Cadfael

by Herbert A. Wise

No Synopsis Available.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1569384606
• ISBN13: 9781569384602
• Release Date: May 1993
• Publisher: Acorn Media Publishing
• Length: 48 Pages

Customer Reviews

All the films are worth seeing.

I truly enjoy a murder mystery of the classic who-done-it type, and the Brother Cadfael series is absolutely perfect. The author Ellis Peters (Edith Pargiter, 1913-1995), like Agatha Christie, Nagio Marsh and Dorothy Sayers, was popular during the early to mid-20th Century and wrote prolifically during that time. There are some 20 Cadfael books. Athough the writer is not an historian, she is remarkably well researched and has a genuine feeling for life during her character's time period. The setting of these stories is 12th Century England, a period of particular turmoil. Henry I had died without a legitimate male heir, and he had designated his daughter Matilda as his successor, binding his nobles by oath to support her. Although many of them did, including her very able half brother, an illegitimate son of Henry made an Earl by his father, many of them threw their support behind her cousin, Steven. Matilda, or Maud as she is referred to, was a granddaughter of William the Conqueror and no push over herself. She fought her cousin from a base in coastal France, where the family held land in fief of the King of France and where marriage alliances had placed her as wife of Geoffery, the Duke of Anjou. With her Norman support in France and her loyal factions in England, she made enough of a threat to Steven's rule to ultimately obtain a guarantee of succession to the English throne for her son Henry, ultimately Henry II. Until that time, warfare turned most of England into a battle ground and life for everyone a matter of ceaseless uncertainty. Added to this was the rancour still apparent in the social divisions between the largely Saxon population and their Norman rulers. The fall of the Saxon monarchy was only a hundred years previous and hostility still existed. The different orders of society: nobleman, servant, military man, tradesman, artisan, abbott, monk, and priest are carefully wrought to produce a period piece with more detail and clearer dialogue than a Shakespearean play. It would be a wonderful way of introducing young people to history. Cadfael, the central character of the series, is a Dominican monk and herbalist, and Dereck Jacobi is the perfect personification of him. He has a presence which suggests strength, wisdom, and compassion. Unlike most of the other brothers, Cadfael had spent most of his life in the secular world where he participated in the crusades, had adventures, fell in and out of love, and took his order after finding the ways of the world wanting. He comes from a different culture, that of Wales, and sees that of England through an outsiders more objective eyes. His experience with life and the motives of men and his keen awareness of detail makes him the perfect sleuth, and when murder is committed, the civil authorities are more than willing to have him clear things up for them. In the Devil's Novice an unpleasant cleric is murdered en route to a meeting with the Earl of Chester-a distant rel

Even in the worst deed there is some good

You know this is going to be a good one when it starts out with a bloody face staring at you. Later there is the bragging priest and you know if he is not the one to die that he should be. And what is with the soon to be bride playing on both sides of the fence? A new novice that speaks strangely in his sleep, a missing king's chaplain who should have staid in the cars or rather not go out alone, and a mystery wild man is just the right mix for a murder mystery. Once again Cadfael uses forensics, logic and intuition (with a little last minute information) to smoke out the truth and bring the culprit/s to justice. You will suspect everyone up to the end. Cadfael - Monk's Hood

