A Lute of Eleven Strings - A story of how it may have been by Jane Kirsten

Paris 1505. Tragedy strikes at the rue Daniel bookshop of Arnoul De La Porte. Alone with his little son Paoul, he finds comfort in the writings of Luther and becomes involved in the illegal Reformation Movement. As Huguenot heretics, his descendants must walk a dangerous tightrope of pretence to prevent being executed. Luc is betrayed and escapes to relatives in Flanders with Sibylle, the daughter of his Protestant mentor.

Amid the increasing violence and bloodshed of the French religious wars the De La Portes lose loved ones, yet manage to survive, rubbing shoulders with aristocrats and royalty and earning the favour of Caterina de Medici. They find love, experiencing friendship with Catholics and healing through music and song.

But the worst is yet to come. The family, uprooted by terror, spends a profitable season in Flanders, but religious persecution continues to haunt and damage them. Young Léon embarks on a quest for bloody vengeance, with surprising  consequences …