Saint Peter's Fair
Encyclopedia
Saint Peter's Fair is a Historical whodunnit
by Ellis Peters. It is the fourth novel in the Brother Cadfael series of mysteries. The story is set between July and September of the year 1139, during The Anarchy
, in the English
town of Shrewsbury.
. The country is wracked by civil war between King Stephen
and Empress Maude
. The monks of Shrewsbury Abbey are preparing for a fair in honour of Saint Peter
. The body of a wealthy merchant, Thomas of Bristol, is found in the River Severn
. Brother Cadfael agrees to assist the murdered man's niece, Emma, but as he investigates the mystery deepens when two more men are murdered.
.
is important for Shrewsbury Abbey, which is dedicated to Saint Peter. A meeting of the monks is interrupted by Geoffrey Corviser, the town provost
, and a delegation from the town's merchant guilds. They appeal to Abbot Radulfus for a share of the money raised by the fair as the civil war has taken a heavy toll on the town, parts of which need rebuilding. Radulfus listens sympathetically but his responsibilities to the monastery force him to adhere to the exact terms of the fair's charter, granted to the Abbey by the crown.
Later Cadfael watches preparations for the fair and meets Hugh Beringar and his wife, Aline, who is with child. They talk of the war. King Stephen
has the advantage, the Empress Maude
has strongholds in the west of England and is abroad building support for a renewed attempt on the throne.
31 July 1139. Traders arrive from far and wide for the fair. Cadfael is called to translate for Rhodri, a Welsh
merchant who speaks no English
. While discussing the civil war Rhodri points out a glover
, Euan of Shotwick. Euan, Rhodri implies, is a spy working for Earl Ranulf. Soon afterwards a boat arrives carrying Thomas of Bristol, a wealthy and important wine merchant. The conversation between Rhodri and Cadfael ends when young men from the town arrive to cause trouble with the visiting merchants.
Philip Corviser speaks sincerely and optimistically, trying to convince the visiting merchants to support the town's cause. Thomas of Bristol dismisses the young rabble. In an effort to pursue the debate further, Philip places his hand on Thomas's arm, and Thomas strikes him. A riot then breaks out. Philip regains his senses and finds himself smitten by the beauty of Thomas's niece, Emma. Philip and his friends flee. Thomas and Emma are endangered by some rolling barrels. Emma is saved by Ivo Corbiere, with whom she immediately falls in love.
Hugh Beringar complains about his lot in life; dragging silly but basically good young men to prison. Cadfael speaks in defence of Philip Corviser, noting that he came only to speak and never made a threatening gesture. They are interrupted by Emma searching for her missing uncle, Thomas of Bristol. Hugh, Cadfael and Ivo Corbiere search for Thomas of Bristol as it is too dark for Emma to be on the streets. Corbiere stumbles across his drunken and unconscious archer, Turstan Fowler, and leaves the search to carry him back to the Abbey. The search ends when a boat arrives with the naked body of Thomas of Bristol, who has been murdered with a dagger.
At the hearing Emma, Cadfael and Turstan the drunken archer, give testimony about what they witnessed. Turstan claims Philip issued threats against Thomas after the riot. Philip seems ignorant of the merchant's death and protests his innocence, but is imprisoned by Sheriff Prestcote. Cadfael accompanies Emma back to her boat, which has been broken into and searched by someone. Emma at first says nothing is missing, then says that several small items she did not at first notice as missing were stolen from her boat. Thomas's expensive robes are found, making theft even more unlikely. Philip is still in custody, meaning he cannot have searched or robbed the boat.
Emma wants to visit Euan of Shotwick. She claims to want a pair of gloves but Cadfael thinks she has another reason. Corbiere visits Emma, for whom he seems to have romantic feelings. Emma visits her uncle's coffin in the Abbey. Afterwards, Cadfael notices a petal on the floor from a rose she placed inside the coffin just before it was closed, and he realises someone has searched the coffin.
Philip Corviser is released. After his parents celebrate his return and he tidies himself up, he visits Emma to thank her for being an honest witness on his behalf. She tells him that she still wishes to see justice done for her uncle. Later Philip approaches Cadfael and tells him that he intends to retrace his steps of the evening of the murder in order to see if anyone set him up as a scapegoat for the murder.
