Emily Sarah Holt
Mistress Margery
"Mistress Margery" by Emily Sarah Holt is a historical novel written in the late 19th century. The story is set in the early 15th century and follows the journey of a young noblewoman named Margery Lovell, who becomes increasingly questioning of the doctrines of the Church as she encounters the radical ideas of the Lollards, followers of John Wycliffe. Margery's struggle with the Church and her pursuit of spiritual truth may lead her into dangerous territory, ultimately culminating in significant consequences for her beliefs. At the start of the novel, we meet Margery in her family's home, Lovell Tower, where she lives in the female-centered world of medieval nobility, carefully tending to household duties while yearning for a deeper understanding of her faith. After attending a sermon by the Lollard preacher Master Sastre, she is deeply moved by his teachings, which ignite her curiosity about the Bible in its vernacular form. Margery's intellectual pursuits eventually lead her to secretly study Wycliffe's translation of the Gospel of John, setting her on a path that weighs heavily against her family's expectations and the oppressive norms of her society. The opening chapters establish not only Margery's character but also the historical context, showcasing the rigid social and religious structures that govern her world and hinting at the transformative journey that lies ahead.