Troubadour

A story of persecution and poetry, love and war set in thirteenth century southern France. A troubadour, Bertran, witnesses the brutal murder of the Pope's legate, and risks his life to warn others of the war that he knows is certain to follow this act. The lands of the peaceable Cathars - deemed heretics - are now forfeit and under threat from crusaders who have been given authority by the Pope to take the Cathar domains by force. But the Pope is trying to track Bertran down and so is somebody else: Elinor, a young noblewoman in love with Bertran but facing a loveless arranged marriage, flees her family and becomes a minstrel herself. Soon both Bertran and Elinor find themselves enveloped in a rising tide of bloodshed that threatens the very fabric of their society. A dramatic historical thriller from the acclaimed author Mary Hoffman.

A story of persecution and poetry, love and war set in 13th century Southern France. As crusaders sweep through the country, destroying all those who do not follow their religion, Bertrand risks his life to warn others of the invasion. As a troubadour, Bertrand can travel without suspicion from castle to castle, passing word about the coming danger. In the meantime Elinor, a young noblewoman, in love with Bertrand, leaves her comfortable home and family and becomes a troubadour herself. Danger encircles them both, as the rising tide of bloodshed threatens the fabric of the society in which they live.

In the winter of 1208 while the dispute between the Pope and the Cathars intensifies, thirteen-year-old Lady Elinor, secretely in love with the troubadour Bertran de Miramont and determined to avoid her imminent marriage to an older man, runs away from her family's castle disguised as an apprentice troubadour, unaware of the dangers ahead as the Albigensian Crusade begins its onslaught on her native Languedoc. Frankrijk, 13e eeuw. Elinors vader wil haar uithuwelijken aan een oude man, maar ze is verliefd op Bertran. Elinor (13) vermomt zich als jongen en sluit zich aan bij een groep rondreizende troubadours. Vanaf ca. 15 jaar. NL-ZmNBD