La Seconde Bataille (The Second Battle) is an historical novel by Erik S. Larsen. This
medieval thriller takes us to the
glorious Normandy of
William the Conqueror, in the small town of Coutances where the inhabitants prepare to celebrate the first anniversary of the Conquest of England scheduled on 14 October 1067. The preparations and rehearsals for the big show that is to take place in front of Coutances’ cathedral are going smoothly until a strange accident, quickly followed by a series of murders, casts a shadow on that joyful atmosphere. In the absence of the town’s bishop, his steward, fearing for his own reputation, imposes secrecy to all members of the chapter and requires Renouf, a young clerk at his service, to undertake a discreet inquiry within the walls of the episcopal palace...