My New Story

[ismenin]

This is a very famous British painting called '...and When Did You Last See Your Father?' of which you might have heard. It pictures a Royalist boy being interrogated by Parliamentarian men, his weeping sister waiting behind him. The boy is standing straight and proud, he is not afraid. Makes me want to hug him.


Hello, friends! As you may guess, my next story is set in the English Civil War, which took place in the 17th century. A few people to whom I have spoken only knew of the American Civil War, so I'm posting a short,rather simplified history of it here, in readiness for next week's post. :D

I have enjoyed writing it SOOOO much, I've nearly finished Book One. If you wish to read further....







The English Civil War 1641-1651 (sources differ on dates.)


The English Civil War was fought between Parliament, led by Oliver Cromwell, and the Royalists, who were led by King Charles I. It started after Charles tried to implement his "personal rule" and disbanded Parliament. He believed he had God-given authority to rule as he chose, called 'the divine right of king' the way it had always been in England, as the country was mainly known, despite having Wales, Scotland and parts of Ireland within its borders.

But Parliament was in control of the money, and Charles could not rule without it, so he brought them together again. However, Parliament had been disbanded for eleven years by a ruler it despised, and they had many complaints concerning his rule.

Therefore, Parliament chose to defy the king.

The defiance was called 'The Great Remonstrance' and contained a list of grievances against the King, which were many and varied.

The result was that Charles raised his banner and declared war on the Parliamentarians. Charles was defeated, and escaped to Scotland. But the people in Scotland betrayed him to Cromwell, and he was later tried as a traitor to England and executed. Parliament then created Oliver (Noll) Cromwell the "Lord Protector" of England.

This resulted in two factions, completely opposed to the ethics of the other: Cavaliers - the Royalists, for the king, and the Roundheads - for Parliament, and Cromwell. The situation caused many English houses to become divided against themselves; sons against fathers, mothers against daughters, husbands against wives, as they struggled to live the life they had chosen, often in direct opposition to their families and friends.

The situation eventually deteriorated after Cromwell died, and his inept son, Richard, (known as Tumble-Down Dick) took over the government in his father's place.

Parliament, eventually overwhelmed by critics, invited Charles II, Charles I son to become king.

He entered London on 30 Jan 1660, and was crowned King at Westminster Abbey on April 23 1661.


I hope you choose to join me on my new journey. xxxx

Comments

[laeliacatt.livejournal.com]

I did know about this Civil War, having learned about it in school, but school was a looooong time ago. :) Thanks for the refresher course and I look forward to the new story!

[ismenin.livejournal.com]

Thanks! It should be up tomorrow - er, later today! :D xxx

[mews1945.livejournal.com]

I knew something about this, but as Laelicat says, school was long ago, and it helps to have this reminder.

[ismenin.livejournal.com]

Yes, we do tend to forget stuff, don't we? My memory tends to throw nothing out, except important things like - have I taken my pills? but it can be a pain sometimes! ;D xxx

[mole-caz.livejournal.com]

The history of all your stories resonate with me Ru and this period has strong connections with where I work. I can see much intrigue and espionage waiting in the wings of this tale perhaps?

[ismenin.livejournal.com]

Oh, yes, plenty going on. This one is a bit different, though. How exactly, you'll have to wait and see! :D xxx

[verangel.livejournal.com]

YOU DEFINITLY KNOW I WILL EAGERLY BE THERE!!! I can't wait. Hugs you tons xooxox v

[ismenin.livejournal.com]

Not long to wait, now. Later today, I hope! Hugs ;D xxx

[janejanejane.livejournal.com]

Thank you, I did know something about this, but not all the details.

Looking forward to your new series :-)

XXXX

[ismenin.livejournal.com]

I hope you'll like it! Hugses :D xxx

[fantasy-fan.livejournal.com]

Count me among those woefully ignorant of history, but eagerly awaiting another story.

[ismenin.livejournal.com]

I will certainly do that. Anyone can understand this. I hope. After all, it's the DomLijah we want not a history lesson! :D xxx

[frolijah-fan-54.livejournal.com]

Hi Issi!! I actually didn't know about that history (or if they did cover that in school, which I highly doubt, I don't remember it). So thanks for that.

