The Hermit of Eyton Forest is a medieval mystery novel by Ellis Peters, set in the autumn of 1142. It is the 14th novel in the Cadfael Chronicles and was first published in 1987.
The mystery is set in the Anarchy, the continuing battles between King Stephen and Empress Maud, now besieged in Oxford Castle. Sheriff Hugh Beringar and Brother Cadfael work together to resolve murder and kidnap, the first done in connection with the anarchy, and the second dealing with property and marriages in 12th century England.
One review at the time of publication referred to the "ever-fascinating Brother Cadfael chronicles", said that author "Peters continues to enthrall", and described the "unpretentious but literate style" of this novel. The story was "Swift-moving, intricate plotting, [with a] richly tapestried background". Another reviewer was less impressed, and said that characters were in the main "glibly superficial: lovers are fair and pure; villains cruel and swarthy." However, they enjoyed the main character, as "Brother Cadfael remains as shrewd and unpredictable as ever." A later reviewer found that this was "a great story." They felt that "Brother Cadfael is more an observer than an actor in this work" but overall, the "bodies and red herrings pile up in a satisfying way before all the puzzles are solved."
Plot summary On 18 October 1142, Richard Ludel, lord of Eaton manor, dies of wounds sustained at the battle of Lincoln in February 1141. Ludel had appointed Abbot Radulfus of Shrewsbury Abbey as guardian of Ludel's 10 year old son Richard. Brother Paul informs Richard that he is orphaned, and has become lord of Eaton manor. As Richard is a minor, Sheriff Hugh Beringar has charge of the manor lands for King Stephen, with the steward John of Longwood running the manor. His grandmother, Dame Dionisia Ludel, does not believe in education for a lord. Her goal is to marry the boy to Hiltrude, daughter of Fulke Astley, who will inherit the estates on either side of Eaton manor: Wroxeter and Leighton.
Dame Dionisia gives the hermit Cuthred and his helper Hyacinth a disused hermit's chapel. The two are present at the funeral of Richard's father. Otherwise, Cuthred never leaves his hermitage.
In November, Eilmund, forester for the abbey, reports unusual damage in the Eyton Forest, and sends Hyacinth to tell the abbot that this is punishment for Richard being kept at the Abbey. Needing a friend, Richard approaches Hyacinth. They form a pact. Returning to the hermitage, Hyacinth saves Eilmund in Eyton Forest by rolling a fallen willow tree off him. Local men carry Eilmund to his assart. Hyacinth runs ahead to warn Annet, Eilmund's daughter, of her father's injury. She asks Hyacinth to fetch Cadfael to set her father's broken leg.
Hugh Beringar says that the Empress Maud is held under siege in Oxford Castle. The Empress sent a messenger from there to Brian Fitzcount, Lord of Wallingford. The messenger was Renaud Bourchier, whose horse had been found, with empty saddlebags and no sign of the man.
Drogo Bosiet and his groom Warin of Northamptonshire appear at the abbey, hunting a villein named Brand who fled his manor. Abbot Radulfus is not well inclined towards Drogo's mission, and recommends him to the sheriff. After Vespers, Brother Jerome meets with Drogo to tell him his suspicion that Brand is in fact Hyacinth, living under a false identity. Overhearing this and recognising the danger, Richard rides his pony to warn Hyacinth, finding him in the Eyton Forest. Hyacinth goes into hiding, as Richard heads back to the abbey. That day, Cadfael leaves Eilmund's assart and encounters Drogo's horse, then the body of Drogo Bosiet, killed by a knife in his back. In the morning, Hugh Beringar and Cadfael find that Drogo was stabbed as he walked his horse on the forest path en route to the abbey. No knife is found. The abbot mentions Brother Jerome's conversation, revealing that Drogo intended to visit the hermitage, and was probably on his return journey when killed.
Cuthred tells Hugh and Cadfael that Drogo visited him the day before, and he has not seen Hyacinth since. Cuthred met Hyacinth, a beggar at the gates of the Cluniac priory in Northampton, at the end of September. Richard has not been seen in the abbey since the day before, at Vespers. Hugh sets a manhunt for both Richard, suspected to have been kidnapped, and Hyacinth, suspected of murder.
Cadfael talks with Rafe of Coventry, of the Earl of Warwick, who is staying at the abbey. At the alms box, he sees a coin struck with the image of the Empress Matilda, and Rafe comes from Oxford. Cadfael surmises that Rafe has come seeking the murderer of Bourchier, however this is denied. Drogo's son Aymer also arrives at the abbey, only to learn that his father has been killed. He plans to remain in the area for a few days to attempt to find the missing villein before returning home.
Cadfael finds Hyacinth by following Annet as she meets Hyacinth. Annet, Eilmund and Hyacinth bring Cadfael in on their secrets. Annet loves Hyacinth and her father approves it, and together are hiding Hyacinth during this manhunt. Hyacinth was with Annet at the time of the murder. Hyacinth confirms that he is indeed Drogo's escaped villein Brand; he is not safe until Aymer has returned home. Hyacinth describes his bad treatment at Drogo's hands. Drogo left Hyacinth landless, but still wanted him for his skill in fine leather work. Hyacinth ran after he beat the steward when he chanced on him raping a local girl. Cadfael promises to keep Hyacinth's secret, at odds with his promise to Hugh.
