This is a glowing, intimate story of medieval England, absorbing for all who love adventure, beauty, authentic details of the period, and, above all, books themselves.

Young Hugh, a cripple with a love of ancient manuscripts inherited from his dead mother, is left by his mysterious father one stormy night in the sanctuary of the great Abbey of Glastonbury. Assisted by the good Brother John, librarian of the monastery, by his delightful friend, Dickon, and by the half-crazy songs and stories of a strange hermit, Hugh pieces together clues from partly destroyed documents which lead him on an exciting trail to a thrilling discovery, to recovered health, and to a glimpse of the Holy Grail itself.

Fully illustrated in a manner that rounds out the perfect feeling for the period provided by the text, this is a book for quiet summer hours, or for reading by the fireside with the curtains snugly drawn against the storm of winter.

From the dust jacket