Crispin: The Cross of Lead

Crispin: The Cross of Lead

First edition cover
Author	Avi (or Edward Irving Wortis)
Country	England
Series	Crispin
Genre	Young adult novel, Historical novel
Publisher	Hyperion Books
Publication date	June 2002
Media type	Print (Hardback & Paperback)
Pages	307 pp
ISBN	0-7868-0828-4 (first edition, hardback)
OCLC	48559447
LC Class	PZ7.A953 Cr 2002
Followed by	(Crispin: At the Edge of the World)

Crispin: The Cross of Lead is a 2003 children's novel written by Avi. It was the winner of the 2003 Newbery Medal.^[1] 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 A.D. England, a 13-year-old boy, known only as Asta's Son, lives as a peasant in the small village of Stromford. His village is part of the territory of the feudal Lord Furnival, which, in Furnival’s absence, is under the control of the steward, John Aycliffe. 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, Father Quinel, his only friend, who gives to him a cross of lead that belonged to his mother, and reveals that his true name is Crispin. Father Quinel 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. While fleeing from Aycliffe and his men, Crispin comes across an abandoned village where he meets Bear. Bear learns of Crispin's lead cross and notices the writing on the cross. While Bear does not tell Crispin what the words say, Crispin realizes that the cross and its words are important. Bear is rough with Crispin, but during their travels together, a true bond of friendship develops between them. Bear eventually asks Crispin if he would like become his apprentice, and Crispin happily agrees. Posing as father and son, the two travel towards the city of Great Wexly, the capital city of Lord Furnival's lands. Bear insists that he has important business to complete there. When they arrive, they find troubles waiting for them. Lord Furnival has died and John Aycliffe has arrived. Bear and Crispin stay at The Green Man tavern. In the room, there is a false-wall, which Bear tells Crispin will be his hiding place if things go badly. Bear meets with John Ball. Soldiers come and destroy the tavern. John Aycliffe had been looking for Crispin, who is hiding. Depressed, Crispin discovers that he is Lord Furnival's son. Crispin tries to get the help of "The Brotherhood", an organization Bear is a member of, and headed by John Ball. When they refuse to aid Crispin in trying to find Bear, Crispin takes it upon himself to break into Furnival Palace and find Bear himself. He finds a dagger in one of the hallways and keeps it under his cloak. He goes into a great room and sees a picture of Lord Furnival, who looks a lot like him. Crispin finds Aycliffe, pins him to the ground and puts the dagger to his neck; but instead of killing him, makes him vow under oath that he (Crispin) and Bear will be able to leave Great Wexly unharmed (never to return) in exchange for Crispin's cross of lead. Crispin is led to Bear, who is being kept in the palace's cellar. Bear has been tortured and is weak, but manages to walk out of the palace on his own. Aycliffe and a band of soldiers escort them to the city gates. At the city gates, Aycliffe reneges on his oath and is intent on killing Crispin. A fight ensues between Aycliffe and Bear. Crispin gives Bear the dagger he found in the palace. The soldiers have their swords drawn and encircle Aycliffe and Bear. Aycliffe gets the upper hand on Bear and knocks his dagger out of his hand. Crispin picks up the dagger and Aycliffe turns to kill Crispin with his sword. Bear squeezes Aycliffe, causing him to drop his sword and dagger. Bear then hurls Aycliffe into the air and he lands on the soldiers' swords and dies. Crispin and Bear leave Great Wexly through the city gate, but not before Crispin keeps his promise and leaves the cross of lead on Aycliffe's dead chest. Outside the gate, Bear and Crispin play music and sing. Crispin, for the first time, feels like "Crispin" instead of "Asta's Son".

Characters

• Crispin - A 13 year old serf and a peasant boy, living in a rural English village called Stromford in 1377. The book is written from his point of view. Son of "Asta" and "Lord Furnival"
• Asta - Crispin's mother, youngest daughter of Lord Douglas; Made a serf when Crispin was born by Lord Furnival because Crispin was born out of wedlock, died shortly before Crispin is proclaimed a wolf's head
• Lord Douglas - Asta's father
• Lord Furnival - Lord of Stromford; first home is in Great Wexly; Crispin's father, died of a sickness while Crispin was on his way to Great Wexly
• Lady Furnival - The wife of Lord Furnival
• Bear - Traveling jester and entertainer who has connections to John Ball's secret brotherhood that at the end of the book allows Crispin into. Found Crispin and became his Master, later on bonded with Crispin and made Crispin his apprentice rather than Bear being his master.
• Father Quinel - Friend to Crispin and his mother and a priest, killed by John Aycliffe to hide that Crispin's father is Lord Furnival
• Goodwife Peregrine - Elderly woman in the village, appears to be a very wise and mysterious person
• Widow Daventry - Barmaid at the Green Man Tavern and friend of Bear, had many children and 2 husbands, but they died from the plague or "The Black Death"
• John Aycliffe - Steward of Stromford and kin of Lady Furnival, attempts to kill Crispin to make sure he keeps his power.
• Cerdic - A boy that tricks Crispin into a trap, nothing else is really known about him.
• John Ball - The only historical figure who plays a small role — he and his group prepare for their Peasants' Revolt

References

1. Newbery Medal and Honor Books, 1922–Present