Tapestry

by Christopher Largent

In 1035 AD, a lame boy escapes an assassin’s attack at the Duke of Normandy’s castle and spends the next decade developing into Normandy’s emissary to Flanders, Denmark, Norway, and England. While his true identity remains a mystery, the emissary studies with a local warrior-turned-healer and travels through Flanders and Denmark as an ambassador. Pursued by an assassin, he finds help from powerful friends of the Kings of England and Norway. When a false accusation forces him to escape to Iceland and then to North America, the emissary receives vision-training from the last Icelandic prophetess and a Mi'kmaq wise man, learns the ways of Native American culture, and falls in love with his future wife. Finally able to return home, he uses his talents to resolve political and romantic crises for Duke William of Normandy. But in 1066, the new King of England runs afoul of the Pope, who has Duke William in his power. A fight for supremacy seems imminent, and Cuin’s talents may not be enough to stop it. Steeped in rich historical detail and told in a first-person voice meticulously crafted in the tone of the 11th Century, Tapestry looks behind the scenes at the history of the Battle of Hastings—and discovers an astonishing cover-up.

741 pages, Paperback

First published August 4, 2015

Reviews

[Alexszollo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Like any historical fiction, Medieval historical fiction can easily fall into a series of tropes, and those tropes are most commonly as such: stereotypes of the Crusades and the Inquisition, with its subsequent witch hunts, among others.
However, TAPESTRY, the big, bold, beautiful behemoth of a book that I am about to review , being set much earlier than any of the two aforementioned periods, successfully avoids all of the tropes and stereotypes common to the fictional depiction of those eras. What is this novel about, then?

As the cover and title suggest, it's a story of how the events depicted on the Bayeux Tapestry, crucial for the future of England, and not only that, came to be. The whole epic saga unfolds across decades, starting in 1035, when the protagonist, Lod, a Norman physically impaired boy who will go through several names(Cuin, Brother Augustine, Brother Ambrose, and so on), is nine years old, and is the advisor of young William, who will become The Conqueror of great fame.
Do not let the size of this book put you off. And do not worry that you'll have to read through a lot of repetitive details about battles, with gore galore and characters who maim just for the sake of it(no offense to those who enjoy that sort of fiction, I occasionally do as well). This is not just a novel of medieval warfare. This is an epic saga of Medieval peacekeeping. The hero of the story is a very intelligent young man who grows into a highly-skilled diplomat, and believe me, there's much to be fascinated about in the manner in which diplomacy was understood back then. There is, though, plenty of action as well. Assassinations, failed and successful, the intricacy of politics, travels to the end of the world, mesmerizing details about different religions and healing techniques, friendships being forged, tested and broken. This is an impressive work, a true labor of love, which rings with authenticity, and the research is impeccable. It's safe to call it the best novel of early Medieval times that I have ever read, and I feel factually, culturally and spiritually richer for having done so.
Though I am greatly indebted to Mr. Largent for having provided me with a copy of his work, the views expressed herein, I claim to be my own entirely. Thank you, Mr. Largent. Solid, well-earned, 10 out of 5!

[Mirella · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tapestry is a novel set in 11th century England in the time of William the Conquerer. Richly researched, its subplot pertains to the making of the Bayeux Tapestry, an embroidered cloth depicting the events leading up to the Norman conquest of England that culminated in the Battle of Hastings. A portion of the tapestry is depicted in the cover.

Author Christopher Largent brought this period to vivid life through wonderful characterization and intense research. The tale he weaves had plenty of subplots with some unexpected twists, a sprinkling of humor here and there, and rich battle scenes that seemed all too real. For those passionate about this period in English history, this is not a book to pass up! Highly recommended.

Thank you to the author and publisher. I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.