With Marlborough to Malplaquet : a story of the reign of Queen Anne

In the frosty days of December 1701, a young country lad named George Fairburn finds himself thrust from a humble inn in Darlington onto the bustling road of the new mail‑coach. The clatter of wheels and the lively banter of the coach guard draw him into a world where ordinary life brushes against the grand currents of Queen Anne’s reign. As the nation prepares for the looming conflict that will carry the Duke of Marlborough from the fields of Blenheim to the fierce showdown at Malplaquet, George’s curiosity and determination begin to stir.

The tale follows George’s first steps into the wider world of soldiers, strategy, and the restless politics of early‑18th‑century Europe. Through vivid scenes and a handy map of the era, young listeners glimpse the excitement of battlefield preparations, the camaraderie of comrades, and the challenges faced by a country on the brink of war—all while learning the real history that frames his adventure.