Cadfael speaks with Brother Mark, who tells him of a man who received treatment for a knife wound to the arm. Cadfael believes that Euan managed to injure his killer with a knife on the night of the last murder. The man is identified as Ewald, a groom in the employ of Ivo Corbiere. Cadfael informs Hugh and together with the Sheriff and Corbiere they confront the man, who steals Corbiere's horse and tries to escape. Corbiere orders Turstan, who gave evidence against Philip at the hearing, to shoot Ewald, who is killed.
Corbiere justifies his actions, saying that Ewald was a murderer and as his master, he had the right to administer justice to his bondsman. Cadfael reports to the Abbot, confirming Ewald was a murderer but warning that he does not think Ewald acted alone. Later Cadfael comforts Brother Mark, who is distressed that someone whose injuries he recently tended was killed so soon afterwards.
Philip questions his friends seeking to learn what happened during the night he cannot remember. They account for the early part of the evening and tell him he went to Wat's Tavern afterwards. Wat, the proprietor, tells him that Turstan only drank a single measure of ale that evening and was sober when he followed Philip out of the tavern. Philip recalls that this is not what Turstan claimed when he gave evidence at the hearing. Later, while trying to find the place where he passed out from drink, Philip stumbles across the scene of Thomas's murder.
Where Turstan was found some servants clearing up after the fair have found the empty flagon of strong liquor that Turstan bought from Wat. Cadfael realises that Ewald and Turstan must have acted on the orders of Corbiere. Turstan murdered Thomas, then established his own alibi by dousing himself in liquor, not realising that the amount he used would have killed him if he had drunk it. When Corbiere learned Turstan had not found the item he was sent to retrieve he sent Ewald to search Thomas's boat while everyone was at the hearing. That same night Ewald and Turstan broke into Thomas's booth, again finding nothing. The next night they tried Euan's booth, killing the glover when he defended himself and injured Ewald.
When Cadfael and Hugh approached Corbiere and revealed they had discovered Ewald's role in Euan's murder, Corbiere made an excuse to talk to Turstan privately. He told Turstan what the situation was and to kill Ewald when ordered. When Corbiere found Ewald, he warned him and set up Ewald's escape attempt. Ewald fled, making it look as genuine by knocking down Corbiere. Corbiere then betrayed Ewald by ordering Turstan to shoot him down. Cadfael and Hugh both believe Emma to be safe with Aline, but Philip is so horrified by what he has heard that he fears for her safety and rushes off to protect her. Cadfael and Hugh realise Philip is right. By the time they arrive at the Foregate, Emma has left with Corbiere and Philip has stolen a merchant's horse to give chase.
At Stanton Cobbold manor Emma discovers that Ivo Corbiere has locked her in her room. Corbiere demands the letter Thomas intended to deliver to Euan of Shotwick, the glover and spy. He has searched her baggage and threatens to strip her naked to find it if he has to. Stalling, Emma asks what is in the letter and what he intends for it. Corbiere tells her the letter is from Empress Maud to Earl Ranulf, urging him to support her cause and naming fifty nobles in Stephen's camp who secretly support her. Corbiere intends to sell the letter to the highest bidder to rebuild his run down estates.
Emma produces the letter which she had concealed in her long hair all along and holds it in the fire of a brazier, destroying it at the cost of badly burning her hand. Corbiere tries to retrieve the letter, knocking over the brazier and setting fire to the tapestries. Emma cannot escape, since the door is locked, and both are overcome by the smoke.
Philip arrives and finds Corbiere's manor ablaze and none of the servants willing to attempt a rescue. Using an antique battle axe
from the walls of the manor, Philip breaks down the door and rescues Emma. Hugh and Cadfael arrive. Cadfael tends to Philip and Emma's injuries. Hugh arrests Turstan, who had no reason to flee since he thought no one suspected him. Corbiere was killed by the fire. Philip takes Emma back to his parent's home in Shrewsbury. It is implied the two are now very much in love.
Cadfael recounts the events to Abbot Radulfus. After this, Radulfus summons the town provost, Philip's father, to the morning chapter meeting at the abbey. Radulfus, noting that by adhering to the letter of the fair's charter he has secured the rights of future abbots, says he is now free to do what he will with the money earned by the abbey at the fair. He donates ten percent to the rebuilding of the town.
