The action of this book is set around 1650
Following his victory at the Battle of Dunbar in 1650, Oliver Cromwell, Lord Protector of England, sought to bring Scotland too under his protectorate.On his return south he left General George Monck in command and, among others, Colonel James Stanfield, who was made 'governor' of Haddingtonshire.
When Cromwell died and King Charles II was restored to the throne, Colonel Stansfield made the highly unusual decision to remain on in Scotland. Together with two Haddingtonshire Lairds whom he had captured at Dunbar and later befriended - Patrick, Lord Elibank and George Hepburn of Monkrigg - he devised a plan to found an industry making use of the great quantities of wool from the sheep-strewn Lammermuir Hills.
Instead of exporting the raw material to the Low Countries - as had traditionally been the case - the friends saw an opportunity to profit by establishing cloth-mills at home, in Haddington.
But as the enterprise grew and achieved nationwide importance, it was to bring dramatic consequences and unforseen circumstances for the trio......
In his customary and vivid style, Nigel Tranter brings to life the incredible story of this most remarkable of men.