The Evening and the Morning

Edgar works on a church designed by a builder named Giorgio. His daughter, Clothild, is an attractive 21-year-old. However, Edgar does not think he loves like other men. He only wants Ragna and worries that he can never be happy.

Two monks arrive, looking for Edgar. They invite him back to Dreng’s Ferry to design the new church for Aldred. After asking if Ragna is still married to Wigelm, Edgar says he needs time to think, but he is tempted.

Giorgio is ill and says he may not live a year. He offers Edgar the church and Clothild. Edgar has now been offered two master builder positions in a day. In the morning, he declines the monks’ offer, hoping for serenity with Clothild.

Wigelm has sex with Ragna, loses his erection, and then punches her. He mocks her black eye the next morning and says he is taking Alain to his house. When Cat moves between them, he throws her into the wall before knocking Ragna unconscious. She wakes to see him taking Alain away. Ragna goes to Wigelm’s house and sees Meganthryth and Wigelm with Alain. Wigelm says he will take Alain to Combe. Ragna argues and leaves once she realizes it is futile.

A month later, Ragna goes to Winchester to talk to the king and queen about her situation, but Ethelred already knows. Although he does not agree with Wigelm’s actions, he says that family and childrearing are private matters. Resolved to do whatever she can to undermine Wigelm and Wynstan, Ragna tells Aldred about the latter’s syphilis.

At a meeting later, Wigferth tells Wynstan that there is a rumor that he is ill with syphilis. Wynstan denies it, but his vehement protests make it look like he has something to hide. Wigferth says the characteristic symptom of the disease is a lump on the neck. Wynstan claims it is a boil. A monk named Forthred examines him and says he has the disease. Wynstan threatens to kill whoever said it.

Hildi tells Wynstan how Agnes died, but Hildi also protects herself by saying that she does not believe in syphilis. Wynstan asks Cat to tell Ragna he thanks her for visiting Agnes on her deathbed, comforting her when he could not.

Wigelm returns. He is frustrated because Alain constantly yells for Ragna. Wynstan wants to set Ragna aside and force her out. Ragna is free after nine years, but she is not allowed to say good-bye to Alain.

Ragna moves into Edgar’s house and hires servants. She commissions a barge to take her to Outhenham.

Aldred now has a school where he teaches Ragna’s children. She imagines ways to rescue Alain and reconnects with Blod. Dreng has largely replaced Blod with a pregnant 12-year-old named Mairead.

William and Athulf return with the news that Edgar refused their offer. He is to marry the daughter of the mason. Ragna sobs and decides to return to Cherbourg.

They hear Mairead scream as Dreng beats her with a shovel. Dreng faints, hits his head, and dies. Aldred says Ethel owns the alehouse now. Blod and Mairead will help; Ethel is their owner now and will free them in her will.Wynstan is outside and cannot remember where he is or how he got there. Ithamar tells him that Alphage is the new archbishop of Canterbury. He throws his drink in Ithamar’s face and hits Eangyth, Ithamar’s wife. Degbert says he thinks Ragna killed Dreng. Wynstan calms down and cannot even remember why he was so angry. The thought of losing control of his mental faculties terrifies him.

Ethel dies of an illness. Aldred reads her will, which frees Blod and Mairead. She leaves everything to Blod. Blod and Mairead look forward to being together with no men. Edgar meets Count Hubert and his son, Richard, in Cherbourg. Hubert is angry that Wigelm has divorced Ragna.