Welcome to the captivating world of eleventh-century England and France during the turbulent reign of King William I in Once a Mason, an enthralling tale of ambition, love, war, and destiny. Traverse through the tapestry of Medieval England at the time of the Norman invasion, when a wave of castle and cathedral construction engulfs England and the all-powerful Catholic Church reigns supreme. Once a Mason unveils the epic story of the legendary Robert the Mason and his apprentice son Marc as they construct a castle for the king in the City of London. Delve into the closely guarded secrets of the operative stonemasons and journey alongside young Marc as he advances through the ranks of the ancient craft, unlocking its mysteries Our hero faces numerous challenges as the ongoing unrest between the Anglo-Saxons and the Normans continues, all the while William's rule transforms the fabric of English society, customs, and culture. Marc's tools prove to be more than just mere working tools; they become instruments for forging a civilisation's destiny - one stone at a time. Lance is a retired Civil Engineer and before retiring, he worked in the mining industry, where he focused on the construction of mine site infrastructure projects, mostly in remote locations around the globe.
Besides his other skills, Lance writes poetry and has written many poems that draw on his life and work experiences, as well as that of Freemasonry.
This is Lance's first novel, of a story that has been brewing in his mind for ages, and having been an active Freemason for over 60 years, he is well-versed in his subject.