The Sanctuary Sparrow (1983)

The Sanctuary Sparrow is a medieval mystery novel by Ellis Peters, set in spring 1140. Published in 1983, it is the seventh novel in The Cadfael Chronicles.

The story opens during the midnight service at the Abbey, when a young man seeks sanctuary, just seconds ahead of a mob of locals fresh from a wedding feast, charging him with theft and murder.

The novel was the second of the series to be adapted for television in 1994 by Central for ITV.

Reviewers found this story a bit more sentimental than earlier novels in the series. The plot reveals the killer sooner than expected, but this is not a drawback, as "a dramatic turn of events that leads to the exposure of the killer and the transformation of Liliwin into a hero."

Plot summary

The story takes place over 7 days in May 1140.

At the midnight services of Matins on a lovely May night, a boy speeds into the Abbey church just ahead of mob after him for theft and murder. Abbot Radulfus stops the mob, grants the victim's request for sanctuary and successfully orders the mob to return in quiet the next morning to discuss their charges. Liliwin is a wandering jongleur and entertainer, evicted from the goldsmith's wedding reception earlier for breaking a wine jug during his routine.

The charge against Liliwin is robbery and assault, not murder. The term of sanctuary is forty days; if he leaves the grounds he will be taken. Abbot Herribut firmly asserts the rights of sanctuary for Liliwin, who protests his innocence. Daniel Aurifaber, grandson of the house, then requests Brother Cadfael to treat his grandmother at their home.

Cadfael treats Dame Juliana, and interviews several in the household. He retrieves the juggling balls that Liliwin left behind. The greed of Dame Juliana permeates the household. Cadfael shares his idea of Liliwin's innocence with Deputy Sheriff Hugh Beringar. Liliwin weeps for the loss of his rebec, which Cadfael finds on a walk back to the Abbey.

Liliwin is pleased to learn that the young maid Rannilt has sympathy for him. Brother Anselm teaches him to read and write music and works to restore the rebec to condition, and Liliwin thrives on regular meals in the Abbey. On Monday Rannilt visits Liliwin with food from Susanna, and discarded men's clothing from Margery, Daniel's new wife. Rannilt and Liliwin fall deeply in love, then make love and fall asleep behind the chapel altar during Vespers. Liliwin's absence is noted. Liliwin and Rannilt wake at Compline having slept too long. Liliwin escorts Rannilt home, risking his sanctuary for her safety. Liliwin sees Daniel leave the Aurifaber home that evening, which he later tells Brother Cadfael.

At the river's edge, Cadfael comes upon the body of Baldwin Peche the locksmith, the same person sought by Madog of the Dead-boat. They find clues of where Peche's body was put in the river the day before. The townspeople accuse Liliwin of this crime immediately. Liliwin denies the murder. Later, Liliwin confesses to Cadfael that he did leave the Abbey to take Rannilt home.

Margery lies to shield her new husband when Beringar questions her. Margery establishes her power and stops Daniel's affair, while removing the suspicion of murder from his head. Together they confess the truth of Daniel's whereabouts the night of the murder to Hugh Beringar. Secure with her husband, Margery steps up for the role of housekeeper, now held by her sister-in-law Susanna. Allowed no dowry for marriage, Susanna has kept the house over 15 years. Margery wins. Dame Juliana decides this while Cadfael is present, to be effective the next morning. Susanna puts her housekeeping accounts in order. Later that evening, her grandmother comes out to talk with her, giving a compliment on her management of the stores of oatmeal, which Rannilt overhears. Dame Juliana suffers her fatal stroke. Her dying words to Cadfael are that she wishes she could have held her great-grandchild.

The next day, Madog and Cadfael find the place of Peche's murder, where the Aurifaber property meets the Severn. Three plants grow there, found on his body. Further clues of rocks and a coin there point to the murderer, and the thief. Cadfael, Beringar and Liliwin realise that while Susanna could not have attacked her father during the party, an accomplice could have done so. Then Susanna retrieved the treasure from the well bucket and hid it in that oatmeal bin when the men chased after the jongleur. When Peche's servant boy gave him the coin from the bucket, Peche attempted to blackmail Susanna, a distinct mistake. When Peche approached Susanna in the midst of laundry day, she killed him by hitting him with a rock and drowning him when he was unconscious. She hid his body near the river where the laundry was dried, then sent Rannilt away so no one would see the body. Her accomplice moved it by night. Liliwin fears that Rannilt is in danger. Cadfael realises that Susanna is pregnant and her accomplice is her lover. This is what Dame Juliana meant in her last words. Her lover is the Welsh journeyman Iestyn, and they will leave this night.

Liliwin secures his freedom from Hugh Beringar. Walter leads the pursuit of his own daughter. Beringar, Cadfael, Liliwin and the sheriff's men pursue Susanna, Iestyn and Rannilt, taken as a witness. They corner the fugitives in the Aurifaber horse barn, where a tense hostage situation develops. Iestyn negotiates with Beringar for safe passage for Susanna, in exchange for the release of Rannilt. Walter objects to any bargain that risks his money. Liliwin the acrobat climbs to the air vent, quietly peels away the lattice wood and enters the hay loft in search of Rannilt. As dawn breaks, Rannilt slips toward the exit with Liliwin; then Iestyn goes for Liliwin with a knife. At the same moment, Susanna runs to Iestyn and takes the arrow meant for him. Hugh Beringar climbs to the loft to take heartbroken Iestyn from his dead lover. Walter runs about gathering his coins.