Questions 1 through 50
Posted : 23 Jan 1998
Question : Does anybody know when the
next TV series of Cadfael will be shown in the UK. This will
be series 4. I'd also be interested in just which stories are to be shown.
Answer
From : ME, in the UK
Posted : 31 Jan 1998
Answer : The new films are The
Holy Thief, The Potter's Field, and The Pilgrim Of Hate. The three new
films will be seen on ITV in 1998. Stephen Smallwood, who has produced
all 10 CADFAEL films to date, returns to produce his new series.
click here for more info on this.
From : Dale P. Niemeyer, Montana
Posted : 23 Jan 1998
Question : I'm writing this in regards
to the Cadfael television series which has recently been airing in my
area through the Montana Public Television service. I thoroughly enjoy
these stories and was wondering if they are available on video cassette
to your knowledge.
Answer
From : Mike Merges
, Rensselaer, NY
Posted : 27 Jan 1998
Answer : If you watch the end of
a PBS Cadfael story, after the credits they give a phone number to purchase
copies of the program. Also, you might be able to get some information
from the PBS Website, PBS.org. Just do a search for Mystery, and Cadfael
will be in there. If you strike out on both of these, e-mail me. I recorded
a few off-air, and can look for you. Good luck.
Favourite Story : A Morbid Taste For
Bones
also
From : lefidler, Chapel Hill NC USA
Posted : 06 Feb 1998
Answer : Cadfael tapes and books and
books about Cadfael are available online from Amazon.com and tapes are
available from VideoServe.com. I've ordered other things from Amazon.com,
and their service has been great. Books (and sometimes tapes) are discounted.
They will also try to find out-of-print works. I've never used VideoServe,
but they advertise 10 percent discounts on tapes.
Favourite Story : They're ALL good
!
also
From : Katie Welsh, Connecticut, USA
Posted : 08 Jun1998
Answer : I have also seen large displays
of the videos at the Borders Book/Music chain, if you have one of their
stores near you.
Favourite Story : The Summer Of The Danes
From : Jose Escobar, Charleston, South
Carolina
Posted : 23 Jan 1998
Question : Do you happen to know if Edith Pargeter's
biography is out or in print?
Answer
From : Jen , Minnesota
Posted : 31 Jan 1998
Answer : If you've read Edith Pargeter's
"Shropshire", you'll know that in the introduction that she
will never have an autobiography done or will she write a biography.
Favourite Story : They're ALL good
!
also
From : Jose Escobar
, South Carolina
Posted : 3 Feb 1998
Answer : There is a book by Margaret
Lewis entitled 'Edith Pargeter: Ellis Peters'
which is listed as biography by www.Amazon.com.
It is a biography/study of Pargeter's life and works. I would say 1/3
is about her life, a short chapter of the Felse Novels, and the rest on
Brother Cadfael. The paperback edition was published in 1994 and reprinted
in 95,96,97. It was published by seren under the Border Lines series by
Poetry Wales Press Ltd, Wyndham Street, Bridgend, Wales. The author is
Margaret Lewis. The isbn # 1-85411-129-9. $15.95 US. It can be purchased
through www.Amazon.com or call the U.S.
distributor Dufour Editions, Chester Springs, PA, 19425-0007, tel- (610)
458-5005.
Favourite Story : A Morbid Taste For
Bones
Question 4
From : Julie Fleming
Posted : 23 Jan 1998
Question : I cannot locate any historical reference
to an Empress Maude. According to my sources, it was a Matilda who contested
the throne of King Stephen. Is Maude really Matilda? If so, do you know
what made Ellis Peters change her name. Her books are so well-founded
in a historical framework that it seems odd to change a name like that.
Any info. would be appreciated.
Answer
From : Linda J Sipe
, Virginia Beach, VA USA
Posted : 29 Jan 1998
Answer : Henry had 'one legal daughter,'
named Matilda. She was also known as Maud. I don't know for sure, but
I suspect she was also called Maud because she was married in childhood
to the Holy Roman Emperor Henry V of Germany and was known in Germany
as the Empress Maud.
Favourite Story : The Rose Rent
also
From : Karen , College Park, Maryland USA
Posted : 06 Feb 1998
Question : Actually an addendum. Stephen's
wife was also Mathilda. In writing about these times, many authors
use Empress Maude (since she was known as Mathilda and Maude) to distinguish
from Stephen's wife
Favourite Story : The Potter's Field
also
From : Pogo, near Houston TX USA
Posted : 16 Jun 1998
Question : Any What-to-Name-the-Baby will tell you
that Maud is a version of Matilda. Both are listed as Teutonic,
although some popular histories say Matilda is Norman and Maud Saxon.
Favourite Story : They're ALL good
!
From : Elena, South Carolina
Posted : 31 Jan 1998
Question : Why did they recast Hugh Beringer in the
PBS series? I liked the old one!
Favourite Story : The Virgin in the
Ice
also
From : Barbara Christopherson, Woodland, CA
Posted : 31 Jan 1998
Question : We recently watched "Raven" and
was disappointed that Sean Pertwee is no longer playing Hugh Beringer.
Did he just quit, or has something happened to him?
Favourite Story : The Leper of St
Giles
also
From : Julie T, in the US!
Posted : 31 Jan 1998
Question : One aspect of the first series that I particularily
enjoyed was the relationship between Hugh and Cadael.The two actors seemed
to have a natural raport that came across on the screen. Can anyone tell
me why Sean Pertwee didn't continue on with the series? Isn't Hugh a continuing
character, like Dr. Watson?
Favourite Story : A Morbid Taste For
Bones
also
From : Joanne, Saskatoon Canada
Posted : 01 Feb 1998
Question : Why do they keep changing the actor that
plays Hugh Beringar? Sean Pertwee was superb in the first series. The
third series lacked the camaradie between Cadfael and Hugh that I so enjoyed.
Is there anywhere to send comments to the producers of the show?
Favourite Story : The Sanctuary Sparrow
also
From : Fatjack, Canada
Posted : 05 Feb 1998
Question : I never did notice an answer to the often
asked question: Why isn't the original actor who played Hugh Beringar
still doing so? He was far superior.
Favourite Story : A Morbid Taste For
Bones
also
From : Camille, the Midwest, too
Posted : 19 Mar 1998
Question : Why hasn't anyone answered the Sean Pertwee/Hugh
Beringer question? The books show how Cadfael and he relate to each
other and SP really played the part as Ellis Peters must have envisioned
it. How can we find out why he's not playing that part anymore?
