The False Virgin

The False Virgin A Historical Mystery

Library Edition

Hardback (04 Jul 2013)

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Publisher's Synopsis

AD 848.Bernwyn of Lythe, the young daughter of an ealdorman, spurns marriage and chooses to remain a virgin dedicated to Christ. When she is found murdered in the chapel where she kept her nightly vigils, it is thought that she has fallen victim to the Viking raiders who are ravaging the country and the butterflies found resting on her body are taken to be a sign from God.

But what if Bernwyn was not all she seemed? Could the saintly deeds attributed to her have been carried out by someone else and the people have set up a shrine to a false virgin?

Throughout the ages, St Bernwyn comes to be regarded as the patron saint of those suffering from skin diseases, and many are drawn on pilgrimage to her shrines. But from a priory in Wales to the Greek island of Sifnos, it seems that anywhere that St Bernwyn is venerated, bitter rivalry breaks out. So when a famous poet is inspired to tell the story of the saint, perhaps it is little wonder that he finds himself writing a satirical piece on the credulity of man.

Book information

ISBN: 9781471114328
Publisher: Simon & Schuster UK
Imprint: Simon & Schuster
Pub date:
Edition: Library Edition
DEWEY: 823.92
DEWEY edition: 23
Language: English
Number of pages: vii, 422
Weight: 624g
Height: 239mm
Width: 156mm
Spine width: 32mm