The story is set in the South Lincolnshire town of Spalding in the year 1290 AD. When Ivo Longspee, a Norman Landowner and kinsman to the Earl of Lincoln, dies of poisoning on his Lincolnshire holding, Giles Fisher, a young Spalding fisherman is suspected of the crime.
Gilles is imprisoned in the gaol at Spalding Priory, awaiting trial at Lincoln castle.
Hugh Pinchbeck, a veteran bowman of the crusades and a healer, has one nieceof whom he is very fond. The niece, Elizabeth, is in love with Gile Fisher. Hugh is convinced of the young fisherman's innocence and sets out to prove it.
The story unfolds against the background of King Edward's wars with the Welsh and the Scots, and the heavy burden of taxation falling on the general population to finance these wars.
Gilles is imprisoned in the gaol at Spalding Priory, awaiting trial at Lincoln castle.
Hugh Pinchbeck, a veteran bowman of the crusades and a healer, has one nieceof whom he is very fond. The niece, Elizabeth, is in love with Gile Fisher. Hugh is convinced of the young fisherman's innocence and sets out to prove it.
The story unfolds against the background of King Edward's wars with the Welsh and the Scots, and the heavy burden of taxation falling on the general population to finance these wars.
