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The Tale of the Tailor and the Three Dead Kings: A medieval ghost story
A chilling medieval ghost story, retold by bestselling historian Dan Jones. Published in a beautiful small-format hardback, perfect as a Halloween read or a Christmas gift.
One winter, in the dark days of King Richard II, a tailor was riding home on the road from Gilling to Ampleforth. It was dank, wet and gloomy; he couldn't wait to get home and sit in front of a blazing fire.
Then, out of nowhere, the tailor is knocked off his horse by a raven, who then transforms into a hideous dog, his mouth writhing with its own innards. The dog issues the tailor with a warning: he must go to a priest and ask for absolution and return to the road, or else there will be consequences...
First recorded in the early fifteenth century by an unknown monk, The Tale of the Tailor and the Three Dead Kings was transcribed from the Latin by the great medievalist M.R. James in 1922. Building on that tradition, now bestselling historian Dan Jones retells this medieval ghost story in crisp and creepy prose.
One winter, in the dark days of King Richard II, a tailor was riding home on the road from Gilling to Ampleforth. It was dank, wet and gloomy; he couldn't wait to get home and sit in front of a blazing fire.
Then, out of nowhere, the tailor is knocked off his horse by a raven, who then transforms into a hideous dog, his mouth writhing with its own innards. The dog issues the tailor with a warning: he must go to a priest and ask for absolution and return to the road, or else there will be consequences...
First recorded in the early fifteenth century by an unknown monk, The Tale of the Tailor and the Three Dead Kings was transcribed from the Latin by the great medievalist M.R. James in 1922. Building on that tradition, now bestselling historian Dan Jones retells this medieval ghost story in crisp and creepy prose.
80 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1400
137 people are currently reading
1644 people want to read
About the author
Dan Jones
79 books5,729 followersDan Jones is a NYT bestselling author and broadcaster. His books, which include The Templars, Henry V, The Plantagenets and Powers & Thrones, have sold more than 2 million copies and are published in 23 languages. He is the author of the Essex Dogs novel trilogy. Dan writes and hosts the popular weekly Sony Music Entertainment podcast This Is History. He has presented dozens of television documentaries, including the popular Netflix series Secrets of Great British Castles, and has executive produced and consulted on a number of films and television shows including Anne Boleyn (Channel 5/Sony Pictures Television) and Knightfall (A+E/History). His journalism has appeared in the New York Times, Wall Street Journal and Washington Post; for a decade he was a columnist for the London Evening Standard. He is a Fellow of the Royal Historical Society and in 2025 was appointed to the Board of Trustees of Historic Royal Palaces.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 251 reviews
September 22, 2021
A truly fascinating backstory makes the rendition of Jones in this slim book feel kind of underwhelming.
The story of the original latin 14th century manuscript containing a dozen medieval ghost tales, and how this was later found in the British Library by an actual ghost story author, is just brilliant. Pages of the original can be viewed on the website of the British Library: https://www.bl.uk/catalogues/illumina...
The actual story itself gives vibes of A Christmas Carol, with three ghosts mentioned, The Tales of Beedle the Bard by J.K. Rowling, while I also thought of the fairytale of the three dogs encountered by the soldier from Andersen (The Tinderbox).
Snowball the Tailor and Borin his horse travel and then a broken raven falls from the sky, lights up green and transforms in a kind of zombie dog, and later on into the titular king. Underlying it all is a quest for redemption in the afterlife, only to be obtained by an absolution of a priest.
Despite being written in an abbey the church people don’t have a glamorous role in this book, more corrupt and haggling than pious.
For a ghost story the book nowhere feels scary, and its stretching the factual content thinly when trying to make it into a standalone slight book. Still kudos are due for Jones in uncovering this medieval story and making it known to a broader audience, 2.5 stars rounded up.
The story of the original latin 14th century manuscript containing a dozen medieval ghost tales, and how this was later found in the British Library by an actual ghost story author, is just brilliant. Pages of the original can be viewed on the website of the British Library: https://www.bl.uk/catalogues/illumina...
The actual story itself gives vibes of A Christmas Carol, with three ghosts mentioned, The Tales of Beedle the Bard by J.K. Rowling, while I also thought of the fairytale of the three dogs encountered by the soldier from Andersen (The Tinderbox).
Snowball the Tailor and Borin his horse travel and then a broken raven falls from the sky, lights up green and transforms in a kind of zombie dog, and later on into the titular king. Underlying it all is a quest for redemption in the afterlife, only to be obtained by an absolution of a priest.
Despite being written in an abbey the church people don’t have a glamorous role in this book, more corrupt and haggling than pious.
