The Pilgrim of Hate (1984)

The Pilgrim of Hate is a medieval mystery novel by Ellis Peters, set in spring 1141. It is the tenth in the Cadfael Chronicles, and was first published in 1984.

This story takes place very soon after the preceding novel Dead Man's Ransom. Political events of The Anarchy are changing rapidly, with the crowned King Stephen held in prison, while the claimant Empress Maud tries to gain political and popular approval to replace him. Even in such troubled times, the Abbey holds the feast in honour of its own Saint Winifred, whose remains were taken (translated) from Wales four years earlier in the first of these tales, A Morbid Taste for Bones.

It was adapted for television in 1998 by Carlton Media for ITV.

Plot summary

In 1141, the Abbey of St. Peter and St. Paul prepares to celebrate the anniversary of the translation of Saint Winifred's casket to Shrewsbury Abbey on 22 June.

Brother Cadfael shares a secret with Hugh Beringar, as he recalls what happened in Wales four years ago. Cadfael removed Winifred's remains from the casket, returned them to her Welsh soil and replaced them with the body of a monk who died on their mission to seek the holy bones. The saint has continued to work miracles in Wales, but not in Shrewsbury. Cadfael wants a sign that the saint is not displeased with him.

In early June, Abbot Radulfus returns from the legatine council called by Henry, Bishop of Winchester. The council ends with murder in Winchester when King Stephen's wife Queen Matilda asks the turncoat Henry to seek the King's release. Supporters of Empress Maud ambush the Queen's messenger, who is saved by the intervention of Rainald Bossard, a knight of the Empress, who is killed.

Among the pilgrims streaming into the Abbey is the widow Dame Alice Weaver with her crippled nephew Rhun and his sister, Melangell. Alice wants help for Rhun; Rhun wants a happier life for his sister. Two young men arrive with them. Ciaran is under vow to walk barefoot to Aberdaron in Wales to die in peace, hampered by a great iron cross around his neck and protected by a bishop's ring. His inseparable friend Matthew has vowed to be at Ciaran's side for the penitential journey. En route, Matthew gave aid to Rhun, and he likes Melangell. Cadfael sees a third party of pilgrims, four suspicious-looking merchants. With a tip from Brother Adam, Cadfael warns Beringar that they are thieves.

Setting a net to catch the thieves, Beringar meets Olivier de Bretagne, messenger from the Bishop's conference, whom Hugh first met when they worked together to save the Hugonin children. Olivier requests that Hugh accept Empress Maud as queen; Hugh politely refuses. Olivier's second mission is to search for Bossard's adopted son, Luc Meverel, who has been missing since the murder in April.

Beringar breaks up a crooked dice game, and recovers a ring stolen from Ciaran, which is found on the hand of local man Daniel Aurifaber, who bought it from Simeon Poer. Near dawn on the day of the procession, Ciaran tells Melangell that he is leaving Shrewsbury for Wales now that his "safe-passage" ring is returned to him. She promises to keep his secrets.

After St. Winifred's reliquary is set on her altar, pilgrims line up to make their requests of the saint. Prior Robert presides. As Rhun approaches, he drops his crutches; as he puts his foot to the ground and climbs to the altar, the congregation sees his leg become stronger and his foot untwist. He prays in complete silence; when he steps back, his foot whole and fully functional, and the church is filled with praise for the saint who has performed this miracle.

When Matthew cannot find Ciaran, Melangell tries to detain him. Matthew reacts with unusual violence, and leaves the Abbey, hot on Ciaran's trail.

Olivier and Hugh seek out Cadfael for help in finding Luc. The description of Luc applies to both Ciaran and Matthew. The Abbot learns they are both gone. Olivier leaves to search for them, on the road to Wales. Abbot Radulfus asks Cadfael if Rhun's recovery was feigned. Cadfael believes it was not. Radulfus, reassured of this miracle, speaks with Rhun, who states his wish to stay at the Abbey.

Melangell tells Cadfael that the two young men left separately, heading over the fields, not along the road. The Abbot opens a scrip left behind, finding a book with Luc Meverel's name in it. Sending word to Hugh, Cadfael goes on horseback to follow the two young men on the overland route. At the edge of twilight, he hears Ciaran and Matthew in a clearing around a great beech tree. Matthew is fighting off the three felons, who now await darkness. Cadfael, unarmed, approaches on foot, bellowing as if he is part of a large party in pursuit, and attacks Simeon Poer. His cries lead Hugh and his men to the scene, and they catch the three attackers.

In the brawl, Poer has pulled the cross off Ciaran's neck. Looking to Matthew, Ciaran says 'I am forfeit, now take me.' Cadfael agrees, understanding these men now. Matthew throws down his dagger and walks away with Olivier close behind. Ciaran, once in Bishop Henry's service, tells how he stabbed Bossard, wrongly believing that his master would condone the impulsive crime. Henry banished Ciaran, telling him to make his journey to Dublin on two conditions, with his life forfeit if he failed in either. Luc Meverel overheard these words, as he followed the attacker to the Bishop's house after Bossard died. Luc, motivated by grief turned to hate and vengeance, appoints himself enforcer of the vow.

Faced with the broken Ciaran, Luc turns away from vengeance. Hugh lets Ciaran walk away, to take up his issues with God on his own. Olivier returns with Luc/Matthew to Shrewsbury, where Luc again pays court to Melangell. He begins life anew with confession to the Abbot, and marriage to Melangell. Rhun stays at the Abbey as a prospective novice.