Dimensions
157 x 179 x 19mm
The Sorrowful Mysteries of Brother Athelstan
In the winter of 1379, a sea of troubles besets England. French privateers are attacking the southern coast and threaten London itself. Sir John Cranston, the portly, wine-loving Coroner of the City, also has problems. Not only does he have to sit in court and listen to allegations of witchcraft but he is puzzled by the crimes of a skilful felon.
Cranston's clerk, the Dominican monk, Brother Athelstan, is preparing a mystery play - and trying to placate the members of his church council, all of whom want to play God. But these mundane concerns pale into insignificance when an English flotilla of warships, with 'God's Bright Light' in its number, drops anchor in the Thames; during the first night the entire watch of the ship disappears without a trace.
The series of murderous and strange incidents leads to Sir John and Brother Athelstan being summoned to resolve the mysteries on board the ill-omened warship. In particular, they must search out the truth behind the death of Sir Henry Ospring who was viciously stabbed in a tavern chamber. Their investigations uncover scandal, sexual misdemeanours, murder and even treason - and they find themselves in the thick of bloody battle on the Thames.
