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CAPUCHE: A Historic Medieval Tale of a Forbidden Love and a Barbaric Church
Capuche never intended to be another Robin Hood story, even as it uncovers origins of this folk hero as he appeared at the dawn of 13th-century England.
The tale opens with a brutal medieval public execution in 1213 England and is the true story of Sir Morvran ab moel Llywarch, a Welsh Noble, and sister Mary -- a medieval saga of a forbidden love, persecuted and crushed by a barbaric Catholic Church.
The narrative follows actual events and personalities, and a tragedy of suffering unfolds, but also of hope and passion -- a mystical journey in search of the beyond and the power of love under the most arduous circumstances.
At the dawn of the 1200s, the well-educated Noble, Sir Morvran Llywarch, loved books and manuscripts and chose an academic life over Knighthood.
As a scholar and archivist, he worked with a female Clergy member on improving manuscript bookmaking. And as they collaborated, they became friends, and their lives turned irreversibly when they fell in love.
Their world was not forgiving about out-of-wedlock relationships, even more so when it involved a Nun, which put their lives at great peril.
At the same time, in his search for knowledge and the mysterious, Morvran embraced the eternal esoteric teachings of the Cathars and became one of their leaders known as Capuche .
In the 13th-century feudal world of corruption and hypocrisy by the Catholic Church, the teachings and lifestyle of the Cathars stood out as a beacon of hope for a tyrannized and abused population.
But they were a thorn in the eyes of the Catholic Church and threatened by their presence and acceptance, the Church regarded them as heretics and religious pagans -- to be pursued, tried by the Inquisition, and burned at the stake.
Witnessing this savage cruelty, Morvran, as Capuche, set out to take from the Church and even the scales, giving relief to the oppressed. He and Mary and the Cathars were loved and lived among the people whom they supported and helped and taught in the arts of healing, medicine, hygiene, literacy, and for those who wanted, the esoteric Cathar teachings.
But their illicit love, Morvran’s Cathar affiliation as Capuche, and his campaigns against the Church attracted attention and ultimately provoked the terrifying wrath of the Religious Clergy.
Relentless in its pursuit Rome declared the Albigensian Crusade (1209 – 1229), targeting the Cathars in France and England. They would not stop hunting down Capuche to eradicate the Cathar heresy and restore the faith and more importantly, the income back into its coffers.
The Cathars, though, were loved and had powerful allies in the Knights Templar who protected and guarded them against the religious fervor.
Exposing them and Capuche’s identity proved difficult -- they were part of the population hidden in plain sight.
But the Catholic Church would not stop.
____________________
The tale opens with a brutal medieval public execution in 1213 England and is the true story of Sir Morvran ab moel Llywarch, a Welsh Noble, and sister Mary -- a medieval saga of a forbidden love, persecuted and crushed by a barbaric Catholic Church.
The narrative follows actual events and personalities, and a tragedy of suffering unfolds, but also of hope and passion -- a mystical journey in search of the beyond and the power of love under the most arduous circumstances.
At the dawn of the 1200s, the well-educated Noble, Sir Morvran Llywarch, loved books and manuscripts and chose an academic life over Knighthood.
As a scholar and archivist, he worked with a female Clergy member on improving manuscript bookmaking. And as they collaborated, they became friends, and their lives turned irreversibly when they fell in love.
Their world was not forgiving about out-of-wedlock relationships, even more so when it involved a Nun, which put their lives at great peril.
At the same time, in his search for knowledge and the mysterious, Morvran embraced the eternal esoteric teachings of the Cathars and became one of their leaders known as Capuche .
In the 13th-century feudal world of corruption and hypocrisy by the Catholic Church, the teachings and lifestyle of the Cathars stood out as a beacon of hope for a tyrannized and abused population.
But they were a thorn in the eyes of the Catholic Church and threatened by their presence and acceptance, the Church regarded them as heretics and religious pagans -- to be pursued, tried by the Inquisition, and burned at the stake.
Witnessing this savage cruelty, Morvran, as Capuche, set out to take from the Church and even the scales, giving relief to the oppressed. He and Mary and the Cathars were loved and lived among the people whom they supported and helped and taught in the arts of healing, medicine, hygiene, literacy, and for those who wanted, the esoteric Cathar teachings.
But their illicit love, Morvran’s Cathar affiliation as Capuche, and his campaigns against the Church attracted attention and ultimately provoked the terrifying wrath of the Religious Clergy.
Relentless in its pursuit Rome declared the Albigensian Crusade (1209 – 1229), targeting the Cathars in France and England. They would not stop hunting down Capuche to eradicate the Cathar heresy and restore the faith and more importantly, the income back into its coffers.
The Cathars, though, were loved and had powerful allies in the Knights Templar who protected and guarded them against the religious fervor.
