The Keys of Hell and Death – Book Launch at Topping’s Bath
2024-06-04 18:30 (Europe/London) | Topping Bookshop, York Street, Bath, BA1 1NG, United Kingdom
The Keys of Hell and Death book launch – English Civil War fiction series Divided Kingdom book #2 by Charles Cordell – will be published on Tuesday 4 June 2024.
The book opens with the brutal Battle of Lansdown Hill. Its characters – ordinary men and women – face each other and the terrible reality of war. They must survive the Siege of Devizes, the Battle of Roundway Down and the ferocious Storming of Bristol in 1643.
Within Bath, the story includes scenes set in the King’s Bath (Roman Baths) and city. The writing has already received high praise and endorsements from David Gilman (award winning Master of War author), Professor Ronald Hutton CBE (TV historian) and others.
Topping & Company will host The Keys of Hell and Death book launch at their wonderful bookshop in Bath. This should be a relaxed, fun evening event with Civil War re-enactors and a great crowd. To join this event, book your place via the Topping’s Event Page, or click the event link below. Early bird tickets are available. Doors open from 18:30.
If you can’t make the launch event, The Keys of Hell and Death is available now for pre-order. You will find it with Topping, Foyles, Waterstones, Blackwells, Bookshop.org and Booktopia, as well as Amazon.

Devizes Books – Civil War fiction Book Signing
2024-06-06 10:00 - 13:00 | Devizes Books, Handel House, Sidmouth Street, Devizes, SN10 1LD, United Kingdom
Devizes Books – Civil War fiction book signing. Charles Cordell will be signing copies of Divided Kingdom book #2 – The Keys of Hell and Death.
The story opens with the brutal Battle of Lansdown Hill. Its characters – ordinary men and women – face each other and the terrible reality of war. They must survive the Siege of Devizes, the Battle of Roundway Down and the Storming of Bristol in 1643. The writing has already received high praise and endorsements from David Gilman (award winning Master of War author) and Professor Ronald Hutton CBE (TV historian).
The Keys of Hell and Death will be published on 4 June. It is available now for pre-order. You can order it from Devizes Books at Bookshop.org, or from Topping, Foyles, Waterstones and Booktopia, as well as Amazon.
To join the Devizes Books Civil War fiction signing, please check event details and availability via the event website. For more author talks, book signing and battlefield walks with Charles Cordell, please check out the events list at Charles Cordell Events.

Siege of Devizes 1643 – battlefield walk & talk
2024-06-06 15:00 - 17:00 | St James’s Church, 1 Church Walk, Devizes, SN10 3AA, United Kingdom
The Siege of Devizes 1643 battlefield walk. A guided battlefield walk and discussion of the key sites and events of 9-13 July 1643.
Charles Cordell will describe the background to and key events of the siege. This will include the breakout by Prince Maurice and the King’s Western Army horse. It will also cover the bombardment and assaults by William Waller’s Western Association on the town. Lastly, Charles Cordell will describe the final relief at the Battle of Roundway Down.
The meeting point will be at St Jame’s Church, on the Green, at 15:00. The walk will aim to finish at the Market Place at about 17:00. There should then be an opportunity for further discussion in a nearby inn.
This Siege of Devizes 1643 battlefield walk will be free for Battlefields Trust members. Non-members will be asked to make a small donation to support the Trust’s work in protecting and promoting Britain’s battlefields.
You can access background reading on this website at: English Civil War Notes and Maps. These include The General Crisis of the 17th Century, the English Revolution, Pike and Shot Warfare and the Siege of Devizes in 1643 (coming soon).

The Storming of Bristol 1643 – Battlefield Walk and Talk
2024-06-08 10:00 - 12:00 | Brandon Hill, Brandon Hill Park, Park Street, Bristol, BS1 5RR, United Kingdom
The Storming of Bristol 1643 – a guided battlefield walk of the key sites and events of 26 July 1643.
Charles Cordell will describe the background and assaults made by the King’s Western and Oxford armies on the City. The walk will trace the line of the western defensive works, before following the route of Prince Rupert’s break in.
The meeting point will be on Brandon Hill Fort, at the base of the Cabot Tower, at 15:00. The walk will aim to finish at the site of the Parliamentary headquarters, on Broad Street, at 17:00. It will include the sites of Prior’s Hill Fort, Washington’s Breach and the Essex Work.
This Storming of Bristol 1643 event will be free for Battlefields Trust members. Non-members will be asked to make a small donation to support the Trust’s work in protecting and promoting Britain’s battlefields.
Background reading can be found on this website at: English Civil War Notes and Maps, including The General Crisis of the 17th Century, the English Revolution, Pike and Shot Warfare and the Storming of Bristol in 1643 (coming soon).

