Crispin: The Cross of Lead facts for kids
Cover of the second ed. (2002 Elwell illustration, in part)
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| Author | Avi |
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| Illustrator | Ellian DeSonori and Liette Halyn |
| Cover artist | Tristan Elwell |
| Country | U.S. |
| Genre | Young adult novel, historical novel |
| Publisher | Hyperion Books for Children |
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Publication date
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2002 |
| Media type | Print (hardcover) |
| Pages | 262 |
| ISBN | 0-7868-0828-4 (1st ed., hardcover) |
| OCLC | 48559447 |
| LC Class | PZ7.A953 Cr 2002 |
| Preceded by | None. |
| Followed by | Crispin: At the Edge of the World |
Crispin: The Cross of Lead is an exciting historical novel written by Avi. It was published in 2002 and won the famous Newbery Medal in 2003. This award is given to the best American children's book of the year. The story is the first in a trilogy, followed by Crispin: At the Edge of the World (2006) and Crispin: The End of Time (2010).
Contents
The Story of Crispin
The story takes place in England in the year 1377. We meet a 13-year-old boy known only as Asta's Son. He lives as a poor farmer, called a serf, in the village of Stromford. This village is part of the lands owned by a powerful person called Lord Furnival. While Lord Furnival is away, a man named John Aycliffe manages the village.
Crispin Becomes an Outlaw
When Crispin's mother dies, he is left all alone. He has no other family. Soon after, John Aycliffe falsely accuses Crispin of stealing. Aycliffe then declares Crispin a "Wolf's Head." This means Crispin is no longer seen as a human. Anyone can kill him without punishment. Aycliffe even offers a large reward for Crispin's death.
Crispin turns to Father Quinel, the village priest. Father Quinel is Crispin's only friend. Crispin shows him a lead cross his mother gave him. Father Quinel tells Crispin his real name is Crispin. He promises to tell Crispin about his father the next night. But before he can, Aycliffe's men murder Father Quinel. Aycliffe then sends a boy named Cerdic to trick Crispin into a trap. Crispin is forced to run away from his village all by himself.
Meeting Bear
While escaping, Crispin finds an empty village. Everyone there died from a terrible sickness called the Black Death. Here, he meets a big, strong man named Orson Hrothgar, but everyone calls him Bear. Bear claims Crispin as his own. In those times, if a serf ran away, the next free man who found him could become his new master.
Bear sees Crispin's lead cross and notices words carved on it. Bear does not tell Crispin what the words say. But Crispin realizes the cross and its words are very important. Bear is rough with Crispin at first. However, as they travel together, they become true friends. Bear eventually asks Crispin to become his apprentice, like a student learning a trade. Crispin happily agrees.
Journey to Great Wexly
Crispin and Bear pretend to be father and son. They travel towards Great Wexly, which is the main city of Lord Furnival's lands. Bear says he has important business to do there. When they arrive, they find trouble. Lord Furnival has died, and John Aycliffe has also come to the city.
Bear and Crispin stay at a place called The Green Man tavern. In their room, there is a secret hiding place behind a false wall. Bear tells Crispin to hide there if things go wrong. Bear then meets with John Ball, a priest in the city. Soldiers raid their secret meeting place. Bear helps everyone else escape, but he is captured.
Crispin's Discovery and Rescue Mission
Crispin is hiding and feels very sad. He then makes an amazing discovery: he is Lord Furnival's son! Crispin tries to get help from "The Brotherhood." This is a secret group that Bear belongs to, led by John Ball. But they refuse to help Crispin find Bear. So, Crispin decides to break into Furnival's Palace by himself.
Inside the palace, Crispin finds a dagger and hides it. He goes into a large room and sees a painting of Lord Furnival. The man in the painting looks a lot like Crispin. Crispin finds Aycliffe and pins him to the ground. He holds the dagger to Aycliffe's neck. Instead of killing him, Crispin makes Aycliffe promise something. Aycliffe must swear that Crispin and Bear can leave Great Wexly unharmed and never return. In exchange, Crispin will give Aycliffe the lead cross.
Crispin is led to Bear, who is being held in the palace's cellar. Bear has been hurt badly. Even though he is weak, Bear manages to walk out of the palace on his own. Aycliffe and some soldiers walk with them to the city gates. But Aycliffe breaks his promise. He plans to kill Crispin.
The Final Confrontation
A fight begins between Aycliffe and Bear. Crispin gives Bear the dagger he found. Soldiers surround them with their swords ready. After a struggle, Bear grabs Aycliffe from behind. Aycliffe drops his weapons. Bear then throws Aycliffe into the line of soldiers. Aycliffe is stabbed by the soldiers' swords and dies.
Crispin leaves the lead cross on Aycliffe's chest. Then, he and Bear walk out of Great Wexly. Outside the city gate, Bear and Crispin play music and sing. Bear then tells Crispin that he is free. Crispin feels happy. He says that for the first time, he feels like himself, not just "Asta's Son."
Main Characters
- Crispin – A 13-year-old boy who works on the land. He lives in the English village of Stromford in 1377. The book is told from his point of view. He is the son of Asta and Lord Furnival.
- Asta – Crispin's mother. She was the youngest daughter of Lord Douglas. She was forced to live as a poor farmer after Crispin was born. Her death starts the main events of the story.
- Lord Douglas – Asta's father.
- Lord Furnival – The powerful owner of a large area of land in England, including Stromford. He is Crispin's father. He dies while Crispin and Bear are traveling to Great Wexly.
- Lady Furnival – Lord Furnival's wife.
- Orson Hrothgar (Bear) – A spy for a secret group that wants to change things. He travels around as a jester, entertaining people. He meets Crispin after Crispin runs away from Stromford. Bear makes Crispin his servant at first, but they soon become close friends.
- Father Quinel – A priest and a friend to Crispin and his mother. John Aycliffe murders him to keep the secret of Crispin's father hidden.
- Goodwife Peregrine – An old, wise woman in the village. Father Quinel tells her to give Crispin supplies and a pouch for his lead cross when he runs away.
- Widow Daventry – A woman who works at The Green Man Tavern. She is a friend of Bear. She tells Crispin who his real father is.
- John Aycliffe – The man who manages Stromford for Lord Furnival. He is related to Lady Furnival. He tries to kill Crispin to keep his power.
- Cerdic – A boy about Crispin's age who tricks Crispin into a trap.
- John Ball – A real historical figure who appears briefly. He and his group are preparing for a big uprising called the Peasants' Revolt.
- The One-Eyed Man – A young man who was teased by Bear. He later helps soldiers arrest Bear.
