1033 - Normandy. It will be 30 years before William Duke of Normandy sails to England and does battle at Hastings, but the events that lead up to that epic moment are already taking shape. The twelve sons of Tancred de Hauteville are forced out of their native region of Normandy and take service as mercenaries in Italy - their swords, like those of the confreres who had preceded them, for hire to anyone who would pay. The de Hautvilles were destined to become the most powerful warriors of medieval times.