The Virgin in the Ice
First edition
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| Author | Ellis Peters |
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| Series | Brother Cadfael |
| Genre | Mystery novel |
| Publisher | Macmillan |
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Publication date
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1982 |
| Media type | Print (Hardcover, Paperback) & audio book |
| Pages | 224 pp |
| ISBN | |
| OCLC | 12522294 |
| Preceded by | The Leper of Saint Giles |
| Followed by | The Sanctuary Sparrow |
The Virgin in the Ice is a medieval mystery novel by Ellis Peters, set in late 1139. It is the sixth novel in The Cadfael Chronicles, first published in 1982 (1982 in literature).
It was adapted for radio by BBC Radio 4 in 1993 and for television in 1995 by Central for ITV.
The novel is set in real places in England during the Anarchy, the period of civil war between King Stephen and Empress Maud. The wars and disorder allow marauders with no loyalty to either faction to pillage and burn.
In November 1139, the Empress's armies have attacked and pillaged Worcester. Among those who fled the city were two noble children in the Benedictine Order's care and a nun. They have since vanished. The children's uncle and guardian, a supporter of the Empress, is refused permission to enter the King's lands to search for them.
As the first snowstorms of winter sweep the countryside, Brother Cadfael of Shrewsbury Abbey goes to the Benedictine Priory at Bromfield near Ludlow to treat a monk who has been attacked by robbers and left for dead. The injured Brother, Elyas, babbles about a party of refugees who might well be those sought. Cadfael sends word to Shrewsbury and rides into the snow-covered countryside to search for them. He finds one, the boy Yves Hugonin, sheltering with a forester. As they ride back to Bromfield, Yves tells Cadfael that his headstrong sister Ermina eloped four nights previously, and he became lost in the woods when he tried to pursue them.
As they cross a frozen stream, Cadfael sees the body of a young woman frozen into the ice. Fearing it is that of Ermina, he conceals his discovery from Yves. Joined by his friend, Deputy Sheriff Hugh Beringar, he retrieves the body from the ice. It does not match Ermina Hugonin's description and Yves identifies it as Ermina's tutor, Sister Hilaria.
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