Title:

The Raven in the Foregate

Author:

Ellis Peters

Category:

Mystery / Thriller

Rating:

Date Reviewed:

April 8, 2025

t is December of 1141. Yuletide is approaching. Peters starts the novel by bringing the reader up to date with the latest in the ongoing English Civil War between the forces of King Stephen and Empress Maud over who should rule England after the death of Henry II. Empress Maud is the legit claimant to the throne since she is Henry's daughter. Stephen had sworn to Henry II that he would respect the dying King's wishes - but with Henry now in his grave, and since Maud is a woman and thus unfit to rule, Stephen has been pressing his claim to sit on the throne. Alas, to my dismay, Shrewsbury and sheriff Beringar have remained steadfastly loyal to the usurper Stephen, even when it appeared the Maud had the upper hand. But now the fortunes of war are swinging back toward Stephen as the novel opens.

In The Raven in the Foregate, Abbot Radulfus returns from a London legatine council and brings with him Father Ailnoth. The Foregate is the parish that sits outside the Abbey of St. Peter and St. Paul. The homes that cluster around the abbey have their own church which was ministered by Father Adam. However, Father Adam is recently deceased, and so Radulfus has found a replacement: the learned Father Ailnoth (he knows his Latin!). But alas, while Ailnoth may be erudite and cut an imposing figure with his long black robes and ebony walking staff, he lacks humility and empathy. The parishioners quickly learn the Father Ailnoth is all fire and brimstone - harsh and unforgiving. Quick to accuse and slow to apologize. Ailnoth is certain of his correctness and quick to point out the sins of his flock. In short order, Ailnoth is soon loathed. The "Raven" in the title of this book refers to Father Ailnoth in his long black cassock.

Accompanying Father Ailnoth is an elderly housekeeper, the widow Hammet, and her strapping young nephew Benet. Benet is soon conscripted to work with Brother Cadfael doing hard manual labor to prepare the gardens for the oncoming winter. Despite the toil and tiresome tasks, Benet cheerfully takes on the jobs. Brother Cadfael perceives that Benet is not the dull country bumpkin that he pretends to be. Although Benet assumes a slack-witted countenance around others, around Brother Cadfael, Benet lets his guard slip and his exuberant personality shines through.

Christmas arrives, and the members of the abbey gather for an all night mass of song and prayer. As he hurries to join the mass, Brother Cadfael spots Father Ailnoth striding purposely toward the bridge. He calls a greeting, but either Ailnoth does not hear him, or his mind is focused on a mission from which he will not be distracted.

The next morning, Ailnoth's housekeeper, mistress Hammet, comes to the abbey with great concern - Father Ailnoth never returned from his night mission. Did he slip on the ice and lie incapacitated in the frigid weather all night? The brothers pour forth in a search party.

Once again, Brother Cadfael is embroiled in a murder mystery.

The Brother Cadfael stories are enjoyable because Peters does such an excellent job portraying life in 12 century England. She drops all sorts of short descriptions into the text of how Medieval England functioned. These details provide an exceptional verisimilitude; Peters sounds like she really knows what she is talking about. Another thing I like is Peters' writing. She uses vocabulary and dialogue the seems Medieval. The characters say and act differently than modern humans, and this too lends an air of realism to the story. So even though the mysteries are not as thrilling or tricky as in other mystery series, the tales are still satisfying reads. Fortunately, I own the next two in the series so I won't have to hunt in library catalogues or on eBay to find the next two installments.