Den looked around, meeting the eyes of the magnates. “Do any of you really believe that?” he said. “Wynstan was in the workshop, standing by Cuthbert as he made false coins out of base metal, but he had only just discovered it was going on?” He swiveled to Wynstan. “And don’t tell us that was the hand of God. This is something much more earthly—a plain, old-fashioned lie.”

Wilwulf said to the magnates: “I think we may agree that the charge against Bishop Wynstan is malicious and false.”

Aldred gave it one last try. “The king will hear of this, naturally. Do you really think he will believe Wynstan’s story? And how will he feel about the magnates who have exonerated Wynstan and Degbert and punished no one but a lowly priest?”

They looked uneasy, but no one spoke up in support of Aldred, and Wilwulf said: “Then the court is agreed that Cuthbert is guilty. Because of his wicked attempt to put the blame on two senior clergymen, his punishment will be more severe than is usual. I sentence Cuthbert to be blinded and castrated.”

Aldred said: “No!” But it was hopeless to protest further.

Cuthbert’s legs gave way under him and he fell to the ground.

Wilwulf said: “See to it, sheriff.”

Den hesitated, then reluctantly nodded to Wigbert, who picked up Cuthbert and carried him away.

Wynstan spoke again. Aldred thought the bishop had already won everything he wanted, but there was more drama to come. “I accuse myself!” Wynstan said.

Wilwulf showed no surprise, and Aldred deduced that this, like everything that had happened so far, had been planned in advance.

Wynstan said: “When I discovered the crime, I was so enraged that I destroyed much of the forger’s equipment. With his hammer I smashed a red-hot crucible, and molten metal flew through the air and killed an innocent man called Godwine. It was an accident, but I accept the blame.”

Once again, Aldred saw, Wynstan gained an advantage by prosecuting himself. He could put the murder in its best light.

Wilwulf said gravely: “What you did was still a crime. You are guilty of unlawful killing.”

Wynstan bowed his head in a gesture of humility. Aldred wondered how many people were fooled.

Wilwulf went on: “You must pay the murder price to the victim’s widow.”

An attractive young woman with a baby in her arms emerged from the crowd, looking intimidated.

Wilwulf said: “The murder price of a man-at-arms is five pounds of silver.”

Ithamar stepped forward and handed a small wooden chest to Wynstan.

Wynstan bowed to the widow, handed her the chest, and said: “I pray constantly that God and you will forgive me for what I have done.”

Around him, many of the magnates were nodding approval. It made Aldred want to scream. They all knew Wynstan! How could they believe he was humbly repentant? But his display of Christian remorse had made them forget his true nature. And the large fine was a severe punishment—which also diverted attention from the way he had wriggled out of a more serious charge.