Dimensions
131 x 198 x 24mm
Canterbury, 1235. Brother Thomas and his assistant Wilfridus are sent to look into the case of Cecilia, an enigmatic visionary living beyond the city's West Gate. Perhaps she is a heretic, or is her presence in England more sinister still?
The two investigators are immediately beguiled by Cecilia's noble bearing, and listen fascinated as she speaks of her eventful youth in Southern Germany. She recalls her time as a nun and devotee of Hildegard of Bingen, as lover of a young troubadour and later as a married woman and mother. Hers is a tale of loss and sorrowful wanderings, but also of the consolations of music and the contemplative life.
Soon, other events begin to occupy the two monks: a grisly ritual murder, an alchemist's revelations and the betrothal of Henry III. All seem to touch upon Cecilia's fate. Thomas and Wilfridus find themselves snared in a web of intrigue and corruption reaching to the highest levels of the land, and the depths of the human soul.