Another change of legal scene for Rumpole- this time, defending a Canon in Ecclesiastical Court of a fictitious cathedral city who has been accused of 'hanky panky' as Rumpole puts it (or behaviour not becoming a cleric as the rules say).
Canon Donkin (Martin Jarvis) also happens to be Hilda's nephew. He is accused of adulterous behaviour by 6 of the great and good of the city.
Bollard becomes a Chancellor in said Ecclesiastical Court so he, Erskine-Brown and Rumpole speedily decamp to said cathedral city as Judge, prosecuting attorney and defence attorney respectively.
All stay at the local hotel which is connected to the ancient Saint Edithna who was the 'inspiration' for the cathedral. Rumpole informs them of a local legend that Saint Edithna, a woman in white, makes appearances when an injustice is threatened; Bollard asks for a divine 'sign'.
Rumpole digs around the case and finds that the Canon is forced to get away from his fractious home for the afternoon in order to compose sermons. His wife seems pretty poisonous, but then her husband is facing prosecution of adultery plus the ruin of his career, so perhaps it's understandable.
One of the 'Group of six' set a poorly-paid 'spy' to watch his room: who has reported the entry of a strange woman into his room.
It turns out that Canon Donkin has been engaged on research showing the the area near the cathedral set for a very profitable redevelopment was actually gifted by Charles II in 1672 and that the property is thereby alienated from the developers. Rumpole suggests that their aim was to discredit Donkin and hope that this clears the evidence holding them from their goal- which seems a little hopeful.
Bollard makes an effort to be fair minded and adjourns overnight. Canon Donkin then confesses that the woman visiting him was in fact his sister, on the run from Police! Donkin refuses to disclose this fact, having promised his sister. It looks grim for Donkin in the morning.
Hilda comes visiting to catch Rumpole out on being unfaithful with Liz Probert, only to find that when Rumpole had suggested she might accompany him 'unless she has better things to do' that she HAD had other things to do! It seems her visit is in vain, but during the night Rumpole ensures that Hilda's toilet malfunctions during the night, that she walks along the hotel corridor in her white dress and the Bollard is on hand to see it. Bollard believes that he has received a sign from the Saint.
The sanctimonious and gullible Bollard, then gives his decision in favour of the Canon,
It's a fresh approach and a different scenario, albeit somewhat akin to a previous story (where a clergyman was accused of theft.)
Hilda appears to be increasingly unpredictable: it's hard to see why she believes that Rumpole is involved with his pupil, with sufficient gravity to make a checkup trip like this. Rumpole isnt wealthy or senior and he's hardly going to be physically appealing to a young lady. Having threatened to leave him last week if he didnt improve his career prospects- a request only 20 or 30 years too late- she is now chronically insecure. It's like Rumpole isn't in his mid sixties but his mid-thirties! Of course, her presence is crucial to the resolution of this case so perhaps that's why the envelope is being stretched a little.
Bollard and Erskine-Brown are becoming increasingly caricatured by series 5; they are likeable but increasingly improbable and unworldly.
Canon Donkin (Martin Jarvis) also happens to be Hilda's nephew. He is accused of adulterous behaviour by 6 of the great and good of the city.
Bollard becomes a Chancellor in said Ecclesiastical Court so he, Erskine-Brown and Rumpole speedily decamp to said cathedral city as Judge, prosecuting attorney and defence attorney respectively.
All stay at the local hotel which is connected to the ancient Saint Edithna who was the 'inspiration' for the cathedral. Rumpole informs them of a local legend that Saint Edithna, a woman in white, makes appearances when an injustice is threatened; Bollard asks for a divine 'sign'.
Rumpole digs around the case and finds that the Canon is forced to get away from his fractious home for the afternoon in order to compose sermons. His wife seems pretty poisonous, but then her husband is facing prosecution of adultery plus the ruin of his career, so perhaps it's understandable.
One of the 'Group of six' set a poorly-paid 'spy' to watch his room: who has reported the entry of a strange woman into his room.
It turns out that Canon Donkin has been engaged on research showing the the area near the cathedral set for a very profitable redevelopment was actually gifted by Charles II in 1672 and that the property is thereby alienated from the developers. Rumpole suggests that their aim was to discredit Donkin and hope that this clears the evidence holding them from their goal- which seems a little hopeful.
Bollard makes an effort to be fair minded and adjourns overnight. Canon Donkin then confesses that the woman visiting him was in fact his sister, on the run from Police! Donkin refuses to disclose this fact, having promised his sister. It looks grim for Donkin in the morning.
Hilda comes visiting to catch Rumpole out on being unfaithful with Liz Probert, only to find that when Rumpole had suggested she might accompany him 'unless she has better things to do' that she HAD had other things to do! It seems her visit is in vain, but during the night Rumpole ensures that Hilda's toilet malfunctions during the night, that she walks along the hotel corridor in her white dress and the Bollard is on hand to see it. Bollard believes that he has received a sign from the Saint.
The sanctimonious and gullible Bollard, then gives his decision in favour of the Canon,
It's a fresh approach and a different scenario, albeit somewhat akin to a previous story (where a clergyman was accused of theft.)
Hilda appears to be increasingly unpredictable: it's hard to see why she believes that Rumpole is involved with his pupil, with sufficient gravity to make a checkup trip like this. Rumpole isnt wealthy or senior and he's hardly going to be physically appealing to a young lady. Having threatened to leave him last week if he didnt improve his career prospects- a request only 20 or 30 years too late- she is now chronically insecure. It's like Rumpole isn't in his mid sixties but his mid-thirties! Of course, her presence is crucial to the resolution of this case so perhaps that's why the envelope is being stretched a little.
Bollard and Erskine-Brown are becoming increasingly caricatured by series 5; they are likeable but increasingly improbable and unworldly.
