The Broken Font: A Story of the Civil War, Vol. 1 (of 2)

In rural Warwickshire on the eve of the civil conflict, a country household is sketched in tranquil detail before wider upheaval reaches it. The portrait centers on an elderly squire, his relations, and a young tutor, showing daily routines and domestic affections. Political and religious disputes progressively intrude, bringing persecution of clergymen, displays of fanaticism and hypocrisy, and episodes of cruelty that fracture private life. The narrative traces how shifting loyalties and small incidents escalate into hardship for families while maintaining a measured sympathy toward all parties.