Crispin: The Cross of Lead

Plot

In 1377 A.D. England, a 13-year-old boy, known only as Asta's Son, lives as a peasant in the small village of Stromford. His village is part of the territory of the feudal Lord Furnival, which, in Furnival’s absence, is under the control of the steward, John Aycliffe. When his mother dies, Asta's Son is left alone, as he has no other known relatives. Shortly afterwards, John Aycliffe falsely accuses him of theft, and declares him a Wolf's Head (one who may be killed on sight).

Asta's Son turns to the village priest, Father Quinel, his only friend, who gives to him a cross of lead that belonged to his mother, and reveals that his true name is Crispin. Father Quinel promises to reveal to Crispin the truth of who his father was, but before he can, Aycliffe's men murder him, forcing Crispin to flee the village by himself. While fleeing from Aycliffe and his men, Crispin comes across an abandoned village where he meets Orson Hrothgar but people call him Bear for short. Bear learns of Crispin's lead cross and notices the writing on the cross. While Bear does not tell Crispin what the words say, Crispin realizes that the cross and its words are important. Bear is rough with Crispin, but during their travels together, a true bond of friendship develops between them. Bear eventually asks Crispin if he would like become his apprentice, and Crispin happily agrees. Posing as father and son, the two travel towards the city of Great Wexly, the capital city of Lord Furnival's lands. Bear insists that he has important business to complete there. When they arrive, they find troubles waiting for them. Lord Furnival has died and John Aycliffe has arrived. Bear and Crispin stay at The Green Man tavern. In the room, there is a false-wall, which Bear tells Crispin will be his hiding place if things go badly. Bear meets with John Ball. Soldiers come and destroy the tavern. John Aycliffe had been looking for Crispin, who is hiding. Depressed, Crispin discovers that he is Lord Furnival's son. Crispin tries to get the help of "The Brotherhood", an organization Bear is a member of, and headed by John Ball. When they refuse to aid Crispin in trying to find Bear, Crispin takes it upon himself to break into Furnival Palace and find Bear himself. He finds a dagger in one of the hallways and keeps it under his cloak. He goes into a great room and sees a picture of Lord Furnival, who looks a lot like him. Crispin finds Aycliffe, pins him to the ground and puts the dagger to his neck; but instead of killing him, makes him vow under oath that he (Crispin) and Bear will be able to leave Great Wexly unharmed (never to return) in exchange for Crispin's cross of lead. Crispin is led to Bear, who is being kept in the palace's cellar. Bear has been tortured and is weak, but manages to walk out of the palace on his own. Aycliffe and a band of soldiers escort them to the city gates. At the city gates, Aycliffe reneges on his oath and is intent on killing Crispin. A fight ensues between Aycliffe and Bear. Crispin gives Bear the dagger he found in the palace. The soldiers have their swords drawn and encircle Aycliffe and Bear. During a back and forth battle Bear eventually squeezes Aycliffe from behind, causing him to drop his sword and dagger. Bear then hurls Aycliffe into the line of soldiers'. Aycliffe is punctured multiple times by the soldiers' swords and dies. Crispin leaves the cross of lead on Aycliffe's dead chest as he and Bear exit the Great Wexly gates. Outside the gate, Bear and Crispin play music and sing and for the first time he feels like Crispin instead of Asta's Son.

Characters

Reception

According to Kirkus Reviews, "The characters are somewhat less well-developed [than the setting]; although the revolutionary and frequently profane Bear is a fascinating treasure, Crispin himself lurches along, progressing from milquetoast to restless rebel to boy of courage and conviction in fits and starts, driven by plot needs rather than organic character growth... despite its flaws, this offering is nevertheless a solid adventure and could serve as the jumping-off point for an exploration into a time of great political upheaval."