Favourite Story : The Rose Rent
also
From : Jen, Minnesota
Posted : 02 Jan 1999
Question : How come the actor who plays Hugh Beringar
keeps changing? They should've stayed with Sean Pertwee. He seemed to
play the character very closely to how he was described in the books -
and he's REALLY handsome to top it all off! :)
Favourite Story : They're ALL good
!
also
From : beth stowers, perrysburg,OH
Posted : 06 Jan 1999
Question :: Hey! We all want to know why Sean Pertwee
left acting as Hugh!He played Hugh the best of all three hugh's(Sean,Eoin,and
Athony). If some one has the answer to this question PLEASE help me by
telling me why!!
Favourite Story : Monk's Hood
Answer
From : Mike Merges,
Rensselaer, NY USA
Posted : 08 Jun 1998
Answer : : I found a couple of web
pages that have stories on Sean Pertwee. He set up a production
company in the UK and has done a couple of films, acting and directing.
Here are the addresses:
http://gonzo.sowi.uni-mainz.de/%7Emuench/SPecial/spdb/notes/nn.htm
http://gonzo.sowi.uni-mainz.de/%7Emuench/SPecial/bytes/indexbg.html#pertwee
I don't know if we will see him in the fourth set of Cadfael videos, but
I certainly hope so!
Favourite Story : An Excellent Mystery
also
From : Sarah, USA
Posted : 07 Oct 1998
Answer : Sean Pertwee is not pertraying
Hugh in the 4th season because he has had to spend his time working on
the film 'Soldiers' with Kurt Russell. If Cadfael goes into a 5th
season and Sean doesn't have any projects, I hope he will return to the
role of Hugh. He's a great actor (and good looking to boot!).
Favourite Story : The Sanctuary Sparrow
also
From : Rebecca Rehkop, Missouri,USA
Posted : 07 May 1999
Answer : Sean quit the set. Not
because of any bad feeling, but just because he wanted to move on.
(I think this was about the time he got the offer to play Smitty in Paul
Anderson's "Event Horizon" (they are good buds). I agree, he
was the best, and in my opinion the most accurate to the books, Hugh Beringar.
Favourite Story : One Corpse Too Many
From : T. Van Voris, Atlanta
Posted : 31 Jan 1998
Question :
My husband and I are having an, um, "discussion" about the
cast list from the 3 series, and since the UK Cadfael site is not currently
up, I thought I'd check with another fan for the answer to this one:
Who is playing Hugh in the 3rd series?
My husband claims that it is Eoin McCarthy again - but I am not so sure...it's
been awhile since we've seen the earlier episodes.
Answer
From : Me
Posted : 02 Feb 1998
Answer : 'Fraid husband is right
this time! It is indeed Eoin McCarthy. Watch out for another Hugh in the
fourth series though!
From : Carleen, Birmingham, Al
Posted : 02 Feb 1998
Question :
My question is about the first Hugh. Is Sean Pertwee in any way
related to the late Jon Pertwee of Dr.Who fame? My husband seems
to think there is a faint resemblance.
Answer
From : Me
Posted : 02 Feb 1998
Answer : Yes indeed, Sean Pertwee
is the son of the late Jon (3rd Dr Who and Worzel Gummidge) Pertwee.
From : Mark Gladstone, Bethesda, MD
Posted : 05 Feb 1998
Question : Did Cadfael, being Welsh, speak Welsh as
his native language? Was this also true of the people of Shrewsbury?
But when he went off out, what language was generally his mode of communication?
And what language was he probably most comfortable with, besides Welsh?
Finally, what--if any--language besides Latin did they probably speak
in the abbey?
Favourite Story : They're ALL good
!
Answer
From : Jose Escobar
, South Carolina
Posted : 14 Feb 1998
Answer : He is proficient in Welsh
as well as English according to the chronicles. He also spoke Latin
which he acquired later in life although he never felt comfortable with
it. It is safe to asume that he also read Latin as it seems he was
familiar with the writings of some of the early Church Fathers.
Nothing is mentioned about reading Greek, a language which was probably
found among the monastic texts and collections in most Benedictine abbeys.
As a young man, Cadfael lived in Antioch and fought in Palestine and the
Eastern Mediterranean. One of his love interests, Mariam, was from
Antioch. Is it safe to assume that he developed some proficiency
in Arabic.? He did study with Siryan physicians and herbalists,
and most of his knowledge of herbs came from them and his own experience.
As far as I know, there is nothing in the chronicles about this.
He spent some time in Normady upon his return as he joined Roger Maduit's
forces there. Did he pick some French or "would be French"
while in Normandy? There is also mention of the Norman conquest
in the chronicles and I wonder what linguistic contribution they may have
brought with them. I am not familiar with the Norman conquest and
this period to answer any of this with certainty.
Within the monastery walls, Latin was the language of prayer and probably
the "official" language. Yet having monks from different
regions, I would not be surprised if other languages, even dialects, where
used at times. In Shrewsbury; it seems that both Welsh and English
were used but better have someone from the UK answer this one.
Favourite Story : A Morbid Taste For
Bones
also
From : debora, olympia, washington, usa
Posted : 06 Jun 1998
Answer : In the early Middle Ages, French was the
language of choice. Latin was the language of the Church, and all countries
had their own "vulgar" dialects, but French was the language
of the nobility and for speaking to large groups. Although Cadfael may
have spoken English, (i'm not sure about which book would indicate that)
certainly Hugh and his soldiers would have spoken French, as well as the
Prior and the Abbot, being educated men. English was the language of the
Saxons, who were conquered by the Normans, who spoke "langue d'oui"
as opposed to the "Langue d'oc" of southern France. "Langue
d'oui" is closest to modern-day French.
Favourite Story : whichever one I
am currently reading (presently "Monk's Hood) :-)
also
From : Pogo, Houston, Texas USA
Posted : 09 Jul 1998
Answer : Cadfael spoke fluent Welsh and English,
according to several of the books.He certainly spoke Arabic, with all
the time he spent fighting and working in the Near East. I'm sure
he also spoke 11th century Greek (Arianna the boat girl) and the debased
Latin (early Italian) of Venice (Bianca).
The English of Cadfael's Shrewsbury would have been early Middle English.
(Beowulf is in classical Old English, also called Anglo-Saxon; Chaucer
is Middle English; Shakespeare is early Modern English.) The Norman
Conquest is three generations in the past; the children of the Norman
lords would have grown up playing with the servants' and farmers' children.
But the Normans would have spoken French among themselves -- especially
if they didn't want the servants to understand (pas devant les domestiques!).
When they were at homes in France, they probably used English for the
same purpose. But true Middle English didn't really develop until
Maud's grandson, John Lackland, got his nickname by losing all the French
possessions. English and French in England then consolidated.
