Set in eleventh century Nrmandy, this adventure novel gives us an intriguing glimpse of the life of a young noblewoman in the early middle ages.
Sybilla St-Valery, the daughter of a nobleman and soldier, has been living with relatives in Rouen, in the castle of Robert, the Duke of Normandy. Betrothed since childhood to the heir of a neighbouring great estate, she has been sent to learn the etiquette and deportment of a grand lady.
When the Duke sets off to fight the English, he takes with him his most experienced knight, Sybilla's father, and Sybilla must undertake a treacherous journey home to her mother, who is left alone on the family estate. But these are dangerous times to be on the road.
En route, she is abandoned by her escort and abducted by her father's enemies, who demand that Sybilla's mother hand over the deeds to the St-Valery estate in exchange for her daughter's safe return. With only her faithful hound, Hannibal and falcon, Merlin, to help her, can Sybilla escape her captors and reach St-Valery before her home is lost?
Ages 10-14.
