This book is slightly different from the others which I've read. The focus is not so much on the royalty but the person who served the royalty.
In this case, the main character is John Tradescant (the younger) who was the royal gardener. I checked the facts about him and again PG is almost accurate except for the fictional parts.
He was married three times. First two