Desecration is the story of the Storming of Winchester in 1642. It is a short story in the Divided Kingdom series of English Civil War fiction by Charles Cordell. It is available as a FREE ebook (previously titled To Cleanse Judah).
FREE eBook
A desperate ride, a city stormed, a final stand, a forlorn hope. Humiliation, torture, desecration, cleansing fire and bitter wind sweep through Winchester’s streets, castle, close and sacred aisles. England, December 1642.
Praise for God’s Vindictive Wrath:
'Characters that immediately grow on you, experiencing battle through the eyes of each personality, as it happens in the same engagement. Quite unique.'
Jeremy Fowler, Adjutant General of The Sealed Knot
'The problem with this book is not to start reading it, but to stop and do anything else. It's a page turner alright.'
Bob Burgess, Master of Horse of The Sealed Knot
'There are not enough tales like this set in the 17th Century.'
Michael Arnold, author of the Civil War Chronicles and Highwayman series
'Stirring. You can almost hear the roar of cannon and the thunder of hooves.'
Ben Kane, Sunday Times bestselling author, The Forgotten Legion, Hannibal, Spartacus and The Lionheart series
'That rare talent of blending historical veracity with the credible reality of contemporary personal stories.'
General Stuart Skeates CB CBE
'A great read! Do not miss this evocative account of the start of the English Civil War.'
Ben Kane, Sunday Times bestselling author, The Forgotten Legion, Hannibal, Spartacus and The Lionheart series
'As only a soldier could, Charles Cordell does not flinch from drawing attention to the shear terror of battle, in a way that emphasises detailed research woven meticulously into this gripping first book.'
Jeremy Fowler, Adjutant General of The Sealed Knot
'Straight into the action, fast-paced and authentic, with characters that are colourful and believable.'
Michael Arnold, author of the Civil War Chronicles and Highwayman series
'Once the fighting starts, this chorus of voices recreates, with visceral intensity, the confusion and intensity of a large-scale pitched battle.'
Antonia Senior, The Times
'It was also the one that made me care most about the characters.'
Professor Ronald Hutton CBE FRHistS FSA FLSW FBA
'A fast-paced read that brilliantly captures the fear, confusion and luck of battle for the soldier.'
General Richard Nugee CB CVO CBE
'Quite outstanding - historical fiction at its very best.'
General Stuart Skeates CB CBE
'Charles Cordell, a former soldier, writes with a bravura confidence.'
Antonia Senior, The Times
'Of all the many novels set in the English Civil War that I have read, this was the one that described most perfectly the use of the different arms, and the experience of the face of battle.'
Professor Ronald Hutton CBE FRHistS FSA FLSW FBA
Desecration is exclusive to members of the Divided Kingdom Readers’ Club. You can download and read this short story as an existing member, or by joining the Clubmen now. It is free to join. Clubmen get access to exclusive content and a monthly email direct from the author. Unsubscribe at any stage if it gets boring.
Reviews of Desecration
If you enjoy reading Desecration and the Storming of Winchester in 1642, please do get in contact and tell me what you think. If you can, why not write a few words as a review to post on this page. Reviews make a huge difference to a new author’s prospects of continuing to be published.
‘Really good’
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 can 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, as well as notes on the Storming of Winchester in 1643 to accompany The Cleansing of Judah.
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