I will definitely be joining you for your new journey - and I'm very excited!! I hope to find the time soon to go back and read what I've missed in your last fic and give the comments it deserves.

I'm always so excited to get a new story from you and am so glad that you share them with us!! I hope you are having a good day!! &hearts &hearts &hearts &hearts

[ismenin.livejournal.com]

Not a bad day at all, thank you! I hope you get to read it - After all, unless lj folds, it'll be there to read at your leisure. :D xxx

[bee-ta-baby.livejournal.com]

I have to say I also knew about this war having been raised in New England and our countries histories so intricately woven. Admittedly, at the time of the teaching I wasn't the greatest fan of history - time has corrected that error in my learning and I'm delighted to know you'll be basing (loosely) a story on this time period.

[ismenin.livejournal.com]

Loosely, it is. The point of any of my stories is the Dom Lij dynamic after all! Hope you enjoy! ;D xxx

[bee-ta-baby.livejournal.com]

I always do. I have never not been thrilled to see your name pop up in my mailbox, signaling another chapter or new story. My fav was always Dom/Billy - but your work has convinced me that Dom/Eli are very much as enjoyable.

[pattilovesviggo.livejournal.com]

I heard of the war of the Cavaliers and Roundheads when we were young, but didn`t know why it happened, this will be great to learn more and another Lij/Dom story to enjoy. Thanks for entertaining a sometimes boring life LOL
Good to see you today and hope the sun comes soon so we can go out :D xxx

[ismenin.livejournal.com]

Oh, sis - what a week it's been! More hospital time than I can shake a stick at! Will ring you later.

I hope we can go out soon, too. Hugses. :D xxx

[http://users.livejournal.com/saura_/]

WOW Ru!!! This looks SO interesting!!!! I can only hope to have the time to print it in a doc and be able to read it! :)

[ismenin.livejournal.com]

Well, I hope so, too, my love. Time is a rare thing with even one baby, I know! When you have four it gets easier! Only joking! ;D xxx

[http://users.livejournal.com/saura_/]

I've been told when you get the second it gets easier because by then you know what to do and what not, hehe.

[bellewood.livejournal.com]

I never did keep up with your last story.. sorry.. but i know it's always there when i get the time. And i will. I'm determined to keep up with this one though. I always prefer an English setting. Thanks for the history.. there's lots i'd forgotten. :)

[ismenin.livejournal.com]

This one isn't so long, Belle. And as you say,the other one is always there when you've a minute to read it! :D xxx

[elisamaria.livejournal.com]

I love how you weave your stories with history and I am looking forward to this new one. I'm sure it will be as amazing as all your others!

[ismenin.livejournal.com]

Thank you! I hope you'll thinkso when you've read it, my dear! :D xxx

[lisabellex.livejournal.com]

I'm looking forward to reading your story.

In junior school, I was part of a choir which used to sing in competitions, and one of the songs we learned was, we were told, a prayer King Charles I wrote while he was imprisoned. It has stuck with me, tune & all, all these years. From memory, it went:

Close thine eyes and sleep secure,
Thy soul is safe, thy body sure;
He who guards thee, He that keeps never slumbers;
Never slumbers, never sleeps.
A quiet, quiet conscience in the breast
Knows only peace, knows only rest.
The wisest, the wisest and the mirth of kings
Are out of tune, unless she sings;
So close thine eyes in peace and sleep secure;
No sleep so sweet as thine, no rest so sure.

Interestingly, for the first time I've just checked this on Google. It seems it is attributed to Charles I, although its true authorship is uncertain. The tune we sang it to is not the Purcell version on Youtube - I did have a browse around, but couldn't find ours. It was very moving, though.

Who knows, eh?

Write on, Macduff!

x

ETA: just realised I got a couple of words wrong in the last line. :)

[ismenin.livejournal.com]

I have not seen that prayer before. It sounds lovely. I hope you get a chance to read my story, and hope, too, that you like it. Hugses. :D xxx