This novel is a blend of certain themes. My book
The Great Crown Jewels Robbery of 1303
provides a detailed in-depth study of one of the most outrageous robberies in the history of English crime. Richard Pudlicott and his gang did exist. They suborned and seduced the monastic community at Westminster, though in some cases that didn't require much effort! Edward did send his faithful clerk John de Drokensford (on whom Corbett is based) into London to clear up the crisis. Drokensford did an extremely thorough job. By Christmas 1303 he'd lodged most of the gang in the Tower. A great deal of the treasure was retrieved, a special house being built for it, though eventually the Royal Jewels were moved to the Tower, where they are still displayed today. Pudlicott was eventually hanged, being taken down to execution in a wheelbarrow. His body was skinned and traces of it can still be seen on a door at Westminster Abbey.
John Le Riche, alias John Ramage, was born in Westminster and was a servant of the monks; his mother lived near St Giles, Cripplegate. John had a very had reputation and had been indicted for other crimes. Around the time of the robbery he had been seen coming and going to the abbey. He suddenly had new-found wealth,
being able to equip himself like a knight with horses and weapons. He even had the nerve to dress himself up as a soldier to join the King's army in the north. However, discretion is the better part of valour. Ramage returned to Westminster, where he was sheltered by the monks. After the robbery, he boasted that he had enough money to buy a town! He kept some of the stolen treasure at his mother's house before moving it so as to escape the royal searchers. He should have been arrested but fled without trace. My version of his end could well be accurate; outlaws like Le Riche very rarely died in their beds.
The story about Edward I being attacked by assassins in Outremer is reported by a number of chronicles. Some historians dispute whether the incident took place; I believe it did. The Sagittarius, the medieval equivalent of our random sniper, was a common phenomenon, well reported by the London chronicles as well as the Calender of Coroners' Rolls and the various assizes held in the capital during the period. The judicial aspect of Corbett's investigation is a fair reflection of the times. The âKing's men' were greatly feared. They literally wielded the power of life and death. Moreover, if someone proved obdurate, they could be summoned before King's Bench at Westminster Hall, and this could involve a very long and costly stay in London!
The fall of Acre as described in the novel is accurate. The Templars did hold out to the last man, whilst the collapse of Acre brought an end to any hope of success by Western armies in recovering the Holy Land. Three years after the date of this novel, Philip le Bel launched his infamous attack on the Templars and totally destroyed that order.
The Free Brethren of the Holy Spirit are not entirely fictional.
Europe was plagued by such wandering groups. Some were harmless enough; others were a real threat to life and security. The chronicles describe them in fairly vivid terms; it is so easy to picture them tramping the roads of France, Spain and even Essex in England!
Paul C. Doherty
December 2007
This is a work of fiction. All of the characters, organizations, and events portrayed in this novel are either products of the author's imagination or are used fictitiously.
NIGHTSHADE. Copyright © 2008 by Paul Doherty. All rights reserved. For information, address St. Martin's Press, 175 Fifth Avenue, New York, N.Y. 10010.
First published in Great Britain by HEADLINE PUBLISHING GROUP, an Hachette Livre UK Company
eISBN 9781429960663
First eBook Edition : March 2011
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
First U.S. Edition: April 2011