For a ghost story the book nowhere feels scary, and its stretching the factual content thinly when trying to make it into a standalone slight book. Still kudos are due for Jones in uncovering this medieval story and making it known to a broader audience, 2.5 stars rounded up.
December 21, 2024
A Snowball's Chance
A review of the Head of Zeus hardcover (October 14, 2021) adapted from the early Latin language manuscript (c. 1400).
This was a chance discovery after reading historian Dan Jones' first historical fiction Essex Dogs (2022) and then looking around for what else he had written. I then saw that GR friend SportyRod had reviewed The Tale of the Tailor... and it became a fast hold and quick pickup at my local Toronto library.
The ruins of Byland Abbey. Image sourced from Wikipedia.
The background to this was even more fascinating than the actual story. The set of 12 Medieval Ghost Stories were written on various blank manuscript pages by an anonymous monk at the Byland Abbey around the year 1400. They were later discovered in the British Library by scholar and ghost story writer M.R. James who wrote the background and provided his transcriptions from the Latin in 1922.
Author Dan Jones writes an adaptation of the story no. 2 which tells the tale of "Snawball" the tailor who encounters various revenants on his way home from a tailoring job. One of these is the ghost of an executed criminal who demands that Snowball find a priest who will absolve him of his sins so that he can go to an eternal rest. After dealing with that issue, the ghosts of the three dead kings also appear. The revenants are shown to be shapeshifters who can take various animal and bird forms for the purposes of their hauntings.
The opening page of the original Latin manuscript for the "Tale of the Tailor". Image sourced from British Library Medieval Manuscripts Blog: Byland Abbey Ghost Stories.
While the original story and Jones' adaptation are not all that scary by modern day horror standards, the background information provided by Jones was fascinating and I was intrigued enough to research it further as you will see from the links below. Reading this now was also in keeping with the M.R. James tradition of a Ghost Story at Christmas.
Trivia and Links
Although Dan Jones provides a link to a URL which supposedly has the original story texts, the page at Byland Ghosts is blank as far as I can see.
You can read M.R. James' transcription of the original Latin manuscript along with an English language translation at Twelve Medieval Ghost Stories. The Tale of the Tailor is Story No. 2.
There is at least one other modern day adaptation of this story which is THE TAILOR AND THE UNDEAD: A MEDIEVAL GHOST STORY RETOLD (2024) by J.P. Reedman.
A review of the Head of Zeus hardcover (October 14, 2021) adapted from the early Latin language manuscript (c. 1400).
This was a chance discovery after reading historian Dan Jones' first historical fiction Essex Dogs (2022) and then looking around for what else he had written. I then saw that GR friend SportyRod had reviewed The Tale of the Tailor... and it became a fast hold and quick pickup at my local Toronto library.
The ruins of Byland Abbey. Image sourced from Wikipedia.
The background to this was even more fascinating than the actual story. The set of 12 Medieval Ghost Stories were written on various blank manuscript pages by an anonymous monk at the Byland Abbey around the year 1400. They were later discovered in the British Library by scholar and ghost story writer M.R. James who wrote the background and provided his transcriptions from the Latin in 1922.
Author Dan Jones writes an adaptation of the story no. 2 which tells the tale of "Snawball" the tailor who encounters various revenants on his way home from a tailoring job. One of these is the ghost of an executed criminal who demands that Snowball find a priest who will absolve him of his sins so that he can go to an eternal rest. After dealing with that issue, the ghosts of the three dead kings also appear. The revenants are shown to be shapeshifters who can take various animal and bird forms for the purposes of their hauntings.
The opening page of the original Latin manuscript for the "Tale of the Tailor". Image sourced from British Library Medieval Manuscripts Blog: Byland Abbey Ghost Stories.
While the original story and Jones' adaptation are not all that scary by modern day horror standards, the background information provided by Jones was fascinating and I was intrigued enough to research it further as you will see from the links below. Reading this now was also in keeping with the M.R. James tradition of a Ghost Story at Christmas.
Trivia and Links
Although Dan Jones provides a link to a URL which supposedly has the original story texts, the page at Byland Ghosts is blank as far as I can see.
You can read M.R. James' transcription of the original Latin manuscript along with an English language translation at Twelve Medieval Ghost Stories. The Tale of the Tailor is Story No. 2.
There is at least one other modern day adaptation of this story which is THE TAILOR AND THE UNDEAD: A MEDIEVAL GHOST STORY RETOLD (2024) by J.P. Reedman.
October 31, 2021
In the 12th century, monks transcribing texts by Cicero and various Christian theologists left some blank pages at the end of their transcript. These blank pages were filled with 12 medieval ghost stories by an unnamed monk in the 15th century. Most were a few lines long and the longest was the story of Snowball the tailor.
