Sword of State — Nigel Tranter

The youthful Alexander II, who ascended 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 became 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.