Beatryce of Abelard

Beatryce is the protagonist of the novel. She is an ordinary young girl, although it is rumored that she is bewitched. There is a prophecy written in the Chronicles of Sorrowing about her: “There will one day come a girl child who will unseat a king and bring about a great change” (66).

When the novel begins, Beatryce has just lost her memory. Rather, she suppressed her memories so as not to face the deaths of her brothers and tutor. Right off the bat, Beatryce becomes attached to Answelica, the monastery’s goat. Answelica remains her trusted friend and protector during her time spent at the monastery.

Brother Edik becomes a foster parent to Beatryce. He opens her eyes to the beauty of the world, while she opens his heart to love. Beatryce comes to regard the monastery as her true home, still not recalling anything of...