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fifteenth century, and improvements made in later years by the nobleman who lived here before displeasing Henry and losing his head. ”
    “What was he guilty of?”  I shuddered at the thought of someone being beheaded. 
    “He tried to prevent Cromwell’s men from destroying the Abbey and the Monastery during the Dissolution of the Monasteries.  Of course, he did not succeed and they were ransacked anyway.  He was arrested for treason and executed in 1541 ; his family turned out , and the castle seized by Henry.  I cannot seem to recall the man’s name at the present .”
    I tried to remember what the Dissolution of the Monasteries was, but had to admit that my English history was very hazy.  
    “Why did they destroy the m onastery?” 
    Finn gave me a strange look, as if wondering how anyone could ask that question, but then proceeded to answer.  “Henry wanted to divorce his wife, Queen C atherine , and marry his mistress, Anne Boleyn , but the Church would not grant him a divorce.  C atherine was a good and pious woman , and he had no valid reason to put her aside as far as the Church was concerned .  Henry petitioned the Pope , claiming that the marriage was not valid , since C atherine had been married to his brother before him, but the Pope would still not grant an annulment, forcing Henry’s hand.  He passed the Act of Supremacy in 1534 declaring himself the Head of the Church , and forcing everyone to swear allegiance to him.  Those who didn’t swear suffered greatly. 
    After a few years Henry broke with Rome for good and decided to weed out Catholicism altogether , accepting his minister Thomas Cromwell’s proposal to dissolve all monastic institutions .  Cromwell’s men went around the country destroying all Catholic houses of worship , seizing their wealth and driving out the inhabitants.  Those who resisted were either killed outright or arrested for treason.  The monastery of St. Mary of the Mount was very close to here.  The ruins are still there in the woods.”
    “Is it possible to see them?”  I’ve always had a thing for ruins , and was curious to see the old m onastery.
    “If you like , I can take you there when I get back from Plymouth.  It is too far to walk, so Robbie can find you a horse to ride.  A lec and I used to play there when we were children all the time.  We fought some epic battles in front of the Abbey, ” he smiled at the memory and led me down to the river.   There were several boats moored on the river today , and I could see the small fishing village from our vantage point.  One of the fishermen called out a greeting to Finlay , and he waved back, shielding his eyes against the bright sun reflecting off the muddy waters of the river.  I looked at the spot where only yesterday I sat in the café by the harbor and shielded my eyes as well, but mostly to hide the tears.

 
     
    Chapter 9
     
    Finlay escorted Mistress Crane back to the castle and walked across the yard lost in thought.  The stables smelled of hay, horseflesh and the tang of manure , and Robbie, who was s u pposed to be mucking out the stalls, was nowhere to be seen ; doubtless in the kitchen trying to sweet - talk Cook into giving him some freshly baked buns.  He saddled Dante himself and led him out into the sunshine, pulling his hat lower over his face to shield his eyes against the light after the dim confines of the stable s .  Finlay always did his best thinking on horseback , so he decided to take a ride into Compton Village to go visit Caleb Black . 
    Caleb was the most skilled blacksmith for miles , and Finlay fancied getting a new dagger made on account of losing his own in a card game last week.  He had loved that dagger , and only overindulgence in drink could have induced him to risk it in a bet.  As it was, he lost the dagger and a whole lot more , and went back to his room at the i nn furious and ashamed of himself.  His father had given him that dagger , and he