Children of the New Forest

Children of the New Forest is a captivating childrens novel published in 1847 by Frederick Marryat, set against the tumultuous backdrop of the English Civil War and the Commonwealth. The story follows the adventurous journey of the four Beverley children, who, after losing their parents to the conflict, find refuge in the enchanting New Forest. As they evade their Roundhead pursuers, the children learn to survive in the wild, honing their skills and adapting to a life far removed from their aristocratic roots. The tale begins in 1647, following the defeat of King Charles I, when Parliamentary soldiers threaten to destroy their home, Arnwood. Believed to have perished in the flames, the siblings—Edward, Humphrey, Alice, and Edith—are saved by the resourceful gamekeeper Jacob Armitage, who shelters them in his secluded cottage, posing as their grandfather. Under his mentorship, the children grow from nobility to skilled foresters. After Armitages passing, Edward steps up as their leader,