In the early 1920s, an academic and noted ghost story writer in his own right, MR James, found this centuries-old manuscript and copied down the ghost stories appended at the end of it, publishing them to a wider readership for the first time. Cut to 2020 and Dan Jones finds these stories and decides to retell the story of Snowball the tailor for a modern 21st century audience. And so we have this modest volume: The Tale of the Tailor and the Three Dead Kings.
So, how was this medieval ghost story? Look, I get it. They didn’t have Squid Game or TikTok in the Middle Ages so the bar for entertainment was hella low. I’ve read The Canterbury Tales so I wasn’t expecting to be that blown away. Still, this is one unremarkable story - the backstory of it is more entertaining than the actual content!
All that happens is Snowball and his horse Borin meet a spooky raven, a green talking dog and a ghost of a king and that’s it. Zzz… The only moment that stirred me from the stupor the story had me in was when I realised I’d finished it and there was nothing more to it!
I’m sure the original text is even duller (and the original Latin transcript is included for any psychos out there who want to read it) and that Jones did what he could to jazz up the story while still remaining true to the subject matter, but it’s still the most forgettable of stories that barely figures as a ghost story. I wouldn’t recommend it to anyone except as a sleep aid.
In the early 1920s, an academic and noted ghost story writer in his own right, MR James, found this centuries-old manuscript and copied down the ghost stories appended at the end of it, publishing them to a wider readership for the first time. Cut to 2020 and Dan Jones finds these stories and decides to retell the story of Snowball the tailor for a modern 21st century audience. And so we have this modest volume: The Tale of the Tailor and the Three Dead Kings.
So, how was this medieval ghost story? Look, I get it. They didn’t have Squid Game or TikTok in the Middle Ages so the bar for entertainment was hella low. I’ve read The Canterbury Tales so I wasn’t expecting to be that blown away. Still, this is one unremarkable story - the backstory of it is more entertaining than the actual content!
All that happens is Snowball and his horse Borin meet a spooky raven, a green talking dog and a ghost of a king and that’s it. Zzz… The only moment that stirred me from the stupor the story had me in was when I realised I’d finished it and there was nothing more to it!
I’m sure the original text is even duller (and the original Latin transcript is included for any psychos out there who want to read it) and that Jones did what he could to jazz up the story while still remaining true to the subject matter, but it’s still the most forgettable of stories that barely figures as a ghost story. I wouldn’t recommend it to anyone except as a sleep aid.
September 29, 2024
As a Spooky Season read this retold medieval ghost story is a almost a complete bust. There’s no chills, no scares. The protagonist has the least frightening moniker in the annals of ghost tales — Snowball the Taylor. Jones did do a nice bit of gruesome description on the demon dog and goat that are manifestations of the encountered spirit, and of the ghostly king, but that’s about as close as this tale gets to being remotely scary.
What is interesting about this short read is the cynical portrayal of the churchmen in the tale, who are all cast in a most unflattering light. Considering that the original story was written by a monk, this gives some valuable insight on how corruption in the church was viewed at the time.
The most intriguing detail of this story is revealed in Dan Jones’s introduction. The original Latin manuscript of this monkish penned ghost tale was originally uncovered by none other than the great English ghost story writer M.R. James.
What is interesting about this short read is the cynical portrayal of the churchmen in the tale, who are all cast in a most unflattering light. Considering that the original story was written by a monk, this gives some valuable insight on how corruption in the church was viewed at the time.
The most intriguing detail of this story is revealed in Dan Jones’s introduction. The original Latin manuscript of this monkish penned ghost tale was originally uncovered by none other than the great English ghost story writer M.R. James.
November 23, 2021
A dark medieval ghost story with a great introduction about the history that is probably more interesting than the actual story. Written by an unknown monk at Byland Abbey in Yorkshire around 1400AD, then found in the British museum and transcribed from Latin by MR James. A nicely presented book.
July 1, 2023
The retelling of a supernatural tale written by a monk in the 14th century. The atmosphere and anticipation were its strengths. A lone rider being knocked off his horse by a raven along a lonely road is pretty cool. The entity is a shapeshifter who reforms as a grotescue dog whose innards are visible through the gaping masses missing from its body. There are some other hideous creatures.
The resolution and climax scenes were less incredible than the lead up. Like in the Exorcist, there was a touch too much emphasis on involving the priests to deal with the entity, when really, the thrilling parts were the supernatural encounters. But it was a re-telling and that’s what was in the manuscript, so it’s fine. Jones did a pretty good job of retelling the tale as a bite-size halloween story. Even the background about how the manuscript was found was fascinating. As well as a historical addendum about the location, the ruler, and their orders regarding the monastery. 3.5 stars rounded down.