Hugh Beringar and his wife return to their own manor. Cadfael continues to tend to Emma's burns. At one such meeting, Emma confesses the contents of the letter and asks whether she did the right thing. Cadfael tells her that if she wears her burn scars for the rest of her life, she should "wear them like jewels".
Emma asks Cadfael to never tell Philip the details behind the letter and her own actions, since she considers him too innocent to deal with such matters. Cadfael agrees and privately thinks Emma is correct in her assessment of Philip, and that this bodes well for their marriage.
The novel concludes by noting that two months later on the thirtieth of September 1139, Empress Maud invaded England and established herself at Arundel Castle
in West Sussex
. Earl Ranulf of Chester did nothing to aid her cause.
set in 1139 during The Anarchy
, a nineteen year period of the History of the British Isles
. Its themes are intrigue and espionage in a medieval setting.
The website of Barnes and Nobel quotes from Kirkus Reviews: "Stylishly authentic . . . a graceful and informative case for Peters' engaging herb-gardening monk."
in 1996 and produced in Britain
by Central Independent Television
for ITV
. The Central television series starred Derek Jacobi
as Cadfael.
Historical whodunnit
The historical whodunnit is a sub-genre of historical fiction which bears elements of the classical mystery novel, in which the central plot involves a crime and the setting has some historical significance. One of the big areas of debate within the community of fans is what makes a given setting...
by Ellis Peters. It is the fourth novel in the Brother Cadfael series of mysteries. The story is set between July and September of the year 1139, during The Anarchy
The Anarchy
The Anarchy or The Nineteen-Year Winter was a period of English history during the reign of King Stephen, which was characterised by civil war and unsettled government...
, in the English
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
town of Shrewsbury.
Plot introduction
It is July of the year 1139, during the period of English history known as The AnarchyThe Anarchy
The Anarchy or The Nineteen-Year Winter was a period of English history during the reign of King Stephen, which was characterised by civil war and unsettled government...
. The country is wracked by civil war between King Stephen
Stephen of England
Stephen , often referred to as Stephen of Blois , was a grandson of William the Conqueror. He was King of England from 1135 to his death, and also the Count of Boulogne by right of his wife. Stephen's reign was marked by the Anarchy, a civil war with his cousin and rival, the Empress Matilda...
and Empress Maude
Empress Matilda
Empress Matilda , also known as Matilda of England or Maude, was the daughter and heir of King Henry I of England. Matilda and her younger brother, William Adelin, were the only legitimate children of King Henry to survive to adulthood...
. The monks of Shrewsbury Abbey are preparing for a fair in honour of Saint Peter
Saint Peter
Saint Peter or Simon Peter was an early Christian leader, who is featured prominently in the New Testament Gospels and the Acts of the Apostles. The son of John or of Jonah and from the village of Bethsaida in the province of Galilee, his brother Andrew was also an apostle...
. The body of a wealthy merchant, Thomas of Bristol, is found in the River Severn
River Severn
The River Severn is the longest river in Great Britain, at about , but the second longest on the British Isles, behind the River Shannon. It rises at an altitude of on Plynlimon, Ceredigion near Llanidloes, Powys, in the Cambrian Mountains of mid Wales...
. Brother Cadfael agrees to assist the murdered man's niece, Emma, but as he investigates the mystery deepens when two more men are murdered.
Explanation of the novel's title
The events of the novel take place during the annual town fair held in honour of Saint PeterSaint Peter
Saint Peter or Simon Peter was an early Christian leader, who is featured prominently in the New Testament Gospels and the Acts of the Apostles. The son of John or of Jonah and from the village of Bethsaida in the province of Galilee, his brother Andrew was also an apostle...
.
