A riveting adventure spanning across much of Europe in the middle ages follows the journey of fourteen-year-old Elenor and Lord Thomas, the man to whom she is betrothed, who have been sent on a religious pilgrimage from England to Spain by the priest in their village of Ramsay. Father Gregory hopes that their travel to the holy place of Santiago will bring atonement for the sins of the Ramsay villagers. He also hopes that Elenor, who is frightened of marriage, and Thomas, whose experience on The Crusade has left him disillusioned and weary, will find love along with companionship. With strong characterizations and attention to historical details, Temple's chronicle of Thomas' and Elenor's travels on the Pilgrim Way paints a vivid picture of this aspect of medieval life. (Ages 11-15)

The year is 1299. Fourteen year-old Elenor reluctanly awaits the return of her betrothed -- a man she hardly knows -- from the Crusade. Thomas, broken and disillusioned from years of fighting, finds the very idea of marriage and lordship overwhelming. So When the village priest sends them on religious pilgrimage before the marriage, both are relieved. The journey means a postponement of the dreaded nuptials, and a last chance for adventure. As Eleanor and thomas wend their way toward the shrine of St. James, they meet mant other pilgrims -- each with their own extraordinary tales to tell and ideas to share. There is Etienne, a passionate student of philosophy; Brother Ambrose, gentle teacher of Sschoolboys; practical Marthe, eager for a decent life for her children. And graually Eleanor and Thomas come to realize the glorious possibilities of the world around them... within each other.