Traitor or patriot? : A tale of the Rye-House Plot

In a sun‑lit May‑day on the grounds of a venerable Hertfordshire farm, young Ruth Rumbold moves through music, ribbons and the fragrant sweep of cowslips while the ancient gate‑tower of the Rye House watches over her. The narrative takes us through the bustling village life, the quirks of the local folk, and the simmering tension that underlies the revelry, hinting at a secret plot against the newly restored monarch. A mysterious coal barge and whispered plans at the “King’s Arms” set the scene for a tangled web of loyalty and intrigue, where friends may be strangers and a single misstep could cost a crown.

As the fire‑scented night draws nearer, the story follows Ruth’s growing awareness of the dangerous conspiracies gathering around the royal household. With a blend of historical detail and romantic imagination, listeners are drawn into a world where personal devotion clashes with political ambition, leaving the question of whether one is a traitor or a patriot lingering in every breath.