Setting
Setting the Stage
The Queen's Man unfolds its tale amidst the frosty and turbulent backdrop of medieval England during the uncertain winter of 1192-93. The sea has whispered rumors of calamity, claiming the ship that was to carry Richard the Lionhearted home from the Third Crusade. The fate of the King remains a mystery cloaked in shadow, with no word yet reaching English shores. In his absence, the indomitable Eleanor of Aquitaine holds the reins of his kingdom, while John's ambitions grow as he marshals his forces, plotting his ascent to power. Meanwhile, the Holy Roman Emperor and King Philip of France find it beneficial to leave the English in suspense about Richard's survival.
The Mystery Unfolds
This intricate tapestry of events forms the backdrop of the novel’s mystery that Justin, our protagonist, is bound to unravel. As he rides forth from Winchester, a blizzard wraps around him like a white shroud, he stumbles upon a grim scene—a robbery and a murder in progress. With his last breaths, the victim, a goldsmith named Gervase Fitz Randolph, entrusts Justin with a sealed letter destined for Queen Eleanor, before succumbing to the cold embrace of death.
Determined, Justin sets aside his vague aspirations, embarking on a momentous journey to London to deliver the letter. There, the Queen charges him with unveiling the truth behind Gervase's demise, drawing Justin into a web of intrigue that demands his travels between Winchester and London in pursuit of answers.
The Medieval World Comes Alive
The novel paints a vivid tableau of medieval England through concise yet powerful imagery. It captures the icy lacework of tree branches and the soft impressions of animal tracks on the road from Winchester, moments before the deadly encounter. Justin’s investigations lead him through diverse layers of medieval society: a Benedictine abbey and a leper house, the goldsmith’s workshop, and a grain mill shrouded in the moon’s shadow.
In the bustling heart of London, Justin navigates from Queen Eleanor’s court in the Tower to a smithy, and to lodgings nestled on the reputable yet teeming Gracechurch Street. His sleuthing also takes him to the city’s darker corners: the gaols—spelled in the British manner, where shadows linger in cells; the notorious stews of Southwark where vice whispers at every corner; and Moorfields, an eerie marshland where another lifeless body lies.
Immersive Detail
With deft strokes, these scenes are rendered so vividly that readers can almost touch them, all while preserving the medieval perspective of the narrator. For instance, Justin’s first glimpse of London reveals its unpaved streets, a revelation of dust and mud that also serves to remind us of the era's few paved courtyards, cobbled with care. Another layer of authenticity is woven through the use of dual languages. Justin, educated by monks and nurtured in noble circles, converses in both French and English, as do those of "gentle birth," including the sheriffs. Meanwhile, the common folk speak solely in English, a language that would later evolve into what we know today as Middle English.
A Journey Through Time
Penman masterfully immerses the reader in the medieval world, each scene resonating with historical vibrancy. Although it lightly treads upon actual events, The Queen's Man offers a captivating escape into the late tenth-century British landscape, inviting readers to experience its rich tapestry of history and mystery.
Literary Qualities
Penman carved her niche in the literary world through her sweeping, complex tales of British historical luminaries. Her debut, The Sunne in Splendour (1982), casts a compassionate light on England's Richard III. Subsequent novels delved into the lives...
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of figures like Henry III and Joanna, King John's daughter. Critics lauded these works for their meticulous historical fidelity and rich, engrossing narratives brimming with human drama and emotion.
A Foray into Mystery
In her inaugural foray into the realm of mystery, Penman weaves the historical tapestry of Justin's quest with a light touch. Except for some early insights into Eleanor's distinctive life and status, historical nuances mainly surface through dialogue. Speculation about the king's absence and John's ulterior motives stirs in both elite circles and the common folk. Events such as the unresolved conclusion of the Third Crusade remain unspoken. This might mirror historical truths—subjects so detached from the populace's daily lives that they went unmentioned. Alternatively, their exclusion might simply reflect their irrelevance to the unfolding plot.
The narrative unfurls predominantly from Justin's viewpoint, within a confined third-person perspective. Occasionally, the lens shifts to other characters, yet these are invariably allies. Besides the bishops' opening verbal duel, glimpses into the thoughts of characters like the undersheriff or the Queen are revealed, but the antagonists' minds remain a mystery. Many readers might prefer this detachment, as the murderers are depicted as crude and unpleasant. Moreover, since the enigma revolves around the motive behind the goldsmith's death rather than the executioner, maintaining this distance serves the narrative's intrigue.
The Unraveling Mystery
The resolution of the mystery within The Queen's Man presents a confounding element. Though the author plants a discreet hint preceding Gervase's assault, and mistaken identity murders do occur in reality and fiction alike, the suspense hinges on a misleading premise—that Gervase was slain for political reasons. Discovering it was merely a case of mistaken identity—a nobleman despised for his dice deceit—delivers a near anticlimactic twist. Readers, alongside Justin, might sense the absurdity. While it could be a deliberate message by the author, it fails to emerge as a predominant theme.
The Popularity of Historical Mysteries
Historical mystery series have soared in popularity, spanning epochs from ancient Egypt and Rome to the Victorian age. Their sleuths range from accidental detectives in "cozy" mysteries to era-specific police detectives and private eyes. It’s notable that epic historical novels, akin to Penman's earlier works, have grown scarce. Mysteries set in bygone eras, alongside historical romances, entice those drawn to the exoticism and ambiance characteristic of pure historical fiction. Such audiences might not prioritize the "whodunit?" element as critically as some critics suggest. Nonetheless, Penman's work stands alongside Ellis Peters' Brother Cadfael series and Sharan Newman's Catherine LeVendeur tales as vivid mysteries of medieval life.
For Further Reference
Connally, Molly. School Library Journal 43 (March 1997): 216. This concise review and summary of The Queen's Man highlights its engaging narrative and strong appeal to the young adult audience.
Melton, Emily. Booklist 93 (November 1, 1996): 483. A succinct yet glowing review lauds the novel's artful storytelling, rich with genuine historical nuances and vibrant characters, propelled by a thrillingly swift plot.
Rhodes, Judith. "Penman, Sharon (Kay)." In Twentieth Century Romance and Historical Writers. Third edition. Detroit: St. James Press/Gale Research, 1994. This entry, though primarily focused on Penman's inaugural trilogy, delves into her adept navigation between historical accuracy and the demands of fictional narrative.
Steinberg, Sybil S. "PW Interviews Sharon Kay Penman." Publishers Weekly 228 (August 16, 1985): 72-73. This engaging interview stands as the most approachable source of insight into the author's personal journey and professional milestones.