The resolution and climax scenes were less incredible than the lead up. Like in the Exorcist, there was a touch too much emphasis on involving the priests to deal with the entity, when really, the thrilling parts were the supernatural encounters. But it was a re-telling and that’s what was in the manuscript, so it’s fine. Jones did a pretty good job of retelling the tale as a bite-size halloween story. Even the background about how the manuscript was found was fascinating. As well as a historical addendum about the location, the ruler, and their orders regarding the monastery. 3.5 stars rounded down.
September 25, 2021
The medieval ghost story on which The Tale of the Tailor and the Three Dead Kings is based was first recorded in the early fifteenth century by an unknown monk and transcribed from the Latin by the great medievalist and author, M.R. James in 1922. The book is Dan Jones’ own retelling of the story.
I confess I found this a curious little book not least because the actual story takes up only a small part of it. The rest of the book is made up of an introduction, in which Dan Jones relates how he first became aware of the story and M.R. James’ transcription of it, and a historical note about Byland Abbey where the story was first recorded. Most strangely, the book also contains the text of the original story – in Latin. I suspect only Latin scholars will find this of much interest, although the inclusion of M.R. James’s annotations on the text (in English) is an interesting feature.
It was the mention of M.R. James that first drew me to the book as, like Dan Jones, watching one of the BBC adaptations of his ghost stories was a Christmas tradition in our house. Without having access to M.R. James’s original transcription of the story it’s quite hard to judge what Dan Jones has changed or added to his version. It certainly has some vivid images, such as Snowball the tailor’s encounter with a great dog, described as smelling of ‘pure and ceaseless death and of the scuttling things that live in the permanent dark’. This demonic figure brought to mind Night of the Demon, the film version of the M.R. James story ‘Casting The Runes’; the steps Snowball takes in order to protect himself whilst doing the spirit’s bidding made me think of certain scenes in Dennis Wheatley’s The Devil Rides Out.
Although The Tale of the Tailor and the Three Dead Kings has some ghoulish moments, I wouldn’t say it was especially scary, certainly not as spine-tingling as some of M.R. James’s ghost stories such as ‘The Mezzotint’, ‘Oh, Whistle, And I’ll Come To You, My Lad’ or ‘The Ash-Tree’. Judging by the pictures I’ve seen, the hardcover edition of the book would make an attractive and unusual gift
I confess I found this a curious little book not least because the actual story takes up only a small part of it. The rest of the book is made up of an introduction, in which Dan Jones relates how he first became aware of the story and M.R. James’ transcription of it, and a historical note about Byland Abbey where the story was first recorded. Most strangely, the book also contains the text of the original story – in Latin. I suspect only Latin scholars will find this of much interest, although the inclusion of M.R. James’s annotations on the text (in English) is an interesting feature.
It was the mention of M.R. James that first drew me to the book as, like Dan Jones, watching one of the BBC adaptations of his ghost stories was a Christmas tradition in our house. Without having access to M.R. James’s original transcription of the story it’s quite hard to judge what Dan Jones has changed or added to his version. It certainly has some vivid images, such as Snowball the tailor’s encounter with a great dog, described as smelling of ‘pure and ceaseless death and of the scuttling things that live in the permanent dark’. This demonic figure brought to mind Night of the Demon, the film version of the M.R. James story ‘Casting The Runes’; the steps Snowball takes in order to protect himself whilst doing the spirit’s bidding made me think of certain scenes in Dennis Wheatley’s The Devil Rides Out.
Although The Tale of the Tailor and the Three Dead Kings has some ghoulish moments, I wouldn’t say it was especially scary, certainly not as spine-tingling as some of M.R. James’s ghost stories such as ‘The Mezzotint’, ‘Oh, Whistle, And I’ll Come To You, My Lad’ or ‘The Ash-Tree’. Judging by the pictures I’ve seen, the hardcover edition of the book would make an attractive and unusual gift
December 26, 2022
The name of Montague Rhodes James (1862 – 1936) is synonymous with the classic English ghost story. He wrote most of his supernatural tales as Christmas Eve entertainments for friends and students, eventually building a prolific body of stories published in four collections between 1904 and 1925. Jamesians will surely be aware that in his lifetime, James was better known as a medievalist scholar, director of the Fitzwilliam Museum (between 1893 and 1908) and Provost of Eton College (from 1918 until his death).
There is a particular work of his, however, which straddles his scholarly and “ghostly” interests. In the early 1920s, while leafing through a new catalogue of manuscripts at the British Museum, James noticed a reference to an item in the Museum’s “Royal” collection which was supposed to contain a dozen supernatural tales written or collected in the early 1400s by a monk at Byland Abbey in Yorkshire. James sourced the manuscript, copied out all the stories, and transcribed and edited them for publication in the English Historical Review.
