The Cross-Legged Knight

The Cross-Legged Knight (2006) Candace Robb

Set in England in 1371.

Lucie has been recovering from a fall that caused her to lose the baby she was carrying, and as she recovers she struggles not only with a darkness that has fallen upon her, as well as Owen’s protectiveness, which makes her feel worse.

Lucie did not wish to be reminded of all she had to be thankful for. It made her troubled state harder to forgive in herself, which pulled her down yet further.

In the mean time, Archbishop Thoresby is dealing with Bishop Wykeham, who was forced to resign as Chancellor, as well as the death of his friend Sir Ranulf, who against the advice of those around him, returned to France as a spy, was captured and died.

Thoresby had grieved to hear of that last indignity. Ever since he had witnessed the removal of a heart from a corpse, seen how the flesh was torn open, the ribs cracked, he had agreed with Pope Boniface that severing or removing any part of the body was a desecration. It seemed impossible after such mutilation that the body would arise whole on the day of resurrection.

When a fire breaks out in the Bishop’s residence (which he was renting) a body is discovered, and a servant is found terribly burned, it makes the situation between Sir Ranulf’s family and the Bishop even more complicated.

The treatment of the servant calls in Magda, and gives us a look at healing techniques (more than we normally see from Lucie’s work as an apothecary).

Owen had just caught sight of what was in the covered dish that had smelled of rotten meat— Magda was about to apply maggots to the worst of the burns, to clean away the dead flesh.

Fascinating that so many of these techniques are coming back as medical techniques again.

I’m still enjoying this series, and remain fascinated with the historical perspectives, and continue to enjoy the mysteries.
Rating: 8/10

Published by Diversion Books

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