August 11

The Winter Hare (1996)

By Joan Goodman

This young adult novel is set in 12th century England during that tumultuous period when Empress Matilda (King Henry's daughter) fought King Stephen for the throne.

Young Will Belet (nicknamed Rabbit for his small stature) dreams of becoming a knight.  He is sent to Orford Castle to train with the knights of Earl Aubrey de Vere, where his older brother John is already in training. Suspicious "accidents" take place at the castle.  While Earl Aubrey is cold and mean, Will finds encouragement and support in Lady Elaine, the earl's wife, and "Turtle", another page who really appears to be a Cornish noble sent to protect Will  Will's idealism ends when he engages in a real battle.  His skills as an herbalist (learned from his mother, from Lady Elaine, and from a friar) save many men.

He also develops a friendship with Edith Fitz Count.  Later, when King Stephen lays siege to Orford Castle when Empress Matilda is visiting,Will and Turtle help the empress escape to Margaret's family estate and they are promised land and titles.

This book is YA historic fiction, interesting and well-researched.  The author introduced many new (at least to me!) new words, i.e., demesne, quintain, argent, mangonel, jongleur.