ascanio
Sculptor
Capitula III
part one4 sept. 1327 a.d.
As a symbol of the Devil no creature is more perfidious than a cock that fails to crow to summon the light of day. There is scarcely a hint of dawn, fog swirls up from the plain, wreathing around the mountain, wrapping the castle in a silver blanket of mist, as there arrive from the neighbouring Abbey of Fontfroid the four monks who are coming to witness your interrogation. But with the sun the fog vanishes like your nightmares.
In order to hide your obscene nakedness from the four monastic witnesses your bodies are covered with tattered old sacks. Thus elegantly dressed you are transported into the Grand Chamber of the Inquisition. The three supports are fixed into holes in the pavement a short distance from the wall, Eulalie in the middle, Dalie on the right and Elie on the left.
At centre of the room is a great table, sitting behind it the four monks. One of them will serve as notary and will transcribe into the records every word spoken during the interrogation. Two others have the role of counsel, advising me on matters of canon law, and the fourth is the Prior of the Abbey who will preside over the process. I am next to the table and shall put the requisite questions to you. The Prior recites some prescribed prayers then hands over the speaking role to me. After a period of silence during which I read some documents concerning the procedures to be followed, I get up and I walk in front of you three girls, sometimes turning to look at one or another of you, always silent.
“Speak! What is your name?” You answer me, “ Eulalie from York”..........