As the year 1326 draws to a close London is in flames. King Edward II is a prisoner and the forces of his vengeful queen Isabella and 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 and bailiff Simon Puttock find themselves entangled in a tightening net of conspiracy greed betrayal and murder.