QUESTION 1:
The Cross was believed to "confer almost supernatural powers on those who possess it" how does that fit with the teachings of the church? Why would Alexander Neville, the Archbishop of York, request a nun to go get it?
QUESTION 2:
Hildegard fears that as Pierrekyn is a "sodomite" he does not stand the chance of a fair trial. Do you think Pierrekyn stood a fair chance back then?
QUESTION 3:
Pierrekyn asks Hildegard what she wants for helping him. He states that "Everybody wants something." Hildegard says, "There is another view." Who do you think is more accurate? Is there nothing in it for Hildegard to help Pierrekyn?
QUESTION 4:
Pierrekyn's lute is important to him on many levels and in many ways. What does Pierrekyn find in his lute?
QUESTION 5:
p. 60 Pierrekyn says, "I was introduced to the secret life of the Church when I was seven years old. I'd had precious little kindness till then. And there it was - for a price, of course?" What do you think he meant by that?
QUESTION 6:
p. 186 What truth is there in the prioress' comment that, "We are players in a game of chance. We must all submit to the game or weary ourselves like birds dashing themselves against the bars of a cage. We can only do what we must, in ignorance of the greater plan." How does that fit or not fit with the teachings of the church? Does that logic give people an excuse to act as they do?
QUESTION 7:
The abbot imposes strict living, working and eating conditions on his monks to the point where the monks appear pale, tired and sick. What is the abbot trying to accomplish by all of this? Do you think it was working? Why do the monks accept these conditions instead of revolt?
QUESTION 8:
p. 193-194 Brother Thomas comments that he deserves all of the treatment they are receiving as "I am truly the most terrible of sinner" and that he is unworthy of Sister Hildegard's concern. How has your interpretation of your worthiness altered how you allow others to treat you?
QUESTION 9:
p. 215 While in court, it was convention that the witness "would prove the truth of his statement by engaging in armed combat with the accused." (It was waved here.) How do you think that custom would effect court proceedings?
QUESTION 10:
p. 218 How did Hildegard know about the significance of the rings?
QUESTION 11:
Hubert de Courcy goes to extreme measures to deaden his desire for Hildegard. None of it seems to work. Hildegard is equally attracted to Hubert, but restrains herself for fear if they declare their love Hubert would face castration, solitary confinement, disgrace and humiliation, as that is what happened to another abbot who fell in love with a nun. Do you think it would be all that bad? How would loving each other conflict with their love of God? and vows?
QUESTION 12:
p. 270 Hildegard lightens as the prioress informs her why she has kept the cross at the priory at Swayne. The prioress says, "The views of that sacristan, its guardian, appeal to me. ... I think we can acquit ourselves with a similar purity of purpose. Such a sacred relic should not be used to further worldly ambition." Do you think that was the prioress' intentions all along? Does the prioress have her priory's worldly ambitions in mind in keeping it?
QUESTION 13:
Who was Sir William? What did Sir William gain from having Reynard killed and Pierrekyn impressioned?
QUESTION 14:
What was the significance of and the role each of the following played in the development of the story:
Ulf
Lord Roger de Hutton
Ser Ludvico & Lady Phillippa
Sir Talbot
The hounds - Bermonda and Duchess
Escrick Fitzjohn
The three mining mercenaries -Jack Black, Harry, The Scot
Ser Vitelli
La Gran Contessa
Sir John Hawkwood, and what was the point in trying to get him to help?
Lady Sibilla & Sir Ralph
Gaunt
King Richard
Alexander Neville
Constantine's Cross
The Anomenalle
Lady Milisen's purchase requests
Red Velvet Turnshoe, Is it deserving enough of stature to be the title of the book?