The year is now 1070 and William the Conqueror has been King of England for three years. His reign, however, has not been a peaceful one. Rebellion has followed bloody rebellion, each one crushed with ruthless efficiency. In the fens of East Anglia a Saxon nobleman dispossessed of his lands lights the flame of rebellion one last time and calls upon the people to join him. His name is Hereward the Wake and he is destined to give the Conqueror the toughest fight of his career. Into this cauldron comes the hero from Housecarl, Ranulf Redbeard and his family, determined to join the Wake in his fight for freedom.