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Caught in the web

A tale of Tudor times

Faith in fiction

CAUGHT IN THE WEB
A Tale of Tudor Times
By Faith Cook
Evangelical Press. 286 pages. £8.95
ISBN 0 85234 623 9

This book tells the story of a fictional Leicestershire village boy, Hal Tylney, who becomes page boy to Lady Jane Grey at Bradgate Park. Most of the other characters are actual historical ones. Hal lives through the reigns of Henry VIII, Edward VI and Mary I, when the Reformation was bringing about profound changes, and attitudes towards it were polarising.

On the one hand, there were those who joyfully discovered forgiveness and freedom in the newly-translated Bible, and tried to apply its teaching and spread its message. On the other, there were the forces of reaction, concerned to prevent access to the Bible’s message and to go to any lengths to punish those who read or promoted it.

As different monarchs came to the throne, different parties gained power. When Edward VI became king, he and his advisers set about reforming the church and promoting the gospel. Under Mary I, the power of the Roman Catholic church was restored, and, as is well known, Bible-believers from the archbishop of Canterbury to poor villagers were subject to persecution and burning. Meanwhile, powerful self-serving people with few convictions were anxious to retain their position and were unscrupulous about the means they used.

The 16-year-old Lady Jane Grey, a genuine and clear-thinking believer, was caught in a web of intrigue. She was proclaimed queen, but after nine days was deposed, imprisoned in the Tower of London and eventually executed. Her tragic yet triumphant story is movingly told through the eyes of her page.

Skilfully woven into the story is the account of Hal’s personal search for the forgiveness he knows he needs. He is taught to read by John Aylmer, Lady Jane’s tutor, who gives him a New Testament. He hears Archbishop Thomas Cranmer and Bishop Hugh Latimer explaining the gospel as they preach. Above all, he is impressed by Jane’s character and confidence.

After the death of Jane, the story focuses on Hal’s experiences during the persecution of Mary Tudor’s reign. The horrors of that time are well described. However, the plot is somewhat unsubtle and predictable.

For this reason the book is not entirely satisfactory for an adult readership. But for young people of, say, 12 upwards, who would not be daunted by a fairly substantial book, it is warmly commended.

Joy Horn