The First of the English: A Novel

A young captain named Guy Chester commands the sleek, heavily armed Dover Lass as it battles a raging north‑west gale on the Schelde estuary. The crew—rough‑haired, witty sea‑dogs led by the pragmatic first officer Harry Dalton—shares cramped decks, jokes, and a fierce pride in their vessel’s unusual design, which lets them out‑maneuver larger ships. The opening thrust places them on a perilous run toward Antwerp, wary of Spanish galleys and the treacherous currents that threaten to toss the ship aside.

The novel immerses listeners in the clamor of cannon, the salty spray of a night storm, and the camaraderie forged in cramped quarters. As the Dover Lass presses onward, the narrative weaves a vivid portrait of Elizabethan seafaring life, exploring ambition, loyalty, and the thin line between trade and privateering. It promises a gripping, character‑driven adventure that keeps the tension high while the crew navigates both the sea and their own uncertain futures.