DESECRATION: Winchester 1642 – English Civil War short story
DESECRATION: Winchester 1642 is an English Civil War short story by Charles Cordell. It is set within the historical fiction series Divided Kingdom.
DESECRATION
Winchester, England, December 1642.
A desperate ride, a city stormed, a final stand, a forlorn hope. Civil war, cleansing fire and bitter wind sweep through Winchester’s streets, cathedral close and sacred aisles. Now brother must kill brother. England, December 1642.
‘Charles Cordell, a former soldier, writes with bravura confidence.’
Antonia Senior, The Times
DESECRATION is available as an eBook short story from Amazon. It can be downloaded and read on a tablet, mobile phone or Kindle eBook Reader. The Amazon Kindle price is $0.99 (£0.79). However, this price may vary with offers. Click to buy from:
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Editorial Reviews of the Divided Kingdom books
‘Charles Cordell, a former soldier, writes with bravura confidence.’ Antonia Senior, The Times
‘An exciting minute-by-minute story of the English Civil War … from the soldiers’ point of view … the historical accuracy is fantastic … the storyline and the writing style tremendously exciting.’ Susie Helme, Historical Novel Review
‘I have been waiting for this second novel in Charles Cordell’s series, and am not disappointed. He evokes the experience of the Civil War soldier, … more vividly than ever done before.’ Professor Ronald Hutton CBE FRHistS FSA FLSW FBA
Reader Reviews & Ratings of DESECRATION
You can find readers’ reviews of DESECRATION on the book pages at Goodreads and at Amazon, including:
‘Utterly compelling’
‘5*! If I could give a sixth I would’
‘A must read for enthusiasts of history’
‘A vivid insight into the English Civil War’
‘Has made me more desperate for the next book – The Keys of Hell and Death‘
‘Everyone who has an interest in the History of Winchester, the Civil War In Hampshire and the 17th Century needs to read this’
‘Writing as a Winchester local, the landscape of 17th Century Winchester is down to a tee, the battle narrative spot on’
If you enjoy reading DESECRATION, please do post your own review. Positive reviews are really important to new authors. Without them there is little chance of being published again. The best place you can do this is via the Amazon or Goodreads book pages for DESECRATION. I really hope you will enjoy and want to read more of the Divided Kingdom series.
Divided Kingdom – English Civil War historical fiction series
The Divided Kingdom books take a fresh approach. They are not based on a single hero. They do not take sides. Their voices – ordinary men and women – face each other in the chaos of Britain in civil war. They are both relatable and sharply relevant today.
Hardship, inequality, injustice – issues that echo today – scar each character. Each faces the brutal reality and human emotions of war – the bloodiest in British history – a war fought in its towns, villages and fields. A war that forged the United Kingdom.
More Praise for the Divided Kingdom books
‘Stirring. A great read! You can almost hear the cannon roar and the thunder of hooves.’ Ben Kane, Sunday Times bestselling author, The Forgotten Legion, Hannibal, Spartacus and The Lionheart series
‘Heart-pounding action, heartbreaking loss as a nation tears itself apart. You can smell the sweat of fear. … Not to be missed.’ David Gilman, award-winning author of the Master of War series, The Last Horseman and The Englishman
‘Fast-paced and authentic. With characters that are colourful and believable. There are not enough tales like this.’ Michael Arnold, author of the Civil War Chronicles and Highwayman series
‘From page 1 Cordell plunges you into the fast-flowing battlefields of 1643, full of fear, tension and the relief of surviving. He brilliantly captures the plight of soldiers in realistic detail in and around battle.’ General Richard Nugee CB CVO CBE
‘A remarkable and unique talent, Charles Cordell holds his reader transfixed in a book that simply cannot be put down.’ Jeremy Ravenshaw Fowler, Adjutant General of The Sealed Knot Society
‘Like Game of Thrones without the dragons.’ Julian Humphrys
Divided Kingdom books in order
Each Divided Kingdom book can be read as a stand-alone story. Together, they tell the bloody saga of the first English Civil War as accurately and as authentically as possible. However, if you prefer to read them in historical sequence, this is their order:
God’s Vindictive Wrath – Divided Kingdom book #1. From the carnage of Edgehill, via Oxford, the clash at Aylesbury and peace talks at Colnbrook to the barricades at Brentford – ordinary men and women are plunged into the chaos of Britain in civil war. Autumn 1642.
Desecration – Divided Kingdom short story #1.1. A desperate ride, a city stormed, a final stand, a forlorn hope. Civil war, a cleansing fire and bitter wind sweep through Winchester’s streets, cathedral close and sacred aisles. Now brother must kill brother. December 1642.
The Keys of Hell and Death – Divided Kingdom book #2. From the brutal Battle of Lansdown Hill, via the Siege of Devizes, Roundway Down and Bath to the Storming of Bristol – familiar characters and new are dragged to the edge of Hell. All must face the brutal reality of war. Summer 1643.
Divided Kingdom Characters, Historical Notes & Maps
I hope you will get to know all of the Divided Kingdom characters. This website includes character notes on each of them. You will also find historical notes and maps to accompany their story at Notes and Maps. This includes background articles on The General Crisis of the 17th Century, the English Revolution and Great Rebellion, and Pike and Shot Warfare.
This website also includes notes to accompany the text of each book, detailing the historical events and battles. These include notes on the Storming of Winchester in 1643 to accompany DESECRATION.
More from Charles Cordell
You can also find posts on Early Modern history, Living History and re-enactment at News & Events. You may also wish to read about the English Civil War history talks and battlefield walks I give.
Alternatively, check out Facebook, Instagram or Twitter for more posts on my historical research, Living History and English Civil War fiction. These include upcoming events and opportunities to meet. Or, follow #DividedKingdomBooks on social media at:
Additionally, if you would like more literary news and updates, you can find and follow me at:
If you want even more, join us in the Divided Kingdom Readers’ Club for FREE access to unpublished short stories, opportunities to meet, email and more. Click the link to sign up and join the Clubmen.
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