Shroud for the Archbishop (Hardcover)

Peter Tremayne is the nom de plume of the Celtic scholar and author Peter Berresford Ellis. He has a BA and MA in Celtic studies and is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Antiquaries of Ireland and a Fellow of the Royal Historical Society. He has primarily pursued a career as a journalist, becoming a full time writer in 1975 and producing popular works on Celtic literature and history and fictional works like the Sister Fidelma series.

Although Mr. Tremayne's characters flirt with the reader, they do not seem to entirely captivate. One has the definite sense that they could be so much more than they are, especially Fidelma. The settings really should be interesting-I've been to Rome, and I've studied Roman history-but somehow they become merely a catalogue of physical characteristics rather than an ambiance. At times I felt like a reluctant tourist being dragged on a walk about of Rome by the overly enthusiastic tour guide Brother Eadulf. The author spends so much time bogging this character down in historic recitations that the tale of the murdered archbishop designate, Wighard of Canterbury, becomes lost in the author's attempt to educate the reader. How much more smoothly, subtly and painlessly is this type of historical information introduced by Ellis Peters in her Brother Cadfael series or by Candace Robb in her Owen Archer mysteries. Even Timeline by Michael Crichton introduces historical data without losing the reader. In each of these cases, the STORY is the most critical facet of the book. Historical details are added to enhance and advance the story. While they definitely educate, their primary purpose is to create a setting in which the characters live and act.

Although I haven't yet read them, I think I'd probably prefer Mr. Tremayne's expository works, A Brief History of the Druids and Erin's Blood Royal: The Gaelic Noble Dynasties of Ireland. I will probably read both. I'll give another of his other Sister Fidelma stories a try, but if this is truly his preferred style of writing fiction, I don't think I'll enjoy a second mystery any more than I did the Shroud for the Archbishop.

Stick to the story Mr. Tremayne.

The book's title refers to the murder of the Saxon Archbishop-designate of Canterbury and the immediate suspicion that an Irishman was the culprit. The Romans justifiably fear that this could cause a war between the two peoples. Fortunately, Sister Fidelma and Brother Eadulf, her erstwhile Saxon companion, are at-hand to solve the mystery, and thereby to prevent a war. In the end, then as now, things can be covered up by the powers that be.

On the cover of the paperback edition, the reader is promised "A Mystery of Ancient Ireland." In fact, this book is set completely in seventh-century Rome. Tremayne's particular accomplishment here is to shed some light on the ins and outs of that place and that time. The plot, despite all of its twists and turns, is not nearly as compelling as the skill and deftness Tremayne draws upon to make the reader enter Rome of the dark ages.

Tremayne's bias towards the Celtic sensibility pervades his telling of the story, to the point that I was put off a bit. However, Tremayne mostly succeeds in his didactic intent, and the reader cannot help but wonder what might have happened had the Celts prevailed in their disputes with Rome.

Sister Fidelma is an admirable spokeperson for the Celtic view, a well-drawn and complex protagonist with recognizable strengths and weaknesses. Tremanyne seems to reach a bit when he paints her as some sort of proto-feminist, but the historical evidence supports his contention that women were full participants in Celtic society and in the early Celtic church. Episcopalians will find it interesting to note that women were said to be allowed to celebrate mass until Rome stopped the practice. There is even some scholarly debate as to whether Patrick himself ordained a female bishop.

At the time, relationships among the religious below the rank of Bishop were discouraged, but not prohibited. The possibility of romance adds a touch of humanity to the relationship between Sister Fidelma and Brother Eadulf. Tremayne hints at some reason in Sister Fidelma's past that prevents her from having a closer relationship with Brother Eadulf, but the author never enlightens us further. Many other members of the church appear as flesh-and-blood people who share our passions and perversions.

Overall, "Shroud for the Archbishop" is a solid mystery, not too challenging yet enlightening. Whatever the text lacks in verisimilitude or accuracy, it makes up for by painting an interesting picture of Rome in those long-forgotten times. I plan to read the whole series.