Venice, 1201. Thousands of soldiers are mustering in readiness for what will be the Fourth Crusade. Young Arthur de Caldicot, squire to Lord Stephen, is among them. It is thrilling to be part of this great gathering; but his eyes are soon opened to the realities of warfare and politics. The Arthur who returns home two years later has looked in his seeing stone and realized that the exploits of King Arthur and his knights are no more glorious than those of the crusaders, and that the Holy Grail is elusive. But he has other things on his mind, too - he wrestles with difficult relationships with his father, the violent Sir William, and his churlish elder brother, he dreams of finding his mother, he worries about his impending betrothal and looks forward to being lord of his own manor of Catmole.

This is a vivid and enchanting picture of daily life in medieval times, shot through with the magic of the Arthurian legends.

'Samuel West's... controlled and appealing characterisation is hugely successful, simple and dazzling ' — Time Out

Samuel West has appeared in films ranging from Carrington to Notting Hill , done much television work, such as Persuasion and C. S. Lewis's Prince Caspian , and performed on stage with the Royal National Theatre and at the Theatre Royal, Haymarket. Radio work includes The Merchant of Venice, Poetry Please , and Richard II (as Richard) for the BBC. He has also recorded many audio books.