
The Troubadour’s Tale is the fifth instalment of Ann Swinfen’s Oxford Mediaeval Mystery. As I get closer to her final book, I feel a little heavy-hearted. It’s disappointing that Nicholas’ narrative won’t continue beyond the sixth book. I guess, I’ll take things slowly and enjoy my time with Nicholas and the people of 1350s Oxford and Leighton-under-Wychwood.
It was winter in 1353. This means that The Troubadour’s Tale takes place only two months after The Merchant’s Tale. In the previous book, Lady Amilia, a book enthusiast, requested a collection of troubadour songs from Nicholas.
This assignment had been a source of frustration for him because he knew no troubadour singers and had no idea how to approach them.
What luck. Sir Peter Winchingham returned to Oxford with the news that he had purchased a property at Leighton-under-Wychwood. Guess which manor he purchased. Yes, the old de Vere manor served as the scene for The Huntsman’s Tale. It’s named Leighton Manor.
The set-up was perfect. Sir Winchingham and his daughter, Birgit, would now reside there. It so happens that Birgit Winchingham had invited several troubadour singers to entertain them on Christmas. They, of course, invited Nicholas and his band of family to attend.
On the other hand, news came by from Leighton-under-Wychwood saying that Nicholas’ mother wouldn’t be able to travel to Oxford due to the extreme winter. All set; Nicholas, his family, and some friends were to travel to Leighton-under-Wychwood and have their Christmas there.
It’s a lovely change of scenery from the busy Oxford streets to a more quaint Leighton-under-Wychwood. I would like to read how Sir Winchingham and his family settled down as lord of the manor and what dynamics would emerge between him and the local residents.
With a troubadour troop on the way from Bruges, Nicholas’ task to complete the book for Lady Amilia would be an easy one. Everything is in its place; what could go wrong?
The Pondering of the Troubadours
Reading about how Nicholas had to prepare for his trip to Leighton-under-Wychwood made me recognise how fortunate I am to be alive in the 21st century. Our modern transportation methods made it easier for us to go far and wide, often completely unaware of the weather.
I could not believe how much effort they went through merely to visit their hometown. If the trip were made today, the distance between Oxford and Milton-under-Wychwood would be 39.5 km. A mere one-hour drive. Yes, I checked Google Maps.
Also, I calculated the distance to Milton-under-Wychwood because it was the closest similar-sounding location I could find. Of course, this already takes into account nearby places like Burford, Witney, and Eynsham Abbey.

Nicholas et al., however, needed to prepare a proper cart that would fit all of them inside plus their luggage. They should also consider making pitstops at Eynsham Abbey and the Minster Lovell, making it a three-day excursion in the snow.
Another matter that needed to be taken into consideration was safety. Nicholas managed to secure an accompanying soldiers on their way to Gloucester. These soldiers would go along with them until they went on separate ways after spending the night at Minster Lovell.
Problems
The problems started when Peter Winchingham’s hunting party found a broken cart with an injured man and a scared woman. The victims were apparently the troubadour troop hired by Birgit Winchingham. They were attacked on the way to Leighton Manor.
It was thought that some outlaws had attacked them. But as the days went by, it became clear that it was a targeted attack. A second attack happened when someone tried to break into Leighton Manor and went after Miss Azalais.
Considering the delicacy of the matter, I tried to understand why Falquet, Miss Azalais, and Gaston were being so secretive about what their actual mission was. Later, they spilt the beans and confessed that Miss Azalais was carrying a letter from Spain to be delivered to Reginald le Soten.
Little did Azalais know that Reginald le Soten had died in Book 2, The Huntsman’s Tale. Once more, Nicholas and his family were entangled in the political chess play between England and France. It wouldn’t be a spoiler if I tell you now that the attackers were some French sympathisers wanting to prevent the letter from being delivered.
How and will the letter get delivered to the addressee is the remaining chapters of the book.
Oh, wait! There’s another problem: Would Nicholas manage to document some troubadour songs for Lady Amilia’s project?
Characters
Most of the characters in The Troubadour’s Tale were featured in The Huntsman’s Tale. It’s Edmond, Nicholas’ cousin, and his family. Some other residents of Leighton also appeared and supported the storyline.
And then the troubadours. Since the introduction of these characters, I find them to be untrustworthy. I spotted the first lie straightaway from this Falquet de Béziers guy. I was proven right later because the troubadours were telling half truths about why they agreed to perform in Leighton-under-Wychwood.
My dear Black Prince, Edward of Woodstock, made an appearance again in this book. What I love how Ann Swinfen included his character was that he didn’t overshadow anyone with him being the Prince of Wales and all.
He didn’t steal the spotlight from Nicholas or the troubadours as the main characters of this book. I think it’s quite thoughtful.
Reading Highlights
The Cathars
The distant backdrop of The Troubadour’s Tale was the Cathar/Albigensian Crusade. The troubadour troop came all the way from that region. A dash of political issues was included in the story, though I feel it did not overshadow the day-to-day happenings during the Christmas party preparations.
I have a Cathar-themed historical novel on my TBR shelf, and I will get there one day. Of course, I have read Kate Mosse’s Languedoc trilogy, which adopts the same theme. But I believe the book I have on my shelf would be a little different.
The Troubadours
The troubadour culture itself can be an interesting sub-theme. I must be honest; I am not drawn entirely to troubadour music. Yet. My ancient musical trove was limited to Karl Jenkins, Viking style music, and stopped at Hildegard von Bingen’s songs. I should add troubadours to it, for sure.
Troubadour music is a whole other world to learn about. I imagine it’s filled with philosophy, traditions, and customs that would be interesting to dig into. [Moments later…] Blimey, it even has its own genre! Whoa…
Medieval Christmas & Cuisines
The immediate backdrop was the Christmas celebrations. I don’t celebrate it myself, but I can safely assume that Christmas was celebrated a little bit differently in the 1300s. So, I had to educate myself.
Since it was going to be a feast, there were loads of medieval cuisines that I was foreign to. Apologies, but I neglected to make the effort to research each and every one of them. There were simply too many. I know marzipans were there on the menu as a dessert, I think.
Margaret and the other ladies were very creative and resourceful in cooking all the meals they were about to serve. Not to mention Miss Birgit, who brought in a cooking assistant from Bruges!
A Funny Skit
A comedic scene occurred when Nicholas was attacked yet again by a band of men on the way to Leighton from Burford. Having no fighting skills, his reflex was to hit one of the attackers with Mistress Townley’s currant cakes.
You see, Mistress Townley of Burford is not known for her baking skills. But she kept on baking and handed some of her pastries to Nicholas as snacks on the way back to Leighton.
And yet, Nicholas found another use for Mistress Townley’s pastries. This is me reflecting on this particular scene. I suck at baking bread or pastries. But I guess being shitty at baking also helps—creating an unthinkable weapon.
A Thoughtful Gift
I have grown ever more envious of Emma because Nicholas bought her a super wonderful scribe desk. As I was reading the description of features he’d like to have on the desk, I was burnt with total envy. I want that desk! Oh well, here’s a depiction of what my dream Schreibtisch. Of course, Google has an image of it.
I don’t think this image follows Nicholas’ design to a tee, but it represents the kind of desk I want to have. If only I have the funds and the space…