The Red Lodge in the Civil War – Talk and Book Signing
2024-06-08 14:00 - 16:30 | Red Lodge Museum, Park Row, Bristol, BS1 5LJ, United Kingdom
The Red Lodge in the Civil War – a talk and book signing – including the role played by the Red Lodge and the fighting around it during the Storming of Bristol, 26 July 1643.
Charles Cordell will describe the background to and assaults made by the King’s Western and Oxford armies on the City. The talk will include an explanation of the role played by the Red Lodge as Prince Rupert’s headquarters. It will also describe the close fighting that surrounded the Red Lodge.
Charles Cordell will also be signing copies of Divided Kingdom book #2 – The Keys of Hell and Death. This historical novel includes scenes set in and around the Red Lodge during the Storming of Bristol in 1643. It has already received high praise and endorsements from David Gilman (award winning Master of War author), Professor Ronald Hutton CBE (TV historian, Civil War author and University of Bristol lecturer) and others.
The Keys of Hell and Death will be published on 4 June. This event is part of the official book tour. The event is open to all. However, to join the Red Lodge in the Civil War talk, please do check event details and availability. You will find details on the Red Lodge website, 1904 Bristol Arts websites, or the event link below.
You can access background reading on this website at: English Civil War Notes and Maps. These include The General Crisis of the 17th Century and the English Revolution. They also include Pike and Shot Warfare and the Storming of Bristol in 1643 (coming soon).
If you can’t make this event, The Keys of Hell and Death is available now for pre-order. You will find it with Waterstones, Foyles, Topping, Bookshop.org and Booktopia. It is also available with Amazon. For more author talks, book signing and battlefield walks with Charles Cordell, please check out the events list at Charles Cordell Events.

The Cornish Army of 1643 – Author Talk at Waterstones Truro
2024-06-11 19:00 - 21:00 | Waterstones Truro, 11 Boscawen Street, Truro, Cornwall, TR1 2QU, United Kingdom
The Cornish Army of 1643 in historical fiction. An Author talk by Charles Cordell – author of The Keys of Hell and Death – at Waterstones Truro.
Book #2 in the English Civil historical fiction series Divided Kingdom follows the Cornish Army of 1643. It marches with them as they fight their way across the West Country.
The story opens with the brutal Battle of Lansdown Hill. Its characters – ordinary men and women – face each other and the terrible reality of war. They must survive the Siege of Devizes, the Battle of Roundway Down and the ferocious Storming of Bristol in 1643.
The writing has already received high praise and endorsements from David Gilman (award winning Master of War author), Professor Ronald Hutton CBE (TV historian) and others.
The Keys of Hell and Death will be published on 4 June. This event is part of the official book tour. To join this Cornish Army of 1643 author talk, please check event details and availability via the Waterstones Event page. Alternatively, click the events link below.
If you can’t make this event, The Keys of Hell and Death is available now for pre-order. You can find it with Waterstones, Foyles and Topping, as well as Amazon. For more author talks, book signing and battlefield walks with Charles Cordell, please check out the events list at Charles Cordell Events.

Civil War fiction in Worcester – Book Signing at Script Haven
2024-06-13 15:00 - 17:00 | Script Haven, 104 High Street, Worcester, WR1 2HW, United Kingdom
Civil War fiction in Worcester. Charles Cordell will return to Script Haven. He will be signing copies of Divided Kingdom book #2 – The Keys of Hell and Death – on Thursday 13 June.
The story opens with the brutal Battle of Lansdown Hill. Its characters – ordinary men and women – face each other and the terrible reality of war. They must survive the Siege of Devizes, the Battle of Roundway Down and the ferocious Storming of Bristol in 1643. The writing has already received high praise and endorsements from David Gilman (award winning Master of War author), Professor Ronald Hutton CBE (TV historian) and others.
The Keys of Hell and Death will be published on 4 June. This event is part of the official book tour. Script Haven hosted a signing of his debut novel – God’s Vindictive Wrath – in September. A short story is also available as an ebook, entitled Desecration.
To meet the author and join this Civil War fiction in Worcester book signing, please check event details and availability via the Script Haven website.
If you can’t make this signing, The Keys of Hell and Death is available now for pre-order. You will find it with Waterstones, Foyles, Topping, Bookshop.org and Booktopia, as well as Amazon. For more author talks, book signing and battlefield walks with Charles Cordell, please check out the events list at Charles Cordell Events.

