Mercenaries

Tancred  de Hautville has brought his sons to Duke Robert of Normandy asking that they be allowed to serve the duke as knights.  The duke rudely rejects the request.

Far to the south in Salerno, Guaimar and Berengara have been dispossessed of their property.  They are now at the beck and call of Pandulf, Prince of Capua, the man who had stolen their father's lands and titles.  Guaimar secretly plans to regain his lost possessions.

William de Hautville and his younger brother, Drogo, head to Italy in search of gainful employment as knights.  They are employed as mercenaries by Rainulf Drengot.  William helps to capture a stronghold, but experiences the wrath of Drengot for not slaughtering everyone. 

Meantime, Guaimar and his sister have made it to the court of Conrad, Emperor of the Holy Roman Empire.  They hope that Conrad will help them gain their lost lands and titles.  It isn't Guaimar, nor his sister that persuade Conrad to march south, but the actions of the Pandulf.  Guaimar hopes to turn Drengot thereby getting his support against Pandulf.  However, it is William that negotiates and accepts on his behalf.

Guaimar has his principality returned to him.  The Normans under William head south to battle the Saracens in Sicily.  What William achieves there sets his imagination as to what else he might achieve.

Author Jack Ludlow has presented the reader with a thrilling, and adventurous historical novel.  This is the first in a series.  Well worth the read for a fan of history, I am looking forward to the sequels.