Lord John Clifford is dead at the time the novel commences but his presence is felt throughout. He dies a hero’s death after the Battle of Ferrybridge, prior to the main engagement at Towton but his death cost the Yorkists dear. His 500 hard riding, hard fighting men are said to have accounted for 3,500 Yorkist casualties. Whilst his son, Henry is raised by Tom Lawkland as a simple shepherd, we see glimpses of his father’s martial character throughout the book. Lord Stanley’s troubled occupancy of Skipton Castle demonstrates that John Clifford was a hard act to follow. He may be dead but he still causes the Yorkists problems and they are smarting for revenge.