Waterstones Llandudno – Civil War fiction Author Talk
2024-06-14 18:00 - 19:30 | Waterstones Llandudno, Mostyn Street, Llandudno, LL30 2NG, United Kingdom
Waterstones Llandudno – Civil War fiction author talk. Charles Cordell will be talking about Divided Kingdom book #2 – The Keys of Hell and Death.
The story opens with the brutal Battle of Lansdown Hill. Its characters – ordinary men and women – face each other and the terrible reality of war. They must survive the Siege of Devizes, the Battle of Roundway Down and the ferocious Storming of Bristol in 1643. The writing has already received high praise and endorsements from David Gilman (award winning Master of War author), Professor Ronald Hutton CBE (TV historian) and others.
The Keys of Hell and Death will be published on 4 June. This event is part of the official book tour. Waterstones Llandudno hosted an author talk and signing of Charles Cordell’s debut novel – God’s Vindictive Wrath. A short story is also available as an ebook entitled Desecration.
To meet the author and join the Waterstones Llandudno Civil War fiction talk, please check event details and availability via the Waterstones Event Page. Alternatively, click the event link below.
If you can’t make this event, The Keys of Hell and Death is available now for pre-order. You will find it with Waterstones, Foyles, Topping, Bookshop.org and Booktopia, as well as Amazon. For more author talks, book signing and battlefield walks with Charles Cordell, please check out the events list at Charles Cordell Events.

Waterstones Llandudno Book Signing – British Civil Wars fiction
2024-06-15 10:00 - 14:00 | Waterstones Llandudno, Mostyn Street, Llandudno, LL30 2NG, United Kingdom
Waterstones Llandudno book signing – British Civil Wars fiction. Charles Cordell will be signing copies of Divided Kingdom book #2 – The Keys of Hell and Death.
The story opens with the brutal Battle of Lansdown Hill. Its characters – ordinary men and women – face each other and the terrible reality of war. They must survive the Siege of Devizes, the Battle of Roundway Down and the ferocious Storming of Bristol in 1643. The writing has already received high praise and endorsements from David Gilman (award winning Master of War author), Professor Ronald Hutton CBE (TV historian) and others.
The Keys of Hell and Death will be published on 4 June. This event is part of the official book tour. Waterstones Llandudno hosted an author talk and signing of Charles Cordell’s debut novel – God’s Vindictive Wrath. A short story is also available as an ebook entitled Desecration.
To meet the author and join the Waterstones Llandudno Civil War fiction talk, please check event details and availability via the Waterstones Event Page. Alternatively, click the event link below.
If you can’t make this event, The Keys of Hell and Death is available now for pre-order. You will find it with Waterstones, Foyles and Bookshop.org, as well as Amazon.
This Waterstones Llandudno book signing is open to all, but please check the latest event details via the Waterstones website. For more author talks, book signing and battlefield walks with Charles Cordell, please check out the events list at Charles Cordell Events.

Siege of Chester 1645-46 – Talk and Walk on the City Walls
2024-06-23 10:30 - 12:30 | King Charles Tower, Chester City Walls, Chester, CH1 2JH, United Kingdom
A talk and guided walk of the key sites of the Siege of Chester 1645-46. The event will include access to the King Charles Tower, the breaches and Castle. The talk will give an explanation of the Battle of Rowton Heath, the Great Assault and long siege, as well as the consequences.
This is a Battlefields Trust event within the Chester Heritage Festival programme. The event will be free to trust members. Non-members will be asked to give a small donation to support the work of the trust in protecting Britain’s battlefields.

