The Sanctity of Hate

Medieval Mystery #9

by Priscilla Royal

The summer of 1276 at Tyndal Priory is peaceful - or was until Kenelm's corpse is found floating in the millpond. When Brother Thomas concludes the murder occurred on priory grounds, Prioress Eleanor and Crowner Ralf swiftly agree to help each other solve the crime. The murder victim, a newcomer, was disliked in Tyndal village, and no one wants ...

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

244 pages, Kindle Edition

First published June 1, 2013

About the author

Priscilla has a degree in world literature from San Francisco State University, where she discovered the beauty of medieval literature. She is a theater fan as well as reader of history, mysteries, and fiction of lesser violence. She lives in Northern California and belongs to the California Writers Club and Sisters in Crime.

Reviews

[Judith Starkston · Rating 4 out of 5]

Priscilla Royal has brought her fine historical and story-telling skills to a heartbreaking and complex period in medieval England: the treatment of Jews under Edward I. What I love best about Royal’s mysteries is their ability to hold me in captivated enjoyment while encompassing a subtle and nuanced historical world. She never simplifies the issues and ideas we can glean from the period, but your reading never feels burdened by this sophistication and depth.

Lord knows, the persecution of Jews in Edward’s England could get dreary in the hands of a lesser writer. Or it could get preachy or utterly anachronistic with characters spouting modern tolerant views to assuage the author’s discomfort at presenting such a shameful moment in time. Royal avoids these pitfalls. Over the course of this series Royal has developed two profoundly admirable human beings in Prioress Eleanor and Brother Thomas. Both are flawed and wracked with doubts, which makes them all the more likeable and their failures forgivable. Since we trust these two to act from justice and kindness in the long run, when they choose to stand up for and protect a Jewish family at risk of mob violence, we do not find this surprising. And lest we fear modern sensibilities have slipped in, even these most compassionate characters express a fervent desire for the conversion of these Jews as the ultimate best thing for them. That’s as far as the good medieval Christian heart can go and Royal recognizes that it is a kindness in its time, however harsh it may feel to most modern minds. Thomas, with his inner doubts about God and his innate outsider status as a man drawn to love other men at a time when that was viewed as a sin, comes close at times to recognizing that his and Eleanor’s goodwill is too conditional and circumscribed, but he never voices those doubts aloud.

On one level there’s the excitement of sorting out who is murdering people in Tyndal and the intense project of keeping safe this Jewish family while investigating them as the most popular nominees for suspects. The reader also savors a completely unconventional love tale which will have you biting nails, wanting to slap both the man and the woman involved for their foolishness and somehow liking them immensely at the same time. Isn’t that how real people are? Oh, and if lately you’ve been thinking about the limitations of faith, the beauty of bee-keeping and the natural world, the violence of controlling parenting, or, of course, the sanctity of hate, you’ll find plenty to ponder in this book while enjoying yourself.

[Drogheda Lir · Rating 4 out of 5]

The charms of the Middle Ages ... if that sounds like a contradiction in terms, it certainly is. The Cadfael novels of Ellis Peters starring his monk herbalist detective were gentle and humanizing, and Priscilla Royal goes the same route with these novels. The main sleuths are the prioress of the local abbey and her sidekick second-in-command, who give the often-dopey crowner (sheriff, sort of) help sorting his way through the murders.
I jumped in, in the middle of this series, and Royal makes that easy to do. She gives enough background, so no reader is lost, and you can still enjoy the mystery.
What elevates this novel is its gritty (for a period detective novel) look at what life was like for Jews in the 13th century. "Horrific" is the answer. Royal puts the irony of Christianity on full display against a background of three murders. Jews are the ones who turn the other cheek, while the Christians howl for blood. The prioress is the voice of reason, and, in an age when women were chattel, she is a woman who is listened to and respected.
It's interesting enough that I would pick up more in this series.

[Woodstock Pickett · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another fine entry in this series. Author Royal probes the effect of antisemitism in medieval England. A small Jewish family has been evicted from their prior home and are heading to Norwich to join an existing community there. But the wife's pregnancy prevents them from traveling comfortably and safely so when they arrive in Tyndall, the local innkeeper provides shelter for them.
But the community is not happy with this gesture and when a body is found floating in the millpond, a gang descends on the Jewish family and threatens them with severe harm.
Prioress Eleanor and Brother Thomas struggle to keep tensions low, the traveiing family safe, and joined by Crowner Ralf, the investigation into the murder moving forward.
This book is perhaps more thought provoking that earlier entries, and I was very grateful that the author included a lengthy afterword expanding on the history of the Jews in England during this historical period.