For purposes of poshness, French continued to be spoken in England, but
it developed on its own -- Chaucer's Wife of Bath spoke French, but "Frenssh
of Parys was to hir unknowe." By the way, Maud's father, Henry I,
spoke English (*The Story of English,* PBS companion book), and Maud's
mother was English.
From : A Humble Viewer who lives in
the midwest, USA
Posted : 09 Feb 1998
Question : Does anyone know if Sir Derek Jacobi is married?
Favourite Story : Brother Cadfael's
Penance
Answer
From : Keen viewer from Downunder
Posted : 24 Feb 1998
Answer : Sir Derek Jacobi is only married to
his work. He has never married, and most likely will never marry. He is
a master of the classical stage.
Favourite Story : A Morbid Taste For
Bones
From : Brian, Waterford, Wis. USA
Posted : 09 Feb 1998
Question : Is the Music that is played on the TV series
available on CD?
Favourite Story : The Virgin In The
Ice
Answer
From : Someone in the Midwest, USA
Posted : 02 Mar 1998
Answer : The Cadfael CD is available. It was
out in 1996 and is copyrighted by Soundtrack Music Records under exclusive
license to EMI Records Ltd. It includes Gregorian Chants performed by
the Clerkes of St Albans Abbey.
Favourite Story : One Corpse Too Many
From : Nancy Russell, Nashville,
Tennessee USA
Posted : 09 Feb 1998
Question : I want to know when we will be able to see
the new series. We just had A Morbid Taste for Bones. Will
we be able to see the ones filmed in '98 in '98 or will it be '99.
I also want to state that I think they should return the part of Hugh
Berrenger to the actor who was in the last series. He was great.
Favourite Story : The Virgin In The
Ice
Answer
From : Me
Posted : 09 Feb 1998
Answer : Chances are you will see
the new (4th series) in 1998. But no firm plans have been announced as
far as I'm aware.
From : Lorraine Bell, Morgan Hill,California USA
Posted : 27 Feb 1998
Question : I love this series of books,and as I would
like to own my own collection of the Chronicles I would like to find a
hardback book series. So far I can't find any of Brother Cadfael's stories
in anything but paperback. Does anyone have any leads on finding this
series in hardback. Thanks, and love the site!
Favourite Story : The Virgin In The
Ice
Answer
From : Pogo, near Houston TX USA
Posted : 22 Jun 1998
Answer : Support your local independent mystery
bookstore! To find the closest one, go to the Web phone book (in
the U.S., www.switchboard.com).
As you scroll through the listing of Book Dealers-Retail, watch for keywords
like Crime, Murder, Baker Street.... These bookstore owners know
the field like no one else, and if they don't know the answer, they know
where to find it.
Favourite Story : They're ALL good !
also
From : Jan, Ohio, USA
Posted : 07 Jan 1999
Answer : Regarding locating hard-cover copies
of Cadfael books...check the Barnes and Noble website at www.barnesandnoble.com
They offer access to locating out-of-print and signed copies through other
bookseller sources.
Be prepared however --MOST of the hard copies are very pricey running
anywhere from $70 - $2000.
Favourite Story : One Corpse Too Many
also
From : Seamyst
Posted : 26 Mar 2000
Answer : If you're on very good standing at your local
library (or especially if you work or volunteer there) you might ask about
ordering through them. While my local library's provider doesn't carry
all of the Cadfael books :(, I can also get a forty percent discount -
which means that instead of paying $6, I'm only paying $3.20 or so per
book - especially nice if you're on a limited budget! If this doesn't
work for you, the librarian might have a suggestion of where to get them.
Favourite Story : Monk's Hood
From : DC Lee, Michigan, USA
Posted : 02 Mar 1998
Question : Will PBS be running anymore Cadfael mysteries?
We only saw about five
and my wife and I just loved watching them. Thanks.
Favourite Story : The Virgin In The
Ice
Answer
From : Marita, Baltimore MD
Posted : 25 Mar 1998
Answer : I can't specifically say when because
it varies from region to region. I occasionally browse through www.pbs.org
to download the month's program schedule of the PBS station in my region.
Another place to check is WGBH Boston's Mystery! site. Sorry, I don't
know it offhand but use a search engine; I used one to find Mystery! and
Masterpiece Theatre sites. They'll probably rerun it sooner or later.
They'd better; I only saw two of them. Hope I answered the question to
some extent.
Favourite Story : A Morbid Taste For
Bones
From : Fredrik Erlandsson, Sweden
Posted : 03 Mar 1998
Question : Does anyone know if we will get to see the
Cadfael TV-series in Sweden ?
Favourite Story : St Peter's Fair
From : Randy Schum, Orlando, Florida
Posted : 19 Mar 1998
Question : The words to the music sung by the countertenor
at the beginning and ending of the Cadfael videos are in Latin. However,
I cannot discern the Latin words. Can anyone provide me with the Latin text
and English translation?
Favourite Story : They're ALL good !
From : Pat Green
Posted : 13 Jan 2002
Answer : I can't understand the chanting in the middle,
but the singing seems to be:
Veni Sancte Spiritus, Mentes tuorum visita. Amen
According to the (somewhat florid) translation in my trusty Gregorian Hymnal,
it means:
Come, Holy Spirit, vouchsafe to make our minds thy home(!)
I didn't take latin (in catholic school!), so I'm not sure what a more literal
translation would be.
I've only found sources for six of the tracks altogether, and some of those
are incomplete.
Question 16
From : Marita, Baltimore MD -
Posted : 25 Mar 1998
Question : Along with the question that is asking about
hardback books, where are these omnibus editions located? Are they only
found in the U.K.? Whenever I go into Waldenbooks or B. Dalton's, I keep
getting the same paperback chronicles and never the exact ones I want!
Unfortunately, my forays into the Internet are few and far between...
Favourite Story : A Morbid Taste For
Bones
From : Me
Posted : 25 Mar 1998
Answer : I bought my omnibus set from the WHSmith
book shops chain over here in the UK. However, I've done a bit of searching
and have found an online ordering page which lists the omnibus editions.
It's at : www.thebookplace.com. I've
used them when ordering a book only in print in the US to be sent to the
UK, and I think the reverse is possible, you just choose the company nearest
to you when asked. Search on 'CADFAEL OMNIBUS' from the search menu for
a complete list. Good luck!
Question 17
From : Two Sisters, California
Posted : 26 Mar 1998
Question : Is there a biography of Sir Derek Jacobi?
Favourite Story : A Morbid Taste For
Bones
Answer
From : Joanne, from Canada
Posted : 30 Mar 1998
Answer : Derek
Jacobi has his own homepage with lots of info on the the actor including
a list of biographies. Check it out on the links page
Favourite Story : They're All Good!
