The Cambridge college of Michaelhouse is in uproar in the November of 1353 Kenyngham the saintly but ageing Master has announced his retirement & with unseemly haste a Michaelhouse Fellow named Runham arranges his own 'election' as his successor Within days he has dismissed several members of staff including the redoubtable laundress Agatha & is making life so unpleasant for the scholars that even Matthew Bartholomew believes his future as physician & teacher at the college is untenable While Matthew is helping Brother Michael Proctor of the fledgling university investigate some suspicious deaths Runham himself is murdered & although mourned by none Matthew & Michael know they have to solve the mystery before any more damage is done to their beloved Michaelhouse