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Authors: Karen Maitland

The Owl Killers

BOOK: The Owl Killers
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also by karen maitland

Company of Liars

The White Room

In memory of my aunt, Pam West, who in every aspect of her life embodied the true spirit of the beguines. And whose generous bequest bought the computer upon which this manuscript was typed
.

Also, in memory of her adopted daughter, Tina, who throughout her short life, brought so much joy to Pam and our family
.

Tell proud Jove,
Between his power and thine there is no odds.
’Twas only fear first in the world made gods
.


BEN JONSON
, English dramatist,
Sejanus
(1603)

We do not know how strong we are until
we are attacked by the evil of this world
.


MECHTHILD OF MAGDEBURG
,
Beguine from 1230 to 1270

cast of characters

the beguinage

SERVANT MARTHA
Flemish leader of the beguines
.

HEALING MARTHA
Elderly physician and Servant Martha’s oldest friend
.

MERCHANT MARTHA
Sharp-tongued trader for the beguinage
.

GATE MARTHA
A dour local beguine
.

KITCHEN MARTHA
Flemish cook
.

BEATRICE
Flemish beguine
.

PEGA
Local beguine, giantess, and ex-prostitute
.

CATHERINE
Teenage local beguine
.

the manor

AGATHA/OSMANNA
Youngest of Robert D’Acaster’s three daughters
.

ROBERT D’ACASTER
Lord of the Manor and father of
AGATHA
and her twin elder sisters
,
ANNE
and
EDITH
.

PHILLIP D’ACASTER
Lord Robert’s nephew and steward
.

the village of ulewic

FATHER ULFRID
Parish priest
.

GILES
Serf and son of
ELLEN
,
his aged mother
.

BOOK: The Owl Killers
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