[Vicki Cline · Rating 4 out of 5]

Prioress Eleanor et al are back at Tyndal Priory, which is where I like them. It's just too bad that murders happen when they're there. A man who's a paid bodyguard of sorts for a traveling Jewish family is killed, and the townsfolk are sure the Jews did it. The level of anti-Semitsm was really extreme in those days, culminating in the Edict of Expulsion in 1290. In a welcome side plot, the romance between Crowner Ralf and Gytha finally comes to fruition. Plus we learn something about bee culture - back then people thought the queen bee was a king.

[Nance Roepke · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really do like these books better when Eleanor, Anne and Thomas are outside The Priory solving mysteries. In this book, they are back in the Priory again. It was interesting to learn something of the treatment of Jews in England at that time. Actually, I thought it could have been even clearer then it was. I also had trouble believing the romance between Ralph and Elaeanor's maid. I couldn't see how such a pious woman and such a profane man would be attracted to each other. In other words, lots of little quibbles with this book but it is a good series overall.

[Claire Binkley]

I mean to get to #1, Wine of Violence, but that is currently being read by another patron, so this is currently TBC until my email alerts me that the first in the series is available.

My mother and I have occasionally used the name Priscilla, so my eye was particularly drawn to this series.

[Patricia · Rating 4 out of 5]

I seem to be reading a variety of books in which the setting is medieval England. This mystery has several stories embedded into the mystery including the treatment of Jews, beekeeping, and class structure. I enjoyed the story and the author's note and it makes me grateful to be living in the time we are in especially as a woman.

[Leslie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoy this series. This particular book, however, made me very sad. The intolerance and hate that is shown towards the Jews in this book is far too close to what is going on in this country today. It makes me feel sick. As always, a mystery murder that holds together well, and is steeped in the era.

And one brother keeps bees! Dear to my heart!

[Mom · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked the medieval setting and the reasonable characters, including the young man who evolves from fanaticism toward rationality and compassion. A body is found in a millpond and appears to have been murdered. Fear and indiscriminate retaliation is eventually abated by the good religious communitiy and "crowner."

[Dena · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's a wonderful story and good mystery. Although this is the first of the series in which I was able to guess the killer before it was revealed. But it's quite sad that our tolerance, or lack thereof, hasn't changed in hundreds of years in spite of all the catchphrases and our supposed modern sensibilities.

[Bruce Hamilton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hate

A Jewish family moves to Tyndale and a man is murdered. Are the Jews responsible? A great mystery book with plenty of suspects to investigate. Will justice prevail or will hate step in to harm the innocent. I enjoyed it.

[Eileen Lynx · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another good addition to the series.

[Rose Lambert · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read

Again learning so much from reading this book. Interesting how life was many years ago and how people struggled with life in a daily basis.

[Jeanna Read · Rating 4 out of 5]

I don’t read historical fiction as a rule, but this book was fascinating. I found myself quite lost in the issues of the day...and Jews vs Christians. A great story, beautifully told!

[Nisha Mendonsa · Rating 4 out of 5]

This comes together so beautifully in the end..

[Karin Jenkins · Rating 4 out of 5]

The introduction of the situation of the Jews gives added interest to this edition of the series.

[Michael Wojciehoski · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sanctimonious zealot - man above God. Medieval bee keeping. Karma. Religion and views of the Jews - a special vision.

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

1276 A stranger in discovered dead in the priory ground with suspicion pointed towards a Jewish family who are only passing through.
An enjoyable historical mystery

[Susan in NC · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars to be fair - I've read every book in this series and generally enjoyed them, but often wished for a bit more humor (as in Margaret Frazer's excellent Dame Frevisse series). The installments I least enjoyed suffered from sluggish pacing and authentic-sounding if droning dialogue - I found myself losing interest and skimming ahead to wrap things up! What keeps bringing me back to Priscilla Royal's Prioress Eleanor series is the character of Eleanor herself, along with the excellent research and realistic portrayal (I assume) of the times; I'm always amazed at the all-consuming power held by the Church and spiritual matters over even the lowliest peasant. The world views of the characters, no matter how limited in scope, are so strongly influenced by fears of Satan, the will of God, the influence of the saints; ignorance holds so many captive to unspeakable fears and superstitions (in that way it reminds me of modern times, where ignorance keeps reason at bay and irrational fears alive!)

