Michel and Angele [A Ladder of Swords] — Volume 1

In the bustling port of Southampton during Elizabeth I’s reign, a modest record of a Huguenot family sparks a tale of love, faith, and exile. Michel de la Foret, a young nobleman fleeing religious persecution, meets the spirited Angele Aubert, whose marriage to him is both a sanctuary and a promise of a new life in England. Their early days together are marked by quiet moments of hope amid the bustling foreign community of the Walloon Church, as they navigate cultural adjustments and the lingering shadows of their past.

The narrative balances tenderness with the harsher realities of a world in religious turmoil, offering glimpses of both comedy and solemnity. As Michel and Angele settle into their new surroundings, the story unfolds with vivid descriptions of 16th‑century England, the sea‑laden horizon, and the resilient spirit of those who dared to start anew. Listeners will be drawn into a richly textured romance that feels like an intimate letter from a bygone era, inviting them to linger over each whispered promise and quiet triumph.