FIRELOCK: Cheshire 1643 – English Civil War novella
FIRELOCK: Cheshire 1643 is an English Civil War short story by Charles Cordell. It is set within the historical fiction series Divided Kingdom.
FIRELOCK
Cheshire, England, Winter 1643/44.
A castle scaled, a churchyard massacre, a bitter siege, storm and execution. An army from Ireland must seize Cheshire if they are to save the North of England from invasion by a Scottish Covenanter horde. But Beeston Castle, the moorlanders of Barthomley, the town of Nantwich and Winter stand against them. England, 1643/44.
‘Charles Cordell, a former soldier, writes with bravura confidence.’
Antonia Senior, The Times
FREE Historical Fiction eBook – Divided Kingdom novella
FIRELOCK is available as a FREE ebook on this website. It can be downloaded and read on a PC, tablet or mobile phone (a Kindle eBook Reader is not required). The ebook price is GBP £0 (USD $0) to download or read online.
This is an exclusive offer to members of the Divided Kingdom Readers’ Club. You can download and read this ebook as an existing member, or by joining the Clubmen now. It is free to join. Clubmen get exclusive access to unpublished work and a monthly email direct from the author. Unsubscribe at any stage if it gets boring.
Click to read FIRELOCK for FREE.
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.
Firelock – Divided Kingdom novella #2.1. A castle scaled, a churchyard massacre, a bitter siege, storm and execution. From Beeston Castle, to the massacre at Barthomley to the Siege and Battle of Nantwich. Veteran soldiers and schoolboy militiamen must fight for Cheshire. Winter 1643/44.
Divided Kingdom Historical Notes & Maps
This website includes 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.
They also includes notes to accompany the text of each book, detailing the historical events and battles, including the Civil War in Cheshire in the winter of 1643/44.
Divided kingdom News, Reviews & Readers’ Club
If you want to receive news of upcoming books by Charles Cordell, offers and editorial reviews, you can find the latest updates and follow the story at Divided Kingdom News. Alternatively, check out the reader reviews and ratings, and follow Charles Cordell on Goodreads and Amazon, or social media at #DividedKingdomBooks.
If you want to meet the author, you can find a calendar of upcoming author talks and battlefield walks at Charles Cordell Events. If you want even more, join us in the Divided Kingdom Readers’ Club for FREE access to unpublished short stories, email and more. Click the link to sign up and join the Clubmen.
Alternatively, why not check out more Books by Charles Cordell.
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