England 1106 AD The earl of Trents Norman widow Blanche and her English steward Miles Edwulfson take possession of Blanches estates hoping to live a life of peace and quiet However they run afoul of a baron named Aimerie who is building an illegal castle and taxing the surrounding manorsincluding Blanchesto pay for it Aimerie has ambitions that go far beyond this castle to the heart of the English throne and he wont let anyone stand in his way Whats more Aimeries hotheaded son Ernoul lusts after Blanche and wants to make her his wife When Blanche and Miles refuse to pay Aimeries taxes Aimerie vows to crush them