The Golden Lion

by Peter Darman Book 3 in the Catalan Chronicles series.

First published 2020

Amazon

4.4(800)

Byzantine Thrace and Macedonia, after 1305. Luca Baldi and the Catalan Company have survived attempts to destroy them and now possess enough military power to dominate communities that once regarded them as hired soldiers. Victory, however, leaves them without a secure political settlement.

Luca’s enemies exploit divisions among Byzantine and regional rulers while Empress Irene emerges as a new opponent. The Catalans must decide whether they are still mercenaries, an occupying army or the beginnings of a state. For Luca, every new campaign offers advancement but also increases the number of people with reasons to see him dead.