Explore "Falconer's Crusade" by Ian Morson on Textopian. Read with annotations and highlights.
After two days of pressure from regent masters like Robert de Stepyng, the chancellor decided to convene the powerful group of Masters of the arts known as the Black Congregation. A decision was needed concerning a suitable punishment for the town after their excesses during the riot. St Mildred's church was cold and depressing in the early morning, but it did not seem to quench the ardour of some Masters. Falconer sat on one of the benches to the back of the church, as Master after Master, like black crows at a corpse, rose and flapped their arms to emphasize their case. Justice must be brutal to be remembered. It mattered not a jot that several houses belonging to townspeople had been put to the flame. After all, three innocent students had been killed.
‘Two,' muttered Falconer, but only his nearest neighbour heard him in the hubbub. It was Master Bonham, and he gave Falconer a curious look before rising to his feet and leaving while the other crows still argued. A smug smile played across his lips.