The Library Vault

Who is Brother Cadfael? A Benedictine monk like no other. Set in the mid 12^th century, the Brother Cadfael Chronicles by Ellis Peters are a set of twenty incredibly satisfying stories detailing the mystery-solving skills of one former crusader turned Medieval monk.

The best description of Cadfael is in the opening of the first book, A Morbid Taste for Bones.

Brother Cadfael himself found nothing strange in his wide-ranging career, and had forgotten nothing and regretted nothing. He saw no contradiction in the delight he had taken in battle and adventure and the keen pleasure he now found in quietude. Spiced, to be truthful, with more than a little mischief when he could get it…

From A Morbid Taste for Bones by Ellis Peters

There are many things I love about Cadfael. He is wise in the ways of the world and yet believes sincerely in his vocation. He views humanity with a tolerant eye and philosophical detachment. He never judges others and has a soft spot for lovers. (There are always two lovers needing help in each story.) His definition of “sin” is definitely broader than the church he serves!

And he is clever. Oh, so clever. You will discover that you trust him as much as the characters in the book trust him. You just know that he will out-think and out-maneuver his opponents with a bland face and innocent eyes, although some of his stratagems are not, strictly speaking, God-fearing or even lawful. Nevertheless, Cadfael is always on the side of the angels.

The historical detail in the books is wonderful. Ellis Peters (the pen name of Edith Pargeter) might have lived in the time period of which she wrote, so vivid and descriptive is the writing. You will lose yourself in the medieval town of Shrewsbury. The amazing part is that Pargeter never attended a university but was a self-taught scholar, specializing in the history of Shropshire and Wales, where the Brother Cadfael stories are set. The tales are richly detailed and enveloping.

Cadfael is, I will admit, a bit of an anomaly for the time period in which he lives. He has the broader ethics of a modern man. His tolerance and empathy are definitely of the 20^th century, not the 12^th century. In spite of that, you believe that he belongs, that such a man could exist, probably did exist. For Cadfael is very, very real. You want to believe in him.

Ellis Peters sums Cadfael up succinctly in the title of a collection of short tales that describe how he went from soldier to monk. The title is A Rare Benedictine.

You may also want to check out the British television series about Cadfael starring Derek Jacobi.