Question 18
From : Richard Bouchard, Long Beach, MS USA
Posted : 26 Mar 1998
Question : In the PBS series episode A Morbid
Taste for Bones as they are digging up St. Winifred there are some rituals
going on in the background. To the left is some sort of whirligig contraption
and to the right a man is waving something around. I did not notice any
reference to these rituals in the book or in the episode. Anyone know
what those objects and rituals were and their purpose?
Favourite Story : A Morbid Taste For
Bones
Question 19
From : Richard Bouchard, Long Beach, MS USA
Posted : 26 Mar 1998
Question : In One Corpse Too Many (the edition
published by William Morrow & Company, 1980, p. 68) Peters writes:
" But you'll be well enough, no one is going to have leisure to look
hard at you until that corn is in the barn." My question is on the
use of the word corn. Was 12th century "corn" applied
to another grain or produce before it applied to the New World maize discovered
400 years later? Peters does not use the word before or thereafter in
the book.
Favourite Story : A Morbid Taste For
Bones
Answer
From :Marita, Baltimore MD
Posted : 30 Mar 1998
Answer : That
corn question intrigued me because what you said is right. I happened
to have that book and reread the passage. I looked up the word corn in
a huge, heavy, unabridged dictionary. Apparently, the word corn can be
used to describe the seed of cereal plants such as maize, barley and rye.
The dictionary further said that in England the word corn refers to wheat.
So, in that passage, Peters' usage of the word corn is referring to wheat
rather than corn(maize).
Favourite Story : A Morbid Taste For
Bones
also
From : Andrew Aldridge from Essex, England (hello
neighbour!)
Posted : 30 Mar 1998
Answer : In
England the word 'corn' relates to (and I quote from a dictionary here)...."grain,
fruit of cereals; grain of all kinds; US maize;...". It's only in
the U.S. that corn relates purely to maize.
Favourite Story : A Morbid Taste For
Bones
Question 20
From : Jen, MA USA
Posted : 30 Mar 1998
Question : Did anyone else find it annoying that Brother
Mark was totally ignored in the television series? He was far more
interesting than Oswin in the novels.
Favourite Story : St Peter's Fair
Answer
From : Joanne, Canada
Posted : 09 Jun 1998
Answer : Just wanted to say that
I too found Brother Mark to be an intriguing character. It would
have been interesting to see him protrayed on the screen. But I
suppose, unlike the novels, the TV series was limited by what it could
do in a few hours. That is one reason I prefer the books.
Favourite Story : They're ALL good !
also
From : JuJu,
Massachusetts
Posted : 02 Dec 1998
Answer : Brother Mark did get a
short appearence in the Leper of St. Giles episode. But nothing along
the lines of a deep character portrayal though. Too bad!
Favourite Story : The Virgin In The
Ice
also
From : Nathan, Houston TX
Posted : 02 Jan 1999
Answer : In the novel Summer of
the Danes it is stated that Brother Mark became Deacon of Lichfield
Favourite Story : The Leper Of Saint
Giles
also
From : Seamyst
Posted : 26 Mar 2000
Answer : Brother Mark is also in "The Devil's Novice",
during the time he was at St. Giles. I felt he played a very important
role in this book, and was upset when I saw that they replaced him with
Brother Oswin. Mind, I don't have anything against Oswin. I think he's
very sweet and naive. I just don't like how they used him as a sort of
permanent assistant, except for Brother Adam. I do wish that Ellis Peters
had brought "Father Mark" into one of the stories. That would have a nice
conclusion, as Cadfael sometimes remarks that there are things that he'll
only confess when Mark becomes ordained, but he never does.
Favourite Story : Monk's Hood
Question 21
From : Paolo Cervino,
Italy/Luxembourg
Posted : 13 Apr 1998
Question : Was Brother Cadfael's Penance the last book
(in Cadfael's chronology) of the series or is there a sequel?
Favourite Story : Brother Cadfael's
Penance
Answer
From :Me
Posted : 30 Mar 1998
Answer : The story 'Brother Cadfael's
Penance' was not the last Cadfael story by Ellis Peters published. However
the following (and last book Cadfael book ever published ) 'A Rare Benedictine'
was a collection of three short 'prequel' stories, all set before the
time of 'Brother Cadfael's Penance'. This means, unfortunately, that there
is no sequel to 'Brother Cadfael's Penance'. Click here for a full run down of the Cadfael book
stories.
Apologies for the above, as pointed out by Sue Feder, (founder, The Ellis
Peters Appreciation Society; The Historical Mystery Appreciation Society)
the collection A Rare Benedictine
was published in 1988, some six years before Brother
Cadfael's Penance.
Question 22
From : Morgan, Williamsville, IL
Posted : 17 Apr 1998
Question : I'm wondering how many times Cadfael's son,
Olivier, appears in the Chronicles. I know he's in The Virgin in the Ice
and Brother Cadfael's Penance. In Brother Cadfael's Penance it mentions
that he's in another story between those two. Does anyone know which story
that is?
Favourite Story : The Virgin In The
Ice
Answer
From :Me
Posted : 17 Apr 1998
Answer : Olivier also appears in
the story 'A Pilgrim of Hate'. He is also briefly mentioned in 'The Devil's
Novice' and 'An Excellent Mystery''
Question 23
From : RM, from NY
Posted : 21 Apr 1998
Question : Can you give us any vital statistics about
Sir Jacobi? Height, weight, personality profile, etc.
Also, will all the books in the Cadfael series be filmed?
Favourite Story : They're ALL good !
Answer
From :Carol W. Merck,
Atlanta, GA
Posted : 11 May 1999
Answer : According to his casting information
Sir Derek is 5 ft. 10 inches tall, weight 12 stone 11 pounds (179 - 180
US pounds).
His personality profile would put him as slighty shy. Having met him personally
I can say that he is a ver genuine person. The age band he is normally
cast in is 56-65. His special skills are Ballroom Dancing*, Jive
Dancing*, Tenor*, Swimming*, Tennis*. Other Performance Skills :
TV Presenting, Voice Over. His mother tongue is English* with accents
: Birmingham, Cockeny, London, Yorkshire, New York, Belfast and
Southern Irish.
(*=Highly skilled)
Question 24
From : Angele Caporicci, Timmins Ontario, Canada
Posted : 11 May 1998
Question : I am a big fan of Ellis Peters and all her
works. I have over 50 of her novels either written as Ellis Peters/Edith
Pargeter. Unfortunately, I am unable to get some of her novels here in
Canada. They seem not to be available. I also wish they would release
some the television series movies in Canada. I saw one (it was on the
PBS Channel in USA in Detroit) of the series, and would love to see more!!!
