One Corpse too Many

The year is 1138. King Stephen and his cousin the Empress Maud are caught in a bitter struggle for the British crown. When Stephen finally captures the castle of Shrewsbury, one of Maud's few remaining hold-outs, his victory is a bloody one. Ninety-four prisoners, the surviving defenders of the Empress's castle, are taken. And ninety-four are hanged. Brother Cadfael of the nearby Abbey of St. Peter and St. Paul is called upon to give a decent burial to the dead. But before they can reach their final resting place, Cadfael discovers an extra corpse. This is no soldier- the ninety-fifth body is…