Part 2, The Adulterous Princesses; Chapter's 1-3 Summary and Analysis

Part Two of "The Iron King" begins by introducing two of the pivotal players in the book; Spinello and his young nephew Gucci of the Tolomei Lombard bank.

Spinello Tolomei is bartering a contract with Jean de Marigney, one of the officials at court for the sale of a large part of the Templar Gold out-of-the country. This will increase his personal wealth, and also add to the coffers of the Lombard Bankers. Upon a successful negotiation, the aging banker is informed that Robert of Artois would like to see him, to arrange for further credit. It is soon revealed that Artois has been long in debt to the Lombard Bankers with his continual court cases against his aunt Mahaut (for having taken his ancestral home when the King agreed to...