The house of the wizard

Set amid the bustling courts of Henry VIII, the story opens in the imposing stone manor of Mohun’s Ottery, home to the proud Carew family of Devon. The house is a bustling hub of medieval life, where lavish feasts and open doors welcome nobles and beggars alike, and the walls echo with tales of battlefield valor and loyal service to the crown. Within this vibrant tapestry of hospitality and history, the reader senses a world where honor and hospitality intertwine with the undercurrents of political upheaval.

On a bright Shrove Tuesday in 1535, Sir William Carew and his guest, Master Raleigh, discuss the recent Acts of Supremacy and Treason while the great hall still smells of roast and ale. Their serious conversation is abruptly shattered by the arrival of a disheveled rider—Sir Thomas Carew—storming toward the doors, his horse blood‑stained and his demeanor unmistakably reckless. The sudden, chaotic entrance hints at personal rivalries and looming dangers that will test the family’s reputation and the very stability of their storied house.