A Rare Benedictine

I am a fan of the Cadfael TV series. I noticed that 7 or 8 of the Cadfael chronicle books were not included in the TV series and decided to read those. In the process of locating them, I found out about the book I review here, A Rare Benedictine by Ellis Peters. It tells three short tales from what I think is the time before the first of the Cadfael chronicles books. The first tells how Cadfael came to be a monk - and there is a mystery solved in the process (or at least one of two). The others take place with Cadfael as a monk in Shrewsbury and are both great stories as well. The second deals with the seemingly miraculous disappearance of some donated silver candlesticks and how justice prevails in this case. The third story involves stolen rent money, and the clever way that it is found. All fit in well with what one would expect from Cadfael. These are three great stories, and I highly recommend them to Cadfael fans and as an introduction to the series for those who have never heard of it.

I enjoy history and a good mystery and "A Rare Benedictine" offers both. We have three solid stories, each adding a bit more to the life of a favorite fictional brother who inhabits a more real world. Cadfael's returned to England and entry into the Benedictine Order are chronicled as of the first mystery. Cadfael's observations, and his ability to understand and empathizes with transgressors makes him an even more likable. And Cadfael is likeable, and I appreciate his sense of justice in the very difficult time he lives in, because he laws of the land and the punishments are simple and brutal, and the monk does his best to balance the justice with common sense. The stories and the character are refreshing, and it's not surprising that Cadfael is still as popular as he is.

In 1120, Cadfael saw "A Light on the Road to Woodstock". Roger Mauduit's father deeded a manor to the abbey of Shrewsbury, which granted it back to him as a life tenant. The old man and Abbot Fulchered trusted one another, and were careless with the charter's actual wording. Now that both principals and all the witnesses have passed away, Roger has brought suit against the abbey that the tenancy is hereditary, and should remain with him, so Mauduit and the abbey's representative, Prior Heribert, are bringing the case before King Henry at Woodstock. Prior Heribert is armed with the abbey's correspondence with old man Mauduit as proof of intent.Unfortunately, Mauduit knows his only hope is to keep Heribert from appearing in court, so the King will find for Mauduit in default. When `footpads in the forest' kidnap Heribert, Cadfael (a Welsh armsman temporarily in Mauduit's employ) becomes suspicious. (This story also describes the first few stones that grew into the avalanche of the civil war between the Empress Maud (the King's daughter) and King Stephen.)"The Price of Light" In 1135, Hamo FitzHamon, a harsh, self-indulgent lord of 2 manors, takes thought for his soul, when his sixtieth year greets him with a mild seizure. On the theory that the prayers of the brothers carry more weight with Heaven than those of ordinary recipients of charity, he has arrived at Shrewsbury for Christmas with his young wife, to conclude a charter arranging payment for the lighting of Mary's altar, and to gift the altar with 2 exquisite silver candlesticks (despite the custodian's opinion that the value of the candlesticks would be better sent to the almoner in this harsh winter). When the candlesticks disappear from the altar, half-blind Brother Jordan, who knows the value of light better than anyone, says that he has witnessed a miracle, of which he may not speak for 3 days."Eye Witness" A few days before the abbey's annual rents fall due, poor Brother Ambrose has fallen ill, and the abbey has had to hire a lay clerk to handle the paperwork. Master William, the abbey's steward, takes Ambrose's illness as almost a personal insult, but he's a complaining sort of man, whose worst cross to bear is his wild, continually-in-debt son. The day that Master William collects the rents, Madog of the Dead Boat fishes him out of the river - knocked out from behind, robbed, and thrown into the river for dead, but rescued just short of drowning. Cadfael, knowing that the church attic overlooks the scene of the attack, persuades old Rhodri the beggar (who sleeps up there) to help him bait a trap for the thief.

I spoke with a woman recently who visited Shrewsbury, England and toured the 'Brother Cadfael' sites. The tour guide mentioned that one of the most common questions she gets is 'Where is Brother Cadfael buried?' The answer of course is in Ellis Peters' novels. A combination of murder mystery, Benedictine spirituality, and English 12th century life-history-culture make Peters' novels my favorite series of the many English mystery writers. For other titles on Benedictine spirituality in the daily life of 21st century non-monastics look at these books:The Family Cloister: Benedictine Wisdom for the Home, by David Robinson (NY: Crossroad, 2000); Wisdom Distilled from the Daily: Living the Rule of St. Benedict Today, Joan Chittister (OSB).

Those of you who are Brother Cadfael fans will certainly enjoy this tale. Our monastic sleuth has solved innumerable mysteries but he, himself has been a mystery. We never knew about his origins or how he became a monk. His advent is certainly a good read as we learn about the life of Brother Cadfael the former mercenary and wanderer. Three brief stories are given in this volume. The first deals with Cadfael's origins, the second follows up on a mystery of stolen silver candlesticks and the third tale regales us with the theft of the Abbey's rent. All three taken together presents us with a rare insight on how Brother Cadfael's mind and curiousity works in solving a mystery. This was a fun read.