Despite its isolation, Capelburgh continues to offer refuge to a wide range of mediaeval folk - a former Templar Knight, a man who doesn't want a wife, a pilgrim who is possessed by a demon, a group of Scottish captives who want to go home rich, even a tentative atheist. This peaceful world is threatened when the Scots attack and capture Berwick-upon-Tweed and King Edward III orders massive retaliaion. George Crandall finds himself playing host to royalty and in return is knighted - and then expected to take part in what he knows will be a disastrous invasion of Scotland. Can he fulfil his feudal duty while avoiding the guilt of war crimes? And who is really responsible for burning Edinburgh, the Scottish capital?