The Belt of Gold

Hagen is a Frankish warrior returning from pilgrimage when he reaches Constantinople at the end of the reign of Irene of Athens. Unsophisticated in imperial politics but determined to avenge a personal wrong, he searches the city for Theophano and a route to the wealthy John Cerulis. His pursuit carries him from taverns and chariot factions into the administrative and ceremonial centre of an empire where access, patronage and rumour can be more dangerous than open combat.

Irene’s court is divided among officials, soldiers, financiers and men preparing to replace her. Hagen’s connection to Theophano gives him entry to the empress but also makes him a piece in conspiracies he only partly understands. The novel follows several intersecting lives through the political crisis of 802, contrasting the foreigner’s direct code of revenge with Byzantine methods of influence and concealment as imperial authority shifts from Irene to a new regime.