Winifred : or, An English maiden in the seventeenth century

Set against the turbulent aftermath of the 1685 Battle of Sedgemoor, the story follows a modest yeoman, David Evans, whose quiet life near Bridgewater is upended by the harsh reprisals meted out to the rebels and their sympathizers. Amid the grim headlines of beheadings and public executions, Winifred—a determined young woman from a proud Devonshire lineage—arrives at the Evans household, bringing with her a fierce devotion to faith and a secret that seems to linger like a whisper in the night. As she takes charge of the dairy and poultry yard, the household soon notices strange occurrences: a ghostly presence, midnight wanderings, and mysterious messages that hint at unresolved loyalties and hidden dangers.

The narrative weaves together the stark realities of 17th‑century English politics with personal struggles for love, honor, and survival. Listeners will be drawn into the hushed corridors of the Evans farm, feeling the tension between duty and rebellion, while the emerging bond between Winifred and the Evans family offers a hopeful counterpoint to the surrounding cruelty. The first act sets a vivid, atmospheric stage, promising intrigue and heartfelt moments without revealing the story’s later twists.