The longest of these stories, adapted and expanded by historian Dan Jones, forms the basis of The Tale of the Tailor and the Three Dead Kings. Its protagonist of the tale is a tailor called Snowball who is visited by a panoply of tormented spirits in the shapes of a raven, a dog, a goat, a bull, a huntsman and a “dead king”. These lost souls enjoin poor Snowball to help them seek deliverance.
In his retelling, Jones opts for a style which sounds suitably archaic while being readable and flowing. The story might seem rather tame to contemporary horror readers, but it provides the same sort of thrill as Jamesian tales. It is not difficult to sense why Monty was intrigued by the story as there are some interesting parallels between the Byland monk’s tale and James’ own stories. James’ supernatural entities are rarely ethereal spirits, and tend to be surprisingly “physical”, much like the raven which topples Snowball from his horse. There is also the concept of the hapless victim (albeit a tailor, in this case, rather than the ‘scholarly character’ favoured by James) who unwittingly ends up embroiled in otherworldly derring-do. M.R. James would also likely have appreciated that, among the weirdness, the occult rituals and occasional profanity, the story ultimately reflects certain Christian concepts of the afterlife and expiation of sins.
The story in this volume is complemented by an introduction by the author, in which he reminisces about his personal rapport with Jamesian ghost stories and their TV adaptations, a brief note on Byland Abbey, once one of the great ecclesiastical monasteries of the North and, most interestingly, the annotated Latin text of Snowball’s adventure as prepared by M.R. James.
I read this volume as an ebook and enjoyed it, but it would probably be much better appreciated in its physical format, where the “concept” of this publication is more attractively served.
https://endsoftheword.blogspot.com/20...
There is a particular work of his, however, which straddles his scholarly and “ghostly” interests. In the early 1920s, while leafing through a new catalogue of manuscripts at the British Museum, James noticed a reference to an item in the Museum’s “Royal” collection which was supposed to contain a dozen supernatural tales written or collected in the early 1400s by a monk at Byland Abbey in Yorkshire. James sourced the manuscript, copied out all the stories, and transcribed and edited them for publication in the English Historical Review.
The longest of these stories, adapted and expanded by historian Dan Jones, forms the basis of The Tale of the Tailor and the Three Dead Kings. Its protagonist of the tale is a tailor called Snowball who is visited by a panoply of tormented spirits in the shapes of a raven, a dog, a goat, a bull, a huntsman and a “dead king”. These lost souls enjoin poor Snowball to help them seek deliverance.
In his retelling, Jones opts for a style which sounds suitably archaic while being readable and flowing. The story might seem rather tame to contemporary horror readers, but it provides the same sort of thrill as Jamesian tales. It is not difficult to sense why Monty was intrigued by the story as there are some interesting parallels between the Byland monk’s tale and James’ own stories. James’ supernatural entities are rarely ethereal spirits, and tend to be surprisingly “physical”, much like the raven which topples Snowball from his horse. There is also the concept of the hapless victim (albeit a tailor, in this case, rather than the ‘scholarly character’ favoured by James) who unwittingly ends up embroiled in otherworldly derring-do. M.R. James would also likely have appreciated that, among the weirdness, the occult rituals and occasional profanity, the story ultimately reflects certain Christian concepts of the afterlife and expiation of sins.
The story in this volume is complemented by an introduction by the author, in which he reminisces about his personal rapport with Jamesian ghost stories and their TV adaptations, a brief note on Byland Abbey, once one of the great ecclesiastical monasteries of the North and, most interestingly, the annotated Latin text of Snowball’s adventure as prepared by M.R. James.
I read this volume as an ebook and enjoyed it, but it would probably be much better appreciated in its physical format, where the “concept” of this publication is more attractively served.
https://endsoftheword.blogspot.com/20...
November 9, 2024
I have no idea what this was about... sorry my bad
October 21, 2021
The Tale of the Tailor and the Three Dead Kings is a medieval ghost story that was immortalised in the early fifteenth century. Dan Jones has based his retelling upon the original Latin scripture of the story. You can feel the authentic, old-time feel to the storytelling. The dialogue, the mannerisms, and the interpretations were at one with the story being told. The introduction sets up the story nicely and pushes you to think more deeply about the time in which the tale Is told. The story flowed beautifully even if it was super short.
A tailor called Snowball. A curious type of chap. He did bite off more than he could chew in this story. Although it is extremely tame compared to the horror that I find myself reading, this would have been very much out there in terms of storytelling in its day. Snowball is knocked off his horse by a savage raven. The raven then transforms itself into a monstrous dog and sets him off on a horrifying journey. I enjoyed the imagery, and the language and was excited to go along for the ride with poor Snowball.
