World Without End

It is the second half of 1337 in the aftermath of the bridge collapse. Caris continues to work in the hospital until Cecilia forces her to rest. Caris takes Gwenda home with her, where Gwenda and Godwyn grieve the death of Anthony (their brother, it turns out). Gwenda and Caris return to the priory, where Mattie Wise is helping at the hospital. They learn from her that, based on her experience with midwifery, it is impossible that Merthin, who had sex with Griselda a mere two weeks ago, could be responsible for her being several months pregnant. Caris shares the news about Griselda with Merthin, who had intended to marry Griselda. He has been occupied with building a ferry to help pick up some of the slack left by the collapsed bridge. Edmund goes to the priory to talk with Brothers Carlus and Simeon, caretakers until a new prior is selected, to demand that they fund a new bridge. They refuse him by claiming that God will look out for them.