England, 1065: The Saxon kingdom is under threat of invasion at both ends. From the north comes Harald Hardrada of Norway intent on pillage, while across the Channel, Duke William of Normandy is about to enforce his claim to the throne. Between the two lie the villages and townships defended only by part-time armies maintained by the Earls of Wessex, Mercia and Northumbria, barely united under King Harold Godwineson. It falls to brave and determined young men like Will Riveracre and Selwyn Astenmede to stand firm against whichever marauding invader reaches them first.

1878: When his family loses their home, to Jack Roberts, who has grown up hearing stories of the Crimean war and the magnificent charge of the Heavy Brigade, the choice between working in a dangerous factory or enlisting in the army and putting on the famed red uniform is an easy one. But when fighting for Queen and Country takes him far from home to defending a small mission station from overwhelming numbers, it is anything but easy and bravery and stoicism take on new meaning.

John Leary, a man of 55 years, leads his construction empire with an iron grip and is not alone in this endeavor. His two sons play pivotal roles in the family business, but it is his firstborn charismatic yet unpredictable Richard who basks in his father's favor in stark contrast to Brendan, Richard's half-brother who has the respect of Leary's hard-working site men because he seems to have mortar running through his veins.

1564: Devon sailor Francis Drake sets out on a journey of adventure. Drake learns of routes used to transport Spanish silver and gold, and risks his life in an audacious plan to steal a fortune.

"The king will decide what is treason..." These are words Catherine Carey has heard before, and they’ve always led to the block. As a girl, she saw her aunt Anne Boleyn go to the scaffold. Now, she might see yet another queen suffer the same fate. She has to decide. To serve her mistress would be treason, to abandon her would mean the doom of a good lady.