Murder hits close to home for Cadfael (Derek Jacobi) when a young, love struck monk (Graham McGrath) is found stabbed to death. The object of the late brother's devotion is a wealthy young widow (Kitty Aldridge) with many rivals for her hand. Can Cadfael expose the thorny assassin before he strikes again?

Episode 2
A Morbid Taste for Bones

Abbot Radulfus (Terrence Hardiman) is convinced by the Abbey's prior (Michael Culver) that the bones of Saint Winifred of Gwytherin -- a prized relic -- should be retrieved from Wales and housed in the Abbey. The owner of the land (John Hallam) where the bones currently lie is dead set against the Abbey's decision -- and someone desperately wants him out of the way . . . for good.

Series Four

Episode 1
The Holy Thief

On a dark and stormy night, the Holy Relics of St. Winifred -- the lifeblood of Shrewsbury Abbey -- are stolen, along with a box of precious gems that were to be transported to the recently ransacked Abbey at Ramsay. Cadfael (Derek Jacobi) must sort out how the kidnapping of a slave girl (Louise Delamere); a shocking confession from a fellow monk (Julian Firth); and a single thread found on a dead shepherd (Neil Caple) can help him catch the holy thief and bring a murderer to justice.

Also starring: Terrence Hardiman (Abbot Radulfus), George Irving (Prior Herluin), Benedict Sandiford (Tutilo), Julian Firth (Brother Jerome), Anthony Green (Hugh Beringar), Michael Culver (Prior Robert), Frank Baker (Remy), Natasha Pyne (Lady Donata), and Neil Caple (Alfred).

Episode 2
The Pilgrim of Hate

When a flock of pilgrims arrives at Shrewsbury Abbey, Prior Robert (Michael Culver) discovers a corpse, bound in a sack, among their belongings. With little physical evidence to go on, Cadfael (Derek Jacobi) focuses his attention on two sets of siblings -- the evangelical Luc (Barney Craig) and his curiously penitent brother Cairan (Matt Patresi), and the duplicitous Walter (Lee Ingleby) and his devoted sister Melangell (Natasha Little).

Episode 3
The Potter's Field

While plowing a nearby field, the Shrewsbury monks stumble on the body of an unidentified woman -- believed to be Generys (Sioned Jones), the former wife of local potter, Ruald (Gregor Truter), who left home and hearth a year before to join monks at Shrewsbury. Refusing to believe that Ruald is a murderer, and desperate to confirm the woman's identity, Cadfael (Derek Jacobi) launches an inquiry that soon leads him to a troubled family: Eudo (Jack Klaff), the lord of the manor on which Ruald and Generys once lived; Eudo's ailing wife Astola (Mel Martin); and their son Sulien (Robin Laing). All three had a reason to kill Generys -- adultery, jealousy, lust -- but the discovery of a missing ring and a vial of hemlock reveals the truth.

Introduction | Episode Descriptions | Cast and Production Credits