Medieval & Renaissance Mysteries

I had joined Cassandra () today to see the site for March's "Vision of the 12 Goddesses", (an Elizabethan Masque) of which I am Deputy Autocrating for the first time as Cassandra's second.

I had mentioned I started reading "period" mysteries that were really great. Of course, the period I'm talking about is the High Middle Ages in post-Norman Conquest Britain and France. It was recommended I post the series I've been reading in case others were interested.

I started with Edward Marston's Domesday series which I stumbled across by the recommendation of Master Cynric of Bedwyn. The first book, "Wolves of Savernake", references his home village. I've read all but one in the series.

Ralph Delchard and Gervase Bret are commissioners, appointed by William the Conqueror, to look into the serious irregularities that come to light during the compilation of Domesday Book, the great survey of England. Delchard is a Norman soldier who fought at the Battle of Hastings, and who does not suffer fools gladly. Bret, a talented lawyer, comes from mixed Saxon and Breton parentage. They make a highly effective crime-fighting team in a violent and unstable period of history. Each of the books in the series takes them to a different English county.

I just started two other collections - I completed "A Morbid Taste of Bones", the first book in the Brother Cadfael series. Cadfael is a Welsh monk who joined the Brotherhood late in life after living worldly as a soldier and sailor. I'm ready to read the next.

I just began "Death Comes as Epiphany" of the Catherine LeVendeur series - very good so far. Plus Sister Catherine is a woman after my own heart - one who joined the cloister to study and read and learn.

I have two more series here to start but I think I'll return the books to the library and work on the ones I've started. ;) What other books are you reading?

Benjamin Le Bruyn of Tarvin Hallow

Alone on Super Bowl Sunday - gatherings?

I'm all alone on Super Bowl Sunday - the wife and Little Man are in MD helping the in-laws finalize their move. Just me and the dog. I know the Patriots aren't in but I always love watching the commercials and hanging out. Anyone having a gathering?