This was one of the first historical novels written specifically for children and published in 1847. Set during the English Civil War, the four children of deceased cavalier Colonel Beverley escape from the burning of their family home and are sheltered in the New Forest by Jacob Armitage. They take fictional identities as Armitage's supposed grandchildren. Over time, they get used to their lives there farming and herding cattle. The elder son Edward tries to get involved in the attempts to restore the future King Charles II, with mixed success. The depiction of the Civil War is definitely pro-Royalist, and helped to set the literary narrative of dour Roundheads and romantic swashbuckling Cavaliers. Though it isn't totally one-sided, and Intendant Heatherstone is a Roundhead who understands why people rebelled against King Charles I for depriving them of their liberties and promoting the divine right of kings, while being repelled by the King's execution. The final chapter leaps forward a few years to the Restoration and the four Beverleys taking up positions in the new court. ( )

[2021-11-19]

Tried to read this as a child as part of my Brownies bookworm badge and failed. Tried in my 60s and still unable to finish it. It always amazes me how often my adult taste marries with my childhood opinion. ( )

I read most 'Children's Classics' in my youth, but never seemed to get a copy of this one... It's actually (even as an adult reader) a pretty good read, even if, being older and more cynical, we might feel the efforts of the young protagonists are quite astonishingly successful!
It's the story of the four Beverley children, during the English Civil War. The orphaned offspring of a well-to-do Cavalier, they are being brought up by a sour old aunt in their family home, until the arrival of Roundheads, the burning down of the property and seizure of old Cousin Judith (whom they take to be Charles I in disguise)...
Then follow years of adventure as the four are taken in by a sympathetic forester. Edward, the eldest, soon becomes an adroit deer hunter, while practical brother Humphrey starts a technically impressive farm, and the girls master homecraft. But there's a Roundhead 'Intendant' (with a lovely daughter) supervising the forest; an obliging gypsy who falls into Humphrey's trap; and tantalising news of Charles II returning to re-take the throne...
Pretty good!! ( )

M100 General Works