It's late spring in 1321 and as Sir Baldwin Furnshill; Keeper of the King's Peace; prepares for his wedding; he receives news that one of his guests; Roger; Squire of Throwleigh has just died. The new master of Throwleigh is little Herbert; five years old and isolated in his grief; for his distraught mother Katherine unfairly blames him for her husband's death. At Lady Katherine's visible rejection of her son; Baldwin feels deeply disturbed about the new heir's apparent lack of protection. For having inherited a large estate and much wealth; the five-year-old will doubtless have made some dangerous enemies...When Herbert is fatally hit by a horse and cart just a few days later; seemingly by accident; Baldwin and his friend; Bailiff Simon Puttock; suspect foul play. As they begin to investigate the facts; they are increasingly convinced that Herbert was murdered; but little do Baldwin and Simon realise that their investigation will lead them to the most sinister and shocking murder they have encountered yet.