CHARTER FOR MURDER – A TALE OF MYSTERY IN THE MONASTERY
Set in the months leading up to the Peasants’ Revolt in 1381, CHARTER FOR MURDER is a fast-paced murder ‘who-done-it’ where the victims are monks from Winchester’s Hyde Abbey and the mystery is the theft of its ancient and invaluable Golden Charter of King Edgar.
Bringing together key characters recognisable from Chaucer’s Canterbury Tales, Sir Matthew de Somborne – the conscience-troubled ‘Gentil Knight’ and his son Damian, ‘The Squire’ – must delve into the complicated politics of church and state to expose the villains. Conflicting loyalties quickly emerge as an Oxford clerk becomes the prime suspect but lurking behind the investigation are the diverse ambitions of the wily Mistress Alison the Wife of Bath and the beautiful Madame Eglentyne, Prioress of the neighbouring Wintney Convent.
Overshadowing everything, however, is the rivalry between the Lollard-loving John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster and William of Wykeham, Bishop of Winchester with his plans for a new college and school. And as the pilgrims make their way towards Southwark’s Tabard Inn, Sir Matthew has to navigate the complexities of medieval medicine, the scheming of ambitious Priors and the duplicity of lawyers. Only a race across London Bridge to the courts and the Temple can render justice while the rebel peasantry threaten to descend on the capital.
About the author
Edward Fennell is a journalist and writer specialising in legal and business affairs. For over thirty years he contributed to The Times law pages and has written a number of law firms’ and chambers’ histories. He lives in Winchester and conceived Hyde900, a community organisation dedicated to telling the story of Hyde Abbey. He was significantly involved in the BBC 2 TV documentary The Search for Alfred the Great.
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