Free Death by Disputation (A Francis Bacon Mystery Book 2) by Anna Castle Page B

seek a new chaplain from your father’s college: I consider it a sound plan that will strengthen connections between our family and the Inn; a desirable result. I wonder, however, if the temper of Fellows from Corpus Christi would accord well with certain persons who continue to obstruct the right reformation of the Church. You know of whom and what I speak.
    I will consult with your stepbrothers concerning likely candidates. The best man will combine a steadiness of temperament with excellent learning, inspired preaching, and above all, strong commitment to our right and just cause.
    It continues cold and sharp here, but I am in good cheer and comfort. I send you a brace of woodcocks and a bundle of coleworts picked this morning. Have the cook prepare them with a sufficiency of broth and a minimum of spice. See to your prayers twice daily; you are too often neglectful in this duty.
    Do not share my letters with your servants. Burn this.
     
    Your mother,
    A. Bacon
    6 March.”
     
    She’d accepted his pretext. Good. He hoped she wouldn’t find it necessary to write to the current chaplain at Gray’s. Luckily, she didn’t like the man; he wasn’t fervent enough for her tastes. She would take up the task of replacing him with enthusiasm. She could find out many things beyond Clarady’s reach, such as discussions among the gentry about which Fellow should be granted which living on what grounds. The local lord usually wanted a parson who reflected his own views. Lady Bacon also read every Calvinist tract written at home or abroad. She would know if anyone at Corpus Christi College was publishing works on the Continent that were prohibited at home.
    Francis rose to toss her letter onto the coals smoldering in his hearth. He poured himself some wine, added a splash of water, and returned to his desk. The next letter in the stack was from Thomas Clarady. He read through it, then took a fresh sheet of paper and penned his response.
    “Clarady:
    Consider envy as a motive. Colleges are rife with it, although it may manifest itself in subtle ways. A busy and inquisitive man is commonly envious, sniffing about for signs of unfair advantage. What did Leeds have that might inspire envy? Who among his colleagues might be thus inspired?
    Look for conflict among the senior Fellows. Not intellectual conflict, you’ll find that in abundance. Focus on contention for privileges, offices, or other special benefits. Some fellowships are better than others, but all provide support for only two or three years inside the college. Not, perhaps, sufficient motive for murder. A benefice — an ecclesiastical living — is another matter. Some livings can be very comfortable indeed. The richer the town, the richer the church; the richer the church, the better the living. Some parishes also provide an opportunity to gain influential patrons for whatever causes one might choose to advance.
    The prospect of an especially good living might inspire a man to take extraordinary measures, but that decision generally lies beyond the walls of the college. The benefice is usually in the gift of the local landowner. Negotiations can be complex.
    This is a worthy avenue for exploration nevertheless. Learn what you can, but without drawing too much attention to your questions.
     
    From Gray’s Inn, 5 March 1587
    Fra. Bacon.”

Chapter Ten
     
    Tom’s next Latin lesson with Christopher Marlowe was on Friday morning after the rhetoric lecture. He left the hall a few minutes early to take a brisk walk, stretching his legs and getting his blood up. He was determined to get straight answers this time.
    Marlowe shared a room in the northwest corner of the quadrangle with three other Parker scholars from Kent. Even with the windows partly open, it smelled like too many men in too small a space: wet boots, dirty linens, cheap coal damply smoking in the ash-choked hearth. The room was the same dimensions — about fifteen feet wide and thirty long — as Mr.