Crispin: The Cross of Lead

Crispin: The Cross of Lead
First edition cover
Author(s)	Avi (or Edward Irving Wortis)
Country	England
Series	Crispin
Genre(s)	Young adult novel, Historical novel
Publisher	Hyperion Books
Publication date	June 2002
Media type	Print (Hardback & Paperback)
Pages	297 pp
ISBN	ISBN 0-7868-0828-4 (first edition, hardback)
OCLC Number	48559447
LC Classification	PZ7.A953 Cr 2002
Followed by	(Crispin: At the Edge of the World)

Crispin: The Cross of Lead is a 2002 children's novel written by Avi. It was the winner of the 2003 Newbery Medal. Its sequel, Crispin: At the Edge of the World, was released in 2006. The final book that completes the trilogy, Crispin: The End of Time was released in 2010.

Plot

In 1377 England, a 13-year-old boy, known only as Asta's Son, lives as a peasant in a small village. His village is part of the territory of the feudal Lord Furnival. As the lord has been away for years fighting in a war in France, the village has long been under the direct control of the steward, John Ayecliffe. When his mother dies, Asta's Son is left alone as he has no other known relatives. Shortly afterwards, John Aycliffe falsely accuses him of theft, and declares him a Wolf's Head, one who may be killed on sight. Asta's Son turns to the village priest, his only friend, who gives to him a lead cross that belonged to his mother, and reveals that his true name is Crispin. The priest promises to reveal to Crispin the truth of who his father was, but before he can, Aycliffe's men murder him, forcing Crispin to flee the village by himself, pursued by the steward.

Having lived his whole life as a poor peasant, Crispin has no knowledge of the outside world, and no useful skills. He is saved from starvation by a traveling jester named Bear, who forces Crispin to swear an oath to become his servant. Realizing that Crispin is still being hunted by Aycliffe, Bear asks to view the writing on the lead cross that Crispin still carries. Bear refuses to tell the illiterate Crispin what the words say, although Crispin realizes that it is very important.

Bear initially treats Crispin with disdain, criticizing his lack of knowledge and his subservient personality. Crispin is likewise initially put off by Bear's seemingly treasonous and blasphemous attitudes about freedom for the common man from both noble and religious control. During their travels together, however, Bear begins to teach Crispin various skills and Crispin slowly begins to gain confidence in himself. A true bond of friendship begins to develop, and Bear eventually releases Crispin from his oath of servitude. Instead, he asks if Crispin will become his apprentice, which he happily agrees to. Posing as a father and son, the two travel towards the city of Great Wexly. Although it is the capital city of Lord Furnival's lands, Bear insists that he has important business to complete there.

After arriving in the city, they discover that Lord Furnival has recently died. The two companions stay at the inn ,The Green Man Tavern, run by Widow Daventry, a close friend of Bear's. Bear is revealed to be a compatriot of John Ball, and serves as a spy during his travels. Ball and his group are eager to begin a peasant revolution. Bear, however, claims that it is not yet the right time, which causes strife between him and the others. Bear instructs Crispin to stay in their room while he conducts his business with Ball, however, Crispin sneaks out to explore the city. Unfortunately, during his exploration, he comes face to face with John Aycliffe, and the chase begins anew. Bear is captured and arrested by Aycliffe's men and taken to the Furnival esate, hoping to use him as bait to lure Crispin to them. Crispin flees back to the inn, where the Widow Daventry reveals to him the truth about his past, which Bear had told her. Crispin is actually an illegitimate child of Lord Furnival, which is what is written on his lead cross. After an affair with another lord's daughter resulted in a child, Lord Furnival faked her death, and sent both the woman and her child to live in poverty under the guard of John Aycliffe. After Lord Funival's death, however, his widow feared that Crispin could potentially try to claim to be the rightful heir to the estate, and thus ordered Aycliffe to kill him. Widow Daventry tells Crispin to flee the city before he is captured. Crispin, however, sees Bear as his family, and refuses to abandon him.

Crispin initially goes to John Ball's group for aid, but due to their earlier disagreements with Bear, they refuse to help. They agree to only lead Crispin to where Bear is being held, leaving him to sneak in by himself. He manages to evade the guards, and catch John Aycliffe by surprise. Holding him at knifepoint, Crispin forces Aycliffe to swear to release Bear and lead them both out of the city. In return, Crispin swears that he will make no claim to the Furnival estate, and will leave his cross, the only evidence of his heritage, with Aycliffe once they are outside of the city. Once they are nearly at the city gates, Aycliffe breaks the oath, and orders his men to kill Bear and Crispin. Bear and Aycliffe fight, which eventually results in Aycliffe's death. The confusion caused by these events allow Bear and Crispin to escape the city. Before leaving, Crispin leaves his cross with Aycliffe's corpse as he promised,keeping his word.

Characters

• Crispin is a 13-year-old boy who has lived as a peasant his entire life, until his mother's death and subsequent accusations against him forced him to flee his village. He has very few skills and no self confidence when he begins his journey. However, during his travels with Bear, he begins to develop both, and by the end has become an individual that he is proud to be. Although he doesn't know it, he is secretly the illegitimate son of Lord Furnival, which is the cause of his misfortunes. Crispin is deeply religious, and often prays to his patron saint, St. Giles.

• Bear - A traveling jester and entertainer who group during his travels. He has two sides, like a bear, gentle and aggressive.

• John Ball - The only historical figure in the novel, who plays a small but important role. He and his group are seen preparing for their Peasants' Revolt, despite Bear's insistence that it is not yet the right time.

• Father Quinel - The only friend to Crispin and his mother, and is the one who tells Crispin his name and gives him his mother's cross. He is killed early in the book.

• Goodwife Peregrine - The old lady back in Stromford who gave Crispin's pouch that contained seeds and the cross.
• Widow Daventry - The barmaid at the Green Man Tavern, who lets Bear and Crispin spend the night.
• Asta – Crispin's mother, who was shunned and cast out of society by all except for Father Quinel.
• Cerdic - A traitorous young boy that tries to turn in Crispin to John Aycliffe for his twenty shilling reward.
• John Aycliffe - The steward of the people of Stromford who is trying to kill Crispin and turn him in.

References

Awards
Preceded by A Single Shard	Newbery Medal recipient 2003	Succeeded by The Tale of Despereaux