
audiobook
A vivid portrait of 17th‑century Somerset unfolds through the eyes of a humble farmer‑son turned innkeeper. He introduces his family’s deep roots in the rolling countryside, the rhythms of farm life, and the close‑knit community that gathers in his tavern. As rumors of a Protestant uprising swirl, his narrative captures the everyday hopes and fears of ordinary folk who suddenly find themselves caught up in a larger, dangerous cause.
When James, Duke of Monmouth, arrives with promises of freedom from perceived papist oppression, the town of Taunton becomes a focal point of tension and intrigue. The narrator’s personal connections—old friendships, rivalries, and his own sense of duty—draw him into the early stages of the rebellion, offering a ground‑level view of the city’s uneasy anticipation and the first clashes that erupt. Listeners will be swept into a world of loyalty, suspicion, and the raw energy of a community on the brink of historic upheaval.
Language
en
Duration
~12 hours (727K characters)
Publisher of text edition
Project Gutenberg
Credits
Produced by readbueno, Graeme Mackreth and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This file was produced from images generously made available by The Internet Archive/American Libraries.)
Release date
2017-11-14
Rights
Public domain in the USA.
Subjects

1856–1932
Known for a huge range of historical adventures, family stories, and books for young readers, this prolific Victorian and Edwardian novelist wrote with a gift for brisk plots and clear moral stakes. Her work remained popular enough to find new life in digital libraries long after her death.
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