The Time of Singing

When Roger Bigod heir to the powerful earldom of Norfolk arrives at court in 1177 to settle a bitter inheritance dispute with his half-brothers he encounters Ida de Tosney young mistress to King Henry II. A victim of Henry’s seduction and the mother of his son Ida is attracted to Roger and sees in him a chance of lasting security; but in deciding to marry Roger she is forced to make a choice. As Roger’s importance as a mainstay of the Angevin government grows it puts an increasing strain on his marriage. Against a volatile political background the gulf between them threatens to widen beyond crossing especailly when so many bridges have already been burned.