Good Masters! Sweet Ladies!: Voices from a Medieval Village

REVIEW

In this Newberry Medal-winning book the intrepid Schlitz doesn’t overwhelm her readers with setting details.  In any other historical fiction piece, this blatant exclusion would be the kiss of death; however, her historical notes, well-penned monologues and dialogues which avoid modern colloquialisms and contain a smattering of 13^th century lingo save her from this fate.

The story is set in an English manor in the year 1255.  The characters range in socio-status and present a historically-accurate view into the medieval world that millennial students can relate to.  Sitting on the highest rung on the socio-status ladder are Isobel and Hugo, the daughter and nephew of the manor’s lord, respectively.  Jacob, the Jewish moneylender’s son, and the young beggar Giles cling to the lowest rung.

Historical authenticity is provided via characters’ voices.  For example, Isobel is outraged and cannot understand why anyone would have thrown dung at her beautiful gown.  The expected upper-class sense of entitlement is present and familiar but when one reads the ingredients she uses to try and remove the stain they are instantly reminded that this book is deeply rooted in a time vastly different than the present day. Young readers will also be able to relate to the story because of the universal themes of friendship, problems with parents, money troubles and first love that she expertly weaves throughout the book.

Schlitz, L., & Byrd, R. (2007). Good Masters! Sweet Ladies!: Voices From a Medieval Village. Cambridge, Mass.: Candlewick Press.