Peter Nielsen by Sabine Baring-Gould
The narrative unfolds in 1465, following the death of Bishop Henry Strangebjerg of Ribe, Denmark. The Cathedral Chapter, comprised of fifteen Canons and a Dean, is eager to fill the vacant position, driven by personal ambitions rather than spiritual concerns. Four candidates emerge: Thomas Lange, the ambitious Dean; Hartwig Juel, an Archdeacon with noble connections; Jep Mundelstrup, an elderly and amiable man; and Olaf Petersen, a pious Canon focused on true religious reform. As the Chapter convenes to elect a new bishop, they find themselves in a deadlock, with each candidate receiving equal votes. Jep Mundelstrup suggests appointing an impartial umpire to resolve the stalemate, leading to the unexpected choice of Peter Nielsen, a little-known priest from a remote village. The Chapter agrees, and a Canon is dispatched to find Nielsen. Nielsen is depicted as a humble yet shrewd man, managing his impoverished parish with a sense of practicality. Upon learning of his nomination, he is initially bewildered but soon realizes the potential for personal gain. As the other candidates attempt to curry favor with him through gifts and promises, Nielsen navigates their advances with a mix of shrewdness and moral ambiguity. The story culminates in a dramatic election ceremony at the cathedral, where Nielsen, after careful consideration, unexpectedly nominates himself for the bishopric. His declaration shocks the assembly, but he justifies his choice by claiming he embodies the qualities needed for the role. The narrative explores themes of ambition, morality, and the intersection of personal gain with ecclesiastical duty, ultimately revealing the complexities of human nature within the context of religious leadership.
By Sabine Baring-Gould · First published 1890 · Genre: Historical Fiction, Literary Fiction, Satire · 8,609 words
First lines
On the 29th day of April in the year 1465, died Henry Strangebjerg, bishop of Ribe in Denmark, after having occupied the See for just ten years. For some days before his decease public, official prayer had been made for his recovery by the Cathedral Chapter, but in their hearts the Canons were impatient for his departure. Not, be it understood, that the Bishop was an unworthy occupant of the See of Liafdag the Martyr -- on the contrary, he had been a man of exemplary conduct; nor because he was harsh in his rule -- on the contrary, he had been a lenient prelate. The reason why, when official prayer was made for his recovery, it was neutralised by private intercession for his removal, was solely this -- his removal opened a prospect of advancement.
What this Textopian page supports
Peter Nielsen is listed on Textopian as a novella by Sabine Baring-Gould, dated 1890 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Novella
- Author: Sabine Baring-Gould
- Date: 1890 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Historical Fiction, Literary Fiction, Satire, Religious Fiction, Drama
- Length: 8,609 words
- Structure: 1 section, 167 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for Peter Nielsen by Sabine Baring-Gould
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
- Readability and classroom-planning context
- Passage-specific claims should cite the exact /read/ URL for the relevant chapter or paragraph
Discussion starters
- What should a reader notice first when entering Peter Nielsen?
- How does this novella by Sabine Baring-Gould fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Historical Fiction first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
- The Mission Of Mr Eustace Greyne by Robert Hichens
- Michel And Angele Volume 3 by Gilbert Parker
- The Lost Sanjak by Saki
- Country Sentiment The Alice Jean by Robert Graves
- Mcalister by Sabine Baring Gould
- Whose Wife by Edward Dyson
Genres
- Historical Fiction — The narrative is set in a specific historical context (1465 Denmark) and explores themes of church politics and societal norms of the time.
- Literary Fiction — The book delves into complex character motivations and moral dilemmas, focusing on the inner lives of the characters.
- Satire — The story critiques the self-serving nature of the church officials and the political maneuvering involved in ecclesiastical appointments.
- Religious Fiction — The plot revolves around the election of a bishop and the spiritual implications of leadership within the church.
Tags
adventure · mystery · historical · fiction · drama · suspense · character study · narrative · exploration · identity · conflict · relationships