Arrah Neil; or, Times of Old

In the early days of the English Civil War, the fortified town of Hull looms as a prize coveted by both king and parliament. Within its shadow, the proud yet conflicted Sir John Hotham wrestles with loyalty, while his son, Colonel Hotham, chafes under his father's indecision. Amid the looming siege, the spirited Arrah Neil enters the scene, her life entwined with the fate of the town and the daring Royalist soldier Captain Barecolt.

Barecolt, a swaggering yet charismatic officer, provides both comic relief and fierce bravery as he maneuvers through intrigue and battlefield danger. Arrah's gentle sensibility clashes and ultimately harmonizes with the harsh realities of war, creating a tender yet urgent romance that mirrors the turbulence around them. As alliances shift and secrets surface, the novel captures the clash of honor, love, and ambition against a vivid, historically rich backdrop.