
Prologue.
Chapter One. - A Sword Duel in the Saddle.
Chapter Two. - Foes Become Friends.
Chapter Three. - Beautiful Forest Birds.
Chapter Four. - Out for a Walk.
Chapter Five. - Waiting and Watching.
Chapter Six. - A Cavalier in Love.
Chapter Seven. - A Young Lady not in Love.
Chapter Eight. - A House in Tudor Style.
Chapter Nine. - A Right Royal Epistle.
Set against the tumultuous decade of the 1640s, the story opens in the gilded gardens of Whitehall, where Queen Henrietta confronts King Charles I with a fierce vision of absolute rule. Their heated exchange reveals a marriage strained by politics, ambition, and the looming threat of a Parliament that refuses to be silenced. As the royal couple wrestles with questions of power, taxation, and loyalty, the stage is set for a clash that will reshape the nation.
Through vivid dialogue and razor‑sharp insight, the narrative draws listeners into the charged atmosphere of a court on the brink of collapse. Loyal courtiers, scheming advisors, and a restless populace each add layers of tension, hinting at the dangerous games that lie ahead. The first act captures the intoxicating mix of idealism and desperation that fuels both king and queen, inviting you to hear the echo of a world where the crown’s glitter masks a gathering storm.
Language
en
Duration
~11 hours (663K characters)
Publisher of text edition
Project Gutenberg
Credits
Produced by Nick Hodson of London, England
Release date
2011-03-24
Rights
Public domain in the USA.

1818–1883
Adventure, danger, and wide-open landscapes fill these classic stories by an Irish-born novelist who turned his own restless life into fiction. His books helped shape the popular image of the American frontier for generations of young readers.
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