The Secret of the Abbess of Assisi

A medieval pilgrimage full of mystery and intrigue: The Adventures of Oldrich of Chlum

"The pilgrimage to Saint James in Compostela is one of the highest expressions of Christian piety. Oldřich of Chlum, however, has so many worries of his own that he has never thought of such a thing. But King Přemysl II. Otakar is of a different opinion. He orders his procurator to be a member of the retinue that will accompany the king's aunt, the abbess Agnes, on her pious pilgrimage. And Oldřich is even more upset when he learns that Svetlana, the daughter of the purgrave William of Landštejn, is to be Anežka's companion during the journey. Before they cross the kingdom's borders, the first murder occurs. The pope's envoys, the mysterious Templars and the French king's scouts begin to move near the pilgrims. And then Anežka confesses to Oldřich that it was not only pious intentions that led her to the pilgrimage. Before her death, the renowned abbess Clare of Assisi wrote to her about a disturbing suspicion. He refuses to return, and so the small party continues their quest for the secret, the discovery of which many must redeem with their blood. "