Eleanore M. Jewett (1890 to 1967) was an American author born in New York City. She taught English and history, had a happy 50-year marriage, two daughters, and she taught Sunday School for many years at her church. Two of her most famous novels are reviewed below. Both of them give a good picture of medieval life, the first in an abbey, the second in a knight’s castle. The two novels are at a middle school reading level, though they could be enjoyed by an older student (or an adult like me).
The Hidden Treasure of Glaston, which won the Newbery Honor Medal in 1947, is probably Jewett’s best-known book. Just so you know, several Newbery Honor Medals, which are runner-ups to the Newbery Award, are given each year along with a single Newbery Award. Glaston means Glaston Abbey, just west of Bath in Devonshire in England (a shire in England roughly corresponds to something between a county and a state in America). The year is 1171 AD and the country is in turmoil because four knights loyal to King Henry II had just murdered Archbishop of Canterbury Thomas Becket. The twelve-year-old Hugh, who has one bad leg, is given to Glaston Abbey by his father, where his love of books and ability to read and write make him an assistant to the abbey librarian. The novel gives a good picture of the quiet, simple abbey life with some spiritual depth and a favorable view of Christianity. From this modest beginning, Jewett weaves an exciting tale involving Dickon, who is Hugh’s blood brother, secret tunnels, concealed doors, hidden treasure, a mad hermit, a lost book, a tremendous fire, and the legendary connection of Glaston Abbey to Joseph of Arimathea and King Arthur and the Holy Grail. I would classify this book as a historical novel with some legendary elements mixed in.
Big John’s Secret is set in 1216, 40 years after The Hidden Treasure of Glaston. King John (the one who was Prince John to Robin Hood), after stirring up trouble, had just died and so King Henry III came to the throne. Big John, so-named because of his size and strength inherited from his father, is a twelve-year old boy being raised by Old Marm, a former servant of his parents who rescued him when their castle was attacked and burned. For his safety, she never tells him who his father was but in secret, she teaches him how to be a page and squire, so that he will be ready to someday claim his inheritance as a knight. John also learns much about medicine from Marm, who knows herbs and healing. Her Celtic background gives her the second sight, which plays a small role in the book. John gets a chance to be a squire and discovers his father’s name. His quest to find his father leads him to the 5th Crusade, Jerusalem, Egypt, and he meets St. Francis of Assisi, who really did go on that Crusade in order to tell the Saracens about the Lord Jesus Christ. To find out if John ever found his father alive, and what his life choices became, you’ll have to read the book, which is another historical novel containing a small amount of fanciful material.
