Dead Man's Ransom by Ellis Peters

A BBC Radio adaptation by Bert Coules of the novel by Ellis Peters.

It is February 1141, King Stephen's defense of the town of Lincoln has ended badly, with both himself and Sheriff Gilbert Prescote being taken prisoner, the King by the Empress Maud's forces and Sheriff Prescote by the Empress's Welsh allies.

A band of Welsh break away from the main force, determined to loot and burn the convent at Godric's Ford; however, local defenders, led and directed by Sister Magdalen, lead the Welsh into a trap and send what's left of them running.

Sister Magdalen travels to Shrewsbury to the Abbey of St. Peter and St. Paul, where she reunites with her old friend Brother Cadfael. At a meeting with Abbot Radulfus and Hugh Beringar, she tells them that one of the Welshmen had been wounded and captured. The prisoner is brought to Shrewsbury, where he eventually reveals that he is Elis ap Cynan, the foster son of one of Prince Owain Gwynned's most trusted men, and Hugh decides that he would be a fitting exchange to get Sheriff Prescote back.

Cadfael journeys to Wales to meet with Owain Gwynned himself to negotiate the Sheriff's return. The terms are agreed, but unknowingly complicated when Elis falls in love with Sheriff Prescote's daughter Melicent...and she with him.

The seriously wounded Sheriff Prescote returns to Shrewsbury, but collapses and is taken to the Abbey Infirmary...where he shortly dies---but NOT by his wounds. It's a case of murder with plenty of suspects, and now Cadfael must not only uncover who killed Sheriff Prescote but also help two couples kept apart for different reasons.

Narrator ... Michael Kitchen
Brother Cadfael ... Philip Madoc
Hugh Beringer ... Jonathan Tafler
Sister Magdalen ... Susannah York
Abbott Radalfus ... Trevor Peacock
Owain Gwynedd/Sheriff Gilbert Prescote ... Sion Probert
Aline Beringar ... Lorien Haynes
Elis ap Cynan ... Jason Hughes
Eliud ap Griffith ... Mark Lewis Jones
Cristina ... Siobhan Flynn
Lad ... David Holt
Melicent Prescote ... Katy Odey
Alan Herbard/Brigand Leader/Brother Edmund/Einon ab Ithil ... Shaun Prendergast
Brother Morris/Brother Rhys ... Douglas Blackwell
Anion ap Griffri ... Matthew Morgan

Music by Peter Salem
Performed by the New London Consort

Produced by Neil Cargill

Broadcast on BBC Radio 4 07 September - 05 October 1995

Episode 1 00:00
Hostage
As civil war takes its toll on Shrewsbury, the detective monk takes action.
Ellis Peters’ medieval thriller featuring Benedictine monk Brother Cadfael.
Starring Philip Madoc.
Dramatised in five-parts by Bert Coules.

It’s 1141. Beyond the walls of Shrewsbury’s Abbey of Saint Peter and Saint Paul, civil war rages.

The Deputy Sheriff of Shropshire returns from the Battle of Lincoln with disastrous news that King Stephen has been captured. The Sheriff himself has been kidnapped by the Welsh, and England’s very future is uncertain.

Episode 2 25:49
Ambassador
The detective monk's plan for a hostage exchange falters when love raises its head.

Starring Philip Madoc.

Ellis Peters’ medieval thriller featuring Benedictine monk Brother Cadfael.

Episode 3 52:25
A Princely Death
Ellis goes from being a hostage to a murder suspect. Detective monk Brother Cadfael investigates.

Starring Philip Madoc.

Ellis Peters’ medieval thriller featuring Benedictine monk Brother Cadfael.

Episode 4 1:19:23
Allies
A second murder suspect disappears, and monk-cum-sleuth Brother Cadfael journeys to Wales.

Starring Philip Madoc.

Ellis Peters’ medieval thriller featuring Benedictine monk Brother Cadfael.

Episode 5 1:47:18
A Helping Hand
With a strong case against Elis, will Brother Cadfael solve the sheriff's murder?

Starring Philip Madoc.

Conclusion of Ellis Peters’ medieval thriller featuring the Benedictine monk and amateur sleuth.

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