This trilogy, which incorporates Lords of Misrule, A Folly of Prices and The Captive Crown, reveals how the ruling House of Stewart managed to cling to power despite being a family torn by hatred and jealousy.

    In the battle, Giles, lord of De la Noye, dies, and Hyatt claims Giles's widow, Aurelie, by right of conquest. She resists him and bitterly resents him, thinking him responsible for Giles's death, and lamenting her own loss of power. But both her own strong sexual attraction to him and her growing awareness that he is an excellent landowner who promotes the welfare of his subordinates change her attitude. As she grows to love him, he comes to acknowledge at last his love and need for her.

    Part of the Visual History of Costume series, including detailed descriptions, comments on class and details of fashion at particular times.