Chronicles 1 (of 6): The Historie of England 5 (of 8) The Fift Booke of the Historie of England.

In this vivid account of Britain’s shadowed age, the narrative picks up where Roman authority fades, describing a restless island torn between rival warlords and an incoming champion named Constantine. Sent by his brother‑king, he lands at Totnes with a crowd of followers, defeats a hostile ruler, and is crowned king amid promises of unity. The early years of his reign are painted with a mix of triumph and tension, as he strives to protect his fledgling realm from external threats while navigating the fragile loyalty of his own people.

The story then turns to the king’s own household, revealing the uneasy fate of his eldest son, consigned to monastic life, and the ambitious scheming of dukes who plot betrayal under a veil of innocence. Through careful comparison of Roman, British, and Scottish chronicles, the author lays bare the conflicting testimonies that surround Constantine’s sudden, violent death at the hands of a trusted Pict, leaving listeners with a richly textured glimpse into a period where legend and history intertwine.