smallhobbit | Fannish Fifty: Bradecote & Catchpoll

I'm a great fan of this series of books by Sarah Hawkswood, which is set in Worcester and the surrounding country in 1143 to 1145. This is the same period as Ellis Peters' Brother Cadfael series, although that is based in Shrewsbury. And whereas Cadfael is a monk and therefore, although he helps to solve crime, this is not his main occupation, which is that of herbalist in a monastery.

Meanwhile Hugh Bradecote is the Under Sheriff of Worcester and is charged by the Sheriff in solving crimes, assisted by the Serjeant, Catchpoll. Bradecote is of Norman heritage, while Catchpoll is English speaking. It begins in the usual fashion, with the two having to learn to work together, Bradecote being new to the role, whilst Catchpoll has been serjeanting for twenty years. In addition Catchpoll has taken on a serjeanting apprentice Walklyn who is beginning to learn the trade.

The crimes are set very firmly in the times and there are excellent descriptions of the city of Worcester and the trades undertaken there, as well as the many who are agricultural labourers. The last book I read Blood Runs Thicker includes the labourers working hard to bring in the harvest before the storm comes, as if they fail then they may starve the following year.

So far there are ten books in the series. I've read the first eight, mostly from the library, and have bought the next two second hand, so they're all ready for me.

As yet I haven't written anything for them, but this could change.