[The King's Persons] re-creates a little-known aspect of English history with an attention to the nuances of commonplace life usually lost amid the panoply of historical romances that are preoccupied with large and glamorous movements. It is centered on the massacre of the Jews of York in 1190, which came as a climax to the anti-semitism aroused during a decade of Jewish immigration resulting from similar atrocities in Paris….

This background is studied by Mrs. Greenberg through a reporting of day-to-day events … in three areas. Most prominent is the Jewish section of York, where the reader meets Rabbi Elias, the chief spokesman; Baruch, one of the wealthiest men in England; Abram and Rana, Baruch's son and wife respectively; Josce, Baruch's former partner; and Bett, attractive Christian servant-girl. A second part of the action is set at the nearby monastery and, through Brothers Lewis and Simon, it explores the diocesan decay and strife within the Church. Finally, the role of the nobility is shown chiefly through Baron Malabestia and his squire, Richard de Kuckney. A subordinate theme is the love between Abram and Bett, frustrated by their environment.

In quiet, unspectacular fashion the bulk of the book depicts the ordinary, daily relationships among these three elements of medieval society. Ultimately they build into a bloody massacre led by Malabestia that ruthlessly and treacherously slaughters the leaders of the Jews and disperses the whole Jewish community. Abram escapes but is separated from Bett and he flees finally to solitude in southern England.

The picture is sympathetic to the Jewish viewpoint, as well it might be. Yet without denying the blot on Christian history that these events constitute, one does wish that the Church were a bit more robustly counterbalanced by some representatives who practice rather than merely speak Christ's teaching…. This [novel] is a good antidote for the selfrighteously inclined; but one that also calls for adult discernment.