It’s a great wee story for Halloween and takes no time at all to read, I had consumed this story within an hour. It was truly enjoyable with enough moments of horror and disbelief to keep me engaged until the very last page. The cover is stunning and any horror and history buffs will relish this quick tale.
A tailor called Snowball. A curious type of chap. He did bite off more than he could chew in this story. Although it is extremely tame compared to the horror that I find myself reading, this would have been very much out there in terms of storytelling in its day. Snowball is knocked off his horse by a savage raven. The raven then transforms itself into a monstrous dog and sets him off on a horrifying journey. I enjoyed the imagery, and the language and was excited to go along for the ride with poor Snowball.
It’s a great wee story for Halloween and takes no time at all to read, I had consumed this story within an hour. It was truly enjoyable with enough moments of horror and disbelief to keep me engaged until the very last page. The cover is stunning and any horror and history buffs will relish this quick tale.
Read
June 1, 2023Tough to rate something like this, so I’m just going to pass on even trying. This is a medieval ghost story originally transcribed in Latin by a monk, translated by the great MR James, and then reinterpreted by historian and writer Dan Jones. I’ve recently become a fan of primary sources and stories right out of history; while this isn’t exactly that (as it was retold by Jones), I still found it a worthwhile little glimpse into the past.
What stories were being told when Edward the Black Prince was trollopping around England? What were medieval people scared of? This story does give a glimpse into this, which I liked. Seems to me, from this story, not just hell itself but purgatory was a definite fear for medieval people….being cursed to wander until judgment day.
Overall, as a story, this was just okay. But as a sort of glimpse into the past, I liked it. If you are interested in the period, I think it’s worth a read. It’s also extremely short, so it won’t hold you up too long!
What stories were being told when Edward the Black Prince was trollopping around England? What were medieval people scared of? This story does give a glimpse into this, which I liked. Seems to me, from this story, not just hell itself but purgatory was a definite fear for medieval people….being cursed to wander until judgment day.
Overall, as a story, this was just okay. But as a sort of glimpse into the past, I liked it. If you are interested in the period, I think it’s worth a read. It’s also extremely short, so it won’t hold you up too long!
October 1, 2021
If you're looking for a short Halloween story to give you a little chill, this is not a bad place to start. It's a medieval tale retold by the historian Dan Jones (aka. my historian crush). I enjoyed the introduction about how the story was re-found and I liked the writing, which mixed modern with medieval.
ARC provided by the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review
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June 13, 2025
Dan Jones pārstāsta viduslaiku spoku stāstu. Tā ir viegli šausminoša un mīlīga pasaka, bet mūsdienās ar to nenobiedēt. Pozitīvi, ka tika izstāstīts kā atrada pierakstītā spoku stāsta oriģinālu un aprakstīts klosteris, kur stāsts ticis savulaik pierakstīts.
September 19, 2021
I really liked the concept and the beginning was nice and creepy, but the writing style was… hmmm. Also, exceptionally short!
January 12, 2022
Very interesting to read a ghost story that is this old. Though it didn't spook me, it was great to have a peek into a different era. I would have liked more elaboration on society at that time, because I have a feeling I am not seeing the whole picture. Though it's probably the title of the original text in the manuscript, I feel it is somewhat misleading. Only on the last few pages are the kings mentioned and I'm not even sure they needed to be mentioned. Again, maybe it's my lack of knowledge and therefore lack of context. Very enjoyable book for a winters evening.
October 26, 2021
Great spooky read for October! I've been excited to read something fictional from Dan Jones, and this retelling of a 600-year-old ghost story didn't disappoint.
February 29, 2024
2 stars ✨
HUH
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HUH
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January 29, 2022
I gave this five stars because of the additional information provided as an introduction to the story - about how the story came to be published as it is here. I think it’s important for historical writings to be carried forward and this one is definitely interesting as a ghost story seems totally out of place in amongst other serious records of the time.
As far as the story itself goes, I can imagine that in a time where imagination truly was in one’s head rather than than consumed via media and mass productions, it would have been rather otherworldly and scary. It had the air of mystery and left a lot unresolved, which the author of this version discusses as prerequisite for a good ghost story.
It was a good short read for the historical interest, rather than a super scary ghost story.
As far as the story itself goes, I can imagine that in a time where imagination truly was in one’s head rather than than consumed via media and mass productions, it would have been rather otherworldly and scary. It had the air of mystery and left a lot unresolved, which the author of this version discusses as prerequisite for a good ghost story.
It was a good short read for the historical interest, rather than a super scary ghost story.
