In Bishopthorpe Palace, September 1373 - Archbishop Thoresby lies dying and Owen Archer, his captain of the guard, is determined to ensure his master's last days are peaceful. But much to his dismay Thoresby has agreed to a visit from Princess Joan - she has come to seek the great man's advice about the royal succession before it's too late. Owen grudgingly admits the fair lady's visit might be just the distraction Thoresby needs but within minutes of the royal party's arrival it is clear that the servant who met with an accident and died on the journey has in fact been murdered. And when it turns out that he was servant to the Bishop of Winchester's emissary, who bears important documents for Thoresby, the mystery deepens. When these documents go missing and the emissary himself is found hanging in the woods with Thoresby's private secretary, the brooding Brother Michaelo, lying prostrate below him the shadow of suscipion falls over the whole household. With time against him, Owen Archer must find the murderer amongst them, but his task is made doubly difficult by the fear that one of his own men has been compromised and there are few he can trust...