The Mad Monk of Gidleigh

Cast of Characters

Sir Baldwin de Furnshill

Once a Knight Templar, he has returned to his old family home in Devon where he is now Keeper of the King’s Peace. He’s known to be an astute investigator of violent crime.

Lady Jeanne

His wife, to whom he has been married for two years. Jeanne is a widow whose first husband abused her. She has now learned to enjoy married life.

Edgar

Baldwin’s servant and Steward.

Simon Puttock

Bailiff of the Stannaries, and Baldwin’s closest friend and trusted companion. Based at the administrative and legal centre of the Stannaries, Lydford Castle, Simon is responsible for keeping the peace wherever miners work under the Warden of the Stannaries, Abbot Robert Champeaux of Tavistock.

Margaret Puttock (Meg)

Simon’s wife, the daughter of a farmer, whom he married many years ago.

Edith

Simon and Meg’s daughter, some fifteen years old.

Hugh

Simon’s servant of many years.

Elias

A sad, widowed ploughman.

Sir Richard Prouse

Terribly wounded in a tournament in 1316, he is the impecunious owner of Gidleigh Castle until his death in 1322 aged thirty.

Mark

On the death of the previous incumbent, he was given the chapel at Gidleigh. The monk is not happy in the rural backwater.

Piers

An intelligent and hardworking peasant, now Reeve in the vill.

Henry

Piers’s young, somewhat feckless son.

Huward

The miller, living near to the castle.

Gilda

Tall, attractive wife to Huward.

Mary

Eldest daughter of Huward and Gilda, she is known for her kindness and beauty.

Flora

The younger of Huward’s two daughters, and perhaps not so attractive as Mary.

Ben

The miller’s spoiled and precocious son.

Osbert

A local freeman who adores Mary, but whose affection is not reciprocated.

Sir Ralph de Wonson

Master of Wonson Manor, he acquires Gidleigh on Sir Richard’s death.

Esmon

Son of Sir Ralph, he is an experienced warrior and successful raider.

Lady Annicia

Wife of Sir Ralph and mother to Esmon.

Surval

The hermit who tends to Chagford Bridge, maintaining the small chapel at which he prays for travellers and pleads for forgiveness.

Roger Scut

A cleric at the canonical church of Crediton, he makes notes during Baldwin’s inquests.

Thomas

One of the new Constables at Crediton; a surly but loyal servant of the Law.

Godwen

The second Constable at Crediton; he hates Thomas because of a dispute over a woman from many years before.

Wylkyn

Once Sir Richard Prouse’s servant, and an essential part of Gidleigh’s household because of his skills with salves and potions, Wylkyn has run away from the castle to live with his brother and become a miner.

Sampson

The vill’s fool, poor Sampson is dependent upon alms which he collects at the castle’s door.

Brian of Doncaster

The leader of the garrison at Gidleigh, Brian is ambitious and has tied his future to Esmon thinking that the son of Sir Ralph will have a glorious career which must offer opportunities for profit.

Saul

A carter who makes his money by transporting food and goods from one town to another.

Alan

Apprentice to Saul, Alan often joins him on his travels.