January 9, 2022
creepy little retelling of a medieval ghost story plus some history in the front which fed my history nerd heart
October 18, 2021
“A late-medieval humdinger”
Is how Dan Jones describes The Tale of the Tailor and the Three Dead Kings, but I found the origins of this medieval ghost story almost more fascinating than the story itself
M.R. James, Cambridge scholar and himself a writer of ghost stories, was leafing through the archives of the British Museum in the 1920’s when he found a reference to a 500-year old volume in the Royal Collection. In itself not peculiar, except for the fact that it contained a dozen medieval ghost stories written in the year AD1400 by a monk at Byland Abbey in Yorkshire. The stories were written two centuries after the bulk of the works in the volume, scribed on empty pages left by the Cistercian monks between snippets of Roman and Christian theological texts
I suspect if I was a 14th Century labourer with a limited education and a fear of purgatory, hell hounds and being cast out of the Church, then I would have been terrified of Snowball the Tailor’s story, but even with my limited ability to tolerate horror, I didn’t find it scary. What I loved about the Tale was how very local it felt. The writer obviously knew the roads between Gilling, Ampleforth and York and it felt very strongly of both its time and place. My biggest question that will, no doubt, remain unanswered, was what was the purpose of these stories; entertainment, moralising or perhaps a chronicle of folklore?
A compelling piece of history and I was weekly excited to se a picture of the page of the original manuscript at the back of the book. This is a short read and one to pick up on a dark, cold night with bare tree branches tapping at the windows
Is how Dan Jones describes The Tale of the Tailor and the Three Dead Kings, but I found the origins of this medieval ghost story almost more fascinating than the story itself
M.R. James, Cambridge scholar and himself a writer of ghost stories, was leafing through the archives of the British Museum in the 1920’s when he found a reference to a 500-year old volume in the Royal Collection. In itself not peculiar, except for the fact that it contained a dozen medieval ghost stories written in the year AD1400 by a monk at Byland Abbey in Yorkshire. The stories were written two centuries after the bulk of the works in the volume, scribed on empty pages left by the Cistercian monks between snippets of Roman and Christian theological texts
I suspect if I was a 14th Century labourer with a limited education and a fear of purgatory, hell hounds and being cast out of the Church, then I would have been terrified of Snowball the Tailor’s story, but even with my limited ability to tolerate horror, I didn’t find it scary. What I loved about the Tale was how very local it felt. The writer obviously knew the roads between Gilling, Ampleforth and York and it felt very strongly of both its time and place. My biggest question that will, no doubt, remain unanswered, was what was the purpose of these stories; entertainment, moralising or perhaps a chronicle of folklore?
A compelling piece of history and I was weekly excited to se a picture of the page of the original manuscript at the back of the book. This is a short read and one to pick up on a dark, cold night with bare tree branches tapping at the windows
February 6, 2022
Amongst the papers of a Yorkshire abbey are a bunch of ghost stories written around six hundred years ago. In this gorgeously designed little book Jones retells the tale of Snowball the tailor who is confronted by spirits on his journey home. Perfectly atmospheric to curl up with on a wintry evening.
November 5, 2021
My thanks to Head of Zeus Apollo for an eARC via NetGalley of ‘The Tale of the Tailor and the Three Dead Kings’ by Dan Jones in exchange for an honest review.
During the reign of Richard II Snowball, a tailor, was riding home on a wet, gloomy night. Then he is knocked off his horse by a raven, who then transforms into a hideous dog. The dog orders Snowball to seek out a priest and ask for absolution … or else.
This medieval ghost story was first recorded in the early 15th century by an unknown monk. In 1922 M.R. James, medievalist and ghost story writer, discovered a number of fragmented supernatural tales at Byland Abbey in Yorkshire and transcribed them from the Latin.
Historian Dan Jones has provided an introduction followed by his own retelling of this creepy medieval ghost story. This is followed by a short history of Byland Abbey and finally the Latin text, edited and annotated by M.R. James.
This is a very short book. I would have thought that retelling a number of the stories discovered by James at Byland Abbey would have given it more substance, though from Jones’ Introduction it appears that Snowball’s story was the longest and most complete.
Overall, I enjoyed this retelling and appreciated the background provided by Dan Jones.
3.5 stars rounded up to 4.
During the reign of Richard II Snowball, a tailor, was riding home on a wet, gloomy night. Then he is knocked off his horse by a raven, who then transforms into a hideous dog. The dog orders Snowball to seek out a priest and ask for absolution … or else.
This medieval ghost story was first recorded in the early 15th century by an unknown monk. In 1922 M.R. James, medievalist and ghost story writer, discovered a number of fragmented supernatural tales at Byland Abbey in Yorkshire and transcribed them from the Latin.