Plot summary
The novel is divided into five parts, each with its own title page and with the chapter numbers restarting at the start of each section.Part One: "The Eve of the Fair"
13 June 1139. The feast of Saint PeterSaint Peter
Saint Peter or Simon Peter was an early Christian leader, who is featured prominently in the New Testament Gospels and the Acts of the Apostles. The son of John or of Jonah and from the village of Bethsaida in the province of Galilee, his brother Andrew was also an apostle...
is important for Shrewsbury Abbey, which is dedicated to Saint Peter. A meeting of the monks is interrupted by Geoffrey Corviser, the town provost
Provost (civil)
A provost is the ceremonial head of many Scottish local authorities, and under the name prévôt was a governmental position of varying importance in Ancien Regime France.-History:...
, and a delegation from the town's merchant guilds. They appeal to Abbot Radulfus for a share of the money raised by the fair as the civil war has taken a heavy toll on the town, parts of which need rebuilding. Radulfus listens sympathetically but his responsibilities to the monastery force him to adhere to the exact terms of the fair's charter, granted to the Abbey by the crown.
Later Cadfael watches preparations for the fair and meets Hugh Beringar and his wife, Aline, who is with child. They talk of the war. King Stephen
Stephen of England
Stephen , often referred to as Stephen of Blois , was a grandson of William the Conqueror. He was King of England from 1135 to his death, and also the Count of Boulogne by right of his wife. Stephen's reign was marked by the Anarchy, a civil war with his cousin and rival, the Empress Matilda...
has the advantage, the Empress Maude
Empress Matilda
Empress Matilda , also known as Matilda of England or Maude, was the daughter and heir of King Henry I of England. Matilda and her younger brother, William Adelin, were the only legitimate children of King Henry to survive to adulthood...
has strongholds in the west of England and is abroad building support for a renewed attempt on the throne.
31 July 1139. Traders arrive from far and wide for the fair. Cadfael is called to translate for Rhodri, a Welsh
Wales
Wales is a country that is part of the United Kingdom and the island of Great Britain, bordered by England to its east and the Atlantic Ocean and Irish Sea to its west. It has a population of three million, and a total area of 20,779 km²...
merchant who speaks no English
English language
English is a West Germanic language that arose in the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms of England and spread into what was to become south-east Scotland under the influence of the Anglian medieval kingdom of Northumbria...
. While discussing the civil war Rhodri points out a glover
Glover
Glover can have several meanings:*A "glover" is a maker of gloves.Placenames:*Glover, Vermont, in the United States*Glover, Missouri, in the United States; ZIP code 63646*Glover Bluff crater, an impact crater in the U.S...
, Euan of Shotwick. Euan, Rhodri implies, is a spy working for Earl Ranulf. Soon afterwards a boat arrives carrying Thomas of Bristol, a wealthy and important wine merchant. The conversation between Rhodri and Cadfael ends when young men from the town arrive to cause trouble with the visiting merchants.
Philip Corviser speaks sincerely and optimistically, trying to convince the visiting merchants to support the town's cause. Thomas of Bristol dismisses the young rabble. In an effort to pursue the debate further, Philip places his hand on Thomas's arm, and Thomas strikes him. A riot then breaks out. Philip regains his senses and finds himself smitten by the beauty of Thomas's niece, Emma. Philip and his friends flee. Thomas and Emma are endangered by some rolling barrels. Emma is saved by Ivo Corbiere, with whom she immediately falls in love.
Hugh Beringar complains about his lot in life; dragging silly but basically good young men to prison. Cadfael speaks in defence of Philip Corviser, noting that he came only to speak and never made a threatening gesture. They are interrupted by Emma searching for her missing uncle, Thomas of Bristol. Hugh, Cadfael and Ivo Corbiere search for Thomas of Bristol as it is too dark for Emma to be on the streets. Corbiere stumbles across his drunken and unconscious archer, Turstan Fowler, and leaves the search to carry him back to the Abbey. The search ends when a boat arrives with the naked body of Thomas of Bristol, who has been murdered with a dagger.
