Marie de France
The protagonist of the novel is based on an actual historical figure whose life spanned the late 12th century and the early 13th century. Little is known about her biographically, but she is famous for being the author of several works of literature. It is that dearth of known information outside the composition of those literary works that afford the author this novel the possibility to re-imagine her entire life and create a rich tapestry that draws upon and enhances what little historical data is actually available.
Queen Eleanor
Another historical figure also plays a role in the novel but in her case much more biographical information is actually known. The Queen Eleanor that Marie is desperately in love with is none other than Eleanor of Aquitaine who was twice married, first to the King of France and then, upon annulment of that relationship, to the King of England. The novel covers the period when Eleanor was Queen Consort to Henry II of England but her significance is as the object of Marie’s passion which will inspire her poetry.
Sister Ruth
Sister Ruth is a novitiate at the same time as Marie and the two develop a close bond. This is partially based upon the fact that Ruth seems to be endowed with “an eerie gift to understand things left unsaid” and thus is more sensitively attuned to Marie’s sexuality than the other nuns. Ruth also enjoys the privilege of being able to speak openly and plainly to Marie which sometimes comes out as anger, but which Marie always views as a window allowing her see just as plainly into the mind of the girl who will become her old friend.
Emme
Emme is the abbess when Marie first arrives after being unceremoniously kicked out of court by Eleanor. She is blind but it has been said that in exchange for this unfairness she has been granted “an internal music” as solace. Marie has also heard rumors that the prioress is quite mad, but in an eccentric way rather than a psychotic way. Another of the sisters shares an opinion that really what it all comes down to is that the Emma is “useless.”
Tilde
Tilde will eventually take over as prioress of the abbey by the time Marie has begun writing down her “visions.” Tilde has never fully bought into the story of Marie’s visions being supplied to her by the Virgin Mary and, besides, has cast a crooked eye toward the fundamental sacredness of the visions. In other words, she ain’t buying Marie is selling is ultimately moved to extreme action: throwing the book containing Marie’s visions into the fire.
