Perfect period detail and rapturously romantic, from one of the best known and beloved historical novelists of all time.William the Bastard, base-born son of the Duke of Normandy, must fight the King of France to regain his Duchy.Spurned in love by the lovely Princess Matilda, the fighting Duke dares to take a whip to her in her own father's palace, before making her his bride.Thwarted by the Saxon Earl Harold of a promise of the throne of England, William the Conqueror sails to Hastings to claim the King's crown and sceptre for his own.