The Leper of Saint Giles is a medieval mystery novel by Ellis Peters, set in October 1139. It is the fifth novel in The Cadfael Chronicles and was first published in 1981.
The book includes a map of the Abbey, the town of Shrewsbury, St. Giles, the winding River Severn and its small local brooks, and places in the environs mentioned in this story and others in the series. It was adapted for television in 1994 by Central for ITV.
Two landed families arrange a marriage between an older baron and a young woman who loves someone else. The groom does not arrive at the altar. It falls to Cadfael to find his murderer, while the main suspect of the sheriff hides in the house for lepers.
This novel was ranked number 42 in the 1990 list of The Top 100 Crime Novels of All Time by the British Crime Writers Association. Citing the public confrontation and the main character's skills at deduction, one reviewer said it was "another Peters delight, featuring vital characters, a beautifully organised puzzle, and history made real". Another reviewer felt that "predictable plotting is amply compensated for by the author's wonderful re-creation of the period".
Plot summary The story takes place over four days in October 1139. Shrewsbury Abbey is scheduled to host the wedding of Baron Huon de Domville and Lady Iveta de Massard. Brother Cadfael, while restocking medicines at Saint Giles, the abbey's lazar house, sees both bride and bridegroom arrive: Domville is sixty years old, fat, and cruel, as Cadfael sees when the Baron lashes with his riding crop at the lepers begging him for alms. Iveta is barely eighteen, being chaperoned by her legal guardians, her uncle Godfrid Picard and his wife, Agnes.
Iveta is secretly in love with Joscelin Lucy, one of Domville's three squires. Cadfael interrupts an assignation between them in Cadfael's workshop, and tries to cover for them when Agnes bursts in to collect Iveta. Joscelin tells Cadfael that Iveta is being forced to marry against her will; she is the heiress to an enormous honour, and Domville and the Picards have bargained between themselves to divide it after she is married off. Agnes complains to Domville, who dismisses Joscelin from his service, accusing him of theft. Joscelin denies it, but his belongings are searched and the item found (though Cadfael suspects it was planted). Joscelin leaves with the sheriff, but at the bridge he breaks free of his guards and escapes into the River Severn.
Huon tells his nephew Simon (another of his squires) he will ride, and trots towards Saint Giles. Lazarus, sleeping outdoors, notices him. Joscelin leaves his hiding place, and the patrol pursues him. Lazarus hides him in a haystack, and Joscelin confides his plan to thwart the wedding. Lazarus tells him the baron has not yet returned.
Iveta and the guests gather at the abbey church for the wedding, but Huon does not appear; searchers find him dead far from his lodgings. Cadfael's search of the area shows rope marks on two trees; the baron was pulled from his saddle by a rope across the path, and strangled as he lay stunned. Joscelin Lucy is suspected. Cadfael determines that Huon died shortly after dawn. The strangler wore a ring, which cut into Huon's throat. Picard is convinced that Joscelin is guilty, but Iveta says that he was in prison; when the Picards reveal his escape, she collapses.
The sheriff assembles a search party. The search is fruitless. At Saint Giles, Brother Mark notices a newcomer, a tall man hiding behind a leper's cloak. Brother Oswin notes that the dead man's hat is missing; Cadfael finds it near where he fell, with a rare flower attached. Cadfael is directed to Huon's hunting lodge, where the flower is abundant, learning his mistress was Avice of Thornbury.
Joscelin befriends Bran, a young boy at Saint Giles, who obtains vellum on which Joscelin writes a message to Simon arranging a meeting with Iveta. He leaves the message in Simon's horse's mane. Simon slips the message to Iveta. Lazarus asks Joscelin to describe Godfrid Picard.
Iveta obtains a dose of poppy syrup, puts it into Madlen's (her maidservant's) drink and meets Joscelin. The sheriff's men find them at the abbey; Abbot Radulfus again intervenes, questioning Joscelin. Brother Mark appears, wet from trailing Joscelin. At a convent, Cadfael finds Avice of Thornbury, who tells him Huon de Domville left the hunting lodge at dawn. Brother Mark confirms that Joscelin was already at Saint Giles, having watched him all day. Cadfael then finds Godfrid Picard strangled as Huon de Domville was. Agnes turns on Simon Aguilon, accusing him of murdering the baron and Picard. Simon sought Iveta's hand, as de Domville's heir. Picard realised at the coffining ceremony that Simon had removed his ring. Cadfael reports that Simon was entrusted to escort Avice to the hunting lodge, and he alone knew the route. Simon is surrounded, and the ring found. When Cadfael examines Picard's body, he doubts Simon strangled Picard; the killer was missing fingers.
Cadfael accompanies Mark to Saint Giles and talks with Lazarus, recognising him as Guimar de Massard, a hero of the Crusade who was believed dead 40 years earlier. Lazarus says the Fatimid doctors diagnosed and treated his leprosy; he lived as a hermit until learning his son had died, and that he had an orphaned granddaughter Iveta. He decided to return to England to make sure she was being well cared for. However, when he arrived he was outraged to find that not only was Iveta being horribly abused by Agnes and Picard, but also their plans to force her to marry Domville. Determined to protect his granddaughter, he confronted Picard, disarmed and strangled him. Cadfael urges Lazarus to reveal himself to Iveta, mentioning another Lazarus who returned from the dead to his family. Lazarus removes his veil, revealing a face ravaged by disease, and claims it would be better for him to remain unknown; assuring Cadfael he is all right and at peace with his fate. With the knowledge that his granddaughter is finally safe and free to marry the man she loves, he leaves Saint Giles and is never seen again.
