CHARLES CORDELL

Brentford & Chiswick in Civil War fiction - author talk
2024-10-21 19:30 - 20:30 (Europe/London) | 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:

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:

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:

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 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).

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).

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.

The Keys of Hell and Death – Book Launch at Topping’s Bath
2024-06-04 18:30 | 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.

Siege of Conwy 1646 – Living History at Plas Mawr
2024-04-06 10:00 - 16:00 | Plas Mawr, High Street, Conwy, Wales, LL32 8DE
The Siege of Conwy 1646 event at Plas Mawr – the finest Elizabethan town house in Britain. Meet the soldiers of the garrison and their families. Hear their stories and fears after four years of Civil War. Listen to the talk in the gatehouse on the British Civil Wars in North Wales. Join the discussion on the story of the siege, of how Bishop John Williams – Archbishop of York – was wounded storming the walls, Sir John Owens‘ defiance and the mystery of the missing silver.
You can read about the background to the Siege of Conwy in 1646, on this website. Read how and why the British Civil Wars started – on the General Crisis of the 17th Century and the Great Rebellion – at English Civil War Notes & Maps.
