The Merrymaid by Mollie Hardwick (1984)

The Merrymaid
by Mollie Hardwick
Publisher:  St. Martin's Press
Copyright:  1984
First U.S. Edition

A novel of love and adventure in the England of Henry the VIII.

Mollie Hardwick is known for her imaginative recreations of fascinating, little-known periods in Britain's history.  In The Merrymaid, she turns to the sixteenth century for the delightful story of a young woman who pursues her craft rather than the ideal of courtly love.

Jacquette Valency, age twelve, descended from a family of French jongleurs, or strolling entertainers, travels to England with her father to perform at the court of the aging King Henry VIII.  But, as they return home, Jacquette's father is attacked and killed by robbers at Dover, leaving Jacquette alone in the world, destitute and barely competent in English.

In a deserted chapel she finds shelter with a kindly hermit priest who takes Jacquette for a visiting angel.  But when she performs her conjuring tricks to entertain him, he decides instead she is sent from the Devil.  The local villagers are no better, believing she is a mermaid.  Finally, Margaretta Brandon, a wealthy, childless widow, rescues Jacquette from these superstitious people and decides to adopt her as her own.

Raised by Mistress Brandon, Jacquette at sixteen is beautiful, well educated, and betrothed to a prosperous merchant.  But at a country fair she meets Alan Thornwood, a young man who follows her father's profession.  She is practical and earthy, while he is a gentle visionary. but an attraction flashes between them, and Jacquette must decide whether or not to return to the precarious life of a traveling entertainer.

Condition:  Used.  Hardcover.  Dust cover is lightly discolored and shows a bit of edge scuffing and edge wear.  Pages may be tanning from age.  Previous owner's name sticker is on the front endpaper.

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