Our Little Lady Six Hundred Years Ago

"Our Little Lady" by Emily Sarah Holt is a historical novel set in the late 19th century. The narrative unfolds through the experiences of Avice, a nursery-maid in the Royal Palace during the 13th century. Through her eyes, readers gain insight into life in the Middle Ages, including the challenges and societal norms of the time, particularly surrounding a beautiful princess who is deaf and dumb. At the start of the novel, the ambiance of 13th-century Lincoln is vividly depicted through detailed descriptions of the Cathedral, the clothing of the congregation, and the harsh realities of daily life. The story introduces Avice as she recounts her role caring for a royal child and emphasizes the sorrow of the princess's inability to pray, despite her unique ways of communicating. This section effectively sets the stage for exploring themes of faith, the burdens of social rank, and the complexities of human emotion in a time where life is markedly more difficult than today. Through Avice's eyes, we witness the contrasts of royal luxury and personal struggle that define the era, hinting at the deeper connections that will develop throughout the story. (This is an automatically generated summary.)

Emily Sarah Holt (1836–1893) was an English novelist. She was born at Stubbylee, Bacup, in Lancashire, 25 April 1836. She was the eldest daughter of John Holt whose wife Judith was the 3rd daughter of James Mason of Greens. It is said she was educated at Oxford. In late 1893 when at Harrogate, she became ill and went to her brother in Balham (London), where she died on Christmas Day.