Christopher Jarman

Scrivener Christopher Jarman

Scrivener Outline Two teenagers find an ancient journal hidden in the roof of Winchester cathedral. They take it and give it to the history professor at the university. He begins to read this diary of Ned a medieval scribe, which then becomes the subject of the novel. The book tells the life history and adventures of Ned in his own words from rags to riches, but translated into modern English. The novel moves back and forth from the medieval tale to the modern day where the clergy and the academics argue over the copyright and reveal their love lives. Professor Clarke, his wife and mistress, all become involved in disputes with the Dean and Chapter and the cathedral archivist. While the life of Ned unfolds as he travels to Italy, he has a contest with the longbow and defends his group from marauding vagabonds eventually making a successful life for himself. The modern world of the university and cathedral continues trying to publish and to make money from the journal. Eventually, the Winchester University professor and his wife journey to Florence and to Rome to search for any clues to the medieval life of Ned. They find his wealthy descendents who have little or no knowledge of their humble ancestor and seem not to care. However, when the journal come up for sale at Sothebys, the mystery bidder fom New York turns out to be one of Ned's family descendents.