Exposing them and Capuche’s identity proved difficult -- they were part of the population hidden in plain sight.
But the Catholic Church would not stop.
____________________
369 pages, Hardcover
First published February 24, 2022
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
April 23, 2026
*i had chatgpt help me with this part of my review* Set in the 1200s, the Cathars were a medieval religious movement in southern France, and believed in a stark divide between spirit and matter, (dualism). They embraced simplicity and rejected the established Catholic Church—beliefs that ultimately led to their persecution and evental annihilation by the Church.The Cathars had a very different understanding of Christ than mainstream Christianity. At the heart of their belief was dualism—the idea that the spiritual world is good, and the material world is flawed or even evil. Because of that, they believed Christ was purely spiritual. They did not believe Jesus was truly physical. Instead, they saw Him as a divine messenger or manifestation of God who only appeared human. He came to bring knowledge, not to die for sin. Rather than focusing on the crucifixion as a sacrifice for sin, they believed Christ’s mission was to reveal hidden spiritual truth—helping souls recognize their divine origin and escape the material world. They often drew on ideas similar to the Gnostic Gospels. These writings also emphasize secret knowledge (gnosis) and a deeper, inner understanding of Christ’s message.
*ok... now this is all me... I loved this book with all my heart! The book included a glossary of the actual historical characters represented in the book which I referred to frequently! I came to know and love their gentle spirits. The mysticism in the book was beautiful...i highly recommend
*ok... now this is all me... I loved this book with all my heart! The book included a glossary of the actual historical characters represented in the book which I referred to frequently! I came to know and love their gentle spirits. The mysticism in the book was beautiful...i highly recommend
July 28, 2026
There are some books that challenge expectations, and "Capuche" by Hotse Langeraar is certainly one of them. Blending history, mystery and legend, this ambitious novel offers a fresh interpretation of the Robin Hood story through the lens of Cathar history.
From the opening pages, it is clear that Langeraar has a genuine passion for the medieval world. His knowledge of the period and the Cathars is evident throughout, and his reimagining of the Robin Hood legend is both original and thought-provoking. Rather than relying on familiar interpretations, he presents readers with an entirely different perspective, creating a narrative that stands apart from more traditional retellings. It is an ambitious premise that succeeds in giving a familiar legend a distinctive historical and religious context.
At the heart of the novel is Morvran, a memorable protagonist whose journey is one of faith, sacrifice and unwavering conviction. He is far removed from the familiar Robin Hood of folklore, yet he embodies the courage, compassion and sense of justice that have made the legendary outlaw endure through the centuries. His relationship with Marian forms the heart of the novel, elevating it beyond a simple reimagining of the Robin Hood legend. Their relationship develops naturally, making their shared journey one of the novel's most rewarding aspects.
Morvran is also a character shaped by inner conflict. Haunted by the abuse he suffered in his youth, his struggles with faith, loyalty and identity make him far more than a conventional heroic figure. It is these quieter moments of reflection that reveal his humanity. Although he is capable of great courage, he is never portrayed as infallible, making his journey all the more believable and allowing readers to understand both his strengths and his vulnerabilities.
The supporting cast is equally well realised. Loyal friends, wise mentors and honourable allies each play an important role in shaping Morvran's path, while the antagonists serve as a reminder of the dangers of religious intolerance and the abuse of power. I particularly appreciated that the characters are rarely presented as entirely good or entirely evil. Instead, they are allowed moments of compassion, doubt, courage and weakness, making them feel more authentic than simple historical archetypes. The relationships between the characters also evolve naturally as the story progresses. Alliances are tested, trust is earned rather than assumed, and even secondary characters are given opportunities to influence the direction of the narrative.
One of the aspects I appreciated most was the balance between the novel's broader historical themes and its personal relationships. While the wider conflict provides the backdrop, it is the characters' loyalties, friendships and sacrifices that keep the story grounded and make readers care about their journeys. The exploration of faith, persecution and conscience gives the novel an added layer of depth, encouraging readers to reflect on the moral choices facing the characters rather than viewing the conflict in simple terms of good versus evil.
Where the novel fell short for me was in its execution. The writing style is distinctive, with heavily stylised dialogue intended to evoke the language of the period. While this undoubtedly creates atmosphere and gives the novel its own voice, I occasionally found it interrupted the natural flow of the narrative. Some of the dialogue also made the lower-born characters sound less intelligent than I believe the author intended. Their actions consistently demonstrate wisdom, compassion and strength of character, yet the phonetic speech occasionally distracts from those qualities. At times, I found myself concentrating more on how the dialogue was written than on what the characters were actually saying.
