The Ramsay Scallop

The story follows Eleanor and her betrothed Thomas as they travel on a pilgrimage to Santiago. While the characters are not based on any specific person, they are very beleivable. Their mannerisms and actions, while mostly fitting with the time period help to convey their thoughts and attitudes.

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Over the book you can see the characters morals, values, and attitudes changing, whether it is Thomas learning about Islam (which he had fought against in the crusade) or Eleanor learning that Thomas isn't as scary as he seems. The plot could be something that had happened during the time period. Most women were married to people they had never met, the crusades were ending and the men returning, and people were doing pilgrimages to atone for sins. The book is written in a style that is easy for a younger reader to grasp the larger concepts. It is linear, following their journey and all the people and places they meet. The chapter's begin with a fancy block letter, conveying the middle English style. The language isn't full of "thees" and "thous" as the author tried to make it readable. However there are accents in it to convey the different nationalities. This is a very good late middle age book. It helps teach why things are happening in the time period and also is trying to show a bit a religious tolerance. I would recommend this to a middle school library.

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I first read this book in 7th grade, loved it, and then promptly forgot the title. I ended up re-discovering this book a few years ago and bought it right away. I do believe this book started my love for historical fiction. It never gets old each time I read it.

The story follows Eleanor and her betrothed Thomas as they travel on a pilgrimage to Santiago. While the characters are not based on any specific person, they are very beleivable. Their mannerisms and actions, while mostly fitting with the time period help to convey their thoughts and attitudes.

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Over the book you can see the characters morals, values, and attitudes changing, whether it is Thomas learning about Islam (which he had fought against in the crusade) or Eleanor learning that Thomas isn't as scary as he seems. The plot could be something that had happened during the time period. Most women were married to people they had never met, the crusades were ending and the men returning, and people were doing pilgrimages to atone for sins. The book is written in a style that is easy for a younger reader to grasp the larger concepts. It is linear, following their journey and all the people and places they meet. The chapter's begin with a fancy block letter, conveying the middle English style. The language isn't full of "thees" and "thous" as the author tried to make it readable. However there are accents in it to convey the different nationalities. This is a very good late middle age book. It helps teach why things are happening in the time period and also is trying to show a bit a religious tolerance. I would recommend this to a middle school library.

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This was my favorite book for a long time. I love the way the love is naturally developed.
I read it first from the library, and was horrified and yet delighted to find it in the next book sale. Horrified, that no one else should read it, and delighted, because I was going to purchase it for the

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reasonable price of a quarter.

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