The proceedings opened with the swearing of oaths. Everyone who was to be accused, accuser, or oath helper had to put his hand on the silver box and promise God that he would tell the truth, convict the guilty, and free the innocent. Wilwulf looked bored, but Wynstan watched carefully, as if he thought he might catch someone making an imperfect vow. He was normally careless of ritual details, Aldred knew, but today he pretended to be meticulous.

When it was done, Aldred felt Sheriff Den tense up, ready to begin his prosecution speech. But Wilwulf turned to Wynstan and nodded, and to Aldred’s astonishment Wynstan addressed the court. “A dreadful crime has been committed,” he said, his voice booming out in tones of deep sorrow. “A crime, and a terrible sin.”

Den stepped forward. “Wait!” he shouted. “This is wrong!”

Wilwulf said: “Nothing is wrong, Den.”

“I am the sheriff and I am here to prosecute this case. Forgery is a crime against the king.”

“You’ll have your chance to speak.”

Aldred frowned worriedly. He could not quite figure out what the two brothers were up to, but he was sure it was not good.

Den said: “I insist! I speak for the king, and the king must be heard!”

“I, too, speak for the king, who appointed me ealdorman,” said Wilwulf. “And now you will shut your mouth, Den, or I will shut it for you.”

Den put his hand on the hilt of his sword.

Wilwulf’s men-at-arms tensed.

Aldred looked around swiftly and counted twelve men-at-arms with Wilwulf. Now he understood why there were so many. Den, who had not foreseen violence, had only Wigbert.

Den made the same calculation and took his hand off his sword.

Wilwulf said: “Carry on, Bishop Wynstan.”

This was why King Ethelred wanted courts to follow procedures, Aldred reflected; so that noblemen could not make arbitrary decisions as Wilwulf had just done. Opponents of Ethelred’s reform argued that rules made no difference, and justice was guaranteed only by having a wise nobleman use his judgment. The people who said that were usually noblemen.

Wynstan pointed at Degbert and Cuthbert. “Untie those priests,” he said.

Den protested: “They are my prisoners!”

Wilwulf said: “They are the court’s prisoners. Untie them.”

Den had to give in. He nodded to Wigbert, who undid the ropes.

The two priests looked less guilty now.

Wynstan raised his voice again so that all could hear. “The crime, and the sin, is forgery of the king’s currency.” He pointed straight at Wigbert, who looked startled. “Come forward,” Wynstan said. “Show the court what is in the basket.”

Wigbert looked at Den, who shrugged.

Aldred was mystified. He had expected Wynstan to try to conceal the physical evidence, yet here he was demanding that it be shown. What was he up to? He had made an elaborate pretense of innocence—but now he seemed to be prosecuting himself.

He took the objects out of the basket one by one. “The adulterated metal!” he said dramatically. “The pile. The trussel. The collar. And finally, the coins, half silver, half copper.”