The Boy-Bishop's Glovemaker aktm-10 Read online

  The Boy-Bishop's Glovemaker

  ( A Knights Templar Mystery - 10 )

  Michael JECKS

  For Sir Baldwin Furnshill, Keeper of the King's Peace, and his friend, Bailiff Simon Puttock, the Christmas of 1321 looks set to be one of great festivity. As a reward for their services in a previous investigation, they've been summoned to Exeter to receive the prestigious gloves of honour in a ceremony led by the specially elected Boy-Bishop. But the dead man swinging on the gallows as they arrive is a portentous greeting.

  Within hours they learn that Ralph – the cathedral's glovemaker and the city's beloved philanthropist – has been robbed and stabbed to death. His apprentice is the obvious suspect but there's no trace of the missing jewels and money. When Peter, a Secondary at the cathedral, collapses from poisoning in the middle of Mass, the finger of suspicion turns to him. Yet if he was Ralph's attacker, where is the money now? And could Peter have committed suicide – or was he murdered, too?

  When the Dean and city Coroner ask Simon and Baldwin to solve the riddles surrounding the deaths, they are initially reluctant, believing them to be unconnected. But as they dig for the truth they find that many of Exeter's leading citizens are not what – or who – they first seem to be, and that the city's Christmas bustle is concealing a ruthless murderer who is about to strike again…

  Michael Jecks

  THE BOY-BISHOP'S GLOVEMAKER

  2000

  For Spike, Cathy, Jordan and Kristen, because without their help (and printer) I’d never have got started.

  It’s also for Fred Storm, the Blues Brother who lives on.

  Acknowledgements

  I have to thank too many people for their help in researching this book for me to be able to list them all, but some stand out for their specific assistance:

  My wife Jane, who patiently proofread this like so many of my other books, and pointed out all the little details I’d missed.

  Margaret Cash, who has helped me greatly with this work. I have her to thank for the translation (from Latin) of Grandisson’s Regulations for the Boy-Bishop.

  The librarians at the Devon and Exeter Institution, who scratched their heads doubtfully when I asked about ancient maps, ancient pictures, ancient names, and especially, ancient ceremonies. Yet each time they were able to recall specific documents or books, and if they couldn’t give me the references directly, they always managed to point me in the direction of the authors or works which could.

  The people of North Dartmoor who have gone out of their way to make my research fun, who have given me fresh ideas for my stories, and who still take me to see new places where horrible things could have happened!

  Glossary

  Annuellar

  Sometimes also called Annivellars in Exeter, these were the priests who served the Chantries. They were appointed by the Dean and Chapter of the Cathedral to service a specific Chantry and to participate in the choral services along with other minor clergy. Annuellars were paid by an annual stipend and lived alone in rented chambers in the Close. They were paid some £2–£4 each year, from which they had to pay rent and buy their own food. Some had private means.

  Canon

  There were twenty-four Canons in Exeter, men who had chosen to live together bound by the Church’s rules. They controlled the income of the Cathedral in common and mostly lived in the Close in their own houses. The more senior Canons were also expected to look after a Secondary and a Chorister, providing them with meals and offering other patronage.

  Chantry

  A popular way for people to protect their souls was to found a Chantry. This was a Mass held at set times or days to pray for the founder’s soul. The Mass itself was the Chantry, although prayers for members of the founder’s family were sometimes added. Chantries could be expensive since they often involved funding an altar, chapel, or part of a church, as well as sufficient money to pay for priests to service it. Exeter had many such Chantries.

  Chapter

  Exeter Cathedral had a large Chapter comprising twenty-four Canons. This body was ruled by the Dignitories. Among the Canons were the Archbishops of Barnstaple, Cornwall, Exeter and Totnes. Only the Dignitories possessed separate endowments.

  Choir

  The full body of men who served the Cathedral, comprising the Chapter and the Minor Clergy. However, the area of the Cathedral in which their stalls were placed was also termed the ‘choir’ of the church.

  Choristers

  To assist with the singing there were fourteen Choristers, who were appointed by the Precentor and held their posts until their voices broke.

  Custors

  These were the custodians of the buildings, furnishings and gates. In the Cathedral, four Custors looked after lights, ornaments and vestments under the supervision of a sub-Treasurer. Similarly other Custors rang the bells and kept order.

  Dignitories

  This was the ruling body of the Cathedral. It comprised the Treasurer, Chancellor, Precentor and, at the head, the Dean.

  Minor Clergy

  There were four groups which are lumped together as Minor Clergy: the Vicars Choral, the Secondaries, the Choristers and the Annuellars. During the early 1300s there were some twenty-four Vicars, twelve Secondaries and fourteen Choristers. The Minor Clergy had a pleasant, sociable life. They had more personal freedom than a monk or friar, not to mention the potential for enjoying the varied amusements available in a city.

  Minor Officers

  Many of the routine tasks were undertaken by independent clergy with no other employment. They included the Custors, various administrative clerks, the Bailiff of the City, who collected rents, and the Succentor.

