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The Summer of the Danes

by Ellis Peters

Ellis Peters, whose actual name was Edith Pargeter, wrote The Summer of the Danes as the eighteenth of the nineteen Brother Cadfael novels. Her death in 1995 has left us with a treasure of her work, which includes the earlier Sergeant George Felse mysteries as well as the acclaimed 'Heaven Tree Trilogy'. Ms. Pargeter's writing is direct and filled with such detail that you would swear she had lived herself in the twelfth century at some point in time.

Brother Cadfael needs no introduction. TV renditions of the 'Ellis Peters' books have made this monk famous throughout a number of countries. One of the nice aspects about Brother Cadfael is that Ms. Pargeter allows him to age along with the series, and every book is a sequel to the last one written. This fictional man also displays all our human traits, albeit tempered with the grace and love of his faith - not too different from Ms. Pargeter herself!

The Summer of the Danes starts with the arrival of a young cleric from the Bishop de Clinton in Lichfield to the monks of Shrewsbury. He bears both a message and a request. The message, given to Abbott Raulfus before all the Brothers assembled for Chapter, is that he is sent from Bishop de Clinton bearing letters and gifts; first to the new Norman Bishop at Llanelwy on the Welsh border, then to the Welsh Bishop in Bangor. The request, made privately, is that he be able to take a Welsh-speaking translator with him on his journey. Brother Cadfael is surprised to see that the cleric is none other than his former assistant in the herb garden, Brother Mark. He is more than pleased to learn that the translator Brother Mark has requested is himself.

Brother Cadfael delightedly sets out on the journey into Wales with Brother Mark. Cadfael is grateful for the opportunity to travel beyond the confines of the cloister once again - although always equally glad to return. Arriving at the Cathedral of Saint Asaph, the two men find a royal company already visiting, but ready to depart on the morrow. Prince Owain, with his son Hywel, along with the one-armed Cuhelyn, a faithful guard. The two monks also meet Heledd. Heledd is the beautiful daughter of Canon Meirion, who, along with a Canon Morgant, is to escort her to a new husband, whom she has never seen. Deacon Mark is presented before the High table and gives his message to the Norman Bishop Gilbert, which is well received.

Later at the same dinner, a man sent by Prince Owain's brother, Cadwaladr, appears in the same spot, requesting Owain give back the lands taken from Cadwaladr in retribution for the killing of Anarawd, during which Cuhelyn lost his arm attempting to protect his prince. If Owain doesn't consent, dire things are predicted. The requestor, one Bledri ap Rhys, is both arrogant and defiant. He is taken into custody and the entire Owain party, including Mark, Cadfael and Heledd with her two canons, begin the trip to Owain's headquarters in Aber.

It seems that Bishop Gilbert has much to answer for. The Welsh have long enjoyed freedom from Norman ways, and their clerics have often married, which is why Canon Meirion has a daughter. Now, under the Norman Bishop's rule, clerics are preferred to be single, so both Canon Meirion and Bishop Gilbert waited until Meirion's wife died, then turned to Heledd, determining to get rid of her so that the canon could maintain his status and essentially continue as a single man. Although the father doesn't really want to leave the daughter, he has placed his position first. Heledd, as headstrong as she is beautiful, has only one complaint - she has not selected the husband herself.

Complications begin anew when Bledri ap Rhys is found murdered, and Heledd found missing. Then when Brother Cadfael and Deacon Mark continue on to Bangor, they discover that Cadwaladr has brought over an army of Danes from Ireland, with a promise of money for
them if they help him regain his lands. Brother Cadfael seeks and finds the missing Heledd, but then both are captured by a party of Danes. Neither of them are mistreated, but kept to be ransomed.

What follows depicts the differing loyalties rampant in each group. Cadwaladr shows himself to be the worst type of liar, traitor, and cheat - yet one of his followers remains so loyal to him that he attempts to stop the Danes from exacting their just fee, with the resultant bloodshed. Heledd is attracted to one of her captors, although her intended husband is among Owain's army. When all differences and disputes are settled at last, the real murderer of Bledri ap Rhys confesses on his deathbed, and Heledd gives herself to the man of her choice.

The plot of The Summer of the Danes is so complex, documenting as it does the situation of brother against brother, Heledd's unfortunate supposed destiny, the murder, the need for revenge, hatred barely concealed, the Norman influence on traditional Welsh ways, the uninvited appearance of Danes on Owain's land, and deception leading to war, that I can hardly give it the treatment it deserves. Suffice to say that this novel is as good a read as any that precede it. And if you're a fan of Brother Cadfael, The Summer of the Danes is one book you shouldn't miss.

Alan Paul Curtis

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