The Little Duke: Richard the Fearless

In a stone‑walled hall of the 10th‑century Castle of Bayeux, firelight flickers from massive hearths and a chorus of servants busies itself with rushes, cauldrons, and polished cups that echo an older Roman past. The air smells of smoke and fresh rye, while a dignified lady in a dark robe surveys the preparations, her gold jewelry catching the glow as she groups the guests around a throne‑like chair carved with lion faces.

Amid the clamor, a bright‑eyed boy of eight darts forward, brandishing a bow and shouting triumphantly about a stag he has struck. Known as Richard, he is a miniature noble‑figure whose pride in the hunt and eager recounting of the chase capture the attention of the court’s matriarch, Dame Astrida. Their lively banter hints at the expectations placed on this little duke and the adventures that lie just beyond the feasting hall.