Cromwell Museum Author Talk – Lansdown Hill to Bristol 1643
2024-07-03 19:30 - 20:30 | The Cromwell Museum, Grammar School Walk, Huntingdon, PE29 3LF, United Kingdom
A Cromwell Museum author talk – the Battle of Lansdown Hill to the Storming of Bristol in 1643. Charles Cordell – author of English Civil War fiction series Divided Kingdom – will return to the Cromwell Museum to talk about his latest book, The Keys of Hell and Death.
The Keys of Hell and Death is available now for pre-order. You will find it with Topping, Foyles, Waterstones, Bookshop.org and Booktopia, as well as Amazon.
To join this talk, please check event details and availability via the event website. For more author talks, book signing and battlefield walks with Charles Cordell, please check out the events list at Charles Cordell Events.

Waterstones Bury St Edmunds – English Civil War fiction
2024-07-04 10:00 - 14:00 | Waterstones Bury St Edmunds, 36 Buttermarket, Bury St Edmunds, IP33 1DW, United Kingdom
Waterstones Bury St Edmunds – English Civil War fiction. Charles Cordell will be signing copies of Divided Kingdom book #2 – The Keys of Hell and Death – on Thursday 4 July.
The story opens with the brutal Battle of Lansdown Hill. Its characters – ordinary men and women – face each other and the terrible reality of war. They must survive the Siege of Devizes, the Battle of Roundway Down and the ferocious Storming of Bristol in 1643. The writing has already received high praise and endorsements from David Gilman (award winning Master of War author), Professor Ronald Hutton CBE (TV historian) and others.
The Keys of Hell and Death will be published on 4 June. This event is part of the official book tour. Charles Cordell lived and worked as an archaeologist in Bury St Edmunds, before joining the British Army. A number of his book characters are from Suffolk.
This event is open to all. However, to be sure to meet the author and join this Waterstones Bury St Edmunds signing, please do check event details and availability via the Waterstones Event Page. Alternatively, click the event link below.
If you can’t make this event, The Keys of Hell and Death is available now for pre-order. You will find it with Waterstones, Topping, Bookshop.org and Booktopia, as well as Amazon. For more author talks, book signing and battlefield walks with Charles Cordell, please check out the events list at Charles Cordell Events.

Halesworth Bookshop – Civil War fiction in Suffolk
2024-07-05 19:00 - 20:30 | Halesworth Bookshop, 42 Thoroughfare, Halesworth, Suffolk, IP19 8AR, United Kingdom
Halesworth Bookshop Civil War fiction in Suffolk author talk. Charles Cordell will be talking about Divided Kingdom book #2 – The Keys of Hell and Death.
The story opens with the brutal Battle of Lansdown Hill. Its characters – ordinary men and women – face each other and the terrible reality of war. They must survive the Siege of Devizes, the Battle of Roundway Down and the ferocious Storming of Bristol in 1643. The writing has already received high praise and endorsements from David Gilman (award winning Master of War author), Professor Ronald Hutton CBE (TV historian) and others.
The Keys of Hell and Death was published on 4 June. This event is part of the official book tour.
To join this Halesworth Bookshop Civil War fiction author talk, please do check event details and availability with the bookshop. Alternatively, click the event link below.
If you can’t make this event, The Keys of Hell and Death is available to order. You will find it with Waterstones, Foyles, Topping, Bookshop.org and Booktopia, as well as Amazon. For more author talks, book signing and battlefield walks with Charles Cordell, please check out the events list at Charles Cordell Events.

