THE FLAGS OF DAWN

This is the story of the ferment of freedom that was sweeping Europe in the 18th century, and it culminates in the signing of the Magna Carta at Runnymede. Halcyon del Myddrai, Welsh medical student at the University of Salernoa, is summoned home by scholarly Giraldus Cambrensis, friend of Langton, bishop of Canterbury, and instrumental is rousing the barons to needed reforms. She is joined by Ranulph of France, and young Nicecla who is to train their messenger doves; they meet the young St Francis, they reach London to find the people ready for action, to hear Langton pronounce the articles King John is to sign on his return after the defeat in France. Then they journey on to Wales to spread the word to their people. Halcyon's twin brother is the King's physician, and she impersonates him, in order to observe, first hand, the King's illness, and again returns to Wales to give news of the short span of life left him -- and return to London for the historic scene at Runnymade...Colorful, if sometimes too meticulously detailed, improvisation on the heritage of freedom from abuses, slavery, domination. The first story on that period that I have seen for years.