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1587, England is at risk of invasion by the Spanish Armada, following the death of Mary, Queen of Scots, the Catholic rival to the throne and cousin to Queen Elizabeth.
A Navy is being prepared, men are being trained to use weapons, uniforms are needed, ships constantly patrol the shores of the south coast and a network of beacons is erected to give an early warning of attacks. The Navy is under the leadership of Sir Walter Raleigh, a favourite of the Queen and a local man.
At Dartington Hall, war preparations are under way on a more modest scale. The women are sewing makeshift body armour, small pieces of metal sewn into padded jackets, herbs are pounded into liquids and salves to treat wounds, and the harvest must be gathered in to provide food for the winter.
Lady Roberda is in charge, her estranged husband is fighting in Ireland. She has five children to raise, whilst also caring for the estate and reassuring the workers. Dartington is too close to the coast for comfort.
This novel vividly shows the day to day life that confronts these women, left behind by their husbands. It demonstrates the resourceful ways they go about these extra duties, their strength and powers of persuasion needed to keep loved ones safe in these troubled times. Who to trust is a key element in this novel, when those closest can cause the greatest upsets.
I enjoyed this novel very much. The roles of women in wartime, no matter what century being discussed is sadly neglected and made light of. This novel demonstrates the fears, exhaustion and grim determination that is needed to survive in these situations. The story has its roots in factual people and accounts, which have been well researched.
Original review posted on GoodReads
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/7754474312?book_show_action=false

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