Three BBC radio dramatisations of Ellis Peters' much-loved medieval murder mysteries featuring monk-cum-sleuth Brother Cadfael.

A onetime Crusader turned Benedictine monk, Brother Cadfael is a most unusual detective. Living a quiet life as a monastery herbalist, he spends his days ministering to his brothers using the medical skills he acquired in the Holy Lands—but his worldly knowledge and wide experience of human nature are frequently called upon when there is a murder to solve...

Monk's Hood

Brother Cadfael is asked to supply a healing potion for a sick monk—but monk's hood oil can kill as well as cure...

The Virgin in the Ice

In the winter of 1139, Cadfael sets out through snowbound Shropshire to find a missing boy and his sister.

Dead Man's Ransom

1141. Beyond the walls of the abbey, civil war rages. When news arrives that Sheriff Gilbert Prestcote has been taken prisoner, a hostage exchange is arranged—but love and murder intervene....

Starring Philip Madoc as Cadfael, with supporting casts including Michael Hordern, Michael Kitchen and Susannah York, these thrilling tales of murder, mystery and intrigue bring the turbulent world of 12th-century Shrewsbury superbly to life.

Monk's Hood

Brother Cadfael - Philip Madoc

Narrator - Michael Hordern

Brother Mark - Ian Targett

Fr Heribert - Timothy Bateson

Prior Robert - Geoffrey Whitehead

Meurig - Kenneth Price

Richildis Bonel - Pat Heywood

Brother Rhys/Judge - Norman Jones

Aelfric - Mark Straker

Brother Edmund - Timothy Carlton

Brother Petrus - Fraser Kerr

Sergeant - Ian Hogg

Aldith - Jane Whittenshaw

Edwy Bellecote - Stephen Garlick

Edwin Gurney - Richard Pearce

Hugh Beringar - Alan Barker

Ifor ap Morgan - Michael Turner

Brother Barnabas - Terence Edmond

Dramatised by Bert Coules

Produced by Lissa Evans

First broadcast in 1991

The Virgin in the Ice

Brother Cadfael - Philip Madoc

Narrator - Michael Hordern

Hugh Beringar - Douglas Hodge

Olivier - Raad Rawi

Ermina - Moira Buffini

Ives - Dean Magri

Abbot Radulfus - John Church

Leonard - Leonard Fenton

Elyas - Crispin Letts

Boterel - Andrew Wincott

Button - Eric Allan

Porter - Steve Hodson

Le Gaucher - Peter Laird

Axeman/Sergeant - Peter Gunn

Outlaw - Jonathan Adams

Sergeant - Jonathan Tafler

With David Holt, Ann Windsor, Julian Rhind-Tutt, John Fleming and Kate Binchy

Dramatised by Bert Coules

Produced by Phil Clarke

Music by Peter Salem

First broadcast in 1992.

Dead Man's Ransom

Brother Cadfael - Philip Madoc

Sister Magdalen - Susannah York

Hugh Beringar - Jonathan Tafler

Elis - Jason Hughes

Radulfus - Trevor Peacock

Herbard/Edmund/Ithel - Shaun Prendergast

Aline - Lorien Haynes

Lad/Villager - David Holt

Narrator - Michael Kitchen

Melicent - Katy Odey

Prince Owain - Sion Probert

Cristina - Siobhan Flynn

Eliud - Mark Lewis Jones

Maurice/Rhys/Griffri - Douglas Blackwell

Anion - Matthew Morgan

Dramatised by Bert Coules

Produced by Neil Cargill

Music by Peter Salem

First broadcast in 1995.