"Thomas atte Bridge, a man no one likes, is found hanging from a tree near Cowleys Corner. All assume he has taken his own life, but Master Hugh and Kate find evidence that this may not be so."--Amazon.

Another slice of medieval skullduggery from the surgeon-turned-sleuth Master Hugh, surgeon and bailiff, is asked to provide a sleeping potion for Sir Henry Burley, a friend and guest of Lord Gilbert at Bampton Castle. Sir Henry--with his current wife, a daughter by a first wife, two knights, two squires, and assorted servants--has outstayed his welcome at Bampton. The next morning, Sir Henry is found dead, eyes open, in his bed. Master Hugh, despite...

Master Hugh, Kate and their children attend the Midsummer's Eve fire. Early next morning, Hugh hears the passing bell ring from the Church of St. Beornwald, and moments later is summoned. Tenants collecting the ashes to spread upon their fields have found burned bones. Master Hugh learns of several men of Bampton and nearby villages who have gone missing recently. Most are soon found, some alive, some dead. Master Hugh eventually learns that the bones...

"Many medieval scholars discontinued their university studies before completing their degree. Some did so because of a lack of funds, others because they were bored with a scholar's life. Occasionally these young men formed lawless bands, robbing, and raping and creating chaos. They were called goliards. On learning that an old friend has been killed while travelling to Oxford, Hugh de Singleton, discovers the presence of a band of goliards in the...