A Land of Broken Vows
Lifepath Adventures: Monks
by Steve Dixon
GoodBookStall Review:
Another Lifepath story for 8-11s that brings history to life. It is 1141 and Matilda and her cousin Stephen are fighting for the crown: promised to Matilda by her Father and his Barons, till after King Henry died the Barons broke their promise and crowned Stephen instead. As usual it is the poor who suffer, but it is every layer of society that has to follow the promises they made to those above them, despite the fact that those at the top had broken their promises.
Young John is travelling with his Father to Baron Gilbert’s castle when they are attacked and John’s Father is badly injured. John’s Father tells John to help him onto his horse and then to carefully lead it along a path down into a valley. Here they are found by a Monk and taken into the Monastry which is hidden away in the heart of the valley. Unbeknown to John this is the beginning of many years living in this place. John has to behave as if he has chosen to become a monk, he learns many things, not least that the monks only owe their allegiance to God.
A thoroughly good read, with some surprising twists and turns to keep you reading.
Reviewer: Mary Bartholomew (30/06/09)
Another Lifepath story for 8-11s that brings history to life. It is 1141 and Matilda and her cousin Stephen are fighting for the crown: promised to Matilda by her Father and his Barons, till after King Henry died the Barons broke their promise and crowned Stephen instead. As usual it is the poor who suffer, but it is every layer of society that has to follow the promises they made to those above them, despite the fact that those at the top had broken their promises.
Young John is travelling with his Father to Baron Gilbert’s castle when they are attacked and John’s Father is badly injured. John’s Father tells John to help him onto his horse and then to carefully lead it along a path down into a valley. Here they are found by a Monk and taken into the Monastry which is hidden away in the heart of the valley. Unbeknown to John this is the beginning of many years living in this place. John has to behave as if he has chosen to become a monk, he learns many things, not least that the monks only owe their allegiance to God.
A thoroughly good read, with some surprising twists and turns to keep you reading.
Reviewer: Mary Bartholomew (30/06/09)
