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Home / People / William FitzAlan, Lord of Oswestry

Historical person

William FitzAlan, Lord of Oswestry

1105–1160

William FitzAlan was an Anglo-Norman baron and lord of Oswestry who supported Empress Matilda during the civil war known as the Anarchy. King Stephen deprived him of Shrewsbury and his estates after rebellion in 1138, forcing him into a long exile before restoration under Henry II.

He later resumed his position in the Welsh Marches and was associated with the patronage of Haughmond Abbey. William FitzAlan, Lord of Oswestry belonged to FitzAlan. William FitzAlan, Lord of Oswestry is generally dated to 1105–1160.

Ellis Peters’ One Corpse Too Many is set at Shrewsbury in 1138, when the town is caught in the struggle between King Stephen and supporters of Empress Maud. William FitzAlan’s adherence to Maud and loss of Shrewsbury to Stephen form part of the political background to the siege and the mass execution from which Cadfael’s murder mystery emerges.

Periods

Periods linked to William FitzAlan, Lord of Oswestry

The Anarchy1135–1154 CE Welsh Marches after the Norman Conquest1067–1284 CE

Series

Historical novels and book series featuring William FitzAlan, Lord of Oswestry (1 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

A Morbid Taste for Bones cover

1. A Morbid Taste for Bones

First published 1977 · 4.4(5,667)

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One Corpse Too Many cover

2. One Corpse Too Many

First published 1979 · 4.5(3,326)

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Monk’s Hood cover

3. Monk’s Hood

First published 1980 · 4.5(2,635)

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Saint Peter’s Fair cover

4. Saint Peter’s Fair

First published 1981 · 4.6(2,579)

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The Virgin in the Ice cover

6. The Virgin in the Ice

First published 1982 · 4.6(2,403)

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The Sanctuary Sparrow cover

7. The Sanctuary Sparrow

First published 1983 · 4.5(1,975)

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The Devil’s Novice cover

8. The Devil’s Novice

First published 1983 · 4.6(2,687)

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Dead Man’s Ransom cover

9. Dead Man’s Ransom

First published 1984 · 4.5(1,978)

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The Pilgrim of Hate cover

10. The Pilgrim of Hate

First published 1984 · 4.6(1,654)

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An Excellent Mystery cover

11. An Excellent Mystery

First published 1985 · 4.5(1,772)

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The Raven in the Foregate cover

12. The Raven in the Foregate

First published 1986 · 4.6(1,734)

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The Rose Rent cover

13. The Rose Rent

First published 1986 · 4.5(1,668)

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The Hermit of Eyton Forest cover

14. The Hermit of Eyton Forest

First published 1987 · 4.6(1,688)

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The Confession of Brother Haluin cover

15. The Confession of Brother Haluin

First published 1988 · 4.5(1,841)

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The Heretic’s Apprentice cover

16. The Heretic’s Apprentice

First published 1989 · 4.6(1,413)

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The Potter’s Field cover

17. The Potter’s Field

First published 1989 · 4.5(1,420)

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The Summer of the Danes cover

18. The Summer of the Danes

First published 1991 · 4.5(1,436)

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The Holy Thief cover

19. The Holy Thief

First published 1992 · 4.6(1,467)

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Brother Cadfael’s Penance cover

20. Brother Cadfael’s Penance

First published 1994 · 4.6(2,945)

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