The Rose Rent

The Rose Rent (1986) Ellis Peters

Set in England in 1142.

The 13th Brother Cadfael mystery revolves around a property that had been donated to the Abbey by a widow, with an unusual stipulation.

One white rose from that bush in her old garden, to be delivered to her on the day of Saint Winifred’s translation—”

This story also looks sideways at child oblates, children who are given to an abbey at a very young age, and given no choice in the matter of taking orders.

No more oblates, the abbot was reflecting ruefully, and thanking God for it. No more taking these babes out of their cradles and severing them from the very sight and sound of women, half the creation stolen out of their world. How can they be expected to deal capably at last with something as strange and daunting to them as dragons? Sooner or later a woman must cross their path, terrible as an army with banners, and these wretched children without arms or armour to withstand the onslaught

The story revolves primarily around the wealthy young widow, who is sought by the men of the area for her wealth, but who for herself doesn’t want to remarry.

The partnership between the two families for business purposes had existed for two generations, and made close contact plausible even for this young sprig who was said to be at odds with his father, and highly unlikely to prove a third successful woolman, his talent being more highly developed in spending the money his father made.

This mystery ranges all over, but like a previous mystery, makes note of the place of women in society and how their reputations could be everything.

Justice is a very fine thing, but not when it does more harm to the victim than to the wrongdoer.

But what I like best about the series is the redemption and look at what leads people to crime.

Strange!” she said, frowning over things now beyond help or remedy. “When he went out, he did not seem to me evil, or malicious, or aware of guilt. Only bewildered! As though he found himself where he had never thought or meant to be, in some place he could not even recognise, and not knowing how he made his way there.”

There is little true evil, I think. Something we forget when set those who commit evils (or even what we see as wrongs) aside as other.
Rating: 8/10

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