Published by Berkeley books in 1983, this is the first of Pamela's civil war series. Pamela did extensive research into her writings to give an accurate portrayal of life in 17th century England during the civil war. Her fictional family, the Herons, live in Suffolk England in 'Goldhayes' manor. The family is caught up in the war, and they fight for the King, against Parliament. The book richly describes the battles in which the Herons are involved. Many of the characters that interact with the family are real, as are the events in which the family takes part in. There is a romance between two of the main characters, Thomazine and Francis Heron, who are cousins. Thomazine, however, was betrothed to another cousin, Dominic Drakelon, when she was 10, and the resulting conflict gives this story much suspense, and appeal.
The sequel to the Moon in the Water, it continues on with the Heron family during the civil war. The reader is given a glimpse of 17th century life in Oxford, Suffolk, and Liddesdale and surviving the siege of the town Colchester during the "second Civil War" in 1648.
This book takes place post-civil war, during the reign of King Charles II, after regaining the throne. The main characters are still part of the Heron family, and though this book is more a romance, there are many actual events portrayed within. The London fire of 1666 is frightfully detailed, giving the readers the sights, sounds, and horrors of that catastrophic event. Another wonderful thread in the book, John Wilmot, second Earl of Rochester , renowned satirical poet and rake of the time, is woven into the story line as Alathea's lover. This is a great book, especially with Alathea making her way in a "man's world" as a portrait artist.
Set during the brief reign of Richard III, Ms. Belle explores the chaotic world of 15th century England. She introduces readers to Christie Heron, the founder of Goldhayes, who joins the Duke of Gloucester's household, and helps him on his path to gaining control of the throne. This book also gives one possible scenario about the fate of the Princes in the Tower.
Wintercombe
Set in Somerset England, the first book, Wintercombe, features a Puritan family who's house is garrisoned by the Kings men, while the master of the household and his son are off fighting for Parliament. Silence St. Barbe, the Puritan housewife left to run the home in her husband's absence, faces many challenges and trials with the Kings men in her midst. Little did she know that she would fall in love with a young, charming Captain of the Kings army, Nicholas Hellier. This story has the rich detail of life during the Civil War, and gives us a glimpse into a Puritan house.
The second book in the Wintercombe series, this continues the story of before, 6 years after the war, when the King of Scots, Charles II, try's to regain his throne after exile. Again we have Silence St. Barbe and her family, and the return of her clandestine love, Captain Nick Hellier. Pamela is able to make her characters three dimensional with her rich descriptive text. One cannot help but think that they actually existed in the well researched setting of the book.
The third book in the series,this story takes place many years after the war, when Silence is a grandmother. It is well worth reading, for it details the attempts of the Duke of Monmouth to gain the throne, as King Charles' II, natural son. Silence's grandchildren and nephew
Silence's grandchildren and nephew continue their fight over the family home, Wintercombe. Alex St. Barbe is caught up in political intrigue with the Prince of Orange.
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14 March, 2006
14 March, 2006