The Broken Font: A Story of the Civil War, Vol. 1 (of 2)

A tranquil afternoon in 1640 sets the scene on the grounds of Milverton House, where the warm sun and singing cuckoo create a picture of peaceful English countryside life. In a shaded alcove the kindly master of the estate reads, while a curious six‑year‑old girl practices her lessons, and the old hunting hound lies lazily beside forgotten bowls and a boy’s bow and arrow. Their quiet world is suddenly interrupted by a boisterous fourteen‑year‑old who rushes in, sparking an unexpected conversation that drifts from innocent play to a disturbing rumor about the brutal punishment of a local clergyman.

That fleeting question about the severed ears of Master Prynne hints at the darker currents already stirring beneath the surface of this seemingly serene world. As the characters grapple with rumors of cruelty and the looming tensions between Royalists and Parliamentarians, the narrative promises a vivid glimpse into family life, community bonds, and the moral quandaries that will soon erupt into the wider storm of civil war.