Sister Rosa’s Rebellion
(Meonbridge Chronicles, Book 6)
By Carolyn Hughes
Publication Date: April 4th, 2025 (tbc)
Publisher: Riverdown Books
Pages: 342
Genre: Historical Fiction
1363. When Mother Angelica, the old prioress at Northwick Priory, dies, many of the nuns think Sister Rosa – formerly Johanna de Bohun, of Meonbridge – should take her place. But Sister Evangelina, Angelica’s niece, believes the position is hers by right, and one way or another she will ensure it is. Rosa stands aside to let Evangelina win, but is devastated when she sees how the new prioress is changing Northwick: from a place of humility and peace to one of extravagance and entertainment, if only for the prioress and her favoured few.
Rosa is horrified to see such sacrilegious changes, but dreads too that Northwick will go to wrack and ruin under Evangelina’s profligate and greedy rule. Yet Rosa’s vows of obedience mean she cannot rebel.
In Meonbridge, John atte Wode, the bailiff, is also distraught by what is happening at Northwick. For years, he visited the priory to advise prioress Angelica, and Sister Rosa, on the management of their estates. But Evangelina dismissed him, declaring his advice no longer necessary. Worse, she barred him from visiting Northwick again.
Yet, only months ago, he had met Anabella, a widow who fled to Northwick to escape her in-laws’ demands and threats, but is a somewhat reluctant novice nun. The attraction between John and Anabella was immediate and he had hoped to persuade her to give up the priory and become his wife. But how can he possibly do that now?
Can John rescue his beloved Anabella from a future he is certain she no longer wants? And can Rosa overcome her misgivings and rebel against Evangelina’s hateful regime, and return Northwick to the haven it once was?
Excerpt
The mood was mixed as the sisters filed into the chapter house and took their places. Beatrice herself felt glum, and it was evident that Amata and Rosa did too. A few of the sisters looked anxious, even scared, but others – two of the youngest, Maria and Felicia – were full of excitement, as if they were attending some sort of celebration, rather than the solemn election of their prioress. But Sister Dulcia’s face was tense and drawn, and Beatrice thought now it had perhaps been unkind of her to persuade the treasuress to stand against Evangelina.
‘Oh, no, Beatrice!’ Dulcia had said, shaking her head vigorously and wringing her hands. ‘I could never take dear Angelica’s place. I am not capable––’
Beatrice had grasped her hands to still them. ‘You are capable, Dulcia, more than capable. As well as being much liked and respected.’
Yet Dulcia’s eyes were wide with panic. ‘But I don’t want to oppose Evangelina! She will find some way to vilify me and turn our sisters against me…’
Beatrice thought that possible but didn’t say so. In truth, she felt rather guilty to be so set upon urging Dulcia to stand, when she clearly didn’t want to.
‘And if Evangelina wins,’ continued Dulcia, ‘as she surely will, she’ll likely punish me by stripping me of my role as treasuress.’ Her panic changed to misery.
Beatrice frowned. If Dulcia was right, it would be both unjust and a great misfortune. She was a gentle soul but an excellent treasuress. She possessed a sharp mind and a good head for figures, and had held the role under Angelica for many years. Northwick would be much the poorer if Sister Dulcia was no longer in charge of managing its finances.
So, should she, after all, have chosen someone else to stand against Evangelina? But there wasn’t anyone else – except for Rosa – with sufficient gravitas and popularity to make a credible opponent. Though anyone would probably make a better prioress than Evangelina.
Beatrice had continued to cajole and coax, and at length Dulcia agreed. ‘It’s by no means inevitable that Evangelina will win,’ Beatrice had said, vowing to atone for her duplicity as soon as possible, ‘but, if she does, hopefully she’ll realise that keeping you on as treasuress will be in her own interests as well as Northwick’s.’
Now, when Dulcia looked so strained, Beatrice wondered whether it was the prospect of winning, or not winning, that was worrying her most. Evangelina had in fact said nothing during the past two weeks or so to disparage her opponent. Dulcia’s fears that the sacrist might try to turn the sisters against her had proved unfounded. That being so, Beatrice speculated exactly what tactics Evangelina had been employing, to ensure – or try to ensure – the majority voted in her favour. Some sort of bribe, she supposed, yet what might Evangelina have to offer? As far as Beatrice knew, she had no personal funds or treasures to distribute.
She’d also speculated on who might vote for whom. Only fourteen votes were available: Anabella was a novice and not permitted to take part, and the candidates themselves wouldn’t cast a vote. She was certain Amata, Rosa and Juliana would put their hands up for Dulcia, as she would herself. And she was fairly sure that timid little Sister Helen, the fratress, would do the same.
But what of the others?
It was more than likely that Evangelina would be able to convince those three silly girls, and Sister Gracia, the mistress of the novices. Felicia, Maria, and Letitia had taken their vows only quite recently, but all four young women had become as thick as thieves, with Gracia acting more like a big sister than a tutor to the girls. If any one of the four was persuaded by Evangelina, the others were sure to follow, like so many sheep.
Yet who might resist Evangelina’s cajoleries?
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Carolyn Hughes
Carolyn Hughes has lived much of her life in Hampshire. With a first degree in Classics and English, she started working life as a computer programmer, then a very new profession. But it was technical authoring that later proved her vocation, word-smithing for many different clients, including banks, an international hotel group and medical instruments manufacturers.
Although she wrote creatively on and off for most of her adult life, it was not until her children flew the nest that writing historical fiction took centre stage. But why historical fiction? Serendipity!
Seeking inspiration for what to write for her Creative Writing Masters, she discovered the handwritten draft, begun in her twenties, of a novel, set in 14th century rural England… Intrigued by the period and setting, she realised that, by writing a novel set in the period, she could learn more about the medieval past and interpret it, which seemed like a thrilling thing to do. A few days later, the first Meonbridge Chronicle, Fortune’s Wheel, was under way.
Seven published books later (with more to come), Carolyn does now think of herself as an Historical Novelist. And she wouldn’t have it any other way…
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Thank you so much for sharing news of Sister Rosa's Rebellion today – I do so value your continuing support! Carolyn
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