His return requires an exchange, bringing two lively young Welshmen into the castle where the Sheriff's daughter resides.

"[1] The novel overall was described as "charmingly inventive, textured with intriguing subplots, and as rich as ever in fresh period details.

[2] Another remarked favorably on both the setting in the 12th century, showing that human nature does not change, and the "canny Brother Cadfael, apostle of survival and a sensible degree of mercy".

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.

In February 1141 Hugh Beringar, Deputy Sheriff of Shropshire, returns with the survivors of the Battle of Lincoln, bringing news of a disastrous defeat.

Two days later, Sister Magdalen, from the nearby convent at Godric's Ford, reports a raid by Welshmen returning from Lincoln.

Back in Shrewsbury Castle, Elis meets Prestcote's daughter Melicent, and they fall completely in love.

While almost everyone in the Abbey is at their midday meal, Elis tells Eliud of his love for Melicent and his plan to ask her father for her hand in marriage.

As Elis protests his innocence, Cadfael recalls that an ornate gold pin which had fastened Einon's cloak was missing when Prestcote was found dead.

Hugh Beringar takes half of his armed men to join forces with Owain Gwynedd to deal with raids by Ranulf of Chester in the northern part of the county.

In the bustle of getting fresh horses, Cadfael sees Einon's ornate saddlecloth and realises it was the murder weapon.

Desperate to prevent Elis returning to marry Cristina, he smothered Prestcote with it, regretting it even as he acted.

Cadfael observes to Hugh Beringar that even God, when He intends mercy, needs tools to His hand.

[7] Many other real historical figures who acted in the Anarchy are mentioned in the text; for example, Ranulf of Chester, Robert of Gloucester, and William of Ypres.

Powys at the time held Caus Castle, only a few miles from Shrewsbury, and used it as a base from which to launch livestock-thieving raids into English territory.

He is portrayed as a more statesmanlike character than the other Welsh rulers, and makes common cause with Hugh Beringar to deter Maud's ambitious allies.

The resting place for the wounded Sheriff Prestcote en route to home is Montford just a few miles northwest of the Castle.

Joining with Owain Gwynedd at Rhydycroesau to quell the raids by their common enemy Ranulf of Chester, Beringar and his men travelled along his northern border, fighting or leaving guards at Oswestry, Whitchurch, Whittington, Ellesmere, the castle at Chirk, then returning to Tregeiriog.

When Cadfael travelled alone on his second journey to Tregeiriog, he stayed the night at Oswestry Castle,[10] then crossed Offa's Dike on his route.

The Powys Welsh raiders of Godric's Ford on their second raid left a trail of damage in Pontesbury and neighbouring Minsterley to the southwest of Shrewsbury before again losing to the Shropshire defenders.

Philip Corviser, son of the town Provost and like him a boot maker, attends the funeral of the Sheriff with his wife Emma.

Emma Vernold was a main character in Saint Peter's Fair, set in autumn 1139, the fourth novel in the series.

The events described of the changing fortunes of King Stephen, imprisoned, and Empress Maud, welcomed in London, hoping to be crowned, set the scene for the opening of the next novel in the series, The Pilgrim of Hate, and for parts of the plot.

They commented that "Peters's local color is at its most engaging in the tangled family trees that sprawl across a contentious border.

"[12] In a brief review, Nick B Williams, Sr in the Los Angeles Times found this a fascinating chronicle that will hold the reader's interest.

"Since man, as a species, first dropped down from the trees to walk on his hind legs--erect, that is--he hasn't changed so much--he still kills for profit or--well, sport.

In this, we meet again the canny Brother Cadfael, apostle of survival and a sensible degree of mercy, pre-dating Sherlock Holmes by generations.

[16] The book was adapted for BBC Radio 4 in 1995 by Bert Coules in five parts: It starred Philip Madoc as Brother Cadfael and Susannah York as Sister Magdalen.