Summary

In Chapter 1, Gwenda and her family have arrived at Kingsbridge for the annual Fleece Fair. Her brother Philemon, father Joby, and mother Ethna are with her. Gwenda's family is poor. Gwenda's father sometimes works as a laborer, but the family often resorts to theft. Officials chopped off one of Joby's hands when he was caught stealing. Joby points out Sir Gerald and Lady Maud. He is obviously a knight and has a purse on his belt. Joby wants Gwenda to steal the purse. Philemon, who is older than Gwenda, usually does the stealing, but he was almost caught the previous day, meaning today's task falls to Gwenda. She is about to steal money while standing in a church, but she is more afraid of her father and of hunger than of the idea that “Jesus was telling her not to sin...