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Historical person

Henry of Blois

1096–1171

Henry of Blois was bishop of Winchester, abbot of Glastonbury and the younger brother of King Stephen. As papal legate he became one of the most powerful churchmen in England during the Anarchy. He initially supported Stephen, then negotiated with Empress Matilda after Stephen’s capture, and later returned to his brother’s side.

A great builder and art patron, Henry remained influential after the civil war and survived into the reign of Henry II. Henry of Blois also worked as diocesan bishop and Roman Catholic Bishop of Winchester.

In Sarah Hawkswood’s Servant of Death, Eudo, the feared clerk of Henry of Blois, Bishop of Winchester, is found bludgeoned to death inside Pershore Abbey and arranged before the altar like a penitent. Henry of Blois is treated fictionally in Ellis Peters’ An Excellent Mystery, Ellis Peters’ Brother Cadfael’s Penance, and Ellis Peters’ The Raven in the Foregate.

Periods

Periods linked to Henry of Blois

The Anarchy1135–1154 CE

Series

Historical novels and book series featuring Henry of Blois (2 series)

Chronicles of Brother Cadfael in Order

by Ellis Peters 19 books 4.5(42,288)

The Chronicles of Brother Cadfael follow a former soldier and crusader who has become the herbalist of Shrewsbury Abbey. Between 1137 and 1145, Cadfael investigates deaths, disappearances and disputed identities while working within the rhythms of Benedictine life and the law of medieval England. The twenty novels unfold…

All books in this series

1. A Morbid Taste for Bones

First published 1977 · 4.4(5,667)

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2. One Corpse Too Many

First published 1979 · 4.5(3,326)

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3. Monk’s Hood

First published 1980 · 4.5(2,635)

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4. Saint Peter’s Fair

First published 1981 · 4.6(2,579)

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6. The Virgin in the Ice

First published 1982 · 4.6(2,403)

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7. The Sanctuary Sparrow

First published 1983 · 4.5(1,975)

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8. The Devil’s Novice

First published 1983 · 4.6(2,687)

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9. Dead Man’s Ransom

First published 1984 · 4.5(1,978)

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10. The Pilgrim of Hate

First published 1984 · 4.6(1,654)

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11. An Excellent Mystery

First published 1985 · 4.5(1,772)

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12. The Raven in the Foregate

First published 1986 · 4.6(1,734)

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13. The Rose Rent

First published 1986 · 4.5(1,668)

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14. The Hermit of Eyton Forest

First published 1987 · 4.6(1,688)

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15. The Confession of Brother Haluin

First published 1988 · 4.5(1,841)

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16. The Heretic’s Apprentice

First published 1989 · 4.6(1,413)

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17. The Potter’s Field

First published 1989 · 4.5(1,420)

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18. The Summer of the Danes

First published 1991 · 4.5(1,436)

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19. The Holy Thief

First published 1992 · 4.6(1,467)

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20. Brother Cadfael’s Penance

First published 1994 · 4.6(2,945)

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Bradecote & Catchpoll in Order

by Sarah Hawkswood 14 books 4.4(24,872)

The Bradecote & Catchpoll mysteries are set in Worcestershire during the Anarchy, beginning in June 1143 and progressing chronologically through December 1145. Hugh Bradecote serves as undersheriff to William de Beauchamp, while the experienced Serjeant Catchpoll understands the city’s people, crimes and evasions. From the third novel they…