What is "monk's hood"

alt. 1 (context countable English) Any of various poisonous plants, of the genus ''Aconitum'', with blue or white flowers in the shape of a hood 2 (context uncountable English) The dried leaves or flowers of these plants formerly used as a source of medicinal alkaloids n. 1 (context countable English) Any of various poisonous plants, of the genus ''Aconitum'', with blue or white flowers in the shape of a hood 2 (context uncountable English) The dried leaves or flowers of these plants formerly used as a source of medicinal alkaloids

Monk's Hood is a medieval mystery novel by Ellis Peters, set in December 1138. It is the third novel in The Cadfael Chronicles. It was first published in 1980 ( 1980 in literature).

It was adapted for television in 1994 by Central for ITV.

Gervase Bonel dies from monkshood oil put in his food. Brother Cadfael made the oil. Who used it as poison? Cadfael assesses the motives of Bonel’s family and household staff, including his Welsh natural son and his stepson, and deals with Bonel’s widow. She was once his sweetheart, long ago. The sergeant views the case differently from Cadfael.

This novel received the Silver Dagger Award in 1980 from the UK's Crime Writers Association. The author was commended by one reviewer for her ability to draw characters who are distinctly medieval, "not modern men and women masquerading in medieval garb," while dealing with fine points of medieval Welsh law. Another reviewer missed the lively character of the second novel, Hugh Beringar, wishing him to be more involved in this plot, yet saying "Peters does wonders with the medieval scene and with complex character relationships."