Historian Dan Jones has provided an introduction followed by his own retelling of this creepy medieval ghost story. This is followed by a short history of Byland Abbey and finally the Latin text, edited and annotated by M.R. James.
This is a very short book. I would have thought that retelling a number of the stories discovered by James at Byland Abbey would have given it more substance, though from Jones’ Introduction it appears that Snowball’s story was the longest and most complete.
Overall, I enjoyed this retelling and appreciated the background provided by Dan Jones.
3.5 stars rounded up to 4.
July 31, 2022
The story was decent but felt like it lacked emotion or suspense for the length of it. The historical background surrounding it was incredibly fascinating but I didn’t feel it was as suspenseful as perhaps the monk/monks had first intended. Not that that is the author or the monk’s fault. It just is what it is.
September 12, 2022
Although short, this tale was still enjoyable to read. A goulish medieval tale resurrected from a Latin short story written by a young priest from the Byland Abbey. Jones found this text in the archives of the British Museum and decided to publish it with a few adjustments (it was originally for his children to read). What really makes it interesting, is his story of how he came across it, and the copy of the original text in Latin at the back of the book. He also gives the reader a short history of Byland Abbey which was fascinating. I look forward to reading his new release Essex Dogs.
February 2, 2026
A gorgeous edition and a good (spooky) ghost story. The art in the book works wonderfully to induce the feeling of a medieval manuscript, in addition to just being very pretty.
In this story, Jones retells a ghost story from the Byland Abbey manuscript concerning the tailor Snowball. When Snowball returns home from working on Jack the Reeve's cloak he is attacked by a raven, which escalates to being cursed and needing to help a ghost escape purgatory. I can't tell how true it is to the original manuscript (though the addition of the story in latin at the end is a neat addition), but the tone and atmosphere brings about feelings of being hundreds of years in the past and fearing for your eternal soul. I would highly recommend it!
In this story, Jones retells a ghost story from the Byland Abbey manuscript concerning the tailor Snowball. When Snowball returns home from working on Jack the Reeve's cloak he is attacked by a raven, which escalates to being cursed and needing to help a ghost escape purgatory. I can't tell how true it is to the original manuscript (though the addition of the story in latin at the end is a neat addition), but the tone and atmosphere brings about feelings of being hundreds of years in the past and fearing for your eternal soul. I would highly recommend it!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 11, 2021
This is a chilling medieval ghost story, retold by historian Dan Jones. I enjoyed reading it but I didn't love it. The writing style was my favourite part.
June 17, 2023
Simply put: not my cup of tea.
May 11, 2022
Think I would've preferred to read the original story. Dan Jones's prose leaves much to be desired.
November 3, 2021
Perhaps it's the historian in me, but ghost stories from the past are much spookier than modern ones. The Tale of the Tailor and the Three Dead Kings is a Medieval story written by a Medieval monk - in Latin, no less - that has been updated by the modern historian Dan Jones. The best of both worlds.
In a time when ghosts, superstition and all things supernatural ruled over just about everything else, it's easy to imagine this story being told over the fire and frightening everyone to death. Jones does a perfect job of making this modern enough to be enthralled in the tale while still keeping the Medieval elements. It helps to read it by candle light.
As with all great ghost stories, a tailor is travelling along a dark road at night in winter, alone on horseback. After hearing eerie sounds a grotesque raven hits him. It quickly transforms into a gory dog that gives him a challenge with an ultimatum. At the heart of this is the ghost of a criminal, who shall not be named. Brilliant imagery and Medieval horrors and chills.
The story is a very short one, but the book is supported by the history of the abbey and the background to the tale, including the Latin version for those who wish to translate it for themselves. A small format book making this a collectable for the connoisseur of history or ghost stories. Recommended for those who love real folklore and history.
In a time when ghosts, superstition and all things supernatural ruled over just about everything else, it's easy to imagine this story being told over the fire and frightening everyone to death. Jones does a perfect job of making this modern enough to be enthralled in the tale while still keeping the Medieval elements. It helps to read it by candle light.
As with all great ghost stories, a tailor is travelling along a dark road at night in winter, alone on horseback. After hearing eerie sounds a grotesque raven hits him. It quickly transforms into a gory dog that gives him a challenge with an ultimatum. At the heart of this is the ghost of a criminal, who shall not be named. Brilliant imagery and Medieval horrors and chills.
The story is a very short one, but the book is supported by the history of the abbey and the background to the tale, including the Latin version for those who wish to translate it for themselves. A small format book making this a collectable for the connoisseur of history or ghost stories. Recommended for those who love real folklore and history.
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