Beauvallet Dynasty

A valiant orphan rises to knighthood-and finds love with an enemy-in this historical romance of chivalry and adventure during the Hundred Years' War. At the dawn of the fifteenth century, England is locked in a bitter war with France. Simon, the illegitimate son of Geoffrey of Malvallet, finds a home in the service of the Earl of Montlice. Distinguishing himself on the field of battle, Simon rises through the ranks until he becomes a friend to the Prince of Wales himself. But Simon's true test will come when he is sent to overtake the French territory of Belremy. Though Simon conquers the city, the castle proves difficult to penetrate. Coming face-to-face with the beautiful and defiant Lady Margaret, Simon sees in this bold enemy a spirit to match his own. But can he convince this woman of his love when she would sooner die than surrender?

When we meet Simon of Beauvallet he is a 14 year old boy, the year is 1400, and the 100 year war is raging. Simon is the bastard son of Geoffrey of Malvallet and as such must make his own way in the world without the status and advantage his father's station might have conferred. By sheer strength of will Simon manages to join a rival house's army and through courage and strength rises up the ranks until he knighted by the King himself for his bravery. Through his travels and adventures he meets and becomes fast friends with his half brother, gains lands, but never finds love. Indeed his seeming disinterest in the many women of England who would be his lady gains him the moniker "Simon the Heartless." But that changes when he lays siege to and takes the French castle in Belremy. There he falls in love with the lady Margaret. But Margaret hates the English invader and Simon, it would seem, has met his match.

In the early 15th century, during the middle of the Hundred Years' War, England and France were fighting for sovereignty over France. It was a time of hand-to-hand combat, the invention of the longbow, and real knights in armor. Simon Beauvallet was born in 1386, the illegitimate son of Geoffrey of Malvallet. After his mother's death in 1400, he and his half-brother, the legitimate son and heir of his father, became great friends of the Prince, fighting against France. Known for his silence and nicknamed "the Coldheart," Simon nonetheless loved children and had a complex and deep personality. After the Battle of Agincourt in 1415, he was sent to besiege Belremy, where he met the lady, Margaret, who eventually surrendered to the English and became his bride.