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Aliens are on earth, buried in the southwest of England for many
hundreds of years, waiting for mankind to reach a sufficiently
advanced level of technology; then when conditions suit, they will
emerge. In 1991, two girls, Harriet and Emily, on a school trip to
the cathedral discover the activity of the aliens. However, they
are warned of the dangers by the ghost of the first bishop. The
girls, using the Internet, uncover several accounts in the
cathedral archives, where bones have come alive. Matters become
serious when several aliens take over a policeman and army major
sent to control the situation. Excavations take place as the aliens
search for the craft in which they arrived to enable them to
conquer the whole planet. Together with information from the diary
of an eighteenth-century milliner, Mrs. Pendlebury, the two girls
direct humanity's fight back.
The year is 1068. The Norman Conquest of England is still in its
early stages. William has been crowned king but faces stiff and
determined opposition from Saxons across the country. In order to
control rebellious peasants, William replaces Saxon lords with
Normans. They set about building castles the length and breadth of
the land and suppressing sedition. The city of Exeter, surrounded
by its Roman walls, is thriving and is the third city of England,
rich and famous for wool and cloth. It contributes much to the
king's coffers in taxes. However, when the king demands a vastly
increased "tribute" from the citizens, they refuse to pay as he is
an alien and unwanted ruler. In the city lives Countess Gytha,
mother of the late King Harold, who, as Earl of Wessex, was much
loved by local Saxons. The presence of the countess acts as a focus
for opposition to William's unreasonable demands. Tostig, a local
carpenter, rises through the ranks of society and is elected leader
of the Council of Elders. To him falls the task of writing to the
king, refusing payment, and coordinating efforts to defend the city
in case the Normans visit. Upon receiving Exeter's refusal to pay
the tribute, William travels to Devon with an army to besiege the
city if necessary and force the citizens to yield and swear fealty
to him. The citizens barricade themselves behind their impenetrable
walls and wait. In order to resolve the problem with all speed, the
king captures a Saxon and makes an example of him to teach the
citizens a lesson.
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