Emma Leslie Church History Series, Medieval Church set

This 6-book series includes such notable events as the Crusades, the signing of the Magna Charta, and the first attempts at a Reformation in France, and such notable people as William the Conqueror, Wycliffe, and Huss.

The set includes:

1. Gytha’s Message: A Tale of Saxon England

Having discovered God’s love for her, Gytha, a young slave, longs to escape the violence and cruelty of the world and devote herself to learning more about this God of love. Instead she lives in a Saxon household that despises the name of Christ. Her simple faith and devoted service bring hope and purpose to those around her, especially during the dark days when England is defeated by William the Conqueror. Through all of her trials, can Gytha learn to trust that God often has greater work for us to do in the world than out of it?

Story Setting: Saxon England in 1053 – 1066 A.D.
Notable People and Events: William the Conqueror, Norman Conquest of England
Originally published in 1885; 222 pages; For Ages 10 – Adult

2. Leofwine the Monk: Or, The Curse of the Ericsons

Leofwine, unlike his wild, younger brother, finds no pleasure in terrorizing the countryside and longs to enter a monastery. Shortly after this dream is fulfilled, however, he hears strange rumors of a monk who preaches “heresy”. Unable to stop thinking about these new ideas, Leofwine at last determines to leave the monastery and England. Leofwine’s search for inner peace takes him to France and Rome and finally to Jerusalem, but in his travels, he uncovers a plot against his beloved country. Will he be able to help save England? And will he ever find true rest for his troubled soul?

Story Setting: Medieval Europe and Middle East in 1052 – 1066 A.D.
Notable People and Events: Lanfranc, Hildebrand, Norman Conquest of England
Originally published in 1881; 264 pages; For Ages 12 – Adult

3. Elfreda the Saxon: Or, The Orphan of Jerusalem, A Sequel to Leofwine

When Jerusalem is captured by the Muslims, Elfreda, a young orphan, is sent back to England to her mother’s sister. Her aunt is not at all pleased to see her, and her uncle fears she may have brought the family curse back to England. Elfreda’s cousin, Guy, who is joining King Richard’s Crusade, promises Elfreda that he will win such honor as a crusader that the curse will be removed. Over the years that follow, however, severe trials befall the family and Guy and Elfreda despair of the curse ever being lifted. Is it possible that there is One with power stronger than any curse?

Story Setting: Medieval Europe and Middle East in 1189 – 1215 A.D.
Notable People and Events: King Richard I, Crusades, Signing of the Magna Charta
Originally published in 1875; 265 pages; For Ages 12 – Adult

4. Dearer Than Life: A Tale of the Times of Wycliffe

Arriving home from a meeting of Parliament in London, Sir Hugh Middleton is shocked to learn that a neighboring monastery has laid claim to one of his fields. Sir Hugh steadfastly refuses to yield his property, and further offends the monastery by sending his younger son, Stephen, to study under Dr. John Wycliffe. At the same time, Sir Hugh sends his elder son, Harry, to serve as an attendant to the powerful Duke of Lancaster. As Wycliffe seeks to share the Word of God with the common people, Stephen and Harry and their sisters help spread the truth, but what will it cost them in the dangerous day in which they live?

Story Setting: England in 1366 – 1384 A.D.
Notable People and Events: Wycliffe, Richard II, English Translation of the Bible
Originally published in 1885; 255 pages; For Ages 12 – Adult

5. Before the Dawn: A Story of Wycliffe and Huss

Dame Ursula welcomes the visits of a kindly blacksmith to her crippled grandson, Conrad, but soon becomes suspicious that the blacksmith and his friend, Ned Trueman, are followers of John Wycliffe and his evil “heresy”. Conrad, meanwhile, wonders why all the remedies of the Church fail to cure him, and also why he doesn’t have a father like other boys. As he studies to become a famous Doctor of the Church, Conrad has the opportunity to hear Wycliffe preach, and then when he returns to his native Bohemia, he learns of the preaching of John Huss as well. Will Conrad accept these dangerous new ideas of Wycliffe and Huss? And will he ever find out what happened to his father?

Story Setting: England and Bohemia in 1382 – 1453 A.D.
Notable People and Events: Wycliffe, Huss, Geoffrey Chaucer, Council of Constance
Originally published in 1880; 250 pages; For Ages 12 – Adult

6. Faithful But Not Famous: A Tale of the French Reformation

Young Claude Leclerc travels to Paris to begin his training for the priesthood, but he is not sure what he believes about God. One day he learns the words to an old hymn and is drawn to the lines about “David’s Royal Fountain” that will “purge every sin away.” Claude yearns to find this fountain, and at last dares to ask the famous Dr. Lefevre where he can find it. His question leads Dr. Lefevre to set aside his study of the saints and study the Scriptures in earnest. As Dr. Lefevre grasps the wonderful truth of salvation by grace, he wants to share it with Claude, but Claude has mysteriously disappeared. Where is he? And will France receive the good news of the gospel of Jesus Christ?

Story Setting: France in 1510 – 1522 A.D.
Notable People and Events: Dr. Lefevre, Guillaume Farel, French Reformation
Originally published in 1872; 196 pages; For Ages 12 – Adult