Locations

Abbaye de Flaran

The cloister

Staircase leading to private rooms

Bedroom

"We met at the Abbaye de Flaran, by Larressingle, in the dark of night. I can still see Mary standing there, clutching her cloak against the wind, her lips pressed together in a tight smile, as plainsong echoed from the chapel. She beckoned me to follow her through the cloister to a private room. Closing the door, her finger to her lips in a gesture for silence, she stepped past a small travelling chest to an alcove and carefully swept aside the curtain. There was a tiny girl, shrouded in a mantle of golden hair, fast asleep on the palliasse."
(Jean d'Armagnac talking with Cécile - Book One)

The main entrance

The inner courtyard

Cécile's chamber
(top floor)

The stables where
Jean d'Armagnac dealt out
his punishment!

'I was raised not far from Condom, the seat of power of the Armagnacs, at Larressingle, a beautiful château, which, commandingly perched high upon a hill, gazes across fields of lush green and gold.'
(Extract from Cécile's letter - Book One)

'Following a single width bridle path from the rear of the monastery, we were led into a nearby copse that would shield our escape. Armand's soldiers were to meet us in a village halfway to Compiegne, where we would stay the night. Glancing at the lay brothers in an adjoining field, robes tucked into belts as their backs bent with the labour of sickles and scythes, I sent a prayer of thanks for the admonishing they had delivered to Edward's horrified men only days before. How many new pots of dye, by way of a bribe, had recently appeared in the illuminator's cavern on my behalf? I stared at the stiff back of Monsieur de Bellegarde. Though he no doubt had supplied the means, the coin for such protection would have been my father's, and I added another heavenly offering for my papa's stubborn refusal to succumb to the English banner.'
(Extract from Cécile's letter - Book One)

'The manor house is respectable in size, though not as large as most, and draped in dense ivy. Sadly, its condition is deteriorating, the peeling paint competing with the cracked daub. If not for this, a most pretty sight it would be. Judging by the shuttered casements, it contains three floors, and, by the number of chimneys, plenty of fireplaces; though smoke drifted only from one. There are gardens aplenty, and plenty overgrown! Large sprawling bushes, rambling vines and a veritable carpet of weeds cover the rolling patches of lawn. But even with its unkempt appearance, or mayhap because of it, I loved it immediately. It is wild and untamed.'
(Extract from Cécile - Book One)

Bench with arches - (far left) is a cooking top with fires lit beneath

Firebox type oven - food placed inside with long paddle

'He gulped from his cup and declared, “Lord, I need some air. Drink up. We shall take a walk and, if you allow me the chance, I will explain everything. Besides, Armand said there was a woodland here that you would enjoy.”                                                  
I found myself being guided down a winding path no wider than a bridle track, which ran from the back of the rose garden. Bordered by tall hedgerows of hawthorn, it led to a clearing of immense beauty. Soaring pines tickled the sky, the thickly interwoven branches overhead dangling the sun’s rays like ribbons of gold. A pebbled bank, clustered with meadowsweet, dipped into a stream, tiny waterfalls bubbling along the meandering curves, and cascading into a deep pool. A large, flat rock hid beneath the trees; a proud pagan altar, shrouded in clinging bryony, and, on either side, decaying logs, embossed with mosses and lichen, sprawled like carelessly placed church pews on the thick carpet of leaves that was dusted by wild strawberry flowers. “Armand discovered it and thought it would please you. He made me promise to bring you here.” Gillet smirked indulgently as I gaped, my hands clasped, childlike, beneath my chin.
“C’est magnifique!”
“Oui, a perfect home for a sprite.”'        

(Gillet talking to Cécile – Extract from Book One)

'I had been, in God's good grace, a novice at Denny Abbey, awaiting my time to take Holy Orders, having not yet been able to prove my worthiness. I was secure in the belief that I was a waif, without family, left at the mercy of the Abbess, Lady Mary St Pol, Countess of Pembroke, and the Poor Sisters of Clare when I was only a babe.'
(Extract from Catherine's letter - Book One)

'As I peer from my window over the green meadows about this place, I imagine you looking back at me, my dearest, and this brings me great joy.'
(Extract from Catherine's letter- Book One)

'We were making our way onto the downs, and I could see the manor house in the distance, spreading out like a pretty gown in a well formed curtsey. The large hall of Broughton manor sat between two wings, the timbered peaks of these later additions, jutting high into the sky. The sombre grey stone wall of the middle section was slowly disappearing under a blanket of thick, clinging ivy, and the whole structure sat majestically in magnificent gardens.'
(Extract from Cécile's letter- Book Two)

‘My room, the likes of which are beyond description, faces west towards the lake and, each morning, I watch as the groundsmen make their way to the shore, collecting the many fowl fallen prey to their well laid traps.’
(Extract from Catherine – Book One)

‘I looked out over the great blue lake, shimmering in the last of the evening light.  A flock of plovers flew over, dipping into the water and I envied their freedom; their carefree, light manner.’ 
(Extract from Cécile – Book Two)