Part Two: "The First Day of the Fair"
Hugh, Aline and Emma discuss Thomas's death. It appears he was killed and robbed by sneak thieves. That the young men of the town committed the crime out of revenge is thought unlikely, as most were already in prison and the body not left with its clothes and valuables. Emma decides to continue trading at the fair as she believes her uncle would have wanted. Cadfael is charged to investigate the death by Abbot Radulfus who fears his decision not to aid the town may have led to Thomas's murder.At the hearing Emma, Cadfael and Turstan the drunken archer, give testimony about what they witnessed. Turstan claims Philip issued threats against Thomas after the riot. Philip seems ignorant of the merchant's death and protests his innocence, but is imprisoned by Sheriff Prestcote. Cadfael accompanies Emma back to her boat, which has been broken into and searched by someone. Emma at first says nothing is missing, then says that several small items she did not at first notice as missing were stolen from her boat. Thomas's expensive robes are found, making theft even more unlikely. Philip is still in custody, meaning he cannot have searched or robbed the boat.
Part Three: "The Second Day of the Fair"
Thomas's stall has been broken into, Warin the watchman bound and gagged and the strongbox stolen. Most of the previous days takings were put on Emma's boat the night before but the strongbox contained Thomas's business papers. Cadfael deduces that the murderer is searching for something of value they believed Thomas brought with him. He suspects that Emma knows more than she is telling.Emma wants to visit Euan of Shotwick. She claims to want a pair of gloves but Cadfael thinks she has another reason. Corbiere visits Emma, for whom he seems to have romantic feelings. Emma visits her uncle's coffin in the Abbey. Afterwards, Cadfael notices a petal on the floor from a rose she placed inside the coffin just before it was closed, and he realises someone has searched the coffin.
Part Four: "The Third Day of the Fair"
Euan is found dead by Cadfael and Rhodri, his neck broken. Hugh arrives and investigates the scene. With Cadfael, Hugh pieces together the situation. Thomas of Bristol and Euan of Shotwick were both spies who had come to the fair to meet and conduct some secret business, involving an item of great value. A third man arrived and killed both of them, searching in vain for the item. Cadfael considers Rhodri as a suspect but Rhodri speaks no English and Thomas spoke no Welsh, making the Welshman an unlikely suspect.Philip Corviser is released. After his parents celebrate his return and he tidies himself up, he visits Emma to thank her for being an honest witness on his behalf. She tells him that she still wishes to see justice done for her uncle. Later Philip approaches Cadfael and tells him that he intends to retrace his steps of the evening of the murder in order to see if anyone set him up as a scapegoat for the murder.
Cadfael speaks with Brother Mark, who tells him of a man who received treatment for a knife wound to the arm. Cadfael believes that Euan managed to injure his killer with a knife on the night of the last murder. The man is identified as Ewald, a groom in the employ of Ivo Corbiere. Cadfael informs Hugh and together with the Sheriff and Corbiere they confront the man, who steals Corbiere's horse and tries to escape. Corbiere orders Turstan, who gave evidence against Philip at the hearing, to shoot Ewald, who is killed.
Corbiere justifies his actions, saying that Ewald was a murderer and as his master, he had the right to administer justice to his bondsman. Cadfael reports to the Abbot, confirming Ewald was a murderer but warning that he does not think Ewald acted alone. Later Cadfael comforts Brother Mark, who is distressed that someone whose injuries he recently tended was killed so soon afterwards.
Philip questions his friends seeking to learn what happened during the night he cannot remember. They account for the early part of the evening and tell him he went to Wat's Tavern afterwards. Wat, the proprietor, tells him that Turstan only drank a single measure of ale that evening and was sober when he followed Philip out of the tavern. Philip recalls that this is not what Turstan claimed when he gave evidence at the hearing. Later, while trying to find the place where he passed out from drink, Philip stumbles across the scene of Thomas's murder.
Part Five: "After the Fair"
The following morning Philip tells Cadfael and Hugh about his discovery. They visit the scene of Thomas's murder and consider the evidence. At the Foregate where Emma has been staying with Hugh and Aline, Ivo Corbiere arrives and offers to provide Emma with transport to her home in Bristol. Emma accepts. At the riverbank, Cadfael pieces together the events of the last four days. Thomas arrived bearing an item, possibly a message, for the glover Euan. Turstan the archer followed Philip and, on ensuring that Philip had no alibi, murdered Thomas and established his own alibi by dousing himself in strong liquor and feigning unconsciousness. They go to view the place where Turstan was found unconscious.Where Turstan was found some servants clearing up after the fair have found the empty flagon of strong liquor that Turstan bought from Wat. Cadfael realises that Ewald and Turstan must have acted on the orders of Corbiere. Turstan murdered Thomas, then established his own alibi by dousing himself in liquor, not realising that the amount he used would have killed him if he had drunk it. When Corbiere learned Turstan had not found the item he was sent to retrieve he sent Ewald to search Thomas's boat while everyone was at the hearing. That same night Ewald and Turstan broke into Thomas's booth, again finding nothing. The next night they tried Euan's booth, killing the glover when he defended himself and injured Ewald.
