Death at St. Vedast

by Mary Lawrence

  I referred to the priest as Father Nelson to avoid confusion for the modern reader. Perhaps more appropriately, he would have been referred to as “Sir Nelson.” Also, in Tudor England around that time, parishioners may have taken communion only once a year or on special occasions.

  There is the question of whether a citizen could have purchased a parish church in London. Principally, monasteries and associated property were stripped and dissolved. In the beginning of the sixteenth century there were more than one hundred churches in London. Henry’s Act of Supremacy and the ensuing religious upheaval certainly had an effect on these properties. Some were annexed or demolished; some were closed. Ultimately, Henry had the final say as to which properties were sold.

  The concept of purgatory dates back centuries and is found in other religions, not just Catholicism. In pre-Reformation England, people took particular interest in their afterlives and feared a prolonged stay in purgatory—viewed then as a grim place more closely associated with hell than it is today. It was believed that through almsgiving and intercession their torment would be shortened. As a result, wills during this period are loaded with instructions to give generously to the church through several vehicles, which proved the deceased’s charity. However, with Henry and Cromwell’s campaign to denigrate purgatory, the amount of money that parish churches depended on began to disappear.

  Finally, there may be some confusion for readers who have picked up Death at St. Vedast without having read the previous books in the series. They might question the relevance of the Rat Man character and wonder why he is mentioned. I assure them that his purpose echoes the idea of redemption, which is an overarching theme of the series. His resolution is forthcoming.

  ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

  Several people contributed their expertise and opinion in the writing of this book. I’d like to thank Carolyn Rosen, PhD, Tracey Stewart, Fred Tribuzzo, Andrea Jones, William Smythe, Esq., Rita Cassidy, Gail Sjostrom, Manon Glassford, and Father Steven Concannon. Thank you to everyone at Kensington who contributes their expertise and helps to make the Bianca Goddard Mysteries happen. Thanks also to the support of my family and friends, who continue to spur me on. And finally, thank you to the readers who send a kind word my way; it is very much appreciated.