The Children of the New Forest (1847) is a novel by Frederick Marryat.
Although Marryat is more widely known for novels inspired by his
experience as a captain in the Royal Navy, The Children of the New
Forest is a historical children's novel set in the aftermath of the
English Civil War. Bringing his readers into the world of danger and
political intrigue that was England in the 17th century, Marryat earns
his place as one of the leading adventure writers of his time. "It was
in the month of November in this year that King Charles, accompanied by
Sir John Berkely, Ashburnham, and Legg, made his escape from Hampton
Court, and rode as fast as the horses could carry them toward that part
of Hampshire which led to the New Forest." At the end of the English
Civil War, Parliamentarian forces pursued King Charles and his dwindling
allies into the ancient woods of the New Forest. Searching the scattered
homes of the forest, they leave a wake of destruction in their path.
Having already lost their father, a Royalist, in the Battle of Naseby,
orphans Edward, Humphrey, Alice, and Edith are targeted by a group of
Roundhead soldiers. Rescued from their burning home by Jacob Armitage, a
local verderer, the children learn to survive using techniques passed
down by generations of New Forest dwellers. With a beautifully designed
cover and professionally typeset manuscript, this edition of Frederick
Marryat's The Children of the New Forest is a classic of British
literature reimagined for modern readers.