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.