Characters Brother Cadfael: Benedictine monk of Shrewsbury Abbey, born in Wales, now manages the herbarium, preparing medicines and salves for monks and locals, 59 years old. Cadfael's history in the First Crusade appears again in his life as a monk in this novel. Brother Mark: Young brother about 18 or 19 years old, very recently assistant to Cadfael, he is now a volunteer at the lazar house. He is well attuned to the needs of those around him, and Cadfael muses that he is destined be a priest. He is good friends with Cadfael. He was introduced in Monk's Hood. Brother Oswin: Novice of age 19, newly assigned to help Cadfael. He is very clumsy at the start, but learns even over the 4 days of the story, and proves observant. He tests Cadfael's patience and teaching skills. Abbot Radulfus: Head of the Benedictine Abbey of St Peter and St Paul at Shrewsbury. He is a man of noble birth, with ties to King Stephen. He is a man of great inner strength and exterior calm. With his position as abbot, he is equivalent to a baron like Huon de Domville in the aristocracy. In this story, he and Prior Robert are the only characters who really existed historically. He was introduced at the end of Monk's Hood. Prior Robert Pennant: Father prior of the Abbey, of tall and distinguished appearance. He is concerned with status perhaps more than others, stepping in to pay proper attention to the guests for this wedding. He is based on a real historical person, the man who will succeed Abbot Radulfus as abbot. Lazarus: A vagabond leper who appears at Saint Giles to be near the relics of St Winifred. His status as leper prevents him from entering the Abbey chapel where they are kept. Much damage was done to him by the disease when it struck; now he lives with the damage left behind. He is 70 years old, tall, strong and quiet. Cadfael recognizes him as a hero of the Crusade named Guimar de Massard, believed dead for 40 years since the Battle of Ascalon. He is grandfather to Iveta and only returned to England to see her. When he learned of her horrible circumstances and cruel treatment at the hand of her aunt and uncle, he became determined to protect Iveta at all costs. he wishes not to change his reputation, now he has protected his granddaughter. Bran: A young boy of eight, rapidly gaining his strength on the regular meals and medical treatment of Saint Giles. His mother came to Saint Giles to die of her illness. Befriended by Brother Mark, Lazarus, and Joscelin Lucy. Huon de Domville, Baron: Wealthy and powerful man nearing 60, widowed, childless, owner of many manors. He is the intended husband of the young Lady Iveta, following arrangements by her aunt and uncle. He is a harsh man, strong among his peers and in the lists for combat, and a womaniser. Simon Aguilon: Nephew, age 25, of Huon de Domville and squire to him. He is also the heir to his childless uncle. He is a friend to Iveta de Massard. He is a friend to Joscelin Lucy, and is both charming and ambitious. Joscelin Lucy: Son of Sir Alan Lucy and squire to Huon de Domville since age 14. He is 22 years old, tall and strong. He is in love with Iveta. His family has two manors in Herefordshire. He is a young man of strong passions and high standards, who is well-trained as the knight he aims to become. Guy Fitzjohn: Youngest of the three squires of de Domville. Eudo de Domville: Relative of the baron and canon of Salisbury. He accompanies the wedding party to perform the marriage ceremony. He stays quiet at all less-than-sterling behaviour of his powerful relative, having hopes of further gains for himself. Arnulf: A longtime manservant of Huon de Domville. Sir Godfrid Picard: Uncle by marriage to Iveta de Massard. He is guardian to her since she was orphaned eight years earlier. He is a grasping man, whose hope of wealth arises from his role as guardian, with little concern for her life. His arrogance and greed prove to be his doom as he later confronted and challenged in the woods by Lazarus. Unaware, that he is fact facing Iveta's grandfather, the legendary Guimar de Massard, he accepts but is quickly overpowered and strangled by Lazarus as punishment for daring to hurt Iveta. Agnes Picard: Wife of Godfrid, sister of the late mother of Iveta de Massard, guardian to her since she was orphaned eight years earlier. Her wealth arises from her position as guardian. She is a harsh and controlling woman. Lady Iveta de Massard: 18-year-old girl, wealthy by inheritance of her "honour" of 50 manors in four counties, daughter of Hamon FitzGuimar de Massard, who died when she was ten years old. She is the only granddaughter of a famed knight of the First Crusade. Despite years of harsh treatment by her aunt and uncle, she is kind. She is in love with Joscelin Lucy. Madlen: Elderly maid of Picard household, she is firmly aligned with Agnes and not Iveta. Gilbert Prestcote: Sheriff of Shrewsbury and environs, appointed by and aligned with King Stephen. He is honest, active in keeping the peace and law abiding, but not bit by the curiosity of a natural detective like Cadfael. He was introduced in One Corpse Too Many. Ulgar the wheelwright: Brother of Avice of Thornbury. He told Cadfael how to find her. Avice of Thornbury: For over 20 years, secret mistress to Huon de Domville, and the shame of her family for so choosing. Practical and attractive woman of 44, she has no shame for her choices. When her lover is murdered, she seeks a new life in the "cell" of the Benedictine Convent at Godric's Ford. She is unashamed of her life, direct in her conversation. Cadfael expects her to succeed in convent life. She is a postulant when Cadfael encounters her.
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