One hot day in 1202, the young Mossé ben Nahman witnesses the Jew Jafudà ben Rovèn, a friend of his father’s, being burned alive. The terrible experience left its mark on the life of a boy who would grow up under the Christian name Bonastruc ça Porta of Girona, the man that would subsequently be chosen by King Jaume I to defend Hebrew doctrine in the Barcelona Dispute. There, he will meet Ramon Llull, with whom he will establish a surprising and dangerous friendship. The wars against the Saracens, the conquests of Mallorca and Valencia, the king’s marriages and lovers, deep animus against and attacks on Jews by triumphant Christians, sickening violence and plots in the episcopal palace all feature in this magnificent frieze of power and intrigue, featuring Bonastruc as the protagonist at a time when a country is being forged through conquest, domination and treaties.
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