The Strolling Saint; being the confessions of the high and mighty Agostino D'Anguissola, tyrant of Mondolfo and Lord of Carmina, in the state of Piacenza

"The Strolling Saint" by Rafael Sabatini is a story that explores the dramatic life of Agostino D'Anguissola, a character whose journey is filled with conflict between his family's expectations and his own desires. Agostino reflects on how his upbringing, particularly the religious influence of his mother and the rebellious nature of his father, has shaped his life. The story begins with Agostino's musings on the weight of names and the tensions within his family, specifically his mother's wish for him to join the Church and his father's defiance of the Papal authority. His childhood is depicted as a time of confinement and emotional struggle as he grapples with his sense of identity and longing for freedom, revealing his inner turmoil that will propel him on his journey.