WELCOME TO HIGH RENAISSANCE ITALY: The age of Michelangelo and Leonardo, of Machiavelli and Raphael - a belle epoque for warrior popes, prelates, princes, poets and the realpolitik. But even as the philosophers claim that 'man has come of age, ' Europeans once again arm for war and march on Italy. Into this inferno of intrigue and bloodletting, the knights of Rhodes send Hugh de Erpingham to assassinate his hero, Marcantonio Vendramin, a knight who has disappeared with the gold that could save Rhodes from a growing Turkish threat. As the Sultan amasses a monstrous armada in Gallipoli, these two errant knights; two refugees from the collapse of chivalry, lock horns in a desperate dance of death across the Italian city states in a bid to save Christendom.... and their own souls. PRAISE for BOOK III - 'THE HERETIC' 'An exceptional new novel... masterful story... delicious, multifaceted.' The Historical Novel Review (US) 'A book of big ideas, political intrigue, and action; I came to love Brother Pacificus, Simon, the children, and the many other characters, and I have to admit, I shed several tears on their behalf. Based on historical events, this book has it all, and I would recommend it to anyone interested in such a tumultuous time period.' The Historical Novel Society 'Magnificent... a work of importance... moments of astonishing power... could become a cult book of its kind.' Author, Penelope Wilcox