Do you have any internet spots in USA or Canada where I can order her
books? Thanks a million,
Favourite Story : They're ALL good
!
Answer
From :Me
Posted : 11 May 1998
Answer : Some
of the larger Internet book services should stock most of the Ellis Peters/Edith
Pargeter books. You could try www.yahoo.com/Business_and_Economy/Companies/Books/Mystery/
which should give you a big enough list to get going with!!
Question 25
From : debora
, olympia, washington, usa
Posted : 08 Jun 1998
Question : What color is Cadfael's habit?
In the book, Peters always describes his habit as black or rusty black.
In the series, Jacobi's costume is brown. I have such faith in the BBC
that I cannot imagine they would make such a mistake, but how does one
reconcile the differences?
Favourite Story : Whichever one I am
currently reading.
Answer
From : Grace, Columbia, MD, USA
Posted : 09 Jun 1998
Answer : Many monastic habits have
a designated color to express their particular order. The Little Sisters
of the Poor have a white habit, and the Carmelites have a brown habit.
I am not absolutely certain if the Benedictine habit is black, the only
Benedictines I know are a lay order of Benedictines so they don't wear
a habit,
but I think it is black, and Ellis Peters' research seems to designate
the Benedictine habit as black.
Favourite Story : The Heretic's Apprentice
also
From : Jo Garner, Brisbane Australia
Posted : 09 Jun 1998
Answer : From reading I gather that
his habit was black. There are many references to the habits of
the monks and they seemto always be described as black. From reading
other books that contain Benedictine Monks I believe their habits were
black.
Favourite Story :The Leper Of Saint Giles
also
From : Pogo, near Houston TX USA
Posted : 18 Jun 1998
Answer : Benedictine habits are/were
black. (Dominicans white, Franciscans brown.) Blackfriars Lane
in London had a Benedictine monastery. The question is: How black
is black? If there were enough black sheep to supply black wool
for all the habits, fine. Otherwise, white wool must be dyed.
Until about 100 years ago, dyes for fabric were vegetable-based (most
of 'em). Black dyes were either very dark green (much of the green
in tartans used to be black) or very dark brown (as India ink is still
today). Cadfael's habit was probably deeply dyed with brown, which
would fade to a "rusty" shade.
Cadfael's adventures begin about 75 years before the founding of the Dominican
and Franciscan orders. But there were Cistercians (at least two
monasteries in England) who wore gray: perhaps plain unbleached wool (we'd
call it cream or "fisherman" now), perhaps unbleached, running-water
retted flax, or maybe white and black wool spun together.
Habits mostly got abandoned after Vatican II. The last nun I knew
who wore a habit was High Church Episcopal (Anglo-Catholic); her order
had had to
change their habit because the right starch for their wimples wasn't being
made because the Roman Catholic demand was gone. But the Benedictine nuns
I grew up with wore black habits (so did the one monk I met -- a retired
Father Abbot) except that when one was sent to Brazil in about 1960, her
tropical habit was white (but probably still wool).
Favourite Story :They're ALL good !
Question 26
From : debora,
olympia, washington, usa
Posted : 08 Jun 1998
Question : in which book does hugh become sheriff?
Favourite Story : Whichever one I am
currently reading.
Answer
From :Me
Posted : 08 Jun 1998
Answer : Following the death of Sheriff
Gilbert Prestcote in March 1141 (Dead Man's Ransom), Hugh assumes the
title of Sheriff. But it's not until December of that same year that he
is given royal confirmation of the title at Canterbury (Raven in the Foregate).
Question 27
From : Richard Bouchard, Long Beach, MS USA
Posted : 08 Jun 1998
Question : In the short story The Price of Light (in
the book A Rare Benedictine), Peters writes: "His cell was by the
night stairs, and the prior slept at the end of the long room."
What are night stairs, as oppposed to just plain stairs?
Favourite Story : Monk's Hood
Answer
From :Marita
Posted : 09 Jun 1998
Answer : The night stairs refer
to stairs which lead down into the abbey church. They are called night
stairs because at night there is a candle which burns all night at the
top of the stairs. When Matins, Lauds, and Prime occur, it is still dark
(around midnight, 5am, & 7am)(check out the monk's services here) and the
monks use these stairs since they lead directly to the choir altar. Cadfael's
cell is near these stairs and conveniently, Prior Robert, who is a sound
sleeper, has a cell in the far end of the dortoir away from the night
stairs. Of course, Abbot Radulfus has his own lodge. When he sneaks out,
Cadfael descends the night stairs, lit by the candle, walks through church
and out using the west door of the abbey church which is never locked
except during a siege. It leads him outside the abbey walls and onward
to Shrewsbury bridge and town. I guess they use a different staircase
to the dortoir during the day.
Favourite Story : A Morbid Taste For
Bones
also
From : Jo Garner, Brisbane Australia
Posted : 09 Jun 1998
Answer : I
have always assumed that the night stairs were ones used during the night
that connected the dortoir to the church and were used for night services
for the ease of the monks, but I'm just guessing!
Favourite Story : The Leper Of Saint
Giles
Question 28
From : Chesley Elam, Richmond, VA U.S.A.
Posted : 11 Jun 1998
Question : Please, can anyone send me a list of the
order of the Cadfael books according to their original publication dates?
I have read the Omnibus list, but I'm not sure if those Omnibuses are
in turn arranged chronilogically.
Favourite Story : The Leper Of Saint Giles
Answer
From :Me
Posted : 11 Jun 1998
Answer : The dates given above
each story on the omnibus pages show their 'first published' date. I've
also included the first publication date of the omnibus books as well.
From looking through, you can see that all the omnibus stories are indeed
in their original publication date order (remember that the Cadfael stories
run chronologically) with the exception of 'A Rare Benedictine'
which was published either before or after 'The Confession
of Brother Haluin'. Both of which were published in
1988. Does anyone else know which of these publications came first?
also
From : Pogo, near Houston TX USA
Posted : 16 Jun 1998
Question : In the U.S., at least:
Brother Haluin -- pub Jan 89 Rare Benedictine --
Nov 89
Brother Haluin's copyright is 1988. The stories of Rare Benedictine
are copyright 1979, 1981, and 1985; of the intro, 1988.
Where did they originally appear?
(Source: front matter of the original hardcovers)
Favourite Story : They're ALL good
!
Question 29
From :Jo Garner,
Brisbane Australia
Posted : 15 Jun 1998
Question : I've noticed on the front cover of the first
omnibus the drawing of the monk's arms is back to front. The thumbs
are on the wrong side of the hands. Since it seems unlikely that
an illustrator would make that kind of error, we thought it may be according
to medieval style. Is that possible?
