Owerd, the son of a humble English miller, has risen to Earl through courage, warrior skills and loyalty to the Norman King William. He has gained enemies along the way, especially the king's powerful half-brother Bishop Odo of Bayeux. Meanwhile, he needs to manage his estates and keep the peace in his Shire whilst also responding to the king's demands for his warrior skills. A bubbling discontent among other earls will test his loyalty to an absent king he increasingly sees as cruel and oppressive.