Cornwall in the English Civil War – Truro Museum author talk
2024-10-16 13:00 - 14:00 | Royal Cornwall Museum, River Street, Truro, TR1 2SJ, United Kingdom
Cornwall in the English Civil War – a Royal Cornwall Museum lunchtime talk.
Author Charles Cordell will talk about The General Crisis of the 17th Century and the collapse into Civil War. He will discuss why Cornwall fought with such zeal for its king. Finally, he will outline the exploits of the Cornish Army of 1643 from the Battle of Lansdown Hill to the Storming of Bristol.
To join the Cornwall in the English Civil War talk and Q&A, please do check details on the Royal Cornwall Museum Events page. Please note that this is a lunchtime talk, starting at 13:00. A book signing will follow the Q&A, from shortly after 14:00.
If desired, but not necessary, background reading is available on this website at: English Civil War Notes and Maps. These include articles on The General Crisis of the 17th Century, the English Revolution and Pike and Shot Warfare. They also cover the Battle of Lansdown Hill and the Storming of Bristol in 1643.
Charles Cordell is the author of English Civil War historical fiction series Divided Kingdom. His writing has received praise and editorial reviews from The Times. It has also been endorsed by the likes of Ben Kane (bestselling author), David Gilman (award winning Master of War author), Professor Ronald Hutton CBE (TV historian) and others. His second novel, The Keys of Hell and Death, follows the Cornish Army of 1643. It opens at the Battle of Lansdown Hill and ends with the Storming of Bristol in 1643.
If you can’t make this talk and book signing, The Keys of Hell and Death is available with Waterstones, Foyles, Topping, Bookshop.org and Booktopia, as well as Amazon. Please do check out the book page for reviews and links at: The Keys of Hell and Death. A few signed copies are still available at Waterstones Truro. Cornwall Library Service also holds copies for loan.
For more author talks, book signing and battlefield walks with Charles Cordell, please check out the events list at Charles Cordell Events
If you think others would like to join this event, please click, share and spread the word via email or your social media on:

Battles of Brentford & Turnham Green 1642 - battlefield walks
2024-10-20 10:30 - 16:00 | Brentford Market Place, Brentford, TW8 8AH, United Kingdom
The battles of Brentford and Turnham Green 1642. Guided battlefield walks of the key sites and events of 12 and 13 November 1642.
Simon Marsh and Charles Cordell will describe the background and attempt made by the King’s army to seize London. The morning walk will follow the line of assaults made on the barricades at Brentford. The afternoon walk will cover the defence of London at Turnham Green.
The meeting point for the Brentford walk will be at Brentford Market Place (TW8 8AH) at 10:30. The Turnham Green walk will start outside Turnham Green underground station (W4 1LR) at 14:00. Each walk will last approximately 2 hours.
These battles of Brentford & Turnham Green 1642 walks will be free for Battlefields Trust members. Non-members will be asked to make a small donation to support the Trust’s work in protecting and promoting Britain’s battlefields.
Please do check the Battlefields Trust Events page for walk details. Alternatively, click the event link below.
In the meantime, you can access background reading on this website at: English Civil War Notes and Maps. These include articles on The General Crisis of the 17th Century, the English Revolution and Pike and Shot Warfare. They also include notes on the Battle of Brentford in 1642.
If you think others would like this event, please click, share and spread the word via email or your social media on:

Brentford & Chiswick in Civil War fiction - author talk
2024-10-21 19:30 - 20:30 | Chiswick Memorial Club, Afton House, Bourne Place, Chiswick, London, W4 2EL, United Kingdom
Brentford and Chiswick in Civil War fiction. Author Charles Cordell will be talking about writing English Civil War fiction and the local relevance of his novels. He will also be signing copies.
Charles Cordell’s debut novel – God’s Vindictive Wrath – ended with the battles of Brentford and Turnham Green in 1642. It was also featured at Chiswick Book Festival 2023, on stage at the Tabard Theatre.
Divided Kingdom book #2 – The Keys of Hell and Death – was published on 4 June. A short story is also available as an ebook entitled Desecration.
The Divided Kingdom characters – ordinary men and women – face each other and the terrible reality of civil war in Britain. The books take a fresh approach. They are not based on a single hero. They do not take sides. Their stories are both relatable and sharply relevant today.
The writing has received high praise and endorsements from the likes of Ben Kane (Sunday Times bestseller) David Gilman (award winning Master of War author), Professor Ronald Hutton CBE (TV historian) and others.
This event is open to all. However, to be sure to join the Brentford and Chiswick in Civil War fiction talk, please do check event details via the Brentford & Chiswick Local History Society website. Alternatively, click the event link below.
If you can’t make this event, the Divided Kingdom books are available now in bookshops and online. You will find them with Waterstones, Foyles, Topping, Bookshop.org and Booktopia, as well as Amazon.
For more author talks, book signing and battlefield walks with Charles Cordell, please check out the events list at Charles Cordell Events. These include walks of the battles of Brentford and Turnham Green 1642.
If you think others would like this event, please click, share and spread the word via email or your social media on:

Cornish Army in Historical Fiction - Launceston - with author
2025-04-24 19:00 - 20:30 | Black Cat Books, 12 Southgate Place, Launceston, Cornwall, PL15 9DY, United Kingdom
The Cornish Army in Historical Fiction
The Cornish Army in historical fiction – author talk and book signing at Black Cat Books in Launceston. Charles Cordell will be talking about writing historical fiction and Divided Kingdom book #2 – The Keys of Hell and Death. He will describe the background to his books and the exploits of the Cornish Army of 1643. Q&A and a book signing will follow the talk.
Divided Kingdom – English Civil War fiction series
Charles Cordell is the author of English Civil War historical fiction series Divided Kingdom. His writing has received praise and editorial reviews from The Times. The likes of Ben Kane (bestselling author), David Gilman (award winning author), Professor Ronald Hutton CBE (TV historian) and others have given endorsements.
Divided Kingdom book #2 – The Keys of Hell and Death – follows the Cornish Army of 1643. The story opens with the brutal Battle of Lansdown Hill. Its characters – ordinary men and women – face each other and the terrible reality of war. They must survive the Siege of Devizes, the Battle of Roundway Down and the ferocious Storming of Bristol in 1643.
Black Cat Books – historical fiction in Launceston
To join this Cornish Army in historical fiction talk please do check details on the Black Cat Books Ltd Facebook page. If you can, come along and join the debate.
If you can’t make this event, copies of Charles Cordell’s books are available from Waterstones, Foyles and good independent bookshops, including Black Cat Books. They are also available online from Amazon, Bookshop.org and Booktopia. Please do check out the book pages for reviews and links at Charles Cordell Books. You can also loan copies from UK libraries, including Cornwall Library Service.
More Author Talks, Book Signings & Battlefield Walks
For more author talks, signings and battlefield walks with Charles Cordell, please check out Charles Cordell Events.
If you think others would like this event, please click, share and spread the word via email or your social media:

Devizes Arts Festival – historical fiction author talk
2025-06-14 13:00 - 14:00 | Wiltshire Museum, 41 Long Street, Devizes, Wiltshire, SN10 1NS, United Kingdom
Devizes in Civil War fiction – author talk
Devizes Arts Festival – historical fiction author talk ‘Devizes in Civil War fiction’. Charles Cordell will be talking about writing historical fiction and Divided Kingdom book #2 – The Keys of Hell and Death. He will describe the background to his books and why the English Civil War hung in the balance at the 1643 Siege of Devizes. Q&A and a book signing will follow the talk.
Divided Kingdom – English Civil War historical fiction series
Charles Cordell is the author of English Civil War historical fiction series Divided Kingdom. His writing has received praise and editorial reviews from The Times. The likes of Ben Kane (bestselling author), David Gilman (award winning author), Professor Ronald Hutton CBE (TV historian) and others have given their endorsements.
Divided Kingdom book #2 – The Keys of Hell and Death – follows the Western campaign of 1643. The story opens with the brutal Battle of Lansdown Hill. Its characters – ordinary men and women – face each other and the terrible reality of war. They must survive the Siege of Devizes, the Battle of Roundway Down and the ferocious 1643 Storming of Bristol.
Devizes Arts Festival – historical fiction author talk
To join this Devizes Arts Festival historical fiction talk please do check details on the Devizes Arts Festival 2025 events page. You can book places online and/or visit the festival ticket office in person at Devizes Books. If you can, come along and join the debate.
If you can’t make this event, copies of Charles Cordell’s books are available from Waterstones, Foyles and good independent bookshops, including Devizes Books. They are also available online from Amazon, Bookshop.org and Booktopia. Please do check out the book pages for reviews and links at Charles Cordell Books. You can also loan copies from UK libraries, including Wiltshire Libraries.
As well as this author talk, Charles Cordell will also be leading the Devizes Arts Festival 2025 walk. The walk will explore the often forgotten Siege of Devizes 1643 and why the English Civil War hung in the balance on the bed cords of Devizes.
More Author Talks, Book Signings & Battlefield Walks
For more author talks, signings and battlefield walks with Charles Cordell, please check out Charles Cordell Events.
If you think others would like this event, please click, share and spread the word via email or your social media:

