aBurntShip

  First heard of 'The London' some years ago when was involved in the  The Great War at Sea Poetry Project  and found a poem about HMS Vanguard, a naval ship, that exploded whilst moored at Scapa Flow on 9th July 1917, with the loss of at least 804 lives. Another internal explosion occurred on board HMS Bulwark on 26th November 1914, off Sheerness, Kent. costing 741 lives.  I became curious about other naval ships that blew up whist moored away from hostile action.  So began to notice the  'London', a 76 gun second rate  ship of the line, launched at Chatham Dockyard in June 1656. Has not featured particularly in the accounts of Cromwell's navy. The 'London' was one of the ships that escorted Charles II back to England in 1660, and carried James Duke of York on board.   The second Anglo-Dutch war broke out on 4th March 1665. Most historians regard the conflict as having its origins in colonial and commercial rivalry between the two countries.   On September

  Mark Turnbull's previous book, 'Allegiance of Blood' (2019), has become one of my favourite 17th century related novels, and was also pleased to arrange an  author interview  a few months ago. Mark Turnbull's new novella 'The King's Spy' , is the first offering from 'The Rebellion Series' that he is currently working on. A kindle version  has appeared, available on 'Amazon' , and can be borrowed via 'Kindle Unlimited' , a paperback edition will be published by Sharpe Books shortly.  A most superb novella indeed. Opens with the battle of  Naseby ( 14th June of 1645) , and ends with the first bout of fighting at  Rowton Moor near Chester  (24th  September 1645). And in the aftermath of Naseby, the Royalist cause is starting to wane, setbacks on the battlefield mean that their chances of outright victory are reducing. Friction is also developing between King Charles and Prince Rupert. There is spying, treachery, battle scenes, tragedy