Joan, using the identity of John of Anglicus, has lived as a monk at Fulda for four years. Through her studies she has been granted access to the monastery library, and is called upon to translate Greek treatises on medicine, including books by Hippocrates. The community doctor, Brother Benjamin, takes her as his apprentice and teachers her the use of medicinal herbs for healing. Joan has worked diligently upon her masculine disguise, knowing her life depends upon it.
When the educated Judith, wife of Viscount Waifar, comes to the church to pray for her stillborn child, she is told since the child was a girl she needs to wait sixty days instead of the usual thirty days before she can enter the church. Angry that this woman is considered unclean, Joan offers.....
