Title:

The Summer of the Danes

Author:

Ellis Peters

Category:

Mystery / Thriller

Rating:

Date Reviewed:

August 14, 2026

he Summer of the Danes is the eighteenth chronicle of the Brother Cadfael series. In this installment, Cadfael is sent on a mission into his native Wales (Cadfael was born a Welshman and so speaks the language. His services are needed when the church wishes to send messages to its newly installed bishops in Wales.) The basic plot of the story is once again based upon actual events - according to this website the events described in this novel actually occurred (though it appears that Peters combined two historical characters - Cadwalladr and Cadwgan ab Owain Gwyneed - into a single character whom she calls Cadwaladr in her novel.)

The year is 1144. The Civil War between Empress Maud and King Stephen is at a lull. It feels safe to travel in England. Arriving at Shrewsbury is Brother Mark, a young monk who once lived at the abbey but now serves the Bishop Gilbert. Brother Mark is on a mission to Wales, and soon Brother Cadfael is enlisted into the cause. The two Benedictines cross the border and venture into the turbulent politics of Wales. Wales is ruled by Owain Gwynmead, a proud, honorable man. Unfortunately, Owain has a brother that is ruled by hotheaded passions - Cadwaladr. Calwaladr has been stripped of prestige and lands because he caused the death of the prominent Welsh lord, Anarawd. Seething with resentment, Calwaladr has slunk away - only to reappear on the Welsh shore with an armada of Irish-Danish marauders from Dublin. It seems Calwaladr has promised them 2000 marks if they will help him in his vengeful conquest to regain his lands.

Peters loves to insert an element of romance in almost every one of these novels. In this instance, the young comely Heledd has been promised in marriage to a Welsh noble named Ieuan ab Ifor, whom she has never met. But Heledd has an independent streak that matches her beauty, and she is determined to choose her own fate. Peters often includes a love-at-first-sight storyline in these books, though in this instance it is not the primary plot thread.

The Summer of the Danes doesn't feel like a mystery novel at all but is historical fiction. Brother Cadfael is on hand, but mostly he just observes. Although there is a murder at the beginning of the tale, Cadfael doesn't solve the case. In the end, the repentant murderer simply confesses the deed. While it is interesting to see Cadfael venture forth from the abbey at Shrewsbury, Peters doesn't give him much to do. The story focus is on the two Welsh princes who are brothers - Owain and Cadwaladr, and how they fight and then reconcile, and the consequences of Cadwaladr's rash actions.