Title:

The Heretic's Apprentice

Author:

Ellis Peters

Category:

Mystery / Thriller

Rating:

Date Reviewed:

April 1, 2026

nce again Ellis Peters takes the reader back to twelfth century England; to the Benedictine Abbey of Saint Peter and Saint Paul in Shrewsbury. In The Heretic's Apprentice, it is summer, and the town is preparing for the festival of Saint Winifred. A strong young lad, dusty from walking a long road, pushes a cart into the abbey. The young man is Elave, and resting in a coffin on the cart Elave is pushing is his master, William of Lythwood. Seven years ago, William and Elave set out on a pilgrimage to Jerusalem. But elderly William perished in France on the long road back. Elave has wheeled his body back to the Abbey of Shrewsbury to fulfill William's final request: that he be buried within the walls of the abbey, because lying in holy ground will ease William's soul's passage into heaven.

When William and Elave departed on their pilgrimage, they left behind a prosperous family of wool traders and vellum makers. The household is run by two brothers : Girard and Jevan. The mistress of Lythwood is the generous, sensible Margaret. There is a clerk, Aldwin, and a shepherd, Conan. A young lass, Fortunata, who was but a gawky girl of eleven when Elave left, has blossomed into a young beauty. The household is saddened to learn of William's death. In addition to news of William's death, Elave has brought an astonishing gift. William has gifted Fortunata a beautifully carved box, saying that it should be her dowry. The box is locked with a key. The small chest is not immediately opened; since the master of the house, Girard, is out on a wool-gathering trip, the family decides it will wait for his return to open it and see what gift is inside.

Elave's return disturbs the placid routine of the Lythwood house. Will Aldwin lose his clerking position to the literate young man? Envious Conan the shepherd sees Fortunata quickly become enamored with Elave; and from the looks of the fine box, the hand of Fortunata will now come with a hefty dowry. And what is in that beautiful box? Certainly a great treasure, which can incite the lust for wealth even in the heart of a pious man.

Peters' relies a bit on coincidence throughout this series - Brother Cadfael always happens to bump into the right character which leads to a clue; Cadfael is present when major events occur, he witnesses key deeds. In this book, Cadfael is harvesting herbs by the river when he comes upon the body of a dead man in the water. And from the knife wound in the man's back, it is clear the victim did not drown. Murder! Cadfael and sheriff Hugh Beringer are soon on the case.

As always, Peters does a great job of presenting the reader with a plausible seeming picture of life in the Middle Ages in England. It is clear that Peters has researched book binding and vellum making. Also, the accusation of heresy plays a major role in the plot of the story. Medieval folks were deeply religious (and superstitious), so it was nice to see characters full of religious fervor and dogma. Too many historical novels give us characters with 21st century sensibilities. But in this story, the reader sees the charge of heresy hurled about and defended just as stoutly. The teachings of Saint Augustine were considered inviolate. If someone expresses a contrary opinion, such as suggesting that babies are not born with original sin, then strict church theologians can condemn the speaker to harsh penalties, even death.

Unlike many of the preceding books in this series, The Heretic's Apprentice does not dwell on the ongoing civil war between Empress Maud and King Stephen. I don't know English history, perhaps by the summer of 1143 a peace had been declared and the fighting was over? I suppose I will find out in the subsequent volume, The Potter's Field.