Arminell, a social romance (ePub)

Reverend Sabine Baring-Gould (1834-1924) was an English hagiographer, antiquarian, novelist, and eclectic scholar. His notable contributions span across various genres including theology, folklore, and fiction, with a prolific literary output that cemented his reputation as a versatile and learned man of letters. A Cambridge University graduate and ordained priest, Baring-Gould spent a significant portion of his life serving as a parish priest in Devon, where much of his writing reflects the region's rich cultural tapestry. Among his celebrated works is 'Arminell, a Social Romance' (1890), a nuanced exploration of Victorian society and its myriad class divisions. The novel exhibits Baring-Gould's acute social awareness and ability to critique the norms of his time through a compelling narrative framework. His literary style often combined a strong narrative presence, detailed pastoral imagery, and an underlying current of social commentary, which became a hallmark of his fiction. Baring-Gould's legacy extends beyond fiction to authoritative texts on saints, including 'The Lives of the Saints', and his famous hymns, such as 'Onward, Christian Soldiers'. As a scholar, he contributed extensively to the study of English folklore, penning the classic 'Curious Myths of the Middle Ages'. His diverse body of work and his contributions to religious and secular literature render him a significant though often underappreciated figure in the canon of 19th-century English authors.