Okay, well, maybe that Tisch is a bit too elaborate to keep. I do have something else I want to possess, which is an antique 18th-century writing slope. I saw one when I was watching The Repair Shop and fell in love with the concept immediately. I bet you: using that writing slope can improve my positioning as I’m writing in Spencerian script. Oh, now I want it bad!
Now, speaking about Emma’s desk. I would say that Emma is being too ignorant of how Nicholas feels about her. He GIFTED this marvellous desk for her work, for God’s sake! What could be more obvious than that!? If one would gift me a scriber desk, I would… No, scratch that. I wouldn’t know what to do. This type of thoughtful gift is too intimate and personal. I think Emma knew, but she’s being careful about it.
Afterthoughts
Verdict
As with her previous works, I love how I feel included in the story. Throughout the pages, I feel like I was part of their families. Enjoying the Cotswolds, preparing for Christmas, as well as playing and caring for Alysoun and Rafe.
As with her previous works, I love how I feel included in the story. Throughout the pages, I feel like I was part of their families. Enjoying the Cotswolds, preparing for Christmas, as well as playing and caring for Alysoun and Rafe.
Yes, we have French attackers and political unrest after the Battle of Crécy, but I still have the opinion that Ann Swinfen’s style of writing is so heart-warming. Especially in an occasion such as Christmas where everybody comes together celebrating and having fun.
Whether it’s in the Middle Age or in recent times, I think Christmas is still celebrated similarly. And the feelings were captured perfectly by Ann Swinfen in The Troubadour’s Tale.
Honestly, I paid very little attention to the troubadour’s songs. To me, The Troubadour’s Tale was thick in political issues at the time and the characters’ involvement in it. Regrettably, Miss Walsea did not appear this time, though Nicholas sent a letter to her informing about the case at hand.
I have very little knowledge about the period involving the Battle of Crécy. This is another theme I should add to my TBR pile, but I haven’t found a proper historical novel for it.
Nicholas has to get his ducks in order. Those ducks, I think, are:
- He should start to learn swordsmanship if he wishes to entangle himself in affairs such as those with the troubadours.
- He should sit down and have a frikkin’ heart to heart chat with Lady Emma Thorgold. It’s been FIVE BOOKS, Nicholas. Really???
Finishing The Troubadour’s Tale alarmed me. Why? Because this means I just have one book left in the series to read. Then there were none.
Literary works are something immortal, I know that. Depending on how the last book ends, I still want to enjoy Nicholas’ life stories.
Maybe Alysoun would grow up to be some badass woman since she is influenced by Margaret and Emma. Rafe, Alysoun’s younger brother, I think would be an academia, for sure.
It is heavy-hearted, but I have to move on to the last book, The Stonemason’s Tale.

Words I Learnt
- vergers: an official in a church who acts as a caretaker and attendant.
- depredations: an act of attacking or plundering.
- interminable: endless (often used hyperbolically).
- encroach: intrude on (a person’s territory or a thing considered to be a right).
- hauteur: haughtiness of manner; disdainful pride.
- obsequious: obedient or attentive to an excessive or servile degree.
- mountebanks: a person who deceives others, especially in order to trick them out of their money; a charlatan.
- pannage: the right or privilege of feeding pigs or other animals in a wood.
- samite: a luxurious and heavy silk fabric worn in the Middle Ages, of a twill-type weave, often including gold or silver thread.
- mummeries: ridiculous ceremonial, especially of a religious nature.
- frippery: showy or unnecessary ornament in architecture, dress, or language.
- assarts: an area of land that has had trees and undergrowth removed and the ground broken up in preparation for cultivation.
- cozened: trick or deceive, obtain by deception.
- quandary: a state of perplexity or uncertainty over what to do in a difficult situation.
- execrable: extremely bad or unpleasant.