Prologue: 1123 Summary

November 25, 1120: The White Ship, the latest achievement in ocean transport, sinks off the coast. King Henry of England's only legitimate son and heir sinks with the ship, along with two royal bastards, leaving the line of succession to the throne of England in dispute.

Prologue 1123: The young boys arrive first to watch the hanging. These children enjoy the hangings for their entertainment value; the youngsters are vicious and cruel and despise everything that their elders value. Soon the village men arrive and speak knowingly of hangings they have previously witnessed. Before long, the entire village turns out; the older women sell ale and food as an impromptu market springs up around the gallows. The townspeople get their first look at the condemned man as he is brought in by oxcart. Behind the cart ride his three accusers: a knight, a priest, and a...