Sword Of State

The youthful Alexander II, who ascended to the Scottish throne in 1214
at the age of sixteen, was delighted to welcome to his court a young man
of royal blood, heir to the ancient – and all but rival – line of the
Cospatricks, Earls of Dunbar. Rather than begrudge Alexander his crown,
Patrick, Master of Dunbar, was to serve his monarch well and become his
true and closest friend.

And Alexander needed such a friend in those turbulent times, with the
ever-present threat of King John of England lurking; not to mention the
warlike Norsemen under King Hakon; the Lords of the Isles in revolt, and
the Isle of Man and Ireland also causing trouble.

This steadfast royal friendship was to withstand both treachery and
danger, rivalry and heartache during a highly significant period in
Scottish history.

A story of drama and enduring friendship by Nigel Tranter, master of
Scottish historical fiction.