INTRODUCTION.

THE reader who is well acquainted with the disastrous period of the great Rebellion, will perceive that the main incidents of this work are based upon history. The siege of Wardour, which forms so prominent a feature in my tale; the events near Basing House, and the destruction of Ragland Castle, derive any interest which they may possess in these volumes, from the truth of their details, rather than from the fiction with which they are interwoven.

For some anachronisms there must be indulgence claimed from the critic-(and who is not now a critic?)-who may think it worth while to peruse a composition

VOL. I.