in Nottinghamshire
.
He was the son of Henry Willoughby, a Dorset landowner and Anne, daughter of Thomas Grey, Marquess of Dorset. Henry had inherited Wollaton
from his uncle John Willoughby on 10 January 1549, but was killed in resisting Kett's rebellion
on 27 August 1549. Francis became entitled to the family estates on the death of his elder brother Thomas in 1559.
Most people think time is like a river that flows swift and sure in one direction. But I have seen the face of time, and I can tell you: they are wrong. Time is an ocean in a storm. You may wonder who I am or why I say this. Sit down and I will tell you a tale like none you have ever heard. [First and Last lines in the Trilogy].
Father, I have brought us honour and glory.
Trust not a man who has betrayed his master, nor take him into your own service, lest he betray you too. I learned the truth of this, to my sorrow, the day we arrived in Azad as the Sultan's honoured guests.
When a man is faced with his own death, he finds the impossible less of a barrier.
He now had his prize, but for some unknown reason coveted the Dagger as well. Well, I would give him what he sought. I would plunge it into his foul and treacherous heart!
I could marry her! After all, she is a Maharajah's daughter. A conquered one, but still, her blood is royal. . . . All right, I've decided. I will marry her. I'll tell her the first chance I get.
My father's army sacked your palace, captured you as a slave; you have every reason to hate me...now you want me to trust you?
I had faced my enemy, I had looked into his eyes, and I had lost...everything.
....and though I fought until the desert sands themselves were red with blood; I could not bring back the dead.