Ngaio Marsh Death of a Fool

also published as

Off With His Head

To anybody with the smallest knowledge of folklore it will be obvious that the Dance of the Five Sons is a purely imaginary synthesis combining in most unlikely profusion the elements of several dances and mumming plays. For information on these elements I am indebted, among many other sources, to England’s Dances, by Douglas Kennedy, and Introduction to English Folklore, by Violet Alford.

Cast of Characters

Mrs. Bünz

Dame Alice Mardian

The Reverend Mr. Samuel

Stayne

Ralph Stayne

Dulcie Mardian

William Andersen

Daniel Andersen

Andrew Andersen

Nathaniel Andersen

Christopher Andersen

Ernest Andersen

Camilla Campion

Bill Andersen

Tom Plowman

Trixie Plowman

Dr. Otterly of Yowford, general practitioner

Simon Begg of Simmy-Dick’s Service Station

Superintendent Carey of the Yowford Constabulary

Police Sergeant Obby of the Yowford Constabulary

of the C.I.D., New Scotland Yard

Superintendent Roderick Alleyn

Detective-Inspector Fox

Detective-Sergeant Bailey

Detective-Sergeant Thompson

of Mardian Castle

Rector of East Mardian,

her great-nephew by marriage

her great-great-nephew and

son of the Rector

her great-niece

of Copse Forge

blacksmith

his sons

his grand-daughter

his grandson

landlord of the Green Man

his daughter