In this the fifth book in the chronicles of Adam Black, Adam has joined the Army as a fifteen year old Infantry Junior Leader and while escaping from the restrictions of recruits training to the delights of the Fighting Cocks in Oswestry finds himself transported back to the year 1644 in the middle of an attack on the town by the Roundheads. Adam is captured by them but manages to escape only to end up fighting for the Royalists. However, he finds a good friend in the Doctor who is with the Royalist force and through him meets Annie the scullery maid.
