Dead Man's Ransom
First edition
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| Author | Ellis Peters |
|---|---|
| Series | The Cadfael Chronicles |
| Genre | Mystery novel |
| Publisher | Macmillan |
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Publication date
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1984 |
| Media type | Print (Hardcover, Paperback) & audio book |
| Pages | 224 |
| ISBN | |
| OCLC | 769471424 |
| Preceded by | The Devil's Novice |
| Followed by | The Pilgrim of Hate |
Dead Man's Ransom is a medieval mystery novel by Ellis Peters, first of four novels set in the disruptive year of 1141. It is the ninth in the Cadfael Chronicles, and was first published in 1984 (1984 in literature).
The book was adapted for BBC Radio 4 in 1995.
The Sheriff of Shropshire is wounded and taken prisoner by Welsh on the side of Empress Maud. His return requires an exchange, bringing two lively young Welshmen into the castle where the Sheriff's daughter resides.
England is in the grip of the Anarchy, as King Stephen and the Empress Maud contend for the throne. Ranulf of Chester sought the aid of the Empress's forces when he and his brother broke their agreement with King Stephen, and were joined by Madog ap Maredudd, Lord of Powys in Mid Wales, and Cadwaldr, the brother of Owain Gwynedd, ruler of Gwynedd in North Wales. A contingent from Shrewsbury and the county of Shropshire has gone to fight for King Stephen at Lincoln.
In February 1141 Hugh Beringar, Deputy Sheriff of Shropshire, returns with the survivors of the Battle of Lincoln, bringing news of a disastrous defeat. King Stephen has been captured, and the future of England is uncertain. Sheriff Gilbert Prestcote has been taken prisoner by Welshmen allied to Empress Maud.
Two days later, Sister Magdalen, from the nearby convent at Godric's Ford, reports a raid by Welshmen returning from Lincoln. They were driven off, leaving a young man as prisoner. He pretends not to understand English but Brother Cadfael, sent to treat his wounds, easily catches him out. The prisoner identifies himself as Elis ap Cynan, a cousin to Owain Gwynedd. Hugh Beringar dispatches Cadfael into Wales to negotiate an exchange of prisoners: Elis for Gilbert Prestcote.
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