When Cadfael and Hugh approached Corbiere and revealed they had discovered Ewald's role in Euan's murder, Corbiere made an excuse to talk to Turstan privately. He told Turstan what the situation was and to kill Ewald when ordered. When Corbiere found Ewald, he warned him and set up Ewald's escape attempt. Ewald fled, making it look as genuine by knocking down Corbiere. Corbiere then betrayed Ewald by ordering Turstan to shoot him down. Cadfael and Hugh both believe Emma to be safe with Aline, but Philip is so horrified by what he has heard that he fears for her safety and rushes off to protect her. Cadfael and Hugh realise Philip is right. By the time they arrive at the Foregate, Emma has left with Corbiere and Philip has stolen a merchant's horse to give chase.
At Stanton Cobbold manor Emma discovers that Ivo Corbiere has locked her in her room. Corbiere demands the letter Thomas intended to deliver to Euan of Shotwick, the glover and spy. He has searched her baggage and threatens to strip her naked to find it if he has to. Stalling, Emma asks what is in the letter and what he intends for it. Corbiere tells her the letter is from Empress Maud to Earl Ranulf, urging him to support her cause and naming fifty nobles in Stephen's camp who secretly support her. Corbiere intends to sell the letter to the highest bidder to rebuild his run down estates.
Emma produces the letter which she had concealed in her long hair all along and holds it in the fire of a brazier, destroying it at the cost of badly burning her hand. Corbiere tries to retrieve the letter, knocking over the brazier and setting fire to the tapestries. Emma cannot escape, since the door is locked, and both are overcome by the smoke.
Philip arrives and finds Corbiere's manor ablaze and none of the servants willing to attempt a rescue. Using an antique battle axe
Battle axe
A battle axe is an axe specifically designed for combat. Battle axes were specialized versions of utility axes...
from the walls of the manor, Philip breaks down the door and rescues Emma. Hugh and Cadfael arrive. Cadfael tends to Philip and Emma's injuries. Hugh arrests Turstan, who had no reason to flee since he thought no one suspected him. Corbiere was killed by the fire. Philip takes Emma back to his parent's home in Shrewsbury. It is implied the two are now very much in love.
Cadfael recounts the events to Abbot Radulfus. After this, Radulfus summons the town provost, Philip's father, to the morning chapter meeting at the abbey. Radulfus, noting that by adhering to the letter of the fair's charter he has secured the rights of future abbots, says he is now free to do what he will with the money earned by the abbey at the fair. He donates ten percent to the rebuilding of the town.
Hugh Beringar and his wife return to their own manor. Cadfael continues to tend to Emma's burns. At one such meeting, Emma confesses the contents of the letter and asks whether she did the right thing. Cadfael tells her that if she wears her burn scars for the rest of her life, she should "wear them like jewels".
Emma asks Cadfael to never tell Philip the details behind the letter and her own actions, since she considers him too innocent to deal with such matters. Cadfael agrees and privately thinks Emma is correct in her assessment of Philip, and that this bodes well for their marriage.
The novel concludes by noting that two months later on the thirtieth of September 1139, Empress Maud invaded England and established herself at Arundel Castle
Arundel Castle
Arundel Castle in Arundel, West Sussex, England is a restored medieval castle. It was founded by Roger de Montgomery on Christmas Day 1067. Roger became the first to hold the earldom of Arundel by the graces of William the Conqueror...
in West Sussex
West Sussex
West Sussex is a county in the south of England, bordering onto East Sussex , Hampshire and Surrey. The county of Sussex has been divided into East and West since the 12th century, and obtained separate county councils in 1888, but it remained a single ceremonial county until 1974 and the coming...
. Earl Ranulf of Chester did nothing to aid her cause.
