The Cloister and the Hearth. A Tale of the Middle Ages

First Edition thus. Very scarce. Fine in beautiful brown leather with elaborate gilt designs and lettering on the cover and spine. Gilt top stain. An immaculate copy of this nearly 100-year old edition that presents one the finest historical novels of the Middle Ages. Originally published by Charles Reade in 1861, the story is set in of the latter part of the 15-century against a background of the Reformation, the invention of printing, and a wealth of historical characters such as Luther, Deschamps, Villon, and Erasmus (as a child), Reade weaves a rich tapestry revolving around the tragic love-story of Erasmus' parents. An amazing copy and edition of this famous tale. The only one on the market.