IT IS FIFTEEN YEARS SINCE I BEGAN TO THINK ABOUT REWORKING ARTHURIAN legends within a fictional framework, and I would like to thank Gillian crossley–Holland, Deborah Rogers, Richard Barber and my father, Peter Crossley-Holland, for giving me great encouragement on the first steps of my journey.
To write a book set in time past calls for a good deal of research, and I am extraordinarily fortunate in having for stepmother a distinguished medievalist who has not only helped direct my footsteps but given my first draft a meticulous and perceptive reading. To her the first part of this trilogy is dedicated.
I am so grateful to all four of my children, Kieran and Dominic, Oenone and Eleanor, for their enthusiasm, sharp comments and contributions to this book-in-the-making. In addition, a number of people have kindly offered advice on specific matters: Ian Chance on the medieval fishpond or stew; Jeremy Flynn on armor and weaponry; Kathy Ireson on pregnancy; Colin Janes on archery; Carol Salmon on black pudding. I am indebted to them, and to Cecile Dorr for involving me in an Arthurian “occasion,” Abner Jones for the loan of books, Janet Poynton for her great generosity in lending me a “safe” house last summer in which to live and write, Maureen West for rapid typing, and the Afton-Lakeland school library in Minnesota.
Hemesh Alles has drawn the splendid endpaper maps. Readers will discover that my imaginary Caldicot appears to be a predecessor of Stokesay Castle: it combines elements of that castle with Wingfield College in Suffolk, the home of Ian and Hilary Chance.
In Judith Elliott I have a superb editor/publisher and friend. She commissioned this book, commented in detail on every aspect of it, and has excited some interest in it. I thank you so much, Judith, and, finally, I thank my wife Linda. You helped me to dream this book, put up with me while I was writing it, read the drafts with a keen American eye and a blue pencil, and helped to name the chapters. My name alone appears on the title page but many other people have given me thoughtful advice and imaginative support.