Separated by a seige, Anna follow mercenaries, Martino a saint. Can that early seed of love survive?
In a quiet village outside Siena, the New Year turns 1364 and ambitious Anna finds herself falling for her childhood friend, the idealistic Martino.
Around them, the world is in turmoil. Cities fight for power. The Pope wants his former lands returned. The future St Catherine of Siena yearns to reform corruption in the church. And ruthless English mercenary Sir John Hawkwood rampages round Italy seeking his fortune, leaving fire and ruin in his wake. When he arrives at their village, Anna and Martino are torn apart, their lives changed for ever.
This sweeping story of saints and sinners, politics and war, loyalty and love will be enjoyed by fans of Sarah Dunant’s work and Maggie O'Farrell's The Marriage Portrait.