370th Anniversary of the Crabchurch Conspiracy

January 24, 2015August 19, 2019 Categories: Author Spotlights · NewsTags: Crabchurch Conspiracy · English Civil War3 Comments

In February 1645, a battle was fought between Parliament and Royalists over the strategic seaports of Weymouth and Melcombe in Dorset. The event is known as the Crabchurch Conspiracy. To commemorate the 370th anniversary of Parliament’s victory, on Saturday February 28th a concert will be held in Weymouth, featuring live music by the Dolmen and readings by the eminent historian Professor Ronald Hutton and Jane McKell, actress and founding director of AsOne. The event is organized by Mark Vine, historian and author of the Crabchurch Conspiracy. If you’re in the Dorset area and are interested in the English Civil War and excellent…

The Fifth Monarchists

January 16, 2015August 19, 2019 Categories: 17th centuryTags: English Civil War · Fifth Monarchists3 Comments

Once upon a time, in a world turned upside down, a fanatical Puritan faction known as the Fifth Monarchists tried to create a godly society… Today I’m visiting the English Historical Fiction Authors with the Fifth Monarchists. Join me in a trip to 1651 England. It’s not all daffodils and roses.

Finding the Fugitive King a Ship (Finale)

November 12, 2014August 19, 2019 Categories: 17th centuryTags: Barque · Battle of Worcester · Bridport · Brighthelmstone · Brighton · Charles Stuart · Colonel Wyndham · English Civil War · Escape of King Charles II · Jane Lane · Jersey · King Charles II · Limbry · Oliver Cromwell · Shoreham · Tattersell · Wilmot · Worcester2 Comments

Up until now, our fugitive King, Charles Stuart, has hidden in a tree, fought off a deranged miller, crouched in a priest’s hole, sparred with a Republican smith, and ridden past a sea of enemy dragoons, all while picking up lessons on the speech and comportment of a country fellow. He’s had a busy time of it, but now we get to the final stretch. Our King must find a ship. After Charles had left the Nortons of Abbotsleigh, he arrived at Trent, the home of a close acquaintance, Colonel Frank Wyndham, who set to work to find him a…

Looking for Me?

November 4, 2014August 18, 2019 Categories: NewsTags: Charles Stuart · English Civil War · Highwayman · King Charles II · Worcester7 Comments

Today, I’m a guest of English Historical Fiction Authors. You can read about the history of infamous 17th Century highwayman, Captain Hind, in a new blog post titled The Royalist Highwayman. Come on over for a visit.

Finding the Fugitive King (Part 3): Damsel saves the day

October 23, 2014August 19, 2019 Categories: 17th centuryTags: Abbotsleigh · Bentley Hall · Bristol · Charles Stuart · English Civil War · Escape of King Charles II · Jane Lane · Moseley Old Hall · Thomas Whitgreave11 Comments

By the time Charles Stuart left Moseley Old Hall on September 9, 1651, Parliament had circulated a £1000 reward for his capture. This was no mean sum. To put this in perspective, a labourer made an average of £9 per year*, and it would have taken him over 110 years to earn the value of the reward. In today’s dollars, based on the average UK farmer’s salary** of £24,500 the reward would be approximately £545,000. The stakes were definitely high. Our old friend Thomas Whitgreave recommended the services of Colonel John Lane of Bentley Hall to Charles. The Colonel had…