Favourite Story : The Leper Of Saint Giles
Answer
From :Me
Posted : 15 Jun 1998
Answer : Your question sent me
zooming back to my omnibus edition to have a closer look and, indeed,
you are right about the hands. I certainly think that you are right in
that the artist was trying to capture a 'medieval' style since they used
to draw a lot in 2 dimentions, normally side-on. It also struck me that
this style wasn't too popular in the Cadfael Omnibus series, since the
illustrations soon turned back to a more 'normal' style (the very next
book in fact!).
See also the next question...
Posted : 15 Jun 1998
Question : Does anybody out there have
copies of the 'original' paperbacks. I'm thinking of the ones published
before Derek Jacobi became the main cover art. If so, what type of illustrations
were on them?
Answer
From : Jo Garner
Posted : 16 Jun 1998
Answer : Your question sent me scurrying for
the old editions in the school library. (The librarian thanks you for
your hello. By the way, she has written to you before about the
Cadfael addicts amongst the staff here at this school!) The old
covers do not actually have illustrations. The covers have the story
titles done in illuminated manuscript in the style of the Book Of Kells,
complete with celtic borders. Just as I was leaving your pages I noticed
the heading for your Cadfael Chronicles page. The heading for that
page is in the same style as the covers of the books.
Favourite Story : The Leper Of Saint Giles
Question 31
From : Jacquelyn, Midwest USA
Posted : 18 Jun 1998
Question : My question is this: Where can
I find out any info on Eoin McCarthy? I know there is an article
in the Jan/Feb 1998 issue of "Theatre" magazine, but I haven't
been able to get my hands on a copy. I'm a Brit in the Midwest of
USA and would like to know more and don't know where to start.
I know I'm kinda in the minority here, but I love
Eoin McCarthy, and think he does an admirable job, since Sean Pertwee
did not return.
Also, is there a chat room devoted to Cadfael-holics?
If anyone has the mentioned article, send me a transcript and I'll
post it here!
also
From : Lids, Slovenia
Posted : 01 Jul 1998
Question : Where can I find a picture of Eoin McCarthy
(and some info, too)? I don't have an e-mail. So, could anybody just show
me the way to the site with his pics and info? Please!!!!
Favourite Story : They're ALL good
!
Answer
From : Jacquelyn, Midwest USA
Posted : 22 Jun 1998
Answer : Actually, I can answer part of my own
question. The publisher of "Theatre" magazine is going
to forward me on a copy of the issue I'm looking for. I am still
interested in any further info out there, if any, on such a volatile topic.
Also, am still looking for a Cadfael-type chat room.
If possible, Jacqualyn, still send me a transcript.
also
From : Lids
Posted : 28 Aug 1998
Answer : Eoin is mentioned at the following address:
http://dialspace.dial.pipex.com/town/avenue/aca01/Editor/tv.htm
Question 32
From : Pogo, near Houston TX USA
Posted : 18 Jun 1998
Question : Why are the videos in such a weird
order? Even within a series, there's no sense to it. Series
One runs 5-3-7-2.
This eliminates suspense from One Corpse Too Many -- we've already seen
that Beringar is a good guy.
Answer
From :
Posted :
Answer :
Question 33
From : Tom Thiel, Monterey, Calif
Posted : 29 Jun 1998
Question : Where exactly is Cadfael filmed?
I love the sets. The town looks like a permanent set rather than a temporary
construction.
Answer
From : Me
Posted : 29 Jun 1998
Answer : The seires is shot in Hungary. That I do
know :) However, can anyone give any further details as to location,
or whether the set is permanent?
also
From : Anna Glover,
Alexandria, VA
Posted : 06 Jul 1998
Answer : The PBS series in the U.S. is presented by
Diana Riggs. While presenting the concluding remarks for one of the episodes
(it's been so long, I don't remember which one it was) she talked about
the village they recreated in Hungary. From everything she said, it sounded
like the village is a permanent set.
Favourite Story : The Virgin in the
Ice
.Question 34
From : Pogo, near Houston TX USA
Posted : 08 Jul 1998
Question : Where did the word "brychan"
come from? I cannot find it in the Oxford English Dictionary (the
multi-volume one that has every word used in English
since 1150) or in Clark Hall's Concise Anglo-Saxon Dictionary (Cambridge).
It sure doesn't look French or, really, Welsh to me. Is it Shrewsbury
dialect?
Answer
From : Richard
Bouchard, Long Beach, MS USA
Posted : 11 Aug 1998
Answer : Welsh, perhaps Welsh. I say perhaps because
it is listed in an online Welsh-English
dictionary. Unfortunately, no definition is listed, but it is
tagged as a noun. Doublely unfortunate is that that page has not been
updated since 1996.
Follow-up from Pogo :Now that Richard has let
me know that brychan is Welsh, I've found it in Hippocrene Standard
Welsh-English/English-Welsh dictionary, by H. Meurig Evans, who
says it means "plaid."
Follow-up from Leigh
Gerfin :"brychan" is a
woven woolen bed-covering, a blanket.
.Question 35
From : tracey, Australia
Posted : 20 Jul 1998
Question : I don't suppose you know when
(or even if) the 4th series Cadfael is coming to Australia? Got
the others taped, can't wait to complete the series.
Answer
From : Me
Posted : 01 Aug 1998
Answer : (more of a comment really) I cartainly
don't think it will be 'IF'. Indeed the second of the 4th series shown
still has not been seen over here in the UK. It is taking a LONG time
for it to filter through. I don't know what the ITV channel is playing
at really!
also
From : Kirsty
Young , from Melbourne, Australia
Posted : 03 Jan 2000
Answer : At the moment, the Pay-TV (FOXTEL) is showing
the Cadfael TV series 4. I saw ""The Holy Thief" & "The Potter's Field"
last week, & on 8th Jan 2000 they aare showing "St Peter's Fair". I only
found this by accident, while visiting my parents for Christmas.
Who knows when it will be picked up by free-to-air TV. Hope you have luck
with catching up with it.
.Question 36
From : Linda Roy, North Bay, Ontario Canada
Posted : 31 Jul 1998
Question : Who chose Sir Derek Jacobi to
portray Brother Cadfael? Was it Edith Pargeter herself, or someone else?
Answer
From : Me
Posted : 01 Aug 1998
Answer : I would guess that the main choice was
made by the producer of the show, Stephen Smallwood. However I think it
would have been unthinkable for Edith Pargeter not to have had at least
some say in the final choice. I was told that Peters did meet him to decide
if it was ok for him to play Cadfael in the series. I understand that
she had not envisioned Cadfael as looking exactly like Jacobi, but she
decided that she liked him for the part anyway.
