A manuscript is discovered in the rafters of a public house being demolished, it was written by Brother Barnabus of Willenhall Priory in the fourteenth century and has now been transcribed by Doctor Morgan Fairtlough. It tells the story of the very first Aynuk and Ayli story, when Sir Enoch du Wulfrun and his squire Elijah Morgan return from the Holy Land and the Crusades after five years away. They intend to re-ignite their romances with for Sir Enoch, the Lady Rebecca de Darlaston and for Elijah, Eliza Highgate, as well as reviving the flagging fortunes of the healing springs, Willenhall being on an important pilgrim route. Unfortunately the Lady Rebecca has been sent to a convent by her unscrupulous father and Eliza has spent five years entertaining the wealthier young bucks of the district even though Elijah fitted her with a chastity belt before he went away, sewing up the only key in the hem of his jerkin. Getting over his disappointment he takes up with a delightful girl, Jesse Higginbottom who announces to everyone at the end of the story that she and Elijah are engaged, which also came as news to Elijah. Jesse's renowned left hook and right cross come in handy as Mad Peggy Clackett's daughter Daft Alice Clackett is still after Elijah. She chased after him before he went away and even though she has since taken up with the night soil man she still has the hots for Elijah. These two wannabe witches brew up a potion designed to put Elijah under the spell of Daft Alice's natural allure, which can be quite potent depending where you are standing. Fortunately for Elijah, Sir Richard de Darlaston - the Lady Rebecca's father - drinks the potion instead with hilarious results. Unwittingly Sir Enoch and Elijah become the owners of the Ark of the Covenenant bought by Brother Barnabus from Mad Peggy Clackett.