Woodstock; or, the Cavalier

The novel is set in the year 1651 during the English Civil War and revolves around Charles II's escape from the country after the battle of Worcester. Sir Henry Lee, Ranger of the royal lodge and park of Woodstock, and a staunch supporter of the monarchy, opposes the union of his daughter Alice and his nephew Colonel Markham Everard who has sided with the Parliamentarians and earned the respect of Cromwell. Everard is able to prevent the sequestration of Woodstock through his influence with Cromwell, who hopes, moreover, that the fugitive Charles II will choose it as a hiding place where he could easily be captured. Charles does indeed take refuge there, disguised as the page to Sir Henry's son, Albert. He proceeds to court the unwilling Alice to whom he reveals his true identity. The jealous Everard quarrels with Charles, and bloodshed is avoided only by Alice's intervention. Everard is let into the secret of Charles's disguise and promises not to betray him to Cromwell. Cromwell, though, is alerted to Charles's presence, lays siege to Woodstock, and arrests Everard as a traitor. Charles, though, has been forewarned and effects his escape, leaving Albert Lee to impersonate him. Pursuit is further delayed as Charles's followers distract the Parliamentarian forces by 'playing at ghosts' in the secret passages of the supposedly haunted building. When Charles's escape becomes evident, Cromwell orders that Everard and Sir Henry Lee be put to death, but relents and grants them a pardon. Charles's influence meanwhile has helped assuage Sir Henry's prejudice against Everard, and he permits him to marry his daughter. Everard eventually comes to support the Restoration, in the hope that it will bring stable government.