.Question 37
From : Linda Roy, North Bay, Ontario Canada
Posted : 31 Jul 1998
Question : If the services were in general
three hours apart, how long in duration were they?
Answer
From : Pogo,
Texas
Posted : 05 Aug 1998
Answer : Anywhere from 15 minutes (Compline)
to an hour (Matins & Lauds [combined]). Usually 20 to 30 minutes.
Exactly what time they started is unclear. Were the monks using clocks
or the sun? "The houre naturall or equall, is a .24. parte of the
day naturall ... The artificial or temporall houre, is a twelfth parte
of the daye arcke or the nighte arcke." Matins (Mattins) was scheduled
for the sixth hour of the night, which is midnight (St. Benedict recommended
the eighth hour of the night). Prime, Terce, Sext, and None are named
for the hours of the daytime at which they were to be said: Prime at sunrise,
and so forth. Vespers (evening) is late afternoon and Compline right before
bed. But which hours were the monks using? Clocks which measured equal
hours, being much easier to make, had been around for 600 or 700 years
already. However, it makes sense for farmers to use unequal hours. In
the books, it seems to me, the offices were observed by the sun, but when
someone mentions a quantity of time, equal hours are meant. (The quote
above is from 1561; obviously, both measures had continued through the
centuries.) By the way, how long is the nighttime in Shrewsbury in late
June? (Rose Rent; he died some time after Matins, and at about an hour
after Prime started, had been dead six or seven hours -- which does not
compute either way.)
.Question 38
From : Richard Bouchard, Long Beach, MS USA
Posted : 16 Aug 1998
Question : Whatever happened to the real
St. Winifred's bones?
I found an online page of Celtic saints which lists the translation of
the bones to Shrewsbury. I found nothing about them at the Abbey and Shrewsbury
webpages. Also I think I read where Shrewsbury was subjected to Welsh
invaders in the 13th century(?). Were they lost then or when monastic
lands were confiscated? Although Peters places the reliquary in the church
which I believe remained with the C of E.
Answer
From : Pogo,
Texas
Posted : 20 Aug 1998
Answer : The relics of St Winifred (Gwenfrewi)
were discarded by Maud's g'g'g'g'g'g'g'g'g'g'grandson, Henry VIII, in
1540, when her shrine was demolished. Parts of the shrine were found in
a Shrewsbury garden in 1933. One of her finger-bones was sent to
Rome at some time; it was returned to England in 1852, where it was divided
in two so that Holywell and Shrewsbury could each have a piece.
Source: Cadfael Country by Rob Talbot and Robin Whiteman, copyright
1990. Included in The Benediction of Brother Cadfael, which is
an oversize edition of A Morbid Taste for Bones and Once Corpse Too Many
from Mysterious Press, 1992.
Favourite Story : A Morbid Taste For Bones
.Question 39
From : Richard Bouchard, Long Beach, MS USA
Posted : 27 Aug 1998
Question : Were the following historical
or completely fictional characters:
1. The Sheriffs: Gilbert Prestcote and Hugh Beringar and
2. The Abbots: Fulchered, Godefrid, Heribert and Radolphus?
Favourite Story : The Sanctuary Sparrow
Answer
From : Me
Posted : 30 Aug 1998
Answer : According to Robin Whiteman's 'Cadfael
Companion'...
Gilbert Prescote : fiction
Hugh Beringar : fiction
Abbot Fulcherd : fact - died 1120. Appointed first abbot of Shrewsbury
Abbey in 1087
Abbot Godefrid : fact - died 1127. Succeeded Abbot Fulcherd as abbot in
1120
Abbot Heribert : fact - died 1140. Became Abbot following death of Godefrid
1127
Abbot Radolphus : fact - died c 1148. Succeeded
Heribert sometime in 1137.
As a further note. Prior Robert succeeded Radolphus following his
death in about 1148. He was also a real character
and died in 1167. He was succeeded by Abbot Adam 1st (who is not mentioned
in the Cadfael stories as far as I can tell).
also
From : Seamyst
Posted : 26 Mar 2000
Answer : This is just an idea - maybe "Abbot Adam 1st"
was Brother Adam, assistant to Cadfael during some of the latter books.
I have no idea if it's true or not, but it's an idea.
Favourite Story : Monk's Hood
.Question 40
From : M. Jansen, the
Netherlands
Posted : 27 Aug 1998
Question : Who played which actor played
the character of " Sullien Blount" in " The Potter's Field"?
Favourite Story : The Potter's Field
Answer
From : Me
Posted : 30 Aug 1998
Answer : Click here to jump to the page showing the cast list
.Question 41
From : silvio, Miano, Itay
Posted : 25 Aug 1998
Question : Do you know where I can buy the
cadfael videos? I've tried in a US site but they can't sell video across
Europe.
Favourite Story : The Virgin In The
Ice
Answer
From :Yvonne
Cox Meara, Australia
Posted : 12 Jul 1999
Answer : I have been tracking down the availability
of Brother Cadfael videos in Australia. I am sending this as email so
that you can insert in your Cadfael page how you will. In my 'cybertravels',
using some resources from your site, several search engines and intuition,
I found that the videos were produced by Central Television UK, associated
with ITV, UK, and sold by Carlton Video Ltd, associated with both the
former as Carlton TV. The site for Carlton is http://www.carltonvideo.co.uk
They outsource the purchasing, I think, but it operates under their banner.
There is no Australian distributor so we in OZ have to order from the
UK to get the compatible PAL - VHS format which operates in Australia
and in Europe (according to Mark Eberman of Acorn Media Publishing at
meberman@acornmedia.com or http://www.acornmedia.com. So Europeans must
also order from UK - this answers someone else's question, I think.
.Question 42
From : Brad Mortensen, Havertown,PA USA
Posted : 29 Aug 1998
Question : Why does the TV series
(and particularly the wrap around introductions) place so much importance
on Prior Robert, in the books he is more of a nusance than a problem.
Favourite Story : A Morbid Taste For
Bones
Answer
From :
Posted :
Answer :
.Question 43
From : Susan Kappel, The Netherlands
Posted : 31 Aug 1998
Question : Where can I find info on Anthony
Green? I think he played the part of Hugh Beringar in the 4th series very
well..
Favourite Story : They're ALL good
!
