Candace ROBB - The Guilt of Innocents

I want to thank historians RaGena DAragon, Jo Ann Hoeppner Moran Cruz, and Compton Reeves for their generous help, and the wonderful gang on Chaucernet for all sorts of incidental information and inspiration; Joyce Gibb for a careful first reading of the manuscript; the members of Medfem for feedback on birthing crosses; Kate Elton and Georgina Hawtrey-Woore for asking all the right questions, and all the talented people at Heinemann and Arrow who work behind the scenes.

Special thanks to Charlie for the 24/7 support and tlc he provides. Im a lucky woman.

Owen Archer (Captain Archer) captain of guard and spy for Archbishop of York; steward of Bishopthorpe

Lucie Wilton master apothecary; Owens spouse

Nicholas Wilton deceased, Lucies first husband, master apothecary

Hugh and Gwenllian Owen and Lucies natural children

Jasper de Melton Owen and Lucies adopted son and Lucies apprentice in the apothecary

Dame Phillippa Lucies aged aunt

Alisoun Ffulford nursemaid to Owen and Lucies children

Kate Lucies housemaid

Bess and Tom Merchet owners of the York Tavern

Edric apprentice in the apothecary

Magda Digby (aka the Riverwoman) midwife and healer

John Thoresby (*) Archbishop of York

Brother Michaelo personal secretary to Thoresby

Drogo pilot; abbey bargeman

Cissy (Cecilia) Drogos wife

Hal, Bart, sly Pete fellow abbey bargemen

George Hempe city bailiff

Master John de York (*) grammar master for St Peters School

Dame Agnes housemother at the Clee, lodgings for the grammar school

Geoffrey, Ned scholars of St Peters

Hubert de Weston Jaspers schoolmate

Aubrey and Ysenda de Weston Huberts parents

Brother Henry infirmarian, St Marys Abbey

Master Nicholas Ferriby (*) vicar of Weston and master of private grammar school

Peter Ferriby mercer; brother of Nicholas

Emma Ferriby Peters wife, Lucies friend

Osmund Gamyll son of Sir Baldwin Gamyll

Sir Baldwin Gamyll Aubrey de Westons lord; father of Osmund, husband of Janet

Abbot Campian abbot of St Marys Abbey

Alfred member of archbishops guard, Owens second

Rafe, Gilbert members of archbishops guard

Dean John (*) dean of York Minster

Chancellor Thomas Farnilaw (*) chancellor of York Minster; in charge of the schools

Canon William Ferriby (*) member of minster chapter, brother of Nicholas and Peter; actual name John (see Authors Note)

Nigel journeyman goldsmith

Edward Munkton goldsmith, Nigels master

Alice Tanner tanners wife

Dame Lotta Nigels landlady

Robert Dale goldsmith

(*) real historical figure

churching a womans first appearance in church to give thanks after childbirth

mazer a large wooden cup or bowl, often highly decorated

mystery craft, or trade, particularly used in connection with craft guilds

pandemain the finest quality white bread, made from flour sifted two or three times

scrip a small bag or wallet

staithe a landing-stage or wharf

toswollen pregnant

York, late November 1372

The tavern noises swirled above Drogos bent head, but he found them easier to ignore than the constant chatter of his daughters and wife in his tiny home. He loved them more than his life, but when he was home they could not let him rest. After a week piloting ships on the Ouse he was weary to the bone but they thought he was home to make repairs and listen to their tales of woe. So hed come to the tavern intending to drink himself into a comfortable stupor and then stumble home to pass out, blissfully oblivious to all.

He had just begun his first ale when the man he least wished to see appeared at his table.

Behind the tavern, was all the man said before turning sharp and walking back out into the chilly afternoon.

Fearing him too much to ignore him, Drogo gulped down what remained in his tankard and pushed himself from the table, clumsily spilling the drink of the well-dressed man across from him.

Watch what youre doing, the man muttered.

Drogo apologised aloud, but beneath his breath he cursed as he walked away. Mewling merchant. Thinks hes the centre of Gods kingdom on earth. He can afford to spill ale.

Outside the wind encouraged Drogo to duck quickly into the narrow alley. The overhanging roofs blocked what little light remained in the sky, and Drogo had not yet adjusted to the dark when he felt a sharp blade slice across his cheek. For pitys sake! He flung up his hands to shield himself but too late to prevent another cut, this one on his neck.

I warned you what would happen if you crossed me, his attacker growled. Thieving and telling tales.

Another flick of the blade sliced Drogos hands.

Keep your cursed money! Drogo shouted. I wash my hands of you.

He turned and bolted down Petergate and through Bootham Bar, the streets blessedly empty, not looking back until he stumbled just without the city walls. The bastard was not following. Drogo slowed his pace and hurried on towards the Abbey Staithe and the safety of his fellow bargemen.

Dear Lord, I swear Ill stick to my proper work from now on, Im a pilot and a bargeman, not a trafficker. I swear.

The Benedictine Abbey of St Mary dominated the northern bank of the River Ouse just upriver from the city of York, and it also owned extensive lands throughout Yorkshire and elsewhere in the realm whose rents and crops supported the community of monks. Its staithe, or dock, at the foot of Marygate served as the hub for moving the abbeys products, supplies, and personnel, as well as the frequent visitors both clerical and noble. A group of liveried bargemen operated the staithe, chosen for their strength and knowledge of the river and its moods, not for their education or piety.