Following the death of her husband, a saxon earl more than twice her age, a young norman lady of noble birth is allowed to return to her home in france. But that journey is fraght with danger. Conspiracy, family secrets, stolen jewelery and a raid by welsh brigands from across the border all conspire against her. Arrested and thrown into dungeon and then theatened with torture. This is a medieval mystery of epic proporuts, full of twists and turnsand culminating in the trial of lady adela fitzgerald. But can the arrival of the king's royal falconer unravel the mysteries and prove the innocence of the mysteries of the norman lady before it is too late? Can he save her from the gallows?