The Arrows of Fealty by Jill MacLean

The Arrows of Fealty, the stand-alone sequel to The Arrows of Mercy, tells the story of Haukyn of Flintbourne, the second son of Edmund, the protagonist of the earlier novel.

Haukyn is a serf who owes fealty to the lord of the manor and whose life is tied to the soil, yet who craves adventure beyond the boundary stones of his village. In 1373, he leaves for John of Gaunt’s campaign in France. There, during five months of combat and loss, futility and atonement, he learns how armour-clad knights can be brought as low as any serf.

Home again, he is caught between two women, pretty Annabel and Ilotte of the sloe-black eyes. Neither marriage nor fatherhood tames his restless spirit. When a knight who was his sworn enemy in France becomes the new lord of the manor, Haukyn leads his neighbours in rebellion against ancient custom and unjust taxation.

England’s southern counties march in open revolt on London, where Haukyn witnesses the king grant freedom to every serf in the country. Unimaginable freedom. A freedom that will bring consequences.