The Battle of Hexham; or, Days of Old: a play in three acts

A vivid early‑morning tableau opens on the rugged hills near Hexham, where the young Adeline, disguised in a soldier’s garb, rides toward the looming camp of Henry VI’s forces. Her daring entrance hints at the play’s intertwining of personal bravery and the larger clash of rival claimants to the English throne, setting the stage for a conflict that pits loyalty against ambition. The dialogue, crafted in a Shakespeare‑inspired cadence, gives each character a voice that feels both period‑appropriate and strikingly immediate.

Beyond the battlefield, the drama explores the tangled loyalties of figures such as the zealous Gondibert and the conflicted nobles who must choose between bloodlines and conscience. Romantic undercurrents surface as Adeline’s love for her family and her own courage are tested against the harsh realities of war. This first act promises a rich blend of historical intrigue, emotional stakes, and the timeless question of what it truly means to serve a king.