by Martin Scott
First published 1964
Sir William de Montfort stands in the great hall of his castle, watching smoke rise from the village below. Viking raiders have struck again, and the local baron demands tribute he cannot pay. William must choose between his oath of fealty and protecting his people. His brother Hugh urges him to join the rebellion brewing among the lesser nobles, while his wife Eleanor fears for their children's safety. As alliances shift and old loyalties crumble, William discovers that honor and survival rarely align. The king's men approach from the east, carrying orders that will test every bond William holds sacred. In a world where a sword stroke can change everything, William must find his own path through the chaos.
Genres: historical-fiction, adventure, historical-drama, medieval
Vibes: atmospheric, suspenseful, thought-provoking
Tropes: enemies-to-lovers, found-family
Setting: Castle, Village, Kingdom
Period: Medieval
463 pages · Hardcover · Longmans