The oak staircase : A narrative of the times of James II

Set against the restless backdrop of James II’s England, this lively narrative weaves together two striking episodes from the era. In the bustling schoolroom of Horsemandown, we meet the outspoken Robin, the dreamy Silvia, and the adventurous Sydney, whose banter about geography and distant lands hints at larger ambitions. Their youthful chatter soon gives way to the deeper currents of a kingdom on the brink of rebellion, drawing them into the lives of the spirited Lord Desmond and the determined Frances Dalrymple.

As the story unfolds, the characters become entangled with the daring tale of the “Maids of Taunton” and a secretive marriage linking noble families, creating a tapestry of intrigue, romance, and danger. Listeners will be carried through lively dialogues, vivid period details, and the palpable tension of a nation teetering between order and upheaval, all while following the earnest hopes and fears of its young protagonists.