And let’s not forget real history. Vatican documents unearthed in March of 2002, shed new light on the Templars and their relationship to Pope Clement V. History claimed he denounced them in 1308. These documents were known but thought destroyed by Napoleon when his men looted the Vatican during their invasion of Italy. According to the document known as the “Chinon Parchment,” the pope sent emissaries to conduct what was essentially a secret trial and exonerated the Templars for allegations of sodomy and blasphemy. But, as was explained in the book, such a decree of exoneration would not be popular, and many of the crowned heads of Europe did what they liked first before informing the pope of their activities. And Clement V was said to be easily manipulated. So good-bye Templars.
The information regarding the anti-pope is also true, though it is my own fabrication concerning his network of international spies and operatives.
Or is it?
But I digress. The Catholic Church has always been stuck with anti-popes throughout its history. It wasn’t quite the “universal” ideal it touted. At one time, there were three popes: the “official” one in Rome, one in Avignon, and one in Pisa. It wasn’t until 1449 that the final anti-pope had his last gasp.
Crispin’s tale is far from over. My intent is to get back to the series and tell his story till the end. So, if you are just beginning the series, go on next to Veil of Lies. If you are continuing the series, then look for The Silence of Stones next. As always, if you want to find me, go to my website at JeriWesterson.com or on Facebook. Feel free to ask questions or just chat. By the way, you might wish to get yourself on my e-newsletter where there is always more medievally goodness and news. Crispin also has a blog on my website, so there’s a lot more about our favorite ex-knight there.
Thank you all for reading!
GLOSSARY
There are a few words in the novel that may defy context. Some are simply archaic words, used only at the time with no contemporary equivalent. Only historians and scholars are likely to understand them. Since it is not my intention to confuse but to enlighten, I have included some words here. I hope this will help clarify.
CHAPERON A combination hood and shoulder cape, with the cape edged in fancy shapes. Since most cloaks did not yet have attached hoods, these supplied much needed protection from the elements and cold interiors. Often worn without the cloak.
CHAUSSES Stockings, in this case made of mail as flexible armor for the legs.
CHEMISE Shirt for both male and female, usually white linen. All-purpose, used also as a nightshirt.
COTEHARDIE (coat) Any variety of upper body outer wear popular from the early middle ages to the Renaissance. A coat reaching to the thighs or below the knee, with buttons all the way down the front and sometimes at the sleeves. Worn over a chemise. Early part of the fourteenth century, the belt was worn at the hips. The belt moved up to the waist as the century progressed, and stayed there. Some women’s gowns were also called cotehardies.
DIVINE OFFICE They were first used for monastics, denoting the specific hours of the day for certain prayers. Also called the canonical hours, these soon became how the laity could divide the day, since the monks and nuns rang bells to call their community to prayer. It was a precursor to clocks, and Crispin and the other occupants of village and city alike, knew what specific time of the day it was by the ringing of the bells. They were divided roughly like this:
Matins (during the night, usually midnight, sometimes called Vigils)
Lauds (at dawn or 3:00 a.m.)
Prime (first hour, 6:00 a.m.)
Terce (third hour, 9:00 a.m.)
Sext (sixth hour, noon)
None (ninth hour, 3:00 p.m.)
Vespers (6:00 p.m.)
Compline (9:00 p.m.)
HOUPPELANDE Fourteenth century upper body outer wear with fashionably long sleeves that touched the ground. As fashion changed, so did the collar, growing in height, the sleeves in length, with pleats on the bodice front and back.
KAYLES A game of medieval ninepins.
SCRIP A small bag, wallet, or satchel.
SHERIFF The word is derived from the shire reeve, a man appointed to settle disputes and keep the peace in a region made up of several villages and towns known as a shire. The duties of the sheriffs changed with the times. The sheriffs of London were appointed for one year and served their term with little compensation except that which they could obtain by benefit of their office, that is, what bribes they could collect from those brought to justice. They appointed the juries, after all, and decided what situations would go to trial. They also served as judges.
VARLET Valet. A menial or groom. A fourteenth century term.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Los Angeles native and award-winning author Jeri Westerson writes the critically acclaimed Crispin Guest Medieval Noir mysteries. Her books have garnered nominations for the Shamus, the Macavity, the Agatha, Romantic Times Reviewer’s Choice, and the Bruce Alexander Historical Mystery Award. When not writing,
Jeri dabbles in beekeeping, gourmet cooking, fine wines, cheap
chocolate, and swoons over anything British.
JeriWesterson.com
Craig Westerson ©
Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
CHAPTER ONE
CHAPTER TWO
CHAPTER THREE
CHAPTER FOUR
CHAPTER FIVE
CHAPTER SIX
CHAPTER SEVEN
CHAPTER EIGHT
CHAPTER NINE
CHAPTER TEN
CHAPTER ELEVEN
CHAPTER TWELVE
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
CHAPTER NINETEEN
CHAPTER TWENTY
CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE
CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO
CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE
CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR
CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE
CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX
CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN
CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT
CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE
CHAPTER THIRTY
CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE
CHAPTER THIRTY-TWO
AUTHOR’S AFTERWORD
GLOSSARY
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Cup of Blood: A Medieval Noir: A Crispin Guest Medieval Noir Prequel Page 29