Answer
From :
Posted :
Answer :
.Question 44
From : Margit Jansen, Velp, the Netherlands
Posted : 31 Aug 1998
Question : Where can I buy the Cadfael videos
in the Netherlands? I'm especially interested in the cadfael-story "
The Potter's Field. (This episode has only just been shown in the
Netherlands, but it may be out on video already. Can anybody help? - stevec)
And could anybody please give me some information on the actor who played
Sulien Blount in " The Potter's Filed"? I know the actor's name
is Robin (or Robert?) Laing. (It's been established that the actor's
name is Robin Laing - stevec)
Favourite Story : The Potter's Field
Answer
From :
Posted :
Answer :
.Question 45
From : Carleen, Birmingham
Posted : 08 Sep 1998
Question : I'm very curious about the reception
the new Hugh Berringer has recieved, what does everyone think? Does
he live up to the book character?
Favourite Story : They're ALL good !
Answer
From : Me
Posted : 03 Jan 1999
Answer : See the answer to Question 47
for my thoughts on the 4th series Hugh...
.Question 46
From : Richard Bouchard, Long Beach, MS USA
Posted : 04 Oct 1998
Question : Anyone know what the book "Cordially
Yours, Brother Cadfael" by Anne K. Kaler is about?
Apparently published at Bowling Green in July 98 and now out of print
(ISBN 087972773X).
Favourite Story : The Sanctuary Sparrow
Answer
From : Catherine
Posted : 05 Apr 2000
Answer : It's a slim volume of essays on Cadfael's "mysteries"
and "ministries." That is, they're relatively scholarly essays which deal
with Peters'/Pargeters' use of Benedictine ritual, custom and history,
use of Stephen-and-Maud history, treatment of fatherhood, treatment of
vision, treatment of borders, Wales, Welsh history...
They're okay (I'm using them now for a conference paper on Cadfael in
romance, at the International Medieval Congress in Kalamazoo) but I wouldn't
pay any bookstores $50 to find it for me. Mostly I wouldn't say it casts
any great light that careful reading and research can't duplicate.
Question 47
From : Sandy Hoskin, California
Posted : 23 Sep 1998
Question : The Cadfael and Hugh of the second
series argued and showed little respect for each other, unlike the characters
in the books. Has that been corrected in the new series?
Favourite Story : The Rose Rent
Answer
From : Me
Posted : 15 Oct 1998
Answer : Actually, the new Hugh is slightly better
than the second one who, I agree, seemed very forceful and overriding.
However, of the (sadly) only episode of the 4th series that the TV in
the UK have shown so far ('The Holy Thief') I'd say that the new Hugh
is slightly less sure of himself.
I mean that in one scene (this doesn't give anything away, by the way!)
he is opting for trial by water as a way of seeing whether somebody is
innocent - despite the protests of Cadfael.
Now, I don't know whether you agree with me, but the book Hugh and even
the (first) TV Hugh would not, I think, have even looked at such a system.
I know it is probably historically accurate, but I personally don't think
that the book Hugh would have worked that way.
Hopefully, in the other two stories in the fourth series, he'll come more
'up to date' :-)
update 03 Jan 1999
I've now seen 'The Potters Field' and 'The Pilgrim of Hate' and I'm afraid
to say that I think the Hugh Character falls far below that of the book
stories. He is much too .... butch (for want of a better word) than
the book Hugh who I would class as more thoughtful, wily even. The Tv
Hugh is too prone to grabbing people by the scruff of the neck and threatening
people about what will happen when he "get's them on their own".
You could argue that this is more accurate to the times. We are talking
12 century here folks. But you could also argue that the stories and characters
should be faithful to the writing of Elis Peters. Take your pick !
.Question 48
From : Sally Elmes, Springwood NSW Australia
Posted : 06 Nov 1998
Question : Can you please tell me about the
tonsure? Why do the monks have them? When do they aquire them?
Favourite Story : One Corpse Too Many
Answer
From : Jose Escobar,
Charleston, SC
Posted : 08 Jan 1999
Answer : Tonsure was a former practice in some Christian
churches of cutting some of the hair from the scalps of clerics.
In the West the tonsure consisted of a circular patch on the crown of
the head from which the hair was kept cut; some tonsures kept the entire
head shaved above the ears, and some reatined a broad band of hair around
the head.
In the 6th and 7th centuries one of the outstanding questions between
the Celtic use and the Roman use was the tonsure, which the Celts made
by cutting the hair off the front part of the head from ear to ear.
The Roman Catholic Church abolished the practice of tonsure in 1972.
Tonsure was received by men renouncing temporal goods and who were joining
a monastic order or the secular clergy.
Favourite Story : A Morbid Taste For
Bones
.Question 49
From : jeff hathaway, plymouth twp., PA
Posted : 19 Nov 1998
Question : do you know if derek jacobi intends
to do all 21 Peters' Cadfael? Actor jeremy brett had wanted to do all
of sherlock holmes, but he died before completion...
Favourite Story : A Morbid Taste For Bones
Answer
From : Me
Posted : 03 Jan 1999
Answer : Although I do not know for certain, I would
assume that all the stories will be done as time goes on. Especially if
they continue to sell well overseas, which certainly seems to be the case
at the moment.
also
From : Seamyst
Posted : 26 Mar 2000
Answer : Actually, I don't think that they're going
to do any more Cadfael TV shows. I read an interview with Derek Jacobi,
done after the completion of the fourth series, and one of the questions
goes something like, "What are you going to miss most about portraying
Cadfael", and he starts off with "Well, I shan't miss the hairdo!". They
might get someone else to portray Cadfael, but it just wouldn't be the
same. Wouldn't be Cadfael, in my opinion. Sorry if I disappoint, and I
wish they would do more, as I love them!
Favourite Story : Monk's Hood
.Question 50
From : susan, Conroe, TX
Posted : 02 Dec 1998
Question : During a visit to England last
year, I was able to visit Shrewsbury. However, it was in another
piece of the visit - to Wells Cathedral - that I was surprised to find
a Brother Cadfael link. Abbot Radulphus is buried there. His
tomb is labeled both in Latin (the original inscription) and an English
translation stating that he was "Bishop of Bath and Wells".
This seems to take him beyond just the abbot of a monastery. Does
anyone know anything more about the historical Radulphus and why he was
buried at Wells rather than Shrewsbury?
Favourite Story : Brother Cadfael's Penance
Answer
From : Biggles286
from Sheffield, England.
Posted : 19 Sep 1999
Answer : I think Bishop Radulphus and Abbot Radulfus
were different people. Abbot Radulfus did exist, but he died in c.1148
and Prior Robert Pennant took over as Abbot. If Radulfus had moved on
to Bath and Wells, Robert couldn't have taken over on his death.
I would be inclined to believe that Radulphus was probably quite a common
Norman name and that the Radulphus that you found was just a coincidence.
Sorry if I disappoint.
