The Children of the New Forest

Set against the turmoil of 1647 England, the story follows four orphaned siblings left behind at Arnwood when their father, a Royalist officer, falls at Naseby. Their mother, grief‑stricken, soon passes away, and the children are placed under the care of an elderly forest keeper, Jacob Armitage, whose cottage lies on the edge of the ancient New Forest. As the country reels from war and the king’s failed escape, the youngsters must learn to survive in a landscape of deep woods, hidden glades and a community of foresters whose loyalties are as shifting as the political winds.

Within the forest’s tangled paths, the children discover a world of secret gatherings, whispered legends, and unexpected allies among the keepers and hunters who still tend the royal lands. Their daily struggles for food, shelter, and safety soon turn into small acts of courage, revealing a bond between siblings that grows stronger than any battle outside the trees. The first act paints a vivid picture of resilience and hope, inviting listeners to step into a bygone era where innocence meets the raw edge of history.