Content Preview

                   The Harlot’s Riddle       An Anglo-Norman Mystery    By   Maureen Ash                            Anglo-Norman Mysteries By Maureen Ash  Death Riddle The King’s Riddle The Bishop’s Riddle The Sheriff’s Riddle                                   Copyright  ©  Maureen Ash  2023         All rights reserved. Maureen Ash asserts the right always to be identified as the author of this work. No part of this publication may be reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission of the author, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.                             Cast of Characters     Main Characters   Estrid of Rochester – embroiderer Hugues fitzTurston – constable of Rochester castle     In Rochester    Godric – Estrid’s son Gytha – Estrid’s companion Judith – Estrid’s apprentice Cenred – Judith’s husband Ardith – Judith and Cenred’s baby daughter Tilde - embroiderer Cuthbert – Estrid’s servant Osvald – mead and wine merchant Eda – Osvald’s wife Emma – Osvald’s sister Seivert and Bertram – Osvald’s nephews Agnes – Osvald’s maidservant Mildryth, Hild and Gwenda – harlots Brona – Mildryth’s maidservant Frigg – Mildryth’s dog Eadig - carter Emery – serjeant in castle Arlo and Cwen – cart maker and wife Bryni – Arlo and Cwen’s grandson     At Faversham    Wimund – Osvald’s cousin     At Apiary and Mead manufactory    Cena – beekeeper Cnud – beekeeper’s son and assistant Alger – overseer of manufactory Edmund – Alger’s son Durwin – Wimund’s son    At Vineyard   Harold – overseer    At Chatham   Dunna and Selwyn – Eda’s nephews     Glossary of Old English Words    (Diacritical marks have been omitted in glossary and book)   Alehaus - Alehouse  Moder – Mother   Fæder – Father   Dohtor – daughter  Frea – Mistress (term of address)  Nithing - coward  Fyrd – English militia  Please note that spelling throughout is British usage                                         Prologue   Rochester , Kent   Summer, 1081   Eda, wife of a mead merchant, lay at the bottom of a flight of stairs down which she had just fallen. Her body was twisted and still when her husband Osvald came rushing down from the floor above and knelt beside her. But she was not breathing. Her neck was broken and she was dead. He sat down at the bottom of the flight of steps and, laying his forearms on his knees, leaned forward and sorrowfully regarded his deceased wife. In her youth she had been delightful company, eyes dancing with pleasure, a merry laugh and always a smile on her face. But then she had accused him of committing a terrible deed and would not accept his denial. After that, their relationship had deteriorated and now, in her mid-fifties, she had long been a very discontented woman. Perhaps, he thought, it might have made a difference if they had been blessed with children. Could that have changed the course of their lives? They had been so enamoured of one another when they first wed—where had their love gone? At first he had tried to placate her and when that failed, had attempted to ignore her without success until, in the end, his patience had run out and they had constantly argued. Well, it was all over now, he thought, an end to listening to her never-ending accusations and spiteful tirades, an end to their marriage. Mindful of all the years that had been wasted, he rose to his feet to go and report her death, completely unaware he was being watched by an unseen observer.                         Chapter 1   Rochester , Kent   Early Autumn, 1091   The cathedral town of Rochester is situated on the banks of the Medway River, the castle within its walls guarding access to the London Road. It is bisected by a main street travelling from west to east. Near the gate at the eastern end Osvald’s house and storehouse is located and now, ten years later, he not only makes and sells mead, but also wine.His bedchamber on the upper storey of his house is finely appointed and on this evening he is comfortably ensconced with Hild, a local harlot he has paid to spend the night, snuggled up beside him. After partaking of an evening meal of a vegetable pottage, salted herrings with bread, cheese and a compote of summer fruits, they had retired to the bedchamber for engagement in the purpose of Hild’s visit and now, after a romp that had been satisfying to them both, were sharing a cup of mead. The night was warm and the casement open, the room sensually illuminated by the rays of a full moon. As Osvald moved to