The Owl Killers
Authors: 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
the beguinage
SERVANT MARTHA
Flemish leader of the beguines
.
HEALING MARTHAElderly physician and Servant Martha’s oldest friend
.
MERCHANT MARTHASharp-tongued trader for the beguinage
.
GATE MARTHAA dour local beguine
.
KITCHEN MARTHAFlemish cook
.
BEATRICEFlemish beguine
.
PEGALocal beguine, giantess, and ex-prostitute
.
CATHERINETeenage local beguine
.
the manor
AGATHA/OSMANNAYoungest of Robert D’Acaster’s three daughters
.
ROBERT D’ACASTERLord of the Manor and father of
AGATHA
and her twin elder sisters
,
ANNE
and
EDITH
.
PHILLIP D’ACASTERLord Robert’s nephew and steward
.
the village of ulewic
FATHER ULFRIDParish priest
.
GILESSerf and son of
ELLEN
,
his aged mother
.