Brother Cadfael: Herbalist monk at

Brother Cadfael: Herbalist monk at Shrewsbury Abbey. He is 57 years old, a man who came to his vocation in the monastery about 17 years earlier, after his life as man at arms in the First Crusade, sailor, and in service of a Norman lord.
Main article: Cadfael
Prior Robert Pennant: Prior at Shrewsbury Abbey. He is based on the historical prior who did bring the relics to the Abbey. He is characterised as a man of the aristocracy, of mixed Welsh and English blood; with ambition for more than his present position. Aged 50 in this story, with silvering hair, he is a man taller than average. He believes deeply in miracles and the power of the saints, as well as his own rightness.[1][2]
Brother Jerome: Prior Robert's clerk. He is rather righteous on his own account, and reliable to the Prior for accurate reporting of Abbey events.
Brother Rhys: An older monk in the Abbey, of Welsh birth. He tells the story of Saint Winifred's miracles and her life at Prior Robert's prompting. Rhys is no longer active, too old and frail for much more than the occasional story.
Abbot Heribert: Head of Shrewsbury Abbey of Saint Peter and Saint Paul. He is a gentle soul, based on the real abbot of that year.[2]
Richard: Sub-prior at Shrewsbury Abbey. He is one of the party who fetched Saint Winifred's bones from Gwytherin. He is low key and in many ways the opposite of the Prior.
Brother Columbanus: Young, ambitious monk. He is given to extremes of emotion in display of his spiritual feelings, and is in service under Brother Cadfael in the herbarium. He is the younger son of an aristocratic Norman family, fair haired and strong, age 25, and less than a year since "tonsured", that is, took his vows. While yet a monk, he is shown to be a man who puts his ambition over honesty and moral behaviour
Brother John: Young and strong monk in service under Brother Cadfael. He is of a practical and direct nature, and a good sense of humour. He has curly reddish brown hair. He took his vows less than a year earlier. Brother Cadfael suspects John does not have a true vocation and would do better out in the world. He had joined the monastery when rejected as a suitor by a girl in England – spoken to Annest in English when she could not yet understand English. John falls in love with Annest in Wales, showing Cadfael's perception to be true.
Owain Gwynedd: Prince of Gwynedd, as his father Gruffydd ap Cynan is in his last months of life. He is the eldest surviving son of Gruffydd, who proves to be a good leader. He was a real historical person.
Bishop David of Bangor: Built up the church at Bangor. He approved the moving of the saint's bones to rest at the Abbey in Shropshire. He was a real historical person.
Father Huw: Parish priest at Gwytherin, where Saint Winifred has been buried these hundreds of years. He is hospitable and direct. Rare for the Welsh priests, he is unmarried, celibate.
Rhisiart: Largest landholder in Gwytherin. He is widowed and living with his only child, a daughter. He is solidly against removal of Saint Winifred's remains to Shrewsbury, despite his Prince's approval. Murdered for his views.
Sioned: Daughter and only child of Rhisiart and heir to his properties. She is a beautiful, outspoken and quick-witted young woman; she speaks Welsh and English; she is sought by at least two suitors.
Engelard: Fair haired young Cheshire man from the borders of Maelor. He fled to Wales to avoid Earl Ranulf of Chester, who did not like this skilled archer poaching deer from his lands. His father owns a manor, which Engelard will inherit once it is safe to return home. He is skilled in calling ox and dealing with cattle, good skills for Gwytherin. An outlander or alltud in Wales, accepted for the previous two years by Rhisiart to let him make his way in Wales. He is a suitor for Sioned and good friends with her father.
Peredur: Son and only child of Cadwallon. He is a suitor for Sioned. He is handsome but spoiled in always getting what he wants, until he fell in love with Sioned. Rhisiart tried to persuade his daughter to marry her lifelong friend, to no avail. Peredur seeks any means to push the favoured suitor out of Wales, stooping to false evidence to implicate Engelard in a murder he did not commit.
Cadwallon: Overlord who owns lands neighbouring those of Rhisiart. He is married to the querulous Dame Branwen, and father of the young man Peredur. He sends for the bailiff when Rhisiart is murdered.
Cai: Ploughman for Rhisiart. He is the gaoler for John when he is held for aiding Engelard's escape.
Bened: Blacksmith of Gwytherin. He is widowed, and a man of good repute in the area.
Annest: Niece of Bened, lady's maid to Sioned. She is of marriageable age. She falls in love with Brother John at first sight, though neither speaks the language of the other.
Griffith ap Rhys: Bailiff for Prince Owain in Rhos.