A friend mentioned to me that when she reads certain books she puts music on in the background to curate a mood/vibe for the reading. I've tried it a few times and have enjoyed it. I thought I would share a musical choice for this book: John Dunstable, Sweet Harmony: Masses and Motets, recorded by Tonus Peregrinus for Naxos.

Dunstable was born in 1390, so his music might have been kicking around during the period this book is set. One of Dunstable's patrons was supposedly John of Lancaster, Duke of Bedford. Bedford was a grandson of John of Gaunt. Cecily - our dear protagonist - was a granddaughter of John of Gaunt (so cousins with this composer's patron).

The first Credo from this album is a fun setting, really jaunty and interesting!

In most books I read, I probably wouldn't track the progress from 70% to 71%, but with this book that 1% is significant!!!

Really enjoying the humanity and drama of this book.

"If youth is the season of hope, it is often so only in the sense that our elders are hopeful about us; for no age is so apt as youth to think its emotions, partings, and resolves are the last of their kind. Each crisis seems final, simply because it is new. We are told that the oldest inhabitants in Peru do not cease to be agitated by the earthquakes, but they probably see beyond each shock, and reflect that there are plenty more to come."

What a lovely quote.

I know so little of this period of history, despite being British and from Yorkshire! I'm having to Google so many people and places.