I also found the narrative leaned more towards telling than showing. Rather than allowing scenes to unfold naturally through the characters' actions and dialogue, it often explains emotions and events instead of letting readers draw their own conclusions. At times, this gives the narrative a slightly episodic, "and then this happened" quality. As a result, I never felt quite as immersed in the story as I wanted to be. This was particularly noticeable during moments that should have carried greater emotional impact. Instead of allowing those scenes to speak for themselves, the narrative often explained their significance, reducing some of the immediacy that might otherwise have drawn me further into the story.
Despite these reservations, Morvran and Marian's relationship remains one of the novel's greatest strengths, while its exploration of faith, conscience and persecution adds depth to the narrative. The closing chapters provide a satisfying conclusion to an imaginative retelling of the Robin Hood legend, bringing together the novel's historical, spiritual and personal threads in a thoughtful and fitting way.
"Capuche" is an ambitious and imaginative work of historical fiction that will appeal to readers looking for something different. While the writing style and narrative approach occasionally prevented me from becoming fully immersed, there is much to admire in the originality of its premise, the strength of its central characters and the ambition behind its reinterpretation of the Robin Hood legend. It offers a fresh perspective on one of England's most enduring legends and introduces readers to a fascinating interpretation that is unlike any other I have encountered.
Review by Mary Anne Yarde
The Coffee Pot Book Club
From the opening pages, it is clear that Langeraar has a genuine passion for the medieval world. His knowledge of the period and the Cathars is evident throughout, and his reimagining of the Robin Hood legend is both original and thought-provoking. Rather than relying on familiar interpretations, he presents readers with an entirely different perspective, creating a narrative that stands apart from more traditional retellings. It is an ambitious premise that succeeds in giving a familiar legend a distinctive historical and religious context.
At the heart of the novel is Morvran, a memorable protagonist whose journey is one of faith, sacrifice and unwavering conviction. He is far removed from the familiar Robin Hood of folklore, yet he embodies the courage, compassion and sense of justice that have made the legendary outlaw endure through the centuries. His relationship with Marian forms the heart of the novel, elevating it beyond a simple reimagining of the Robin Hood legend. Their relationship develops naturally, making their shared journey one of the novel's most rewarding aspects.
Morvran is also a character shaped by inner conflict. Haunted by the abuse he suffered in his youth, his struggles with faith, loyalty and identity make him far more than a conventional heroic figure. It is these quieter moments of reflection that reveal his humanity. Although he is capable of great courage, he is never portrayed as infallible, making his journey all the more believable and allowing readers to understand both his strengths and his vulnerabilities.
The supporting cast is equally well realised. Loyal friends, wise mentors and honourable allies each play an important role in shaping Morvran's path, while the antagonists serve as a reminder of the dangers of religious intolerance and the abuse of power. I particularly appreciated that the characters are rarely presented as entirely good or entirely evil. Instead, they are allowed moments of compassion, doubt, courage and weakness, making them feel more authentic than simple historical archetypes. The relationships between the characters also evolve naturally as the story progresses. Alliances are tested, trust is earned rather than assumed, and even secondary characters are given opportunities to influence the direction of the narrative.
One of the aspects I appreciated most was the balance between the novel's broader historical themes and its personal relationships. While the wider conflict provides the backdrop, it is the characters' loyalties, friendships and sacrifices that keep the story grounded and make readers care about their journeys. The exploration of faith, persecution and conscience gives the novel an added layer of depth, encouraging readers to reflect on the moral choices facing the characters rather than viewing the conflict in simple terms of good versus evil.
Where the novel fell short for me was in its execution. The writing style is distinctive, with heavily stylised dialogue intended to evoke the language of the period. While this undoubtedly creates atmosphere and gives the novel its own voice, I occasionally found it interrupted the natural flow of the narrative. Some of the dialogue also made the lower-born characters sound less intelligent than I believe the author intended. Their actions consistently demonstrate wisdom, compassion and strength of character, yet the phonetic speech occasionally distracts from those qualities. At times, I found myself concentrating more on how the dialogue was written than on what the characters were actually saying.
I also found the narrative leaned more towards telling than showing. Rather than allowing scenes to unfold naturally through the characters' actions and dialogue, it often explains emotions and events instead of letting readers draw their own conclusions. At times, this gives the narrative a slightly episodic, "and then this happened" quality. As a result, I never felt quite as immersed in the story as I wanted to be. This was particularly noticeable during moments that should have carried greater emotional impact. Instead of allowing those scenes to speak for themselves, the narrative often explained their significance, reducing some of the immediacy that might otherwise have drawn me further into the story.
Despite these reservations, Morvran and Marian's relationship remains one of the novel's greatest strengths, while its exploration of faith, conscience and persecution adds depth to the narrative. The closing chapters provide a satisfying conclusion to an imaginative retelling of the Robin Hood legend, bringing together the novel's historical, spiritual and personal threads in a thoughtful and fitting way.
