Hawker and the King's Jewel (The Swords of the White Rose #1)

'A brutal, brilliant tale, told with verve and pace' Bernard Cornwell 'Great storytelling' David Gilman Three outlaw knights. Three secrets. One last mission. August 1485. The eve of the Battle of Bosworth. King Richard III summons his loyal and grizzled retainer, Sir John Hawker, and charges him with one final mission. After the battle, he must return a priceless ruby – one of the mysterious Tears of Byzantium – to its giver, the Doge of Venice. Richard believes the jewel has brought ill luck to his family, and wants rid of it before anything else can go wrong. Hawker is also sworn to protect Richard's newly knighted bastard son, an arrogant youth unaware of his true parentage. But Richard's commands are overheard by a Tudor spy. When the king falls in battle, Hawker, his royal bastard, and another "lost" knight make common cause and flee the field with Tudor agents in hot pursuit of both the ruby and the potential Plantagenet heir.... 'A brutal, brilliant tale, told with verve and pace' Bernard Cornwell In the twilight of the Wars of the Roses, one knight carries out a final mission for his fallen king... HAUNTED BY A SIN August, 1485. Grizzled knight Sir John Hawker carries a heavy burden on his soul: a decision taken, a deed committed that cannot be undone. When his liege lord, King Richard III, charges Hawker with two secret missions, a chance for atonement beckons. A RACE ACROSS EUROPE... Then Richard falls at the Battle of Bosworth Field, and Hawker puts spurs to his horse, ready to discharge his final duty to the king. But the usurping Tudors have discovered Hawker's quest, and are hot on his heels. ...FOR THE FATE OF A KINGDOM The Tudors know that Hawker carries with him two things; the king's priceless ruby, rumoured to be cursed, and a Plantagenet heir... And they know where he's going. A breath-taking cat and mouse chase across medieval Europe, from Bosworth to Venice. Packed with intricate plotting and beautifully realised characters, this is perfect for fans of Christian Cameron and David Gilman. Praise for Hawker and the King's Jewel 'A brutal, brilliant tale, told with verve and pace. Hawker is a terrific creation' Bernard Cornwell 'Bale takes the reader from the terror of battle where a crown is lost and won to the sparkling jewel that is Venice, teeming with intrigue and treachery. Great storytelling' David Gilman, author of the Master of War series 'An absolute gem of a novel. I was taken aback by Bale's skill and talent. Meticulously researched, with a totally authentic medieval feel, the novel fizzes with action, romance and intrigue. A gripping yarn' Angus Donald, author of the Outlaw series 'Hawker is an ageing, flawed character and it is in his description of the man's inner turmoil, his bursts of energy and, above all, loyalty that the author has created a living soul... Compelling, authentic characters, a tight narrative which drives the story with verve; dialogue which is neither mock Gothic nor anachronistic, all allow the reader to feel part of the sounds and sights of the late fifteenth century. The novel deserves high praise' The Ricardian "Three outlaw knights, three secrets, one precious jewel. August 1485. The eve of the Battle of Bosworth. King Richard III summons his loyal and grizzled retainer, Sir John Hawker, and charges him with one final mission. After the battle, he must return a priceless ruby - one of the mysterious Tears of Byzantium - to its giver, the Doge of Venice. Richard believes the jewel has brought ill luck to his family, and wants rid of it before anything else can go wrong. Hawker is also sworn to protect Richard's newly knighted bastard son, an arrogant youth unaware of his true parentage. But Richard's commands are overheard by a Tudor spy. When the king falls in battle, Hawker, his royal bastard, and another lost knight make common cause and flee the field with Tudor agents in hot pursuit of both the ruby and the potential Plantagenet heir. Not knowing who to trust and with England falling under the grip of Henry VII, Hawker and his small Yorkist band take the only course left open: Venice, with all its conspiracies - and the love Hawker left behind there..."--Provided by publisher Three outlaw knights. Three secrets. One last mission. August 1485. The eve of the Battle of Bosworth. King Richard III summons his loyal and grizzled retainer, Sir John Hawker, and charges him with one final mission. After the battle, he must return a priceless ruby one of the mysterious Tears of Byzantium to its giver, the Doge of Venice. Richard believes the jewel has brought ill luck to his family, and wants rid of it before anything else can go wrong. Hawker is also sworn to protect Richards newly knighted bastard son, an arrogant youth unaware of his true parentage. But Richards commands are overheard by a Tudor spy. When the king falls in battle, Hawker, his royal bastard, and another lost knight make common cause and flee the field with Tudor agents in hot pursuit of both the ruby and the potential Plantagenet heir. Not knowing who to trust and with England falling under the grip of Henry VII, Hawker and his small Yorkist band take the only course left open: Venice, with all its conspiracies and the love Hawker left behind there...