In this mystery Prioress Eleanor, Crowner Ralf and Brother Thomas have to confront the universal hatred and oppression of Jews; under King Edward's Statute of the Jewry, Jews are being forced to relocate to certain English towns. Jacob Ben Asser, his very pregnant wife and mother-in-law are forced to shelter in Tyndal until the young wife can give birth; their paid guard, an unpopular stranger in the village, turns up dead in the priory millpond. Suspicion falls on the Jewish refugees and tensions rise as the villagers threaten to turn on them before Eleanor, Ralf and Thomas can find the killer.

I enjoyed the portrayal of Jacob and his family, and their cautious but increasingly cordial interactions with some of the village and priory characters; it was jarring the way the Christian characters kept matter-of-factly discussing amongst themselves what a shame the Jews wouldn't convert, because they seemed like decent human beings, and how that made it all the more important that they pray for their conversion - like they were recruiting for a sports team! Again, very interesting view of such a dark time, along with another recurring, teeth-gnashing theme Royal doesn't shy away from in the series: the not just subservient role of women, but the belief that as "daughters of Eve" they deserved any pain and hardship life chose to throw at them, and they were all so filled with lust they drove men wild - hence any attempted rape or indecent liberty taken by a man was deserved, and not the man's fault - UGH!

I would recommend this series to fans of medieval historical mysteries - the "whodunit" is often not a big surprise, but Royal has created a likeable, interesting (if sometimes rather one-dimensional) group of recurring characters that keep me coming back for more. And again, Royal provides a fascinating glimpse of medieval life that was often "poor, nasty, brutish and short".

[Amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

In Priscilla Royal’s ninth Prioress Eleanor mystery, The Sanctity of Hate, it is the summer of 1276 and the peace of Tyndal Priory has been disturbed by the discovery of a corpse in the millpond. Suspicion falls on a family of Jewish refugees and it is up to Prioress Eleanor to discover the murderer before the once tranquil village erupts into violence.

The greatest strength of Royal’s medieval mystery novels has always been her attention to historical detail and her latest book lives up to that tradition. Unlike many historical writers, Royal does not dump a mountain of facts on her readers in an effort to show off how much research she has done; instead, she subtly incorporates details of medieval life into the narrative, leaving the reader with a feel for the period without overburdening them with extraneous information.

This skill for historical situations truly shines in The Sanctity of Hate in the interactions between the Christian inhabitants of Tyndal and the Jewish refugees. Royal’s characters do not fall into the evil Christian/persecuted Jew stereotype that plagues so many historical novels. Nor does she give her characters 21st century sensibilities. She creates characters that are complex and compassionate, but still display the beliefs that are appropriate to the period.

On the negative side, the book’s central mystery isn’t as well developed as it could be. The investigation sometimes feels like it is intruding on the characters’ interactions and the murderer’s identity and motive are not very difficult to deduce. Luckily, it’s easy to get swept up in the rest of the story and overlook this minor flaw.

Received via NetGalley.

Originally written for The Tiger Print. I am the author of the review and it is reprinted with permission.

[Ken Kugler · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Sanctity of Hate, by Priscilla Royal, is an enjoyable addition to this series. The book opens with a murder discovered on priory grounds and this makes it a church crime as well as involving the court and it Crowner, Ralf.
The story centers on a Jewish family who get trapped in the town of Tyndal. Jews are despised and the murder victim is the man who was to defend the Jewish family against the hatred that surrounds them. The story is, again, centered on Brother Thomas, the Prioress Elizabeth, the crowner, Ralf, Gytha and Signy, the owner of the local tavern.
Just as the story starts to look as if they are going to figure out the why and, more importantly, why of the murder, another one occurs. This throws the investigation into turmoil and makes everyone rethink what they thought they knew.
A major subplot is a young man who wishes to join the Priory, Adelard and his father Oseberne, a baker, who wishes for this to happen too. Also Brother Gwydo, who is back from the Crusade looking to get away from the horrors he saw, sought and gained sanctity here to regain his inner peace.
The story satisfies and I am looking forward to the next book.

[May · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was beyond delighted after finishing "Sanctity of Hate." I love this series and think very highly of the author, but the past couple of books in this series have been somewhat disappointing. This book, however, returns to the author's usual high standards of impeccably researched historical detail, quirky, true-to-the-time and thoughtfully drawn characters, and an interesting murder mystery plot. What makes this book especially stand out, however, is the thoughtful portrayal of medieval times and the treatment of Jews during this period. The author does not disguise the truth of the deep and rampant anti-Semitism that existed during the middle ages, but she also puts that anti-Semitism in context in a fair and compassionate way. (And her portrayal of the anti-Semitism prevalent during this time period gives one pause about whether and how far we've evolved in our thinking since that time.)
All of the larger social issues are dealt with using a subtle and light hand. There is no preachiness, and the treatment of Jews is dealt with factually and realistically.
I highly recommend this book as a worthy addition to the series. And I absolutely LOVE the ending!

[Marilyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Royal's latest installment of her medieval mystery series finds us in 1276. The discovery of a dead body leads to a lot of finger pointing, insinuations, and down right hatred. The villagers would rather blame outsiders than one of their own. Because of Royal's skill describing the scenes and bringing to light the prejudices of that time, the reader is carefully placed in the scene, witnessing the fights and hatred for a Jewish family whose only crime seems to be an ill-timed stop for the birth of a baby. Even when the murderer is caught and receives his just rewards, the hatred still looms. It will be hard to put The Sanctity of Hate down but be sure to read every word. The image described at the end will have you saying "Oh, my gosh" and "Wow" for days. A great book.

[Val Sanford · Rating 2 out of 5]

Blah. I waited for this for months. The exploration of hate, of racism, of fear should have been a grand read. Instead this book was flat, uninteresting and colorless. The enforced sequestering of Jews under Edward the First's Statute of The Jewry wiped out the debts incurred by nobles, established ruinous taxation and forbade Christians to live among Jews; yellow badges were required to be worn by Jews. Against this historical terror, the murder investigation at the convent is trite and lamentable. Too bad; I enjoyed every book up to this one in the series.

[Yves Fey · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think fans of medieval mysteries will dote on this series. It's not my favorite period, but the book had a good, if somewhat predictable plot, and very likable characters. I was most fascinated with the Jewish family and their travails. The author has a gift for descriptive narration that she used well at the beginning and end of the book (the reason I chose to read it, in fact), but I was disappointed that she mostly shelved that gift in the middle. There was a very satisfying finish for the villain, and a lovely "mythic" ending.

[Kate · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very good historical mystery, set in a medieval town and priory, in which the prioress, a monk, and the local "crowner" or lawman figure out the murderer. The title refers to the sanctimonious hate that people sometimes have for those who are of different faiths or belief systems. (Sound timely?) It is really about the hate for the Jews in England at that time, who were being herded into a very few towns.
Well-researched and written.

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very enjoyable. I really like this series, and always enjoy the historical notes that the author provides at the end about aspects of life in 13th Century England. I had an idea who the murderer would be about 1/3 of the way into this book, but that did not impede my getting caught up again in the lives around Tyndale Priory.

[BookAddict · Rating 4 out of 5]

Once again the priory at Tyndal is steeped in murder. As the body count rises the list of suspects disappears and once again, Crowner Ralf is stumped and relies on the help of the various nuns and monks in the priory. This installment has great history in the expulsion of the Jews from England with a wonderful historical afterward for those interested in learning more. I love this series.

[Jessica · Rating 3 out of 5]

Royal's a meticulous researcher and a strong writer, and this one features a very strong and accurate portrayal of the conflict between Jews and Christians in medieval England. That said, I've dipped in and out of this series but it's never quite taken for me - as much as there is to like, the narrative push is somewhat lacking.

[Shifra · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed listening to this wonderful mystery that takes place in the thirteen century in a woman run religious order in a small town in England. A great array of characters are involved in this story all providing great insight not only into medieval life but also attitudes towards the jews before their expulsion.