The youthful Alexander II, who ascended to the Scottish throne in 1214at the age of sixteen, was delighted to welcome to his court a young manof royal blood, heir to the ancient - and all but rival - line of theCospatricks, Earls of Dunbar. Rather than begrudge Alexander his crown,Patrick, Master of Dunbar, was to serve his monarch well and become histrue and closest friend.And Alexander needed such a friend in those turbulent times, with theever-present threat of King John of England lurking; not to mention thewarlike Norsemen under King Hakon; the Lords of the Isles in revolt, andthe Isle of Man and Ireland also causing trouble.This steadfast royal friendship was to withstand both treachery anddanger, rivalry and heartache during a highly significant period inScottish history.A story of drama and enduring friendship by Nigel Tranter, master ofScottish historical fiction.