The Young Cavalier: A Story of the Civil Wars

A restless summer on the Isle of Wight finds fifteen‑year‑old Humphrey Markham confined to his school while the kingdom teeters on the brink of civil war. From the chalk‑white heights of St. Catherine’s Down he watches Carisbrooke Castle’s flag flutter in a still air, and the distant hills whisper of looming battles. His companion, the bold Ralph Granville, shares restless speculation about which side the country will split, and the pair can’t help but feel the pull of duty even as they remain “exiled” from home.

When the first rumblings of conflict reach their ears, Humphrey resolves to seek his father in Hamptonshire and join the Royalist cause, despite his youth. The narrative follows his uneasy transition from schoolboy to fledgling cavalier, as he and Ralph trade idle chatter for daring rides, sudden skirmishes, and the harsh choices that war demands. Their journey offers a vivid portrait of loyalty, friendship, and the raw excitement of stepping into history’s tempest.