Published: Dec. 06, 2012
Words: 124,794 (approximate)
Language: British English
ISBN: 9781301496921

Short description

Banbury, 1644. The Cavaliers hold the Castle, the Roundheads want it back and the town is full of Puritans. Consequently, the gulf between Captain Justin Ambrose and Abigail Radford appears unbridgeable. The key to their fate and that of the Castle is defiance. But is it enough? An enchanting story of forbidden love - and also the true account of one English castle during the Civil War.

Extended description

In 1644, one of Prince Rupert's cavalry officers, Justin Ambrose is posted to the garrison at Banbury Castle as a punishment. The town, already famed for its Puritan zeal, is unswervingly hostile towards the Cavaliers on its doorstep. Justin loathes the place and, deprived of action, is bored, irritable and resentful. Abigail Radford has been taught by her fanatically religious brother, Jonas, to be modest, submissive and obedient - so when Captain Ambrose crosses her path she finds him as alarming as he is intriguing.
When the Parliament sends a large fighting force along with a huge artillery train to re-possess the Castle, Justin gets the action he has been craving and Abigail finds herself playing hostess to the Roundhead Colonel and his staff ... but the Great Siege takes its toll on both sides. At the end of fourteen weeks, the garrison have neither powder, shot nor even food - having eaten everything except their last two horses.
Against all the odds, Justin and Abigail d.. (Read more) In 1644, one of Prince Rupert's cavalry officers, Justin Ambrose is posted to the garrison at Banbury Castle as a punishment. The town, already famed for its Puritan zeal, is unswervingly hostile towards the Cavaliers on its doorstep. Justin loathes the place and, deprived of action, is bored, irritable and resentful. Abigail Radford has been taught by her fanatically religious brother, Jonas, to be modest, submissive and obedient - so when Captain Ambrose crosses her path she finds him as alarming as he is intriguing.
When the Parliament sends a large fighting force along with a huge artillery train to re-possess the Castle, Justin gets the action he has been craving and Abigail finds herself playing hostess to the Roundhead Colonel and his staff ... but the Great Siege takes its toll on both sides. At the end of fourteen weeks, the garrison have neither powder, shot nor even food - having eaten everything except their last two horses.
Against all the odds, Justin and Abigail develop a covert friendship and, out of devilment coupled with a deep dislike of Jonas Radford, Justin decides to nurture seeds of insurrection in Abigail. But what begins as a few innocent acts of defiance gradually becomes something rather different, bringing danger in its wake. Both of them know that any future relationship is doomed because the gulf between them is unbridgeable. For Abby, this is due to her appalling brother; for Justin, the cause is a shadow from his past that he can no longer keep hidden when it threatens both Abigail's life and the security of the Castle.
But when the Parliament embarks on a second siege and surrender looms large on the horizon, the unwanted feelings that Justin knows he has no choice but to deny become stronger and more painful than any blade or bullet.
A Splendid Defiance is not just an enchanting story of forbidden love but also the true account of one English castle and the men who defended it.
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Tags

romance, england, civil war, espionage drama, prince rupert, real events, banbury 1644, cavaliers roundheads, great siege

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Reviews

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Review by: Bellcanto on Dec. 28, 2012 :
A ‘Splendid’ Novel
In the mid 1980’s I was living near Banbury, Oxfordshire and by chance came across a copy of ‘A Splendid Defiance’ written by Stella Riley. I remember reading it and then taking a walk through the town in an effort to track the routes she described. It wasn’t difficult. Nothing had changed in the layout, from the street names to the Reindeer inn and even the Globe room. All was immaculately captured in what I consider one of the best Civil War novels I’ve ever read.
This book is a sheer delight from the start to finish with an outstanding finale and because of it Stella Riley has become one of my favourite writers.
So, following the publication of her previous works on e-reader, I am absolutely delighted that she has now republished this book.
Set in 1644, the book describes the siege when some 300 Royalists held out against 3500 plus Parliamentarians for close on 4 months before Charles 1 was able to send a relief force.
The book starts with the hero Justin Ambrose who has been sent to Banbury as punishment because of an indiscreet remark about George Digby whose advice King Charles mistakenly followed throughout the war. Bored and irritable, Justin’s character is utterly believable as he demonstrates his frustration at not being in the front line of battle whilst still maintaining his position as a professional soldier and also his steadfast belief in the Royalist campaign.
In the town lives Jonas Radford along with his wife, mother, brother and sister, Abby. Jonas is a well to do merchant as well as a firebrand Puritan who rules over the household with a rod of iron.
The lifting of the 1644 siege allows the town to become more stable and gives Justin the opportunity to meet Abby. It also allows him to come across Jonas – to whom he takes an instant dislike. This serves well for later as the relationship between him and Abby develops.
However, against this is the real Civil War and Ms Riley does not lose sight of the true events and the real people. We hear about Marston Moor plus other conflicts in these turbulent times. We meet and speak with Price Rupert of the Rhine, his brother Prince Maurice and John Lilburne plus many lesser-known figures including Sir William Compton, barely 20 years old but commanding the Garrison.
The way in which the real events are intertwined with the relationship between Justin and Abby is glorious. I thought the story lines, supported by Justin’s own family issues, were really well conceived; the scene with Justin and Hannah Rhodes was gripping and the love scenes between himself and Abby gave me a frisson - quite delectable.
So when the second siege begins, the inevitable surrender of the Garrison occurs and true love prevails, we are set for a finale that is probably one of the best and most emotional moments I have ever read.
Without giving too much away, I suggest that you have a tissue to hand.
I particularly liked Ms Riley’s final paragraph in her historical notes:
‘Banbury Castle was one of many such strongholds, held against tremendous odds and at enormous cost by ordinary men whose names are scarcely remembered now. This book is a small tribute to some of them.’
Well done Ms Riley. Another outstanding piece thankfully republished on e-reader. Please keep them coming.
(reviewed within a month of purchase)

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