---

In this instalment England is facing the threat of the Spanish Armada. Roberda is at her estate in Devon whilst her estranged husband, Gawen, remains in Ireland. The return of her husband does not necessarily bring the safety and contentment it should and Roberda is faced with further threats.
I do not like to give spoilers but I will say that this book really delves into the role of women during the threat of invasion. Women were not mere bystanders, they were a vital support system for the men, putting their skills to make protective clothing and makeshift armour, as well as creating herbal remedies and treating the sick and wounded men. The women at Dartington found the strength to face their fears and brought the community around them together.
I especially loved this installment with Francis Drake and Walter Raleigh popping in and out of Roberda’s life but also the growth in some of the characters including Roberda herself. The research that has gone into this book is obvious and gives insight into the reality of the threat of war in sixteenth century England, particularly in Devon where the nearby coastline added to the threat of the invasion.
Rosemary Griggs has created a fantastic trilogy, using her knowledge of Tudor England to transport readers back to a time and place where invasion was reality but so was day to day life. Invasion may be imminent but Roberda also had a family to take care of, an estate to manage, and servants to reassure. The detail of daily life, from clothing, to the gardens and plants growing, all the way through to the preparations for war and the weapons used is vivid and real.
Women during this period are often overlooked so this book is fantastic at bringing the efforts of the women during this time out of the shadows. I congratulate Rosemary on a wonderful trilogy, one that I will likely read again. If you are looking for something that focuses on women, whilst covering the events of the Tudor period in incredible detail based on meticulous research, I highly recommend this trilogy. This book (and the trilogy as a whole) will take you on a rollercoaster of feelings, I have laughed, cried, and gasped in disbelief.

---