Come Back to Me by Jody Hedlund
Author’s Note
As with many of my books, I enjoy being able to help readers sort out the fact from the fiction within the pages of my stories. You may be thinking there’s no need to do so for a time-crossing book, because it’s all very much fantasy.
However, I think you’ll be surprised (as much as I was) to discover how many facts I was able to weave into this story.
First of all, many, many theories exist regarding the original Tree of Life that once grew in the Garden of Eden. As I researched, I realized almost as much searching has been done for the Garden of Eden as has been done for Atlantis. Historians have speculated about the original garden with its life-giving trees, including great theologians James Ussher and John Calvin.
Many others throughout history spoke of life-giving water sources: tales by Herodotus, the mythical exploits of Alexander the Great, the stories of Prester John from the early Crusades, and the claims of Ponce de León during his explorations of Florida. Legends have existed of certain kinds of sacred trees (including ash) that are located next to holy wells.
Over time, especially during the Middle Ages, holy water or oil was thought to contain curative properties. Interestingly, the curative holy water healings were only recorded in specific locations and only for a limited time. Two of those places happened to be in England, including Walsingham and Canterbury. The Pynson Ballad recounts the miracles that happened in Walsingham. And of course, the Canterbury Cathedral windows give a beautiful pictorial depiction of the miracles that happened in Canterbury. St. Thomas, His Death and Miracles documents the writings of two monks, Benedict of Peterborough and William of Canterbury, who recorded over seven hundred miracles between the two of them.
Is all of this coincidence? Holy water causing the healings? Were the healings perhaps related to the original Tree of Life in some way? I suppose we’ll never know until we get to heaven. What we do know is that Revelation 22:2 talks about the Tree of Life: “On either side of the river stood a tree of life, producing twelve kinds of fruit and yielding a fresh crop for each month. And the leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations.” A tree to heal and give eternal life? Possibly.
Aside from the Tree of Life and all the theories, much of what I recounted from Marian’s travel to 1381 really occurred. She went back during what is now known as the Peasants’ Revolt. England was at war with France (the Hundred Years’ War). Because of the high taxes being levied upon the poor, they rose up and rebelled against the nobility.
The bands of peasants roamed the countryside, their numbers swelling every day. They killed, pillaged, raped, and left a trail of vengeful destruction in their wake. They really did attack Canterbury, searching for the archbishop. They coerced knights to join their cause upon the threat of death to their children and family members.
Finally, with Wat Tyler and John Ball leading the cause, the peasants converged upon London, invaded the city, and murdered many noblemen and clergy before finally meeting with King Richard at Blackheath outside of London. At the meeting, one of King Richard’s knights really did wound Wat Tyler, and in doing so helped to bring an end to the disturbance.
After the leaders of the revolt had been beheaded, King Richard made little effort to make changes that would ease the oppressive way of life for the poor. I like to think that some of the nobility, like William Durham, learned from the revolt to treat their vassals more kindly.
Unfortunately, class differentiations would continue for centuries, even into the present as represented by Harrison Burlington. Please join me in the next book as the adventure and danger continue for both Harrison and Ellen.