"Capuche" is an ambitious and imaginative work of historical fiction that will appeal to readers looking for something different. While the writing style and narrative approach occasionally prevented me from becoming fully immersed, there is much to admire in the originality of its premise, the strength of its central characters and the ambition behind its reinterpretation of the Robin Hood legend. It offers a fresh perspective on one of England's most enduring legends and introduces readers to a fascinating interpretation that is unlike any other I have encountered.
Review by Mary Anne Yarde
The Coffee Pot Book Club
July 19, 2023
Difficult
This was a very difficult read. So many misspellings, typos, incomplete sentences and lack of punctuation made it incomprehensible at times. I doubt there was a proofreader involved at all. The author must have paid to have this published.
This was a very difficult read. So many misspellings, typos, incomplete sentences and lack of punctuation made it incomprehensible at times. I doubt there was a proofreader involved at all. The author must have paid to have this published.
May 5, 2022
I knew of the Cathars and of the bloody vengeance meted out to them, and later to the Templars, by the “Christian” Church, though few details. This faction novel gives an easily understood overview of the Cathars’ life-ethos while keeping the central thread focused on the two main characters who are both trying to come to terms with betrayal in their earlier lives.
The author does a fine job of portraying an unfolding friendship which morphs into love. In the semi-background of historical events, religious ideology fuels the self-righteousness of leaders who could not be held to account, and who would pardon all atrocities undertaken in its name. Details matter in a novel. The work of the parchmenter I found particularly fascinating. Subsidiary character, Ann, came across as a thoroughly contemptible individual – until what she had endured was revealed, when it all made perfect sense, on the personal level and as a mirror to society.
Although there are some slips in English usage, for the most part these support the ambience of the historical period portrayed, as did the use of early English place names. I applaud the short endnotes, something I didn’t expect to appreciate in a novel. Here they add to the veracity of the text. Some were eye-opening in themselves, others I spent time away from the story chasing down for more depth (hyperlinks would have been useful). What was shown was the collusion between State and Church, and the utter contempt for the lives of the common people.
This is not a novel with an overtly happy ending, but it has a satisfying ending. In trying so hard to crush dissent, the main characters were eulogised by the populace into a legend we know today, and the Catholic Church laid the foundations for the later, well-deserved, Reformation.
Read as an ebook via Kindle Unlimited.
The author does a fine job of portraying an unfolding friendship which morphs into love. In the semi-background of historical events, religious ideology fuels the self-righteousness of leaders who could not be held to account, and who would pardon all atrocities undertaken in its name. Details matter in a novel. The work of the parchmenter I found particularly fascinating. Subsidiary character, Ann, came across as a thoroughly contemptible individual – until what she had endured was revealed, when it all made perfect sense, on the personal level and as a mirror to society.
Although there are some slips in English usage, for the most part these support the ambience of the historical period portrayed, as did the use of early English place names. I applaud the short endnotes, something I didn’t expect to appreciate in a novel. Here they add to the veracity of the text. Some were eye-opening in themselves, others I spent time away from the story chasing down for more depth (hyperlinks would have been useful). What was shown was the collusion between State and Church, and the utter contempt for the lives of the common people.
This is not a novel with an overtly happy ending, but it has a satisfying ending. In trying so hard to crush dissent, the main characters were eulogised by the populace into a legend we know today, and the Catholic Church laid the foundations for the later, well-deserved, Reformation.
Read as an ebook via Kindle Unlimited.
June 23, 2022
This book grew on me the more that I read. The plot improved and the characters took shape. But three things really bothered me. One was the use of modern terms for characters living in the 12thC. The Cathars engaging in "outreach" is a bit far fetched, as is describing the air filled with "cannabis". Second, the language used by characters of low IQ sounded more like broken Italian than Middle English. Finally, the book's Cathars began to take on a psychological dimension that I'm not convinced was resident at that time.
Despite the problems described above, Capuche was an engaging book. The story line was plausible, and took some very interesting turns.
Despite the problems described above, Capuche was an engaging book. The story line was plausible, and took some very interesting turns.
April 21, 2022
Capuche - Worth Your Read
While the text requires editing, i found the story to be excellent. Well done. Intriguing description of the Catharsis and their trials at the hands of the Catholic Church in Medieval times.
While the text requires editing, i found the story to be excellent. Well done. Intriguing description of the Catharsis and their trials at the hands of the Catholic Church in Medieval times.
February 9, 2024
Difficult writing style to keep track of. Was it a history or historical fiction? Hard to discern. Came to the conclusion that even though it was a story about the Cathars it read like a Robin Hood Maid Marion story.
July 20, 2024
I really enjoyed this book!
Thank you for this...I almost could not put it down. You brought to life a time of hope and dispair, like few books I have read. Bringing history to life is a gift.
Thank you for this...I almost could not put it down. You brought to life a time of hope and dispair, like few books I have read. Bringing history to life is a gift.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews