The Bondman: A Story of the Times of Wat Tyler

Set against the backdrop of a towering 14th‑century castle in the English countryside, the novel opens with a richly detailed court ceremony that lays bare the hierarchy of lord, knight, and bondman. Through the eyes of servants and retainers, the reader feels the weight of feudal obligations, the clang of armor, and the patterned tapestries that mark each rank. This atmospheric opening grounds the story in a world where ancient customs still dictate daily life.

At the heart of the tale is a young bondman who, after a monk hints that slavery is not a divine right, begins to question his own servitude. His quiet doubts echo the growing unrest that will soon erupt in Wat Tyler’s rebellion, offering a personal lens on a nationwide struggle for justice. As the first act unfolds, alliances shift and the castle’s stone walls seem to tremble with the promise of change.