Yet another tale featuring the authoršs favorite historical character -- Jamie Saxt. When His Grace of Scotland, also becomes James I, His Majesty of England, far-reaching changes took place in the two realms.

       David Murray, the young son of Sir Andrew, a Perthshire laird, had no aspirations to greatness. Then a chance encounter with Jamie lead to his becoming Cup Bearer and Master of the Horse to his young liege. Together with James's foster brother John Erskine, Master of Mar, the three men entered a new era of political intrigue and dynastic manoeuvring.

       When David meets and falls in love wit Elizabeth Beaton he hopes that he can distance himself from court events and lead a quiet family life in his beloved Perthshire hills. But the demands of a right royal friend lead him straight back into the thick of one of the most notable periods of Scots and English history.

       For those living through that era it was a time of dramatic political and religious changes bringing exciting and enriching experiences. These are brought vividly to life by the master of the Scottish historical novel, Nigel Tranter.

       Earlier novels dealing with Jamie Saxt include The Master of Gray, The Coutesan, Past Master, The Wisest Fool, Unicorn Rampant, Mail Royal, Children of the Mist, A Rage of Regents and Poetic Justice.

       This is the next-to-the-last novel Tranter wrote before his death at age 90 in 2000. Some of Tranter's other recent novels are listed at Tranter In Print