  Punctators

  These behaved like school prefects, noting down who had (or rather had not) attended services. The Vicars, Annuellars and Secondaries were supposed to attend all services unless ill, on pilgrimage, or granted special leave of absence, and Punctators kept records, checking off those who arrived against their lists.

  Rulers

  At special ceremonies, those which the Canons couldn’t be expected to remember since they only happened once a year, Rulers would be positioned in front of the choir on revolving stools. They would prompt the choir, singing the first notes of each part of the service to remind the rest of the order of service.

  Secondaries

  These were appointed by the Dean himself. Generally they were adolescents and youths aged between seventeen and twenty-four. Several were admitted at puberty because they were Choristers whose voices had broken. Sadly it seems that many failed to gain higher offices and remained tonsured clerks or acolytes in order to keep open the opportunity of some form of career in their adulthood.

  Succentor

  This man was responsible for the music and the rituals within the Cathedral. He controlled which songs and prayers would be used.

  Vicars Choral

  Originally the Vicars were personal servants for the Canons, and thus there were twenty-four, one to match each Canon. Each was appointed by his own Canon, to whom he rendered personal services in exchange for benefits. He had lodgings in the Canon’s house, meals at his table, and accompanied his Canon to the Cathedral. In 1300 they were paid some £2–£3 per annum in cash, but of course lived with free board and lodging.

  The Regulations

  The Regulations for the Boy-Bishop at Exeter

  Cathedral after Bishop Grandisson c. 1330

  (translated from the Latin by Margaret Cash)

  To the Mayor and Commonality of the City of Exeter

  1. No wine or cake should be made available on the eve of St Thomas the Apostle at Kalandarhay.

  2. No breakfast shall b
e made on the Feast Day of St Thomas the Apostle in the room of the Chorister-Bishop, but the Bishop together with the Choristers and servants of the Canons at the house of their master, as they are accustomed on other days.

  3. Distribution of gloves within the Close shall be done by two or three of the Choir, and in the city and its vicinity by two, three or four from the servants of the Canons of the Master Bishop, according to the discretion of the said master.

  4. The Bishop shall give no regard to his brother Choristers on Holy Innocents’ Day.

  5. None shall be called to lunch on Holy Innocents’ Day, at the expense of the Bishop, at the house of his master, unless they be special friends of the said Bishop, and then not beyond the number of six persons. The Bishop shall pay to his Canon master, should he wish to receive it, four pence for whatever lunch is taken. And the Bishop shall consider himself content with his master’s service.

  6. On Holy Innocents’ Day there shall be prepared and arranged a pennyweight of bread, a pottle with a narrow neck, and two or three pennyweights of meat or one of cheese and butter, to be carried to the Bishop’s room and carried by the Bishop and his brother Choristers, and he shall go down to the Priory of St Nicholas, provided that the expense of the said breakfast shall not exceed the sum of four or six pennies.

  7. It is ordered that the said Bishop and his crosier, on the days after the said feast of the Holy Innocents, shall use dancing and leisure like the rest of the Choristers; and that afterwards they shall not run about through the church nor other places with the gloves, except when the County Court or Sessions of the Peace of Exeter is held, or certain respectable outsiders happen to approach the church or house of any Canon within the aforesaid precinct. And this with the licence of the Precentor or Succentor or the Clerk of the Chapel of St Mary.

  Item, that the offering of money to the Bishop on Holy Innocents’ Day shall be counted openly within the church before a clerk of the treasury or other respectable priest of the Choir and then shall be offered by one of the Bishop’s friends.

  Cast of Characters

  Sir Baldwin de Furnshill

  Keeper of the King’s Peace of Crediton in Devon, Sir Baldwin was once a Knight Templar, but after the destruction of his Order he managed to return to his ancestral home. He is known to be an astute investigator of crimes.

  Lady Jeanne Furnshill

  The widow of a coarse and brutal knight, Jeanne finally married Sir Baldwin earlier in the year after a protracted wooing.

  Edgar

  Sir Baldwin’s servant was once his Sergeant in the Knights Templar. When the Order was destroyed he chose to remain at his knight’s side and became Sir Baldwin’s trusted steward.

  Simon Puttock

  An old friend of Sir Baldwin’s, Simon is Bailiff to the Warden of the Stannaries, based in Lydford. He and Baldwin have often investigated crimes together.

  Ralph

  The glover from Correstrete, Ralph was a cheerful, generous soul, whose murder has shocked the whole city. Especially since it appears to have been committed by his own apprentice.

  Elias

  Scarcely into his twenties, the horrified Elias has been arrested for the murder of his master, Ralph.

  Mary Skinner

  Elias’s girlfriend, the daughter of a baker.

  Henry

  One of the Choristers, Henry has been elected to become the boy-Bishop when the Cathedral celebrates the Feast of the Holy Innocents.

  Luke Soth

  The leading Chorister, Luke had expected to be elected to the bishopric and was hurt and offended when his companions chose Henry instead.

  Adam

  One of the many Secondaries in the Cathedral, Adam is waiting for a suitable position to appear so that he can be promoted from his minor clerical jobs.