Siege of Devizes 1643 – Devizes Arts Festival walk
2025-06-15 10:00 - 12:00 | St James’s Church, 1 Church Walk, Devizes, SN10 3AA, United Kingdom
Siege of Devizes 1643 – Devizes Arts Festival walk
The Siege of Devizes 1643 – the Devizes Arts Festival 2025 walk. Author Charles Cordell will lead a guided battlefield walk of the key sites and events of 9-13 July 1643. The walk will explore how the English Civil War hung in the balance on the bed cords of Devizes. It will explain Prince Maurice’s breakout, the Parliamentary bombardment and assault. Last but not least, Charles Cordell will discuss the final relief at the Battle of Roundway Down.
Devizes Arts Festival 2025 – the festival walk
The meeting point for the Siege of Devizes walk will be at St Jame’s Church, on the Green, at 10:00, on Sunday 15 June. The walk will aim to end at the Market Place at approximately 12:00 with an opportunity for further discussion in a nearby inn.
To join the Devizes Arts Festival 2025 walk please check details on the Devizes Arts Festival 2025 events page. You can book places online and/or visit the ticket office in person at Devizes Books. If you can make it, do sign up and join the discussion.
If desired, but not necessary, background reading is available on this website at: English Civil War Notes and Maps. This includes articles on The General Crisis of the 17th Century, the English Revolution and the Siege of Devizes in 1643.
Devizes in Civil War fiction – Devizes Arts Festival author talk
As well as the festival walk, Charles Cordell will be giving an author talk during Devizes Arts Festival 2025. He will be talking about Divided Kingdom book #2 – The Keys of Hell and Death – and Devizes in Civil War fiction. He will describe the background to his books and the exploits of the Western Army of 1643. Q&A and a book signing will follow the talk on Saturday 14 June.
Charles Cordell is the author of English Civil War historical fiction series Divided Kingdom. His writing has received praise and editorial reviews from The Times. The likes of Ben Kane (bestselling author), David Gilman (award winning author), Professor Ronald Hutton CBE (TV historian) and others have given their endorsements.
Divided Kingdom book #2 – The Keys of Hell and Death – follows the Western campaign of 1643. The story opens with the brutal Battle of Lansdown Hill. Its characters – ordinary men and women – face each other and the terrible reality of war. They must survive the Siege of Devizes, the Battle of Roundway Down and the ferocious 1643 Storming of Bristol.
If you can’t make these events, copies of Charles Cordell’s books are available from Waterstones, Foyles and good independent bookshops, including Devizes Books. They are also available online from Amazon, Bookshop.org and Booktopia. Please do check out the book pages for reviews and links at Charles Cordell Books. You can also loan copies from UK libraries, including Wiltshire Libraries.
More Author Talks, Book Signings & Battlefield Walks
For more author talks, signings and battlefield walks with Charles Cordell, please check out Charles Cordell Events.
If you think others would like this event, please click, share and spread the word via email or your social media:

Battle of Lostwithiel 1644 – battlefield walk & talk
2025-08-31 10:30 - 16:00 | Lostwithiel Community Centre, Pleyber Christ Way, Lostwithiel, PL22 0HA, United Kingdom
Battle of Lostwithiel 1644 – the King’s decisive victory
The Battle of Lostwithiel 1644 was an English Civil War battle involving four armies and a navy, fought across ten square miles over ten long days. This is an opportunity to explore this nationally significance Cornish battlespace with two walks in one day.
Lostwithiel & Castle Dore – battlefield walks & talks
A morning walk (10:30-12:30) around Lostwithiel will outline the tightening royalist siege. It will cover the breakout of Essex’s horse and the explosion that destroyed St Bartholomew’s Church and much of the town.
An afternoon walk (14:00-16:00) to Castle Dore will discuss the parliamentarian withdrawal into the Fowey peninsula. It will consider navy re-supply and the battle across Tywardreath – Castle Dore – Gollant. It will end with the final surrender of Essex’s army.
Please check out the Battlefield Trust website for details. And sign up if you would like to join either of these walks. Unfortunately, the trust must limit the number of walkers it can take.
The Battlefields Trust – protecting Britain’s battlefields
These Battle of Lostwithiel 1644 walks will be free for Battlefield Trust members. Non-members will be asked to make a (small) donation to the trust to support its work in protecting and promoting understanding of Britain’s battlefields.
For more author talks and battlefield walks with Charles Cordell, please check out Charles Cordell Events.

