Out with 90, in with four.

I donated 90 of my darling books to charity yesterday. Over the years we've been preparing to move, I've got rid of quite a few but not so many at once. Then I went into Waterstone's and bought four more....those damn 3 for 2s!!!!! But I did go in looking for specific books, and came out with two of them. The third I couldn't find. But I got The Owl Killers by Karen Maitland. It's fantastic so far. Set in the early 14th century in East Anglia, a group who call themselves the Owl Masters rule a small village under a murderous regime of punishment for villagers who dishonour their lord, Taranis. No one knows who they are and if your loved one is taken by them (after a warning of a dead owl on your doorstep) you must never speak of it. What I love is that I've learnt something new. Around these times women set up what was called "beguines" - self-contained communities inhabited and run totally by women where they teach, study, craft and heal. People were wary of them, for without God or witchery they did not understand women not needing men. They would take their charitable meats or grains, but spit at them as they turned their backs.
In the book they've come from the Vineyard in Belgium and have set up right outside the Owl Masters' domain. As their crops thrive and the village's fail, they come under threat and jealousy and suspicion gives way to accusations of witchcraft and heresy. From the first page I was enthralled, which hardly ever happens as I rarely take in the first 20 pages of a book. This group of elitist male thugs is terrifying as they murder, rape and torment their way to power.
I love the beguines though, and how everyone is called Martha. "Gate Martha" keeps the gate. "Merchant Martha" takes the sewing and whatnot to market for selling. "Kitchen Martha" cooks. The head of them all is called "Servant Martha". I know strength and unity amongst women is not a 20th century creation, but I just love the fact they did this, Christians or not. Women not being ruled by men is such a pleasing thought, even in a fictional book I swell with pride and admiration. I want to find out more about them.