Earl Hubert's Daughter, by Emily Sarah Holt.
________________________________________________________________________
This is one of Emily Holt's admirable and deeply researched historical
novels, this time set in the early years of the thirteenth century. The
main players in the story appear at first sight to be the upper-class
ladies of the Court, and their various somewhat confusing relationships.
But early in the book an old Jewish pedlar comes and displays rich wares
of a surprising value and variety. One of the girls asks if he can get
some special embroidery done on a scarf she wants to give as a present.
Abraham sends in his young daughter Belasez and conditions are agreed
such that she will not be called upon to do or eat anything she should
not, and all this seems to work very well. But the story involving
Belasez, her mother Licorice, and her brother Delecresse, gets more and
more involved and interesting. Belasez realises that there has been
something in the past that she wants to unearth, and gradually the whole
strange story is revealed.
________________________________________________________________________
EARL HUBERT'S DAUGHTER, BY EMILY SARAH HOLT.