  Gervase

  As Succentor, Gervase is responsible for the Choristers. The boys must be taught how to sing, but likewise they have to learn Latin, reading and writing.

  Stephen

  The Canon responsible for the Treasury, Stephen is also responsible for Luke and Adam, both of whom dine at his table.

  Peter Golloc

  A young Secondary who works in the Treasury and lives with Jolinde Bolle.

  Jolinde Bolle

  Although Jolinde showed some promise as a Chorister, he has fallen prey to the attractions of the city, especially those of a young woman.

  Claricia Cornisshe

  A serving woman in one of the taverns and Jolinde’s girlfriend.

  Vincent le Berwe

  Vincent is a successful merchant who owns several properties and makes a good living from his trading. He has recently been elevated to one of the more senior posts in the city, that of Receiver.

  Hawisia le Berwe

  Vincent’s wife, a bright young woman who is proud of his success.

  Nicholas Karvinel

  A merchant and associate of Vincent. He also knew Ralph well and took over much of his business when Ralph died.

  Juliana Karvinel

  The wife of Nicholas, a woman from Winchester.

  John Coppe

  Often to be found begging by the Fissand Gate, Coppe was crippled during a sea-fight.

  Sir Thomas of Exmouth

  Once an honourable knight, Sir Thomas has lost everything and now leads a small band of outlaws not far from Exeter.

  Jen of Whyteslegh

  When Sir Thomas first met Jen he was very taken with her. Later, when her parents died, she agreed to live with him.

  Hob of Whyteslegh

  Born witless, all through his life Hob has been looked down upon, and he has no regrets about leaving the vill where he was born. Now he lives with Sir Thomas and Jen.

  Roger de Gidleigh

  As Coroner, Roger must investigate any sudden deaths.

  William de Lappeford

  The Bailiff of the City, reporting to the Coroner.

  Author’s Note

  When I first began writing, I read Pleasures and Pastimes in Medieval England by Compton Reeves, and was struck by the insights it gave. One in particular caught my fancy: his description of a medieval Christmas. I was fascinated by it, and decided there and then that one day, I would write a mystery story set at Christmas-time.

  The aspect which intrigued me most was the curious detail of the boy-Bishop. Only later did I realise that Exeter Cathedral annually elected a boy-Bishop – and as soon as I realised that, I knew I had to incorporate one into my story. At last, five years later, here he is.

  There appears to be a direct link between the boy-Bishops of the Middle Ages and the Roman celebration of Saturnalia. This was a strange feast during which everything became topsy-turvy; social and moral constraints went by-the-by.

  Boy-Bishops existed all over the country. Cathedrals, canonical churches and colleges had their own customs but were generally consistent: the boy would have been elected by his fellow Choristers on 21 December, Feast Day of St Thomas the Apostle, and would come into his bishopric at some time after Christmas, usually ending with the last service on Holy Innocents’ Day, 28 December.

  In Exeter the boy-Bishop took control at the last service on 27 December, and held power for twenty-four hours. During his reign he would have a fabulous time compared with normal: a Chorister in those days normally spent long hours singing in a draughty, cold cathedral, and even longer hours sitting learning Latin or writing. There would have been few breaks, and none designed for play.

  Instead, on this one day, he would take breakfast with his Canon – a meal to which he could invite his friends – afterwards marching in procession to St Nicholas’s Priory near the river, where the Prior would give him a sum of money and more food. Following this, he would be able to wander about the city with his friends and participate in all sorts of mayhem. As Nicholas Orme says in his excellent book Exeter Cathedral As It Was 1050–1550, 28 December was one day when the clergy could relax. Sometimes things went a bit too far – or at least, Bishop Grandisson c
ertainly thought so because he wrote scathingly of Canons whose minds were off in the marketplace, the street or even still in bed while their bodies were present in church. Orme points out that, just as modern-day office workers enjoy Christmas parties with the associated revelry, drinking and (if only in the minds of the hopeful) casual sex, clerical staff in the early 1300s could also let their hair down for a short period each year.

  In the middle of all this, there would be a gift of gloves to leading members of the city’s institutions. The precise significance of these gloves has eluded me. Clearly, though, they were considered recognition for acts of kindness or patronage, and thus I feel justified in awarding them to my friends in this story.

  As an entity, the Church was wholly separate from the state. The Church had its own lands and was self-sufficient, producing stores of food and drink. Sometimes it bought in goods from outside such as wines, but these were exempt from customs and duties. The Church was not under the King’s rule.

  For example, if a cleric was thought guilty of a crime, he could not be convicted in one of the King’s courts; instead, he enjoyed Benefit of Clergy. This meant that he could walk free from the city’s courts and could only be tried in a clerical one. This system had wonderful advantages for the culprit. For a start, penalties were more lenient. Priests and clerics could hope to escape with a severe penance, a restricted diet and a lengthy period on their knees begging for forgiveness, while a secular criminal could anticipate a stay in gaol waiting for the King’s Justices to arrive, followed by a hanging. Clerical folk had protection – no matter what their crime.