a whole summer reading list with just this series. The first one is called Cathedral of Bones, An Ela of Salisbury Mystery. It is a series that helps to start at the beginning to know all the characters and their relationships to one another, so I do recommend you begin with number one.

Lacock Abbey

---

I know I am late to the party with this, but I have one episode left of The Other Bennet Sister, and I have to tell you that if you have not made time to watch this series you must do so immediately. It is what I call perfect television. It is heartwarming with enough tension to prevent its being too sweet.

Do tell me what is on both your summer watch and reading list.