
Set against the turbulent backdrop of late‑medieval England, the story opens in the vaulted council chamber of the White Tower, where a young king summons his most trusted lords to confront a sudden uprising in the north. The rebel leader, known only as Robin of Redesdale, has rallied fifteen thousand men, threatening the fragile peace that has held the kingdom together. As courtiers argue over loyalty, ambition, and the weight of the crown, the atmosphere crackles with the promise of imminent war.
At the centre of this turmoil stands Sir Hastings, a seasoned courtier whose sharp mind and fierce loyalty draw the king’s confidence even as old rivalries flare. The dialogue between Edward and his nobles reveals a kingdom teetering between order and chaos, where personal grudges could turn the tide of battle. Listeners are invited into a world of political machinations, looming sieges, and the desperate hope that a single decisive march might restore stability—if only the fractured loyalties can be mended in time.
Language
en
Duration
~2 hours (123K characters)
Publisher of text edition
Project Gutenberg
Release date
2005-03-01
Rights
Public domain in the USA.

1803–1873
Best remembered for vivid historical and supernatural fiction, this prolific Victorian writer also left a surprising mark on everyday language with phrases that people still quote today. His stories mix drama, mystery, politics, and the occult in a way that helped shape popular fiction in the 19th century.
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