Brother Cadfael is a Benedictine monk living at the Abbey of Saint Peter and Saint Paul in Shrewsbury during the 12th century. He came to the religious life late. Before taking his vows, he spent decades fighting in the Crusades, sailing the Mediterranean, and living in the Holy Land. That earlier life left him with practical skills, knowledge of the wider world, and a tolerance for human weakness that his fellow monks often lack.
At the abbey, Cadfael tends the herb garden and serves as the community’s herbalist. His understanding of plants extends to medicines and poisons alike, which proves useful when deaths occur in and around Shrewsbury. He works alongside Hugh Beringar, the local sheriff’s deputy and later sheriff, forming a partnership built on mutual respect and complementary skills.
Ellis Peters wrote Cadfael as a man of quiet faith who also understands that the world outside the abbey walls is complicated. He does not judge quickly, and he has a knack for seeing through lies without being harsh about it. His past as a soldier gives him physical courage when he needs it, though he prefers to solve problems through observation and conversation.
The Chronicles of Brother Cadfael span the years of the English civil war between King Stephen and Empress Maud, and the political turmoil provides a backdrop for Cadfael’s investigations. Refugees, soldiers, and displaced nobles pass through Shrewsbury, bringing their troubles and sometimes their crimes with them.
Reading Order
See the complete Chronicles of Brother Cadfael reading order for all books in the series.