The Sanctuary Sparrow

The Sanctuary Sparrow (1983) Ellis Peters

Set in England in 1140.

The seventh Brother Cadfael mystery begins with a mob howling for the blood of a young man chased into the abbey, seeking sanctuary. They claim a man has been killed, and want vengeance.

The abbot holds no truck with violence in the sanctuary, and sends the mob out, and grants the young man his 40 days of sanctuary.

“If the law itself were here, there is no power can now take away this man from the sanctuary he has sought. You should know the right of it as well as I, and the peril, body and soul, to any who dare to breach that sanctuary. Go, take the pollution of your violence out of this holy place. We have duties here which your presence in hatred defiles. Go! Out!”

I do really like this series. Brother Cadfael, having lived a full life before joining the abbey, has a greater understanding of human nature than most of his brothers, and thus a greater sympathy for human foibles than most.

I really like this series, and wish I could share it with Grandmom.
Rating: 8/10

Published by MysteriousPress

• Browse the archives:
  
• The Devil’s Novice » »
• « « The Virgin in the Ice