--- product_id: 50348639 title: "The Merchant's Tale (Oxford Medieval Mysteries) Paperback – July 26, 2017" brand: "ann swinfen" price: "¥5322" currency: JPY in_stock: true reviews_count: 11 url: https://www.desertcart.jp/products/50348639-the-merchants-tale-oxford-medieval-mysteries-paperback-july-26-2017 store_origin: JP region: Japan --- # The Merchant's Tale (Oxford Medieval Mysteries) Paperback – July 26, 2017 **Brand:** ann swinfen **Price:** ¥5322 **Availability:** ✅ In Stock ## Quick Answers - **What is this?** The Merchant's Tale (Oxford Medieval Mysteries) Paperback – July 26, 2017 by ann swinfen - **How much does it cost?** ¥5322 with free shipping - **Is it available?** Yes, in stock and ready to ship - **Where can I buy it?** [www.desertcart.jp](https://www.desertcart.jp/products/50348639-the-merchants-tale-oxford-medieval-mysteries-paperback-july-26-2017) ## Best For - ann swinfen enthusiasts ## Why This Product - Trusted ann swinfen brand quality - Free international shipping included - Worldwide delivery with tracking - 15-day hassle-free returns ## Description Full description not available ## Images ![The Merchant's Tale (Oxford Medieval Mysteries) Paperback – July 26, 2017 - Image 1](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/W/IMAGERENDERING_521856-T1/images/I/61RLCzKNqiL.jpg) ## Customer Reviews ### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ The Last of the Bookseller’s Tales *by V***E on Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on July 30, 2017* Set a few weeks after the last book, this story begins with Nicholas being rudely woken up by Margaret even earlier than usual one morning, for this is the day the family is to climb Headington Hill to gather hazelnuts, blackberries, crab apples and other fruits to be preserved to sustain the family over winter. The children, as all children are wont to do eat more berries than they put in the baskets, but thoroughly enjoy themselves as it is a welcome day's outing from their usual routine. As the town merchants cannot trade during the six days of the annual St Frideswide’s Fair, a group of women, including Margaret have leased a large booth at the Fair where they can sell their surplus cheeses, preserves, jams and other goods. Margaret’s kitchen is turned into a hive of activity as most of the preparing, cooking and preserving is taking place there. Nicholas is doing good business with the new term starting, and with students stocking up on inks, quills and paper to tide them over the six days. There are rumours of trouble among the town merchants, but Nicholas learns nothing concrete.There is a lot going on in Oxford with merchants arriving from all over England and Europe to sell their wares, and there is a feeling of tension, of something simmering as opening day draws closer. The first day at the Fair passes without incident but after the gates close for the night, serious trouble breaks out that could endanger the Town. The following day a fight breaks out at the jetty between the English and the French who are guarding the boats. A merchant from Flanders is attacked one night and then Nicholas and another man find a local vintner murdered in his own house. Shortly after that, serious trouble breaks out at St Frideswide’s priory and Deputy Sheriff Cedric Walden and his men arrive from the Castle. That is not the end of the troubles though, and Nicholas finds himself caught up in a very dangerous situation quite by chance.The everyday happenings running parallel to the mystery and troubles, as they always do, combine to make Swinfen’s stories real. Dinners still need to be cooked, children still need to be looked after, there is still work that can be done in the bookshop, and Nicholas makes a new friend. Then there is all the excitement of children watching the strange and exotic at the Fair, eating gingerbread men and choosing a new toy. There are touches of humour here and there in the narrative and it is well-written and edited as usual. It never ceases to amaze me how much I can learn from Ann Swinfen’s books, and it never ceases to amaze me just how advanced in many thing the mediaevals were.With her usual flair for descriptive prose, and her skill, not only for telling a splendid tale, but also for weaving historical facts throughout, Ann Swinfen has written the last of the Nicholas Elyot books set in 14th century Oxford, although I feel there are a few loose ends. (Maybe I am just sad there will be no more Nicholas books).ETA: My mistake - there are more books to come. ### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ A week at the Fair with Nicholas, his friends, spies, and Prince Edward *by G***A on Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on August 5, 2017* Anna Swinfen has a gift for bringing to life the lives of people in the past. She has done this for 16th century London in the Cristofer Alvarez series and now with 14th century Oxford and Nicolas Elyot. In this fourth book in the series, it is time for the St. Fridewide's Fair. Tempers are running high because the townspeople resent having to close their businesses during the Fair since by charter the abbey gets all the profits from the commerce of the fair. French traders are also present at the fair along with Flemings and Germans. This causes unease since France and England have a truce for the moment and the townspeople are suspicious of the French. There are also other causes for concern. An intelligencer (secret agent) who met Nicholas in the previous book is at the Fair looking out for a spy. The Abbey is headed for the moment by an unscrupulous abbot who may be selling off Abbey treasures. An unpopular wine merchant is killed and a English merchant who has befriended Nicholas is attacked. Is the murder related to the French spy? To the problems at the Abbey? To the presence at the Abbey of the young prince Edward (the Black Prince )? Nicholas is drawn into the mystery which comes to a satisfying conclusion. Along the way the readerIs immersed in the lives of ordinary people, primarily Nicholas' family and friends, as they prepare and sell goods at the Fair. There is also further development in the relationship between Nicholas and Emma and a possible future friendship with the merchant. A captivating novel. ### ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Yet another murder *by M***A on Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on September 20, 2021* Nicholas continues to find himself entangled in murder, this time within walking distance of his own home. His relationship with Emma appears to be developing nicely. For the time being at least all is well. --- ## Why Shop on Desertcart? - 🛒 **Trusted by 1.3+ Million Shoppers** — Serving international shoppers since 2016 - 🌍 **Shop Globally** — Access 737+ million products across 21 categories - 💰 **No Hidden Fees** — All customs, duties, and taxes included in the price - 🔄 **15-Day Free Returns** — Hassle-free returns (30 days for PRO members) - 🔒 **Secure Payments** — Trusted payment options with buyer protection - ⭐ **TrustPilot Rated 4.5/5** — Based on 8,000+ happy customer reviews **Shop now:** [https://www.desertcart.jp/products/50348639-the-merchants-tale-oxford-medieval-mysteries-paperback-july-26-2017](https://www.desertcart.jp/products/50348639-the-merchants-tale-oxford-medieval-mysteries-paperback-july-26-2017) --- *Product available on Desertcart Japan* *Store origin: JP* *Last updated: 2026-11-02*