Crispin: The Cross of Lead is the story of an orphaned 13-year-old boy, trapped in the miasma of feudalism in the Middle Ages. After being falsely accused of stealing money from the manor house, he is declared �a wolf�s head,� meaning he is no longer considered human and can be killed on sight. Although he has never been beyond the boundary of his own village, Crispin flees for his life.
Along the way, he meets a traveling entertainer, Orson Hrothgar, better known as �Bear.� Although fearful of this �mountain of flesh, a great barrel of a fellow,� Crispin is desperately hungry, and agrees to be his servant in exchange for bread. As they travel, Bear�s role evolves from that of master into one of teacher. Crispin learns to juggle, sing, and dance, while developing survival skills and learning to think for himself.
As the duo approaches the market town of Great Wexly for the Feast of Saint John the Baptist, they notice soldiers, apparently looking for someone, guarding the entry. It soon becomes apparent to Crispin that Bear is there for more than the celebration, and the two both become prey to dangerous men who want to kill them. After a series of unexpected twists and turns, Crispin, with the help of Bear, is able to overcome his enemies, escape the city, and begin a new life of freedom.
The author shows us, through Crispin�s eyes, what life was like in Medieval England. During those dark days, individuals lived very narrow lives and had little sense of self. In this story, �Asta�s son� has no knowledge of what lies beyond his own village: �In all my life I�d never gone past the boundary crosses, which marked the limits of our village.� (p. 19).
Unaware that he even has a name, he has no identity of his own: �In a world in which one lived by the light of a father�s name and rank, that meant � since I had no father � I existed in a shadow.� (p. 10) This is also revealed in his prayer: �O Great and Giving Jesus, I, who have no name, who am nothing, who does not know what to do, who is all alone in Thy world, I, who am full of sin, I implore Thy blessed help, or I�m undone.� (p. 21
Avi makes references to actual historical events, such as the plague, feudalism, and the Peasant Revolt of 1377, which give authenticity to the story. He accurately describes how people lived during that time period: �Like most, I could not swim . .� (p. 17) Because property taxes were based on the amount of land a building occupied, builders would erect shops and homes with the smallest footprint possible, and have expansive upper floors. �Many houses had their upper stories built so that they extended over the narrow streets, blotting out the sky.� (p. 148)
Crispin�s impoverished existence was typical under the feudal system: �Everything . . . everything belonged to Lord Furnival, who held it in the King�s name. . . we belonged to our lord as well.� (p. 19)
The dialogue is filled with religious references and accurately reflects the amalgamation of religion and superstition that grew out of the Middle Ages. Every life event was considered a visitation from God, and people lived in abject fear of the consequences of sin. After his mother�s death, when he had to run for his life, he was certain God was punishing him and he was convinced that the Great Plague was payment for sins.
Avi creates a vivid tapestry of Medieval life through language rich in imagery. Crispin�s description of a man who had been hanged is told in frightful detail: � . . . his face was moldy green and much contorted, with a protruding tongue of blue that reached his chin. One eye bulged grotesquely . . His body oozed from open wounds. Swollen legs and arms flopped with distended disjointedness. Bare feet pointed down with toes that curled upon themselves like chicken claws. . . . He stank of death.� (p. 55)
Equally graphic is the description of the filthy city streets: �What assaulted my senses more than anything . . .was the stench that fillled the air: rotting goods, food, dung, manure, human slop, and swill, mixed together into such a ghastly brew as to make me want to swoon.� (p. 147) �A filth-filled gutter � like an open gut � ran down its middle.� (p. 147)
Avi enlivens the book with his masterful use of simile, metaphor, and alliteration. The road was described as �the muddy thread that connected me to the only life I knew� (p. 52); �Thick and clammy air embraced me like the fingers of some loathsome toad� (p. 54); �my damp feet sucking soggy soil� (p. 54); �the misty sun...stared down at me from the gray sky like the dead man�s blank and solitary eye.� (p. 56)
This Newbery Medal-winning book will satisfy young people�s fascination with the Middle Ages, and will undoubtedly serve as a springboard for further reading. Avi has thoroughly researched the history and gives a colorful, accurate accounting of the period. For a historical time period that needs more literature for children, this is a welcome addition.
Related Web Sites:
Avi Website: http://www.avi-writer.com/
Medieval Europe: http://eawc.evansville.edu/mepage.htm
The Middle Ages: http://www.learner.org/exhibits/middleages/