11th century Italy. The domination of the Normans is causing trouble. At their head is the feared Robert de Hauteville the 'Guiscard' who has colonised much of Italy and commands the triple Dukedom of the extended Norman family. But Robert has made many enemies including the ever-powerful papacy in Rome. The newly elected Pope Gregory exercises his vendetta against the Normans by encouraging them to sail to Byzantium and fight the Turks. But first he must deal with the Guiscard._x000D_As Robert suppresses a Lombard revolt his first-born Bohemund now 17 and blessed with the strength height and military prowess of his father has come to fight in his army. Bohemund seeks to assert his natural right as the heir of Robert's dukedom but it is not without difficulty as Robert's second son Borsa is now legally entitled to inherit. . . Blood ties will count for nothing.
Jack Ludlow is the pen name of writer David Donachie, who was born in Edinburgh in 1944. He has had a variety of jobs, selling everything from business machines to soap. He has always had an abiding i... more
David Thorpe
Narrator
David Thorpe has appeared in many stage plays, in rep and on tour. TV credits include The Brittas Empire, Peak Practice, and Jonathan Creek. Twice a member of the BBC Radio Drama Company, he has been ... more