CRISPIN: THE CROSS OF

LEADA Medieval Historical Fiction Novel by Avi

ENGLAND IN THE 14TH CENTURY

Historians described the fourteenth century as “violent, tormented, bewildered, suffering, and disintegrating…a time, as many though, of Satan triumphant. “ In a world where religion ruled all, immortal damnation seemed not only possible but likely.

Avi’s Crispin: The Cross of Lead takes place in the last part of the fourteenth century. The world has changed since the midcentury and new movements were afoot. Many major historical events shaped the world in which Crispin lived. His only frame of reference revolved around his village and the church when the story begins.

THE BLACK PLAGUE OR

“GREAT MORTALITY”

LASTING EFFECTS OF THE BLACK DEATH

Estimates show that one-third of the population of Europe died as a result of the plague

The plague did not discriminate its victims; poor and rich, urban and rural all fell prey to the Black Death

With many of the workers dead from the plague, fields were left unplowed, learning communities were lost.

The Hundred Years’ War between France and England came to a halt

Heavy taxes were forced upon survivors of the plague Survivors struggled to find meaning and understanding for why God would cause so much suffering and devastation

RELIGION• Church attendance was

required

• Church bells reminded people to pray several times throughout the day

• Catholicism taught followers that everything which happened was a result of God’s will and that the authority of the church and government was never to be questioned.

• However, religion also offered comfort and hope in the form of prayer and sanctuary

RELIGION Religious images for the poor often

portrayed suffering of Christ and his mother.

Religious images for the rich portrayed a much more glorious expectation of the

gospel.

FEUDALISM A MEDIEVAL CASTE SYSTEM

REVOLT By 1377 those at the bottom of the feudal society – the great majority of the populace – were becoming restless and angry. Beaten down by heavy taxes and war, worn out from the plague, some of these people decided to form new movements against the feudal political and religious structures. Serfs had little to lose by giving up their ties to the land.

In 1381 the emotions and frustrations would take hold of the country, and the Peasants’ Revolt would, for a few precious days give victory to the common man.

NON-FICTION MEETS FICTION

John Wycliffe was a priest and a scholar who lived in Crispin’s time. Wycliffe began preaching that it was Christ who was man’s overlord and that the scriptures were the supreme authority which called into question the control of the religious and political leaders of the time. His message was welcomed by the serfs but caused a great deal of conflict among the leaders of the church. He and his followers were the first to translate the Bible into English.

JOHN BALL John Ball was a medieval agitator and a key figure in the Peasants’ Revolt.

Many of his sermons caused serfs to see the need for change and were often followed by uprisings among the serfs within local manors. John Ball believed in equality for all, regardless of one’s social position. He fought for the end of the feudal system and was made the leader of the revolt after being freed from prison by the rebels. After the rebellion was suppressed, Ball was captured, hanged, drawn and quartered for all to see as a message to members of the rebellion.

SETTING Crispin: The Cross of Lead takes place in medieval England immediately

following the Black Death or “Great Mortality.”

Great Wexly is a fictional city comparable to London and Exeter; a place with its own liberties. It is here that Lord Furnival keeps his main

Lodgecot is a fictional village where Crispin first plays his recorder for Bear; another of Lord Furnival’s holdings

Stromford is Crispin’s home village, also fictional, and also owned by Lord Furnvial. It is all that Crispin knows of the world before his mother’s death.

CAST OF CHARACTERS Asta (Crispin’s Mother): Social outcast who was shunned by the community.

She concealed her genteel upbringing to all but the priest.

Bear (Orson Hrothgar): A juggler whose true purpose is to gauge the possibility of a successful revolt and act as eyes and ears for John Ball and other reformers

Crispin: Thirteen year old son of Asta, a peasant farmer. The illegitimate son of Lord Furnival, Crispin becomes an unwitting threat to Lady Furnival’s power and position.

Duke of Lancaster: The real-life historical figure and third son of Edward III, also known as John the Gaunt. The Duke was one of the kingdom’s wealthiest men. His eldest son become Henry IV after deposing Richard II.

Father Quinel: Village Priest of Stromford and possible illegitimate son of Lord Furnival, the kindly Father Quinel is the only possessor of Crispin’s true identity and is murdered on the night of Crispin’s escape.

CAST OF CHARACTERS John Aycliffe: Steward of the manor, kin to Lady Furnival and persecutor of Crispin.. Aycliffe is a tyrant to the serfs bound to Stromford Village.

John Ball: Non-fiction figure and zealous social reformer. King Edward III: An actual ruler of England during Crispin’s time. Lady Furnival: The widow of Lord Furnival, she is anxious to retain the power and wealth of her position and dictates that all possible off-spring of her dead husband be killed.

Lord Furnival: Lord of Stromford Village, as well as other land holdings. A veteran of the Hundred Years’ War, he is Crispin’s biological father and notorious for his depravity and cruelty.

VOCABULARYAlb: a long sleeved, white

priestly garment

Cottar: one who held no land in his or her own right.

VOCABULARYGlaives: long poles with sharp blades attached

Mazer: a large drinking bowl made of wood

VOCABULARYMoot: an assembly of people exercising administrative and judicial powers

Mummer: an actor, especially a pantominist

VOCABULARYTonsure: the part of a cleric’s head, usually the crown, left bare by shaving Blasphemy: the act or offense of speaking sacrilegiously about God or

sacred things; profane talk.

VOCABULARYPenance: a Christian sacrament in which a member of the Church confesses sins to a priest and is given absolution.

Flagellants: a person who subjects themselves or others to flogging for religious discipline