Hyacinth seeks Richard at Leighton. Hearing a young woman travelling with her father Astley on horseback in the darkness, he runs ahead of them to find Richard locked in a room. Learning that the hermit Cuthred will act as the priest, Hyacinth persuades Richard to go along with the ceremony. After the marriage ceremony, Richard gains respect for Hiltrude; he says why he agreed to the ceremony. She is delighted. They plan Richard's escape. Richard begins his ride after the midday meal. When Astley learns Richard is missing, he is in immediate pursuit.
They arrive simultaneously in the abbey courtyard, Richard on his pony. The courtyard is full of onlookers while Astley and Abbot Radulfus argue over who has legal rights over Richard. Richard shouts out why he agreed to the ceremony, that Cuthred is not a priest, and therefore he knew the marriage to be invalid. At this, Rafe slips away. Abbot Radulfus plans to confront Cuthred the next morning. Hugh Beringar returns from Leighton, and mutes Astley with mention of kidnapping charges. Aymer Bosiet has not left the abbey, and is still a threat to Hyacinth.
The following morning, Abbot Radulfus and Hugh Beringer find Cuthred lying dead within the hermitage, his own knife near his hand. A small casket is broken open and empty, and the breviary is missing. Blood shows on the tip of Cuthred's knife. Dame Dionisia arrives, and is jolted by the sight of the dead man.
When the body of Cuthred is returned to Shrewsbury, Aymer Bosiet recognises the dead hermit. He and his father had met him at Thame one night. He was dressed differently, hair cut in the Norman style, a man who had weapons but no horse. They played dice and chess with him. This explains the murder of Drogo; Cuthred killed him to avoid exposure by Drogo. Aymer leaves the abbey. Cadfael brings Hyacinth out of hiding. Hugh calls off the manhunt. At Eilmund's home, Hyacinth confirms that when they met, Cuthred was well dressed as a knight. Hyacinth stole a habit for him at the priory, for his transformation to hermit. Hugh tells Hyacinth he is free to seek work in the town. In a year and a day, he will come to ask for Annet as his wife.
Rafe seeks Cadfael to treat his knife wound. Rafe de Genville, vassal to Brian FitzCount, and loyal to the Empress Maud, will restore to Brian what is his, recovered in a fight between Rafe and the hermit. Rafe found the jewels which he sought in the reliquary. A personal letter was hidden in the breviary, already read by the dead man, as the seal is broken.
Cadfael tells Hugh that he let Rafe go. It is revealed that Cuthred was in fact Renaud Bourchier, having stolen the Empress's jewels and abandoned his horse and knightly clothes in order to avoid detection. This explains why Bourchier's horse was found with no sign of a body. Hugh recoils upon realising the full horror of the first crime that Renaud Bourchier committed. Hugh is persuaded Rafe acted rightly.
Honour is upheld, the lovers are united, and Richard is safe at school.
Characters
Brother Cadfael: Herbalist in the Benedictine monastery at Shrewsbury, about 62 in this story. Though long a monk here, he lived as Crusader and sailor before settling near his native Wales. His besetting sin is curiosity. Abbot Radulfus: He is head of the Abbey of Saint Peter and Saint Paul, based on the real abbot of that year. He was introduced in Monk's Hood. Prior Robert Pennant: He is a monk of aristocratic upbringing, and expectations. He hoped to succeeded as abbot after Abbot Heriford was replaced but instead remained Prior under Abbot Radulfus. Prior Robert was introduced in A Morbid Taste for Bones. Brother Paul: He is the monk in charge of the education of the novices and the four young boys at the monastery for schooling. Brother Jerome: He is clerk to Prior Robert and confessor of the novices. He likes to report on others, to hear the sound of his own voice, and is rather critical of Brother Paul's ways with the education of the young. Brother Winfrid: He is newly assigned to help Cadfael in the herbarium and gardens. He is a monk of about 20 years old; strong but slow, he will do for Cadfael. Richard Ludel: He is the only son of Sir Richard Ludel, now 10 years old. He is educated at the Abbey at the direction of his father, in the charge of Abbot Radulfus per an agreement made in the prior year. Richard's mother died earlier; his paternal grandmother is the relative left him. Of the aristocracy, he is the lord of Eaton Manor on his father's death. He is a lively and observant boy, and persistent. Sir Richard Ludel: He was the Lord of Eaton Manor southeast of the Abbey, whose liege lord was once William FitzAlan who sided with the Empress; the lands were taken by King Stephen. Sir Richard supported the King by joining the Battle of Lincoln, where he took an ultimately fatal wound. Widowed, he made an agreement for Abbot Radulfus to care for and educate his son until he was of age. He dies at age 35 as the story opens. Dame Dionisia Ludel: She is grandmother to young Richard, and a strong woman with desires to enlarge the family's property by her grandson's marriage. She is more distant than fond with her grandson, about 55 years old. John of Longwood: He is the steward of Eaton Manor, responsible to Hugh Beringar until young Richard is of age. He manages it fully since the father returned wounded from the battle of Lincoln. Hiltrude Astley: She is heiress to two manors either side of Eaton Manor. Her father and Richard's grandmother want her to marry young Richard to merge the manors. Hiltrude prefers a young man nearer her age of 22. Sir Fulke Astley: He is the father of Hiltrude, and owner of manors at Wroxeter and Leighton. He is a strong man, nearing 50 years old. Hugh Beringar: He is Sheriff of Shropshire, with manors in Maesbury in the north of the shire. About 27 years old, he is married to Aline and father of young Giles. He is King Stephen's man, and a close friend, minds and ethics alike, with Brother Cadfael. He was introduced in One Corpse Too Many.