Crowner Royal (Crowner John Mysteries) by Bernard Knight Page A

as they crossed the wooden bridge over the murky Fleet river to pass through Ludgate, the westernmost of the eight entrances to the city. His arm flung out towards a low fortress tucked inside the end of the city wall where it met the Thames, just beyond some busy wharves at the mouth of the Fleet.
    The road was crammed with people, carts, barrows and animals coming and going through the gate. Inside, they climbed part of the slope of Ludgate Hill, then turned right to squeeze along a narrow, noisy, stinking street to the gateway of the castle. Here the two sentries recognised a knight of some substance by the size of his destrier, his sword and his forbidding appearance, together with the three men who formed his entourage. They saluted him and waved him into the large bailey that occupied much of the space within the walls. In the centre were several stone buildings forming a palace and a keep, with other half-timbered and wooden structures built against the inner walls. There were two turrets at each end of the castellated ramparts right on the river’s edge, but John’s eyes sought out a guardhouse just within the main entrance. With a nod of his head he sent Gwyn towards it and the Cornishman slid from his saddle and went to seek directions.
    ‘The corpse is lying next to the chapel,’ he announced when he returned. The rest of them dismounted and a pair of young grooms came running to take charge of their horses. The chapel was a small stone structure next to the keep and when they approached, they saw a group of figures standing outside a lean-to shed attached to its wall. From many similar encounters, de Wolfe knew that this was likely to be a primitive mortuary.
    One of the three men outside was obviously a priest and John sent Thomas ahead to greet him, as he knew that this was often a useful tactic.
    When de Wolfe reached the chapel, his clerk introduced the priest and explained that the other two men were sheriff’s constables from the city. They were heavily built and had the appearance of watchmen or soldiers, though they wore leather jerkins and breeches, rather than uniforms. John thought them surly fellows and after muttered greetings they all turned to the open end of the shed, which seemed to be mainly a repository for a handcart.
    ‘I have brought someone who can definitely identify the body, if it is who we think,’ said John brusquely. He motioned Edwin forward. ‘This young man is on the palace staff and knows the presumed victim.’
    A still shape lay upon the cart covered with a grubby sheet of canvas. One of the sheriff’s servants pulled it off and Edwin moved forward to study the dead man’s face.
    ‘There’s no doubt about it, that’s Basil of Reigate,’ murmured the clerk, looking rather white about the gills.
    The other sheriff’s man, rather reluctantly deferring to a knight of the realm, wanted to know more details and Edwin described how Basil was one of the palace officers responsible for the upkeep of the guest chambers.
    ‘I suppose you want to examine the cadaver, Crowner?’ said Gwyn, moving towards the barrow. The first sheriff’s officer, named William, quickly stepped forward and laid a hand on the massive arm of the Cornishman.
    ‘What are you doing?’ he demanded.
    Gwyn looked enquiringly at John as he shook off the restraining hand. For a moment, de Wolfe was afraid that his henchman was going to send the other man staggering for his temerity in grasping him. He held up a restraining hand to Gwyn and glared at William.
    ‘I need to examine the corpse! He was stabbed before going into the river.’
    William glowered back at him. ‘You Westminster people came to identify him, that’s all! Your duty is done, for which the sheriffs will thank you.’
    It was John’s turn to scowl at the man. ‘I am the coroner , fellow! I need to hold an inquest into this man’s death!’
    William shook his head and stood in front of the body with his arms folded in a gesture