BookRags has a complete page devoted to the novel's characters readily available in its Study Pack for the unit. An example and description of the main character is provided below.
Brother Cadfael is a monk in the Shrewsbury Abbey, but he has chosen life in a monastery only after a wild and colorful past. His worldly past includes travel, wars, women and even fighting in the crusades. As a monk in the monastery, he tends an herb garden and uses the herbs to make medicines and tonics to help those around him. Although his present life as a monk and his wild past seem to contrast, Cadfael has no regrets about the past and feels no contradiction between his two lives.
Brother Cadfael's life takes a twist when he is called upon to join the mission to obtain Saint Winifred's bones for the Shrewsbury Abbey. He joins the group of brothers led by Prior Robert as an English/Welsh translator. Brother Cadfael skillfully integrates himself into the Gwytherin community and makes friends with all the important members of the town. The townspeople take an immediate liking to Cadfael, confide much in him and eventually trust him to help them deal with their mounting troubles. The monks and the people of Gwytherin find themselves in the middle of a murder mystery, and that is when Brother Cadfael's talents, acquired from his adventurous past, prove to be a crucial asset. Cadfael uses his amazing investigative skills to plot one scheme after the other, and eventually he solves the murder mystery.
Brother Cadfael's character contrasts with most of the other characters in that he does not think like everybody or fall into the typical stereotypes of the times and culture he lives in. Cadfael displays an open-minded and progressive view on women, religion and equality, and he generally demonstrates much more wisdom than the average medieval man. Cadfael's character is so wise, open-minded and skillful that sometimes he is unbelievable.
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