Linda Upham

Discord Linda Upham

It is the autumn of 1644 and a civil war has been fought up and down England, between the King and Parliament but with no clear winners. In the market town of Huntingdon, Abigail Fullwood and her parents and two brothers get on with living their lives.

But war comes to the town with Parliamentary soldiers in the streets, and then Tom, the older brother runs away with the army when it leaves. Will he survive? Will the family ever know what happens to him?

Abi is an intelligent girl, and unusually has been educated so that she can help her father the apothecary; but she is also frustrated at the lack of a formal education or career for herself. In the seventeenth century, women are considered to be the weaker sex and fit only for domestic tasks.

Months later, in the summer of 1645, the King and his Royalist army descend suddenly on Huntingdon. There are soldiers in the streets again and in the homes and houses which means Abi has to find a way for herself and her family to survive amongst the turmoil and violence. Added to this is the problem of coping with the Royalist soldiers who are billeted on her home just as a Parliamentary spy has asked for her help.

What will the future hold for Abi and her family now?

This is a novel for 9-14 year olds.