Adelmo's Suicide and Berengar's Guilt

The tragic story of Adelmo's death, driven by shame and Berengar's manipulation.

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The Illuminator's Despair

A Gifted Artist Adelmo's Talent Adelmo of Otranto is a young illuminator known for his fantastical marginalia. He creates images of a world turned upside down, full of monsters and jesters. His art is both admired and criticized by the older monks. The Debate on Laughter In a scriptorium debate, Adelmo defends the use of humor in sacred art, citing Aristotle. Jorge of Burgos condemns laughter as sinful. The debate becomes heated, and Adelmo feels his work is under attack. Berengar's Seduction Berengar of Arundel, the assistant librarian, has long desired Adelmo. He offers to reveal the secret of the finis Africae in exchange for sexual favors. Adelmo, curious about the forbidden knowledge, agrees.

The Night of Shame

A Sinful Encounter The Bargain After compline, Adelmo goes to Berengar's cell. They engage in a sexual act. Adelmo immediately feels overwhelming guilt. He rushes to confess to Jorge of Burgos, hoping for absolution. Jorge's Condemnation Jorge, instead of offering comfort, berates Adelmo for his sin. He tells him that he is damned unless he performs extreme penance. Adelmo is terrified and believes he is beyond redemption. The Suicide Desperate, Adelmo goes to the church to pray, but finds no peace. He then climbs to the top of the Aedificium and throws himself off the cliff. His body is found the next morning. Berengar, who witnessed his despair, is haunted by guilt.

Berengar's Remorse

The Assistant Librarian's Torment A Ghostly Encounter Berengar claims to have seen Adelmo's ghost in the cemetery. The ghost speaks of hellfire and damnation. Berengar is terrified and confesses to William, though he hides the full truth. The Theft of the Book Berengar, knowing that Venantius has taken the forbidden book, retrieves it from the scriptorium. He hopes to read it and perhaps find some justification for his actions. He also steals William's lenses. Death in the Bath Berengar reads the book in the infirmary and is poisoned. He goes to the balneary to bathe, perhaps to soothe his symptoms. He drowns, either from convulsions or accidental drowning. His death is the third in the series.

Before the first day

Night of the first day

First and second days