This is a fictionalized account of an adviser to King John of England. It was John who was ruler of England while his brother, Richard the Lion Hearted was away at the Crusades. It was John who as King, was forced by his nobles to sign the Magna Carta. James Goldman had already proven himself a master of the time period in his earlier work, The Lion In Winter. John, of course, is the son of Henry II and Eleanor of Acquitaine so Goldman is still very much in familiar territory. I read this book 30 years ago, but I recall it as engrossing and engaging. ( )

An historical novel set in the early days of 13th century England by James Goldman, playwright (The Lion in Winter), screenwriter (They Might be Giants, Nicholas and Alexandra, Robin and Marian), novelist, and Broadway lyricist. Roger Stevens was a founder and director of the Kennedy Center, a founder of the National Endowment for the Arts and a noted theatrical producer.