This is the story of two men, alike in many ways, who travel far from their native land but are both drawn back to Durham, the spectacular mediaeval city that dominates the northeastern counties of England. But there is a difference. Six hundred years separates the lives of the two men. Oswald, the soldier, is loyal to his King, Edward III, who is also called Plantagenet. He sees action in France and in England. Then he is called upon to lead a convoy taking a valuable cargo of gold coin from London to the northern city of his birth, Durham. The book describes his life in fourteenth century England: Oswald's life as a boy in the city of Durham and his life as a soldier. His ability to read. His interest in the books and documents that are the source of his learning, and his activities as a surgeon. His final journey is from London to Durham. Then, less than two days out of the city, disaster strikes. The second man, James Simpson, is a scientist of world renown who turns his talents to writing historical fiction. After returning to his native Durham, he settles into a quiet village hoping to continue his writing. But when two of the village stalwarts, war heroes and characters in their own right, die under mysterious circumstances, his scientific mind awakens and he applies himself to the mystery. But, all to no avail. It is during this time that he learns about the discovery of gold coins. At first he is drawn to the event out of curiosity, and as he searches the historical literature for clues, he is able to reconstruct the soldier's story and he develops the events leading up to Oswald's death. He is surprised to find that the man behind Oswald's mission is a member of the Plantagenet Royal Family who has been condemned by historians to nothing more than a position of amiable mediocrity. But the greatest surprise to Simpson is when he discovers that he is being personally drawn into the mystery.