Thirty years before Henry VIII began the systematic destruction of the English monasteries, the wealthiest religious community in the country is under attack from a greedy Italian Cardinal and a Spanish assassin charged with eliminating one of the young monks whose very existence threatens to undermine the fragile alliance between England and Spain. The Bastard of Glastonbury tells the story of BROTHER THOMAS, a young monk, surrendered to the brothers at a young age, whose life is threatened by those seeking political and economic gain in England's new regime. Thomas, with the help of an older couple and a troubled young woman, escapes the abbey just as his enemy discovers his identity. Hoping to get Thomas on a boat to France as soon as possible, his protectors rush him to London only to be overtaken by his enemies at the last moment before departure. A vicious fight ensues on the dark wharfs of the Thames River, and Thomas's escape comes at a heavy price.