The Writing on the Hearth facts for kids
First edition cover
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| Author | Cynthia Harnett |
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| Illustrator | Gareth Floyd |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Language | English |
| Genre | Children's historical novel |
| Publisher | Methuen |
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Publication date
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1971 |
The Writing on the Hearth is an exciting historical novel for young readers by Cynthia Harnett. It was first published in 1971 and tells a story set a long, long time ago. The book also features cool drawings by Gareth Floyd.
Where the Story Happens
This story takes place in the 1400s, specifically in the year 1437. Most of the action happens in a small village called Ewelme in Oxfordshire, England.
This book is part of a series of four stories, but you can read each one on its own. The story features the village school and the church next to it.
When the story is set, the school was brand new. It was one of the first buildings in England made with bricks! Today, the same buildings are still used as a school. This makes it the oldest school building in the UK, and possibly the world, that's still in use.
Main Characters
- Stephen is a boy whose parents have passed away. A powerful local lord helps him after his sister goes to live in a convent.
- Meg is an old woman who lives in the woods. She is kind and good at healing people with natural remedies. However, some people think she uses magic because she claims she can see the future in a pool of water.
- Dame Alice is the wife of the Lord of Suffolk. She is the main person who convinces her husband to take Stephen into their home. She remembers how Stephen's father served her husband well.
What Happens in the Story
Stephen's father used to be a bodyguard for the Lord of Suffolk. When Stephen's stepfather remarries and his sister joins a convent, Stephen is welcomed into the Lord's household.
Stephen is very eager to learn. He hopes to go to Oxford University with help from the Lord's chaplain. But then, he gets caught up in a small secret plan. He thinks he might have accidentally let a copy of a private letter fall into the hands of the Lord's enemies.
