November 1194. Appointed by Richard the Lionheart, the first inquest (coroner) of the county of Devon, a former crusader, Sir John de Wolfe, goes to the remote marshy town of Widecombe to examine an unidentified body. Upon returning to Exeter, the investigator is indignant to discover that his own brother-in-law, Sheriff Richard de Revelle, intends to interfere with the investigation, especially when the deceased turns out to be a crusader and a member of one of the most distinguished and noble Devon families.