At the "Sign of the Golden Fleece" : $b A Story of Reformation Days

"At the 'Sign of the Golden Fleece': A Story of Reformation Days" by Emma Leslie is a historical fiction novel unfolding amidst the Reformation, where old traditions grapple with newfound knowledge, especially the translation of the Bible. The narrative follows Miles Paton, a bright university student, as he dedicates himself to the new learning and faces the consequences tied to his family and community. The story begins with the spirited atmosphere of the Oxford Autumn Fair, filled with clashes between students and merchants, foreshadowing the larger battles of the era. After being injured in a fight between progressives and traditionalists, Miles learns about his brother's death and a moral conflict in his village, causing him to question his father's ethics about their tenants. This tension leads Miles down a path where he advocates for justice while striving to translate the Greek New Testament into English, pushing against limits set by the church and societal norms.