Crispin: The Cross of Lead

Curious and scared, Crispin looks through a window into the broken-down church and sees an enormous man dressed in ragged but colorful clothing, whom he later comes to know as Bear. After Bear sings and laughs for a moment longer, he spots Crispin and questions him. Crispin gives evasive answers and claims that he is looking for his father.

When Bear learns that Crispin is hungry, he makes a speech blaming widespread hunger in England on the king and his greedy officials, then asks what Crispin thinks. When Crispin responds that Bear’s words sound treasonous, Bear becomes angry and declares, “So be it. I hate all tyranny” (65). Bear then softens and offers Crispin bread. As Crispin moves to accept it, Bear grabs him by the wrist.

Bear holds onto Crispin and forcefully questions him. Crispin admits that he fled his village after the steward accused him of theft and proclaimed him a wolf’s head. When Bear learns that both of Crispin’s parents are dead, he releases him but blocks his exit from the church.