Free An Order for Death by Susanna Gregory

realists who should be burned for heresy!’
    Michael cast a weary glance at Walcote and Bartholomew, and then turned to Morden. ‘Has the whole University gone mad? I can
     accept that one or two misguided individuals feel that the known universe revolves around the realism–nominalism debate, but
     I am astonished that so many apparently sane people deem this issue so important.’
    ‘Lincolne’s act was a deliberate insult to us,’ Morden went on. ‘You see, our Precentor, Henry de Kyrkeby, is due to give
     the University Lecture in St Mary’s Church on Easter Sunday, and his chosen subject is nominalism. Lincolne’s proclamation
     was calculated to offend us specifically.’
    ‘Kyrkeby?’ asked Bartholomew in surprise. ‘
He
is lecturing?’
    ‘Yes, why?’ demanded Morden aggressively. ‘Do you think him incapable of speaking at the University’s most prestigious annual
     academic event?’
    ‘Well, yes, actually,’ said Bartholomew bluntly. ‘He is a patient of mine, and for the last several months his heart has been
     beating irregularly. I recommended he should avoid anything that would make him nervous or tense.’
    ‘It was a great honour when a Dominican was invited to speak at such an auspicious occasion,’ said Morden indignantly. ‘Of
     course he did not refuse the Chancellor’s invitation.’
    ‘He mentioned none of this to me,’ said Bartholomew thoughtfully. ‘No wonder he has visited me three times this week. It is
     apprehension that is making him ill.’
    ‘I imagine he did not tell you because he knew you would advise against it,’ said Walcote practically. ‘Foolish man, to put
     pride above his health.’
    ‘He has been working very hard on what he plans to say,’ said Morden. ‘For weeks, he has thought of little else.’
    ‘Then I imagine it will be an entertaining occasion,’ said Michael, bored with a conversation that had nothing to do with
     Faricius’s murder. ‘But I did not come here to talk about—’
    ‘I only hope it will not be entertaining in a way that willprove detrimental to the friary,’ interrupted Morden, pursing his lips worriedly. ‘He read me parts of his lecture last week,
     and I confess I have heard stronger and more erudite arguments.’
    ‘He has changed it since then, Father Prior,’ said Ringstead reassuringly. ‘I was very impressed with what he read me last
     night. Do not worry. Our Precentor will do us justice.’
    ‘Are you sure?’ asked Morden anxiously.
    Ringstead nodded. ‘The lecture is now a very mature and astute piece of thinking. Even the Carmelites will be stunned into
     silence with the eloquence and perceptiveness of his logic.’
    ‘That assumes they are able to appreciate it – and I have seen no evidence that they can,’ muttered Michael. He spoke a little
     more loudly. ‘But whatever philosophical views are held on this subject, Prior Morden, it is no excuse for riotous behaviour
     – for Dominicans or Carmelites.’
    ‘You do not understand the importance of this issue,’ said Morden vehemently. ‘Your Benedictine colleagues at Ely Hall do,
     though – they have ranged themselves on the side of nominalism. Brothers Timothy and Janius are shining examples.’
    Michael gave a fervent sigh. ‘I know that some scholars have strong views on the matter, but I do not think most of us care
     one way or the other.’
    ‘That is not true,’ objected Morden hotly. ‘
I
care very much.’
    ‘And so does Lincolne,’ said Michael thoughtfully. ‘But do you care because you are a committed nominalist, or because you
     have a natural inclination to oppose anything upheld by the Carmelites? Everyone knows the two Orders have always despised
     each other.’
    ‘Lincolne is a loathsome man,’ declared Morden, indicating that the long-standing enmity between the two Orders was doubtless
     the real cause of the Dominicans’ sudden interest in philosophy. ‘But nominalism is a much morerational theory than