The year is 1450. Matthias Barton's school is well established, Luke his step son is at the great schools of learning in Oxford, but there is serious unrest in the country and the Sherborne area is affected by this.

Finn, a one-time pupil of Matthias has disappeared, anxious to find the Kentish rebels and join with them in their fight against the injustices as he sees them.

Meanwhile in Sherborne, the civil disobedience against the Abbot and the Bishop of Salisbury continues. Matthias is involved in the smaller disobediences whilst Finn is heavily involved in the larger and far more serious affairs around the rebel and so-called captain of Kent, Jack Cade.

Will Luke become infected with Finn's daring escapades, or will he remain safely in Oxford? Can Matthias see the coming wars between the two houses, Lancaster and York? How much will this trouble the peaceful airs of Dorset?

With men from Sherborne becoming involved in these matters, will the Bishop of Salisbury survive the recent murders of The Duke of Suffolk and the Bishop of Chichester? This is a time of turbulence for all.