
Life happened, and I abandoned a review of The Merchant’s Tale for nearly two years. I’ve written halfway and simply didn’t continue. Only late that I realised I had an incomplete version, so I decided to re-read the books altogether. It’s been a while, and I had forgotten the stories of Nicholas Elyot and Oxford in the 1350s.
This essay incorporates my halfway-done review and new perspectives which occurred during my re-reading. I still would like to apologise for describing Nicholas as an Oxford drop-out. After reading four books, I realised that the terminology does not fit his academic achievement. He indeed got his Master of Arts degree, but he decided not to continue practising law or become a full-time academia like Jordain. I have been unfair to Nicholas, and I am sorry.
The Merchant’s Tale is the fourth book of Oxford Medieval Mystery by the late Ann Swinfen. Coming back to read this volume, I was drawn back to the post-Plague Oxford, experiencing Nicholas’ world and enjoying the company of his family and friends.
I enjoy the stability and familiarity of the characters in the Oxford Medieval Mystery series. Nobody dies here, but we meet new characters and new people who may or may not get killed in between. For sure, amongst all the familiarity, there’d be crimes and murders committed.
The Merchant’s Tale & St Frideswide’s Fair
The Merchant’s Tale focused on the event of St Frideswide’s Fair in Oxford. Ann Swinfen included a historical background of the Feast of St Frideswide occurring every 19 October. I’m not too sure if the feast/fair is still being held to this day, but from what I gathered, perhaps it no longer involves stalls of merchants. The Christ Church Oxford webpage mentioned that the Feast of St Frideswide now involves a pilgrimage of some sort.
Mary Coombe, the dairy lady and a friend to the Elyot family, proposed to the ladies to create a ‘corporation’ and rent a stall during St Frideswide’s Fair. The women were busy prepping their stock inventory when Nicholas accepted a visit from Canon Francis Aubrey of St Frideswide’s Priory.
As he admired Emma’s book of hours, Canon Francis shared a tale with Nicholas about his concerns regarding missing precious items from the priory. He also mentioned his dismay towards the new prior, Nicholas de Hungerford.
The upcoming fair enticed merchants from all over, including one Peter Winchingham, who came all the way from Bruges to trade cloths. He and Nicholas later became friends. Little did they know, their stories would involve stolen goods, espionage, and murder.
Problems
- Books and treasures from St Frideswide’s Priory were stolen and resold. Suspect: the new prior.
- Espionage, post-Battle of Crécy (1346), Alice Walsea. Suspects: the French ‘merchants’.
- Potential riots during the fair due to the strained relationship between the townsmen and the Priory.
- Master Winchingham was assaulted at Hamo Belancer’s shop. Suspect: French ‘merchants’.
- Hamo Belancer, a vintner, was murdered. Suspect: French ‘merchants’.
I have nothing against the French; I just thought I’d make that clear here. I was just following the clues and the historical context of when the story was written. I would have you know that I got everything wrong at the end. LOL. This is how good Ann Swinfen was at weaving history and fictional characters together. At the end of the book, I found out that the plot was bigger than all the suspicions I’ve listed above.
Guest Characters
I love how Ann Swinfen was very practical in choosing which citizens of Oxford or Leighton-under-Wychwood to appear in each book. Unlike some other books I read with plentiful names I barely remember, I find it easier to bond even with guest characters in this series.
We have Cedric Walden, the (deputy?) Sheriff of Oxford is at the forefront of The Merchant’s Tale. He’s the one turning upside down trying to solve the cases, aided by Nicholas and Jordain.
Peter Winchingham was introduced at the perfect moment before the fair started, and I have a good feeling that his character will stay forever. Sir Winchingham has sparks when he speaks to Margaret—oh, how this is so obvious! I want to wish they would get together before the last book.
Miss Alice Walsea attended the fair undercover as a ribbon merchant. She’s on a mission of national security matters. I couldn’t help but chuckle a bit when imagining Miss Walsea having to put up a ribbon-seller character. She’s too badass to do this undercover, but of course, she pulled it off.
Apart from Nicholas de Hungerford, another real historical figure was featured in The Merchant’s Tale. That is Edward of Woodstock, the Prince of Wales, the Black Prince. He is one of my favourite historical figures in English history.

I’m not entirely sure why he’s stopping by at Oxford and Wallingford, but he’s a perfect addition to the storyline.
Of course, the one and only Black Prince I have etched in my head was James Purefoy’s Black Prince in A Knight’s Tale (2001). Nobody does a better rendition of The Black Prince than James Purefoy.
One thorn in my flesh was that Nicholas had yet to make a move on Emma. There were perfect moments, but he kept missing them. Hurry up, Nicholas!!!
When reading The Merchant’s Tale, I had a thought. Robert Sean Leonard should play Jordain Brynkilsworth in case this series were to be picked up as a TV show. This is a MUST. I can already imagine Robert Sean Leonard with a tonsure and an Oxford-style academic gown. Benedict Cumberbatch can easily play Nicholas, although I think Mr Cumberbatch is a bit too posh for this character. One more: I imagined Gemma Arterton would be a perfect Alice Walsea.
See, I went down a rabbit hole just talking about the characters in The Merchant’s Tale!

Another Rabbit Hole
I found myself lost in another rabbit hole as I was looking for Oxford’s maps from the 1350s. Yes, I found one that’s very useful. I do this to be more immersed in the story, and now I know where Nicholas’ shop was located in the city.
It’s amazing how every place mentioned in The Merchant’s Tale and other books in the series still stands. Granted, some were demolished, restructured, or expanded to fit today’s needs. For example, we can no longer enjoy Osney Abbey. What’s left of it is a piece of a wall, and I can’t even call it a ruin. I wonder if the current Osney Cemetery is also a part of the abbey.
Another example is The Mitre and Tackley’s Inn. The latter, I thought, was just an imaginary inn where new students lodged when they came first to Oxford. I was wrong. Googling Tackley’s Inn, the premise is currently vacant but architecturally well-preserved. The Mitre is now an Italian restaurant with a more modern paint job, but I bet the insides are still preserved as well. Schade, Sheffield isn’t too rich in medieval architectural remains save for Sheffield Manor.
Afterthoughts
Verdict
I really enjoyed The Merchant’s Tale. Ann Swinfen wrote a feel-good type of book, although they are ornamented with death, murder, betrayal, backstabbing arseholes, and a rogue religious leader.
I really enjoyed The Merchant’s Tale. I feel like I was involved in the St Frideswide’s Fair with the women, gathering fruits, making jams, and selling them.
Ann Swinfen wrote a feel-good type of book, although they are ornamented with death, murder, betrayal, backstabbing arseholes, and a rogue religious leader. The last time I was so involved with the characters of the book was when I read Ken Follett’s World Without End (which I still postpone writing a review on).
Some readers might focus on the obvious characters such as Emma, Nicholas, or those of the murdered ones. I, however, tend to focus on things in the background: Rowan & Jocosa (the dogs), Rufus (the horse), Margaret’s kitchen, or the neighbourhood where these characters lived.
I’m ready to continue with the next book now and see what other adventure Nicholas and his family are bound to.
