As the year 1326 draws to a close London is in flames. King Edward II is a prisoner & the forces of his vengeful queen Isabella & her lover Sir Roger Mortimer are in the ascendant. The Bardi family bankers who have funded the King must look to their future with the Queen steering a careful course between rival factions -- if that is they can keep themselves alive. Others too find their loyalties torn. Guarding the deposed King on behalf of Mortimer Sir Baldwin de Furnshill & bailiff Simon Puttock find themselves entangled in a tightening net of conspiracy greed betrayal & murder.