The devil in a nunnery, and other mediaeval tales

The volume gathers a dozen short stories that plunge listeners into the bustling, superstitious world of medieval England. From the thunder of knights on the King's Highway to the quiet gardens of secluded convents, each tale glints with rough humor and earnest faith, recalling a time when every village believed the unseen could walk among them. The language is vivid yet accessible, painting hill‑dotted Buckinghamshire, bustling market towns, and echoing stone abbeys in a way that feels both historic and alive.

In the opening story, a modest nunnery at Maids Moreton follows a strict rule, its sisters tending herbs, chickens and the occasional bandage for weary clergy. After evening prayers, a sudden, mischievous disturbance hints that even the most devout can be tempted, as whispers of a devilish presence ripple through the cloister. The narrative balances reverent description with a sly, comic edge, inviting listeners to wonder whether the nuns will outwit a trickster or simply become the latest footnote in a centuries‑old legend.