Writing Historical Fiction – Delapre Abbey author talk
2025-09-25 19:30 - 21:00 | Delapre Abbey, London Road, Northampton, NN4 8AW, United Kingdom
Writing Historical Fiction – author talk
Writing historical fiction – an author talk. Charles Cordell will be talking about writing historical fiction and Divided Kingdom book #2 – The Keys of Hell and Death. He will describe his journey from Army to Author and writing historical fiction set within the English Civil War. Q&A and a book signing will follow the talk.
Divided Kingdom – English Civil War historical fiction series
Charles Cordell is the author of English Civil War historical fiction series Divided Kingdom. His writing has received praise and editorial reviews from The Times. The likes of Ben Kane (bestselling author), David Gilman (award winning author), Professor Ronald Hutton CBE (TV historian) and others have given their endorsements.
Divided Kingdom book #2 – The Keys of Hell and Death – follows the Western campaign of 1643. The story opens with the brutal Battle of Lansdown Hill. Its characters – ordinary men and women – face each other and the terrible reality of war. Amongst them, a pair of Northampton shoemaker’s apprentices must survive the Siege of Devizes, the Battle of Roundway Down and the ferocious Storming of Bristol.
Northamptonshire Battlefields Society – Delapré Abbey
To join this Writing Historical Fiction author talk, please do check details on the Northamptonshire Battlefields Society website. The event will be at Delapré Abbey and will be open to the public as well as members. Tickets will be available online via TicketSource from midday on the 1st of August. If you can, come along and join the debate.

Charles Cordell – books, talks & battlefield walks

If you can’t make this event, copies of Charles Cordell’s books are available from Waterstones, Foyles, and good independent bookshops, including The Oundle Bookshop. They are also available online from Amazon, Bookshop.org and Booktopia. Please do check out the book pages for reviews and links at Charles Cordell Books. You can also loan copies from UK libraries, including Northampton Central Library.
For more author talks and battlefield walks with Charles Cordell, please check out Charles Cordell Events.

Battle of Stratton 1643 - battlefield walk & talk
2026-05-10 10:30 - 12:30 | Preston Gate Inn, Poughill Road, Poughill, Bude, EX23 9ET, United Kingdom
Battle of Stratton 1643 – English Civil War turning point
The Battle of Stratton 1643 – a battle that turned the tide of the English Civil War in the West. This is an opportunity to explore a nationally significant Cornish battlefield. Join Charles Cordell on Sunday 10 May 2026 – ahead of the 382nd anniversary, 16 May 1643.
Battle of Stratton 1643 – Stamford Hill walk
The royalist victory at Stratton was hard-won. The Cornish foot defeated a well-positioned and numerically superior parliamentarian force on Stamford Hill outside Bude in Cornwall. The victorious Cornish Army then fought its way to Bath and the brutal Battle of Lansdown Hill. Sadly, it went on to sustain terrible losses at the Storming Bristol on 26 July 1643.
A morning walk will follow the lanes up which the Cornish foot fought. It will end at the Battle of Stratton memorial on Stamford Hill. The walk will last approximately two hours and will include discussion of the key role played by Cornwall in the English Civil War. Stout footwear is recommended.
The meeting point for the walk will be at the Preston Gate Inn in Poughill near Bude EX23 9ET (OS: SS 223078), at 10:30 on Sunday 10 May. Car parking at the pub is limited (please check with staff). However, there is a free village carpark at the cemetery, off Northcott Mouth Road (OS: SS 222079).
Although not part of this Battlefields Trust walk, those interested may wish to also visit St Andrew’s Church and/or the Tree Inn in Stratton. The church includes a good display of artifacts from the battlefield. The Tree Inn was the home of Anthony Payne the ‘Cornish Giant’. As steward and ensign to Sir Bevil Grenville, he fought at the battles of both Stratton and Lansdown Hill in 1643.
Please check out the Battlefield Trust website for more details. If you can, please do sign up ahead of this walk to give an indication of numbers.

The Battlefields Trust – protecting Britain’s battlefields

This Battle of Stratton 1643 walk will be free for Battlefield Trust members. Non-members are asked to make a (small) donation to the trust. This will support its work in protecting and promoting understanding of Britain’s battlefields. Donations (cash or online) can be made on the day of the walk.

For more author talks and battlefield walks with Charles Cordell, please check out Charles Cordell Events.
