The Nest of the Sparrowhawk: A Romance of the XVIIth Century

In a sun‑drenched Kentish manor, a rigid clergyman‑like figure, Master Hymn‑of‑Praise Busy, spends his afternoons chastising the revelry of the young women who drift through the garden’s fragrant hedges. His stern sermons clash with the carefree laughter spilling from a nearby skittle alley, where Mistress Charity and her companions flirt with mischief and merriment. The scene is painted with vivid details of wilted livery, cracked oak chairs, and the vivid tapestry of summer blossoms that frame the household’s uneasy balance between piety and pleasure.

Amid this tension, a lanky, bright‑eyed youth—still in threadbare doublet and stockings—goes about his chores, polishing chairs and arranging the modest table. His hidden twinkle hints at a curiosity that may soon draw him into the world of flirtatious games, secret drinks, and the quiet rebellion that stirs beneath the manor’s orderly façade. The opening promises a lively portrait of 17th‑century English country life, where duty and desire vie for the hearts of those who dwell within its walls.