The Raven In The Foregate: 12 (Cadfael Chronicles)

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A man with every virtue, except humility and human kindness. That is what I have brought upon the Foregate, Robert. And now what are we to do about him?”

Rev. R. W. Eyton (1918). "Morville". Antiquities of Shropshire. London: John Russell Smith. pp.34–35. Torold Blund: Young squire of FitzAlan [3] in service of Empress Maud. He has married Godith, settling in Anjou. Both were introduced in One Corpse Too Many. He is again sought by King Stephen for his work in support of his enemy; sent as scout from Normandy, believed by Hugh to have returned there. Access-restricted-item true Addeddate 2014-01-22 17:47:11.905098 Bookplateleaf 0010 Boxid IA1147503 City New York Donor Brother Cadfael: He is the herbalist monk at the Abbey of St. Peter and St. Paul in Shrewsbury. He is a sometime detective, and about age 61 in this story.The next day, the woman who came to Cadfael is no where to be found. She soon is found dead--drowned by an apparent suicide. When this is brought to Ailnoth's attention, he tells everyone that she was a whore and he refused to give her absolution when they met. It is assumed she killed herself following this. What defines a good parish priest? Is it simply one who follows the rules? Aren’t empathy, humility and kindness necessary ingredients too? Ninian Bachiler: He is the second young squire of FitzAlan sent as scout from Normandy in the service of the Empress before her recent fall from grace; he is sought by King Stephen. The next week finds Brother Cadfael talking to suspects and getting to the bottom of the mystery. With a little from Sheriff Hugh Beringar at Father Ailnoth's funeral, the mystery is solved. Diota was injured Christmas Eve. Cadfael treated her wounds. Cynric sends Cadfael to aid newborn Winifred, now in the care of her grandmother Nest, mother of the late lovely Eluned. Cadfael confronts Benet with his true name, Ninian. Ninian is in Shrewsbury by the work of his resourceful childhood nurse, Diota Hammet. He plans escape through Wales to Gloucester. Sanan will go with Ninian. He will leave when his name is cleared, and Diota is safe; then he and Sanan will marry. On the day Giffard comes forward, Sanan meets Ninian at Cadfael's workshop. They leave for his hiding place just before Hugh arrives.

Not surprisingly, soon after this Ailnoth is found dead--also drowned. This is obviously not a suicide--he was murdered. The problem is that practically the entire town is suspect since he was such a nasty guy! And, whoever did this MIGHT have also killed the girl. Cadfael's job is to sort through both these deaths and determined what actually occurred. This is especially important because whether or not the dead woman can be buried in sacred ground is at stake, since the Church won't allow suicide victims to be buried in their cemeteries. Additionally, the woman was pregnant. Who was the father?

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This is the 12th book in the Cadfael series and the 12th Cadfael I have read. While the plot in this book is relatively simple, I thoroughly enjoyed reading the book. It made for a rewarding escape read in the Christmas holidays. Robert J. Tarr (1999). "Domesday and Middle Ages". The History of English Wine. Coventry and Cornwall England. Brother Cadfael, herbalist-sleuth at Shrewsbury's Benedictine monastery in the 12th century ( The Devil's Novice, etc., etc.), is dismayed by the cold, unforgiving nature of Father Ailnoth, the new parish priest of the Foregate. In fact, Ailnoth's short time in office has made him so feared and hated that there's no mourning when his body is pulled from the mill pond on Christmas morning. Ailnoth had come from Westminster, now restored, along with most of the country, to King Stephen, accompanied by a widowed housekeeper and her young nephew, Ninian, who is apprenticed to Cadfael and soon wins his trust and affection. Ninian's guileless indiscretion soon reveals him as an ardent fighter for Empress Maud, the King's archenemy, now regrouping her forces in Wales, and he finds an ally in beautiful Sanan Bernieres. In hiding from Sheriff Hugh Beingar's halfhearted search and accused by some of Ailnoth's murder, Ninian is then set free to join his Empress by the unexpected result of a trap set by Cadfael and the Sheriff. Rather thin plotting for Peters—otherwise, her usual mix of lively period detail, three-dimensional characters and easy-flowing narrative.