A HELLION IN MONK'S CLOTHING

Shrewsbury Abbey is blessed to receive a new novice into its brotherhood. He's young, determined, passionate and willing to risk anything to serve Christ. Or at least it seems that way. His mad ravings in the night wakes up the entire household. Oswin believes him possessed by demons. Brother Jerome confiscates personal items from him and nearly gets choked to death. Cadfael witnesses the scene and begins to wonder if this young man is truly sincere in joining the order. Added onto the bedlam in the Abbey is the disappearance of the king's chaplain ( a son of a gun)who just happens to be a kinsmen of our new novice. His disappearance reaches the ears of the church's canon who readily comes down to find out what happened to the king's clerical emissary. All hell breaks lose as the body of the chaplain has been found burned. Who has committed this murder? Our novice confesses the crime. Cadfael doesn't believe it for a moment and begins the process of uncovering the truth. While doing so, he finds a father who has for years with-held his love and affection to his younger son. We see the flirtateous and ambitious bride of the elder son flaunt herself before the chaplain and show her disdain for her in-laws. Further uncovered is the corruption of the clergy who are all to willing to use the priesthood as another avenue of obtaining power. Such elements of intrigue contained in the feature makes you take a second look at family loyalty and church obedience. What happens when the two lose the love which is the foundation for all? Join Cadfael as he attempts to unravel this mystery not just of a murderer but the motives behind everything that was done. Derek Jacobi and his fine supporting players have done an excellent job in bringing these issues to the foreground.

A must for mystery fans; similar to "The Name of the Rose"

If you've never read any of the Brother Cadfael books by Ellis Peters you are in for a treat.  This series originaly broadcast on the BBC are faithful adaptions about a master sleuth in Monk's clothing. Brother Cadfael is a monk with a difference and never what he seems. Given a choice, he would rather work in his garden or practice his herbal remedies. But too often, events force him to use his detective skills in response to mysterious crimes happening in his community, often finding himself at odds with the medievil times in which he lives.As the former soldier turned monk, Derek Jacobi's Cadfael is a subtle marvel, full of full of wisdom, and wit.(this performance rivals his previous masterful work on "I, Claudius".) Surrounded by an equally fine supporting cast, most notably Terrence Hardiman as Abbot Radulfus, Michael Culver as Prior Robert and Julian Firth as Brother Jerome, the mysteries are always intriguing with occasional sly humor thrown in for good measure. I'm resisting telling you anything about the story itself, as I'd rather you experience it for yourselves. Suffice it to say, if you enjoy a good mystery, you will enjoy this series. A must for mystery fans and those who appreciate films like "The Name of the Rose."

UNREQUITED LOVE, UNBLEMISHED HONOR, UNHOLY HOMICIDE

Peter Clemens is no ordinary monk; no homespun and sandals for him. He is garbed and bejeweled like a nobleman. His horse's trappings even match! Cleric Clemens is on the King's business when he stops to visit his cousin, Leoric Ashby, whose manor lies near Shrewsbury.... Sir Derek Jacobi's Cadfael is superb. He utilizes every tool in an expert actor's bag to turn Ellis Peters' paper and ink character into a three-dimensional Medieval monk, full of life, wisdom, and wit. Eion McCarthy (Hugh Beringar) is seen briefly, but the tall, handsome gentleman commands one's attention when he is on screen. Being an abbot cannot be an easy job, but Terrence Hardiman (Abbot Radulfus) makes it seem effortless with his fine acting. Michael Culver (Prior Robert) and Julian Firth (Brother Jerome) are never boring and provide occasional moments of mirth with their zealous piety. Mark Charnock (Oswin) is energetic and endearing as usual. In this episode, Albie Woodington (Sergeant Warden) has the opportunity to show off his thespian talents.As Leoric Ashby, Julian Glover is somberly solid. Christien Anholt (Meriet) succeeds as a beleagured brooding youth. Ian Reddington (Peter Clemens) is an arrogant politico; you like to dislike him. Ian McNeice (Canon Eloard) is an adroit emissary. Louisa Milwood-Haigh (Isobel) is refreshing and charming. Why Meriet is infatuated with Rosanna when this lovely, intelligent and vivacious young woman is around is a mystery. Praise to Chloe Annett for her Rosanna. Patrick Toomey (Tristan) may be handsome and the favored first son, but he is a sorry excuse for a nobleman, and that's not easy to be. Daniel Betts (Janyn) is deceptively good as Rosanna's brother and Meriet's best friend.Directed by Herbert Wise with screenplay by Christopher Russell, "The Devil's Novice" is wickedly entertaining and intriguing. Producer Stephen Smallwood is to be complimented on the consistent quality of the Cadfael series.