Medieval mystery and melodrama in this slick but speedy tale of a young serf who wanted to become a painter. Stephen Bellinger, nearly fourteen, serf of the manor owned by a young lord fighting in France, escaped the cruel reign of the manager of the manor and with the help of a kindly artist, becomes apprenticed to Master Thomas Lovecok in London. In spite of some brutal blackmail from a journeyman painter, Stephen becomes a King's painter and is able to help the oppressed people of his home village, who are freed of their serfdom by the returned lord. Set in 1358, this has bounce if not body.