Robert Bolling takes on the role of the elder statesman in the novel and restrains his fiery-tempered son Tristram, from getting them into even more trouble than they are already in. For his part in the Battle of Towton he is attainted, literally accused of being of bad blood. His punishment is to be stripped of his ancestral lands and rights. He is lucky to escape with his life as other knights, captured at Towton were beheaded on the spot, at the command of Edward IV. As in real life though, he is a shrewd operator and gets his family lands back. The scene where his attainder is served, gives an insight into what a perilous life people led during this period.