aBurntShip

    A biography by Mark Turnbull -published by 'Pen & Sword'  Mark Turnbull is aptly qualified to write a biography of Charles I: He has written four well researched novels set during the British and Irish Civil Wars, and runs the 'Cavalier Podcast' series. Mr Turnbull has also appeared as a speaker on the Civil War history circuit.  This is the author's  the first non fiction work, and as Mr Turnbull already has the skill to make history interesting, the biography is ultimately a success. Also as a Civil War specialist, the author is more pro-Royalist whilst objective enough to look at the broader picture so to speak. The book is well footnoted, including references to  source material from the National Archives. .  I t is fair to say that the author seems quite distanced from the stance taken by historians such as Christopher Hill, who focused on alleged underlying  socio- economic causes of the conflict. Overall the emphasis is firmly place...

                                           The latest novella by Mark Turnbull  For various reasons, I had a break from history blogging this Summer. Pleased to be back starting with a review  -The King's Cavalier' - featuring Captain Maxwell Walker, the third novella in the 'Rebellion' series by Mark Tunrbull.  Opening at a time  when the Royalists have seemingly lost the Civil War but the King still lives.  Mr Turnbull  is currently completing a biography of Charles 1.  The novella opens on 4th November 1647  with Royalist veteran Captain Maxwell Walker foraging for wood with his two young sons in a forest near Selby near Yorkshire, The story soon shifts to the household of King Charles I.  Various key Civil Wars  events are woven into the story. Personally I have differences of opinion with the author's portrayal of The Level...

        Book 2 in the War of the Three Kingdoms 'Rebellion'  Series  Delighted to have a chance to review Mark Turnbull's new novella featuring Royalist soldier Maxwell Walker. I have done my best not to present any 'spoilers'.  And the tale begins on 4th October 1645, with the Royalist cause, post the defeat at Naseby, in desperate straits, and their chances of victory are looking quite hopeless by May 1646 when the novel ends.  The author presents  the more enjoyable and  familiar strands of fiction quite well.  Maxwell Walker fights his own private battles,  being continually confronted  with his nemesis, Gervase  Harper , who is nominally  fighting on the same side. The contrast between the two is well shown. Walker  uses his intelligence to persuade Parliamentarians who are trapped into surrendering to avoid pointless bloodshed, tries to ensure prisoners are treated fairly. Harper is just a master of li...

  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 ...