The Mercy of God — David Pilling

Summer, 1331, and Edward Balliol's plans for the invasion of Scotland are coming to fruition. His small army of adventurers and mercenaries is mustering in the North, and one of their number is Sir John Swale, intent on going into Scotland on his own private revenge mission.

Meanwhile, in Leicestershire, Swale's wife Elizabeth attempts to repair her long-abandoned ancestral home with money and servants supplied by Queen Philippa. Her infant daughter Joan shows no signs of responding to the world around her, and in desperation Elizabeth accepts an offer of help from a local hermit...