The Prophecy of Death

Knights Templar #25

by Michael Jecks

It is 1325 and there is turmoil in England, but the Prophecy of St Thomas's Holy Oil just might save King Edward II. It is believed that the king who is anointed with the oil will be a lion among men: he will conquer France, unite Christendom, and throw the heathens from the Holy Land. Edward’s reputation has been sullied following his rejection of his wife—Queen Isabella—after which he confiscated her income, exiled her servants, and took away her children. Having escaped her husband and traveled to France, Isabella attempts to negotiate peace with her brother, King Charles IV. Meanwhile, Sir Baldwin de Furnshill, Keeper of the King's Peace, and his friend Bailiff Simon Puttock return from France with an urgent instruction for the King. Before long Baldwin and Simon find themselves at the center of a deadly court intrigue involving the most powerful and ruthless men in the country who will stop at nothing—not the least murder—to achieve their ambitions.

Genres: Mystery, Historical Fiction, Historical Mystery, Medieval, Historical, Fiction, Crime

352 pages, Hardcover

First published October 1, 2008

About the author

Michael Jecks is a best-selling writer of historical novels. The son of an Actuary, and the youngest of four brothers, he worked in the computer industry before becoming a novelist full time in 1994

He is the author of the internationally popular Templar series, perhaps the longest crime series written by a living author. Unusually, the series looks again at actual events and murders committed about the early fourteenth century, a fabulous time of treachery, civil war, deceit and corruption. Famine, war and disease led to widespread despair, and yet the people showed themselves to be resilient. The series is available as ebooks and all paper formats from Harper Collins, Headline and Simon and Schuster. More recently he has completed his Vintener Trilogy, three stories in his Bloody Mary series, and a new Crusades story set in 1096, Pilgrim's War, following some of the people in the first Crusade on their long pilgrimage to Jerusalem. He has also written a highly acclaimed modern spy thriller, Act of Vengeance.

His books have won him international acclaim and in 2007 his Death Ship of Dartmouth was shortlisted for the Harrogate prize for the best crime novel of the year.

A member of the Society of Authors and Royal Literary Society, Jecks was the Chairman of the Crime Writers' Association in 2004-2005. In 2005 he became a member of the Detection Club.

From 1998 he organised the CWA Debut Dagger competition for two years, helping unpublished authors to win their first contracts He judged the CWA/Ian Fleming Steel Dagger Award for three years.

Michael Jecks is a popular speaker at literary festivals and historical meetings. He is a popular after-dinner and motivational speaker and has spoken at events from Colombia to Italy, Portugal to Alaska.

His own highlights are: being the Grand Marshal of the first parade at the New Orleans 2014 Mardi Gras, designing the Michael Jecks fountain pen for Conway Stewart, and being the International Guest of Honour at the Crime Writers of Canada Bloody Words convention.

Michael lives, walks, writes and paints in North Dartmoor.

Reviews

[Eileen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Let me begin with a short note on Michael Jecks and history. I've been reading his books for years, and I have to say that though they are novels, they are absolutely historically correct in time, place, and historical characters. For example, he's not going to put a real person in a place at a specific time if he or she was someplace else. I mention this because it makes the novels all that more complex for him to write. I consider him to be as much a historian as a novelist.

As the novel opens, we learn of the strange prophecy of a special holy oil supposedly given to St. Thomas à Becket by the Virgin Mary - a real legend at the time of the novel. It was to be used to annoint the 6th King of England after Henry I. That king would be great, recapturing all of King Henry's French lands and taking back the Holy Land for the Christians. However, the oil was in a French monastery, and the French king, Charles IV, has no intention of giving it up. Though already anointed and crowned, King Edward II wants to be reanointed with St. Thomas's oil to get the power all believe it bestows.

Queen Isabella, the wife of King Edward II, is in France to see if she can convince her brother, King Charles IV, to give back Edward’s French lands without him having to go through the formal homage all holders of land in a kingdom must give. Now, safely in France, Isabella has no intention of going back to England, and the humiliation Despenser and her husband have heaped on her.

Sir Baldwin and Simon, who were in the escourt party, are now going back to England with the Bishop of Orange's party. Isabella has entrusted Sir Baldwin with a message for her eldest son and heir to the throne, Earl Edward. It is in that party that they encounter two very nasty mercenary guards who kill with no remorse. Back in England, on the way in a dense forest, they discover a body, dead for some time, with the tabard of a King's messenger on it. Who is he, and what was he doing in such an out of the way place?

After a long and dangerous journey, they find out about the theft of the legendary oil and yet another murder of the monk who was guarding it - in a church. In an age of violence, the bodies continue to grow, and the mystery of the oil increases. Unfortunately for Sir Baldwin and Simon, Despenser has his eye on the oil and them. He had taken a dislike to Sir Baldwin because he was not deferential to him. Despenser found out Furnshill was a Knight Templar, but threats of exposure haven't made Sir Baldwin any more deferential to him.

Now, to get back at Sir Baldwin, Despenser goes after his best friend, Simon, who he reckons is the easier target. He sends a henchman to repossess Simon's home and land and threaten his wife and children. Unfortunately, Simon is no easy target, and he and his man Edgar fight off the henchman and two others. Simon wounds the main man of Despenser. Deviously, Despenser promises Sir Baldwin if he can solve the murder of the King’s messenger and find out what happened to St. Thomas's oil, he will stop harassing Simon. Sir Baldwin agrees. Despenser has no intention of stopping.

Now, the two friends are thrust into a hunt for the murderers and the recovery of the sacred oil. The web of lies, violence, and politics is tangled, and Sir Baldwin has to sift through them while watching his back and Simon's as well.

This may seem like I'm telling you the entire story, but you would be so wrong. I'm barely even touching it. There are many more plots, actions, bodies, and tangled situations here. I've read 23 books in this series, all great, but Jecks just keeps increasing the complexity of the stories while keeping the history accurate and staying true to his main characters.

I highly recommend this book and this series.

[Alison C · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was aware of Michael Jecks and his series characters Sir Baldwin de Furnshill and Bailiff Simon Futtock through the “Medieval Murderers” series of interlinked novellas by various writers with historical series characters, so when I ran across "The Prophecy of Death" in a used bookstore, I picked it up. Turns out that this is the *25th* novel in this series, which means that there were likely all sorts of relationship and character quirks that I didn’t get, but no matter. The story, about the friends’ search for a stolen “holy oil” that Edward II is convinced will reverse his unfortunate reign and restore him to a position of strength, carries off its 1325 setting quite wonderfully, and the characters and experiences they encounter are all well drawn and compelling; the reader wants to know what happens next, always a good sign in a mystery! I’m not sure I’ll go back to pick up the previous 24 books (or go forward from this one, as it was published in 2008), but if I see any in another used bookstore, I will pick them up.

[Peter · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars
This is another good entry in the series, although it's still a little bloated. The political intrigue of 1325 works as an effective backdrop to murders centred on the Oil of St Thomas which Despenser, the soon-to-be Edward III and Queen Isabella exiled in France all want for their own ends. Furnshill and Puttock travel back and forth and are in danger from Despenser before Sir Baldwin works it out. As usual, there is some great 1300s background.
One slight irritation is that the vocabularies of some servants and the less-privileged are far too sophisticated, for example, on page 347 of the Headline paperback edition, in the space of a few lines, one servant uses deferential, another uses subservient in his reply. It just takes away the realism.
An amusing misprint is on page 108 of the same edition where 3 men are said to have been killed by a "chance medley".

[Dale Boardman · Rating 2 out of 5]

I still love the Characters of Baldwin and Simon but I miss the days of true murder mysteries. Being a historian myself I love the Historical aspects of Jecks books, but this story focused far too much on the politics of the time and less on the murder mystery. This is more a historical political thriller and less a murder mystery. On top of that the murders are never solved officially and we only have speculation from Baldwin and Simon. The woman's story that we are introduced to in the beginning is never resolved in print and we only get speculation. To many lose ends.

[Gerry Connolly · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Prophecy of Death, Michael Jecks’ 25th in his Knights Templar series, focuses of two murders involving the sacred oil of Thomas a Becket that is stolen and eagerly sought by King Edward II and his malign counselor Hugh Despenser. Sir Baldwin and Bailiff Simon try to unravel the mystery while navigating the dicey politics of 14th c England. Unfortunately the plot is thin and the ending anticlimactic.

[Robert Anastasiades · Rating 5 out of 5]

brilliant continuity

Another excellent episode in the life of Sir Baldwin and Simon Puttock , great continuity with previous books and going to get the next episode because I worry about their safety

[Puzzle Doctor · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another strong entry in the series - not the best place to start though. Full review at classicmystery.wordpress.com

[Valeska Kiloh · Rating 5 out of 5]

The continuing story of Baldwin Furnshill and Simon Puttock is as enthralling as it has always been. Looking forward to the next adventure.

[A. J.]

Jecks ties up all the separate threads of the historical puzzle that he has set himself. I have no disagreement with other reviewers, but I enjoyed "The Prophecy of Death."

[Sushan Konar · Rating 4 out of 5]

Even though this is the 25th book in the Knights Templar
series by Michael Jecks, it is the first one that I have
read. This is a detective series, dealing with crime
detection in and around Devonshire in early 1300s. Like
it has almost become the norm of detective fictions around
the world, even across languages, here too we have a lead
detective in the character of Sir Baldwin de Furnshill, a
former Knights Templar, and his companion Simon Puttock,
the bailiff of Lydford. Though the intellectual capabilities
of the pair is not as mismatched as we have come to expect
in a Sherlock-ian sense. Even though there are some obvious
similarities (Sir Baldwin being a confirmed bachelor while
Simon Puttok is very much the family man); they appear to
complement each other intellectually. The logical thread
to the solution of a mystery is carried forth by both of them
with almost equal vigour.

However, my introduction to Sir Baldwin & Puttock happened
sometime before this, through a short story written as a
part of the book 'Sword of Shame' which is a collaborative
effort of a number of medieval mystery writers. The writing
style of Jecks immediately caught my fancy and I took the
first opportunity to pick up a book by him from our friendly
neighbourhood (an auto-rickshaw ride of a mere half an hour)
British library (the last and decidedly positive vestige
of our colonial past). And the effort paid off.

Apart from the easy flow (could have been faster though)
and almost glitch free crime story, Jecks's detailed
depiction of life in medieval Britain has got me hooked
to the series. At the end of the day most of us have neither
the desire nor the energy to pick up a real history book.
And then standard history books would seldom have pictures
of the daily lives of ordinary people. That's where a
book like this one counts even when the larger historical
picture decidedly sets the background of the story.

[Helle · Rating 4 out of 5]

If I would start this by stating that it is getting hard to write an original review for The Prophecy of Death, because it’s the 25th book in the Knights Templar series, people might take that the wrong way and think the series is boring. It is absolutely not! I mean, why would I have read 24 books of it (I can’t seem to get hold of The Mad Monk of Gidleigh) if it was bad? But how often can you keep repeating that the setting is great and well described, that the characters are realistic and amusing, and that Jecks did some excellent research, again?

Over the years, the storylines have developed from relatively straightforward mysteries to more political scenery. I did not always enjoy the politics, but in The Prophecy of Death I think the balance between the two is a little better. Good to have Baldwin and Simon back in Devon, albeit not very long. As always, looking forward to the next one.

[Michael Jecks · Rating 5 out of 5]

After sending my characters all over the country, and even so far as France, it was good to bring them back to England.
It was stunning at this time how the British viewed the King and his son, Duke Edward (he wasn't make Prince of Wales until much later). At this time there were many prophecies suggesting that the young Edward would one day rise to be amongst the greatest of all the English Kings. There was little said about the King himself. Bad news needs no advertising! After all, the Queen herself had fled from her husband and was rumoured to be raising an army in France.

But for Baldwin and Simon, it is clear that they cannot escape affairs of state, and they become aware that they have managed to make an enemy of that most vindictive adviser, Sir Hugh le Despenser.

[Carol · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book it was so exciting so many twists and turns that I had to keep going back and checking what I had read.
Basically there is an oil which King Edward could have chosen to be anointed with when he was crowned but he did not believe it was real. When later on in his reign he decides to use it, he finds it has been stolen and it is down to Baldwin and Simon to find out who stole it.
The culprit is not one you would think of and as usual it leads our two heroes into many dangers.
Read this book you will not be disappointed.

[Joshua · Rating 4 out of 5]

More than the mystery is the historical context. I appreciate Jecks for placing his characters in intersting times of which he has considerable knowledge, and the stories which incorporate (in)famous individuals are, to my mind, extremely plausible. Knowledge of the histotical events to follow makes me salivate with the anticipation of future books in this series.

[Maya · Rating 4 out of 5]

As a mystery, I thoroughly enjoyed the book. I had bought the book thinking it was a Templar Mystery (it said so on the cover) but instead it turned out to be a mystery about the household of King Edward II and that is why I gave it 4 stars. Its an interesting mystery that I read in one sitting because I enjoyed it very much.

[Sharon L. Cooper · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think each book is longer than the one before.

Jecks is a meticulous historical researcher. The details of time and place are very believable. I enjoy the time I spend with him in the fourteenth century.
Still, I think the plots are too complicated and the books need a little editing.
All that said, I'll start the next one tomorrow.

[Jenny Kane · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another epic adventure from Michael Jecks- a master class in the political mess that was Fourteenth century England. A brilliant mystery that kept me guessing all the way through- while reminding me what a 100% despicable human being Sir Hugh Despencer really was!!

[Laura · Rating 3 out of 5]

The plot is a little big confusing but it is a good book.

[Linda Anderson · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book was okay I had a hard time reading all the way to the end, it was a good story based on Historical facts but not a page turner

[Jill · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was a slow start but good once it got going.