Characters in "Saint Peter's Fair"
- Brother Cadfael: A Welshman and former crusader, now a herbalist and monk in the Abbey of Saint PeterSaint PeterSaint Peter or Simon Peter was an early Christian leader, who is featured prominently in the New Testament Gospels and the Acts of the Apostles. The son of John or of Jonah and from the village of Bethsaida in the province of Galilee, his brother Andrew was also an apostle...
and Saint Paul in the 12th century English town of ShrewsburyShrewsburyShrewsbury is the county town of Shropshire, in the West Midlands region of England. Lying on the River Severn, it is a civil parish home to some 70,000 inhabitants, and is the primary settlement and headquarters of Shropshire Council...
, ShropshireShropshireShropshire is a county in the West Midlands region of England. For Eurostat purposes, the county is a NUTS 3 region and is one of four counties or unitary districts that comprise the "Shropshire and Staffordshire" NUTS 2 region. It borders Wales to the west...
.
- Abbot Radulfus: Head of the abbey, a real historical person in this otherwise fictional tale. Described as tall with silver hair. Somewhat authoritarian in his manner. Cadfael considers him a "hard man to read", "a hard man but fair" who is "as hard on himself as others" and a man who will "chastise where he sees fault but who'll stand by his own against any power when they are threatened blameless". Cadfael concludes that he has every confidence in Abbot Radulfus and that the Abbot is a man who he would be glad to have beside him in battle.
- Rhodri ap Huw: Welsh merchant who claims to speak no English and requires Cadfael as a translator. Appears very well informed on the subject of Thomas of Bristol and Euan of Shotwick, who he implies are spies working for the Empress Maud and Earl Ranulf of Chester respectively. Eventually he makes a veiled confession to Cadfael that he is in fact a spy himself, working for the Welsh prince Owain of Gwynedd, and that his lack of English is a blind to allow him to eavesdrop more effectively. He appears to make a bid to recruit Cadfael to assist him on future such enterprises, which Cadfael appears to accept by asking Rhodri to take his greetings back to "the mountains" and agreeing to act as translator on future occasions. However, Rhodri does not appear in any future books.
- Euan of Shotwick: A glove maker and important man in the court of Earl Ranulf, for whom he is probably a spy. Murdered on the third day of the fair. Euan is described as a "meagre fellow" who is well dressed and clean shaven with a "mincing walk".
- Thomas of Bristol: A large, portly gentleman with a red face and bushy eyebrows, fashionably dressed. A highly successful importer of wine and luxury items from overseas via the port of BristolBristolBristol is a city, unitary authority area and ceremonial county in South West England, with an estimated population of 433,100 for the unitary authority in 2009, and a surrounding Larger Urban Zone with an estimated 1,070,000 residents in 2007...
. Found dead in the river SevernRiver SevernThe River Severn is the longest river in Great Britain, at about , but the second longest on the British Isles, behind the River Shannon. It rises at an altitude of on Plynlimon, Ceredigion near Llanidloes, Powys, in the Cambrian Mountains of mid Wales...
the night before the fair began.
- Philip Corviser: Son of the town boot maker, a young hothead often in conflict with his elders. Physically he is "a gangling lad, not yet in command of his long limbs, being barely twenty and only just at the end of his growing". He is also said to have "a thick thatch of reddish dark hair and a decent, homely face".
- Ivo Corbiere: A wealthy and handsome young lord with several manors and an estate. Quickly charms Emma, the niece of Thomas of Bristol. Employs Ewald as a groom and Turstan as an archer. Has a sister living in the court of the Earl Ranulf of Chester. Frequently appears at opportune moments and makes himself useful to Cadfael and Hugh Beringar. Expresses great outrage at the news that Ewald may be a thief and murderer, despite having in fact ordered Ewald to commit these acts. Has Turstan shoot Ewald dead when Ewald tries to escape justice, also at Corbiere's orders. Subsequently lures Emma to his nearby manor and threatens her, reveals his mercenary motivations and lack of romantic interest in her, and threatens her with rape unless she produces the document he wishes to possess.
Major themes
Saint Peter's Fair is a Historical whodunnitHistorical whodunnit
The historical whodunnit is a sub-genre of historical fiction which bears elements of the classical mystery novel, in which the central plot involves a crime and the setting has some historical significance. One of the big areas of debate within the community of fans is what makes a given setting...
set in 1139 during The Anarchy
The Anarchy
The Anarchy or The Nineteen-Year Winter was a period of English history during the reign of King Stephen, which was characterised by civil war and unsettled government...
, a nineteen year period of the History of the British Isles
History of the British Isles
The history of the British Isles has witnessed intermittent periods of competition and cooperation between the people that occupy the various parts of Great Britain, Ireland, and the smaller adjacent islands, which together make up the British Isles, as well as with France, Germany, the Low...
. Its themes are intrigue and espionage in a medieval setting.
Literary significance and reception
The 2000 reprint of Saint Peter's Fair quotes a Sunday Times review: "A more attractive and prepossessing detective would be hard to find"The website of Barnes and Nobel quotes from Kirkus Reviews: "Stylishly authentic . . . a graceful and informative case for Peters' engaging herb-gardening monk."
Film, TV or theatrical adaptations
Saint Peter's Fair was the seventh Brother Cadfael novel to be adapted for television. It was the third and final episode of the second season, filmed on location in HungaryHungary
Hungary , officially the Republic of Hungary , is a landlocked country in Central Europe. It is situated in the Carpathian Basin and is bordered by Slovakia to the north, Ukraine and Romania to the east, Serbia and Croatia to the south, Slovenia to the southwest and Austria to the west. The...
in 1996 and produced in Britain
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
by Central Independent Television
Central Independent Television
Central Independent Television, more commonly known as Central is the Independent Television contractor for the Midlands, created following the restructuring of ATV and commencing broadcast on 1 January 1982. The station is owned and operated by ITV plc, under the licensee of ITV Broadcasting...
for ITV
ITV
ITV is the major commercial public service TV network in the United Kingdom. Launched in 1955 under the auspices of the Independent Television Authority to provide competition to the BBC, it is also the oldest commercial network in the UK...
. The Central television series starred Derek Jacobi
Derek Jacobi
Sir Derek George Jacobi, CBE is an English actor and film director.A "forceful, commanding stage presence", Jacobi has enjoyed a highly successful stage career, appearing in such stage productions as Hamlet, Uncle Vanya, and Oedipus the King. He received a Tony Award for his performance in...
as Cadfael.
Publication history
- 1981, United KingdomUnited KingdomThe United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
, Macmillan, ISBN 0-333-31050-0 / 978-0-333-31050-2, May 1981, Hardback
- 1981, USA, William Morrow, ISBN 0-688-00667-1 / 978-0-688-00667-9, November 1981, Hardback
- 1983, United KingdomUnited KingdomThe United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
, Ulversoft Large Print Books, ISBN 0-7089-0933-7 / 978-0-7089-0933-1, March 1981, Hardback
- 1984, USA, Fawcett Books, ISBN 0-449-20540-1 / 978-0-449-20540-2, June 1984, Paperback
- 1994, United KingdomUnited KingdomThe United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
, Warner Futura, ISBN 0-7088-1104-3 / 978-0-7088-1104-7, 1994, Paperback
- 1996, United KingdomUnited KingdomThe United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
, Sphere, ISBN 0-7515-1400-4 / 978-0-7515-1400-1, 1 February 1996, Paperback
- 1998, USA, Thorndike Press, ISBN 0-7862-1074-5 / 978-0-7862-1074-9, April 1998, Paperback
- 1998, United KingdomUnited KingdomThe United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
, Chivers Press, ISBN 0-7540-1088-0 / 978-0-7540-1088-3, 1 April 1998, Hardback
- 1998, United KingdomUnited KingdomThe United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
, Chivers Large Print, ISBN 0-7540-2063-0 / 978-0-7540-2063-9, December 1998, Paperback
- 1999, United KingdomUnited KingdomThe United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
, Time Warner UK, ISBN 0-7515-1104-8 / 978-0-7515-1104-8, 19 May 1999, Paperback
- 2007, United KingdomUnited KingdomThe United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
, Hodder & Stoughton, ISBN 1-84456-181-X / 9781844561810, 5 April 2007, Audio book on CD