Take a look at the hints below for guidance.
Hint 1
Who is Ingrid and how did she end up at Cherwell Castle? Read both letters from Ingrid to her friend Penelope.
Hint 2
Ingrid is Lady Mathilda’s handmaiden, and is a woman of learning. This makes many of the members of Graves’ household wary of Ingrid, who think she’s a witch. Do we know what Ingrid looked like? Study the tapestry photo.
Hint 3
Hermann’s song/poem mentions he was seated furthest away from a “maiden most vilous who practik magik craft,” so the woman in the tapestry sat furthest away from the friar must be Ingrid. Next, does Ingrid have a motive to kill Graves?
Hint 4
Ingrid’s letters mention she hates Graves, as well as Thomas of Llewenor, for their mistreatment of Mathilda. Ingrid threatens to use her knowledge of herbology to poison the whole castle in revenge. Is there any evidence she followed through on this threat? Check the newspaper clipping from the Upper Thames Herald.
Hint 5
A minstrel’s song quoted in the clipping mentions the castle’s food supply was poisoned in 1382. This was blamed on a ghost, but could be Ingrid. Is there any confirmation the food was poisoned?
Hint 6
Modern testing on a cooking pot shows traces of nightshade, a poisonous plant. Additionally, the pot was dated to 1382. If Graves died in 1382 from poisoning, Ingrid is the killer. If you’ve covered all bases and you’re still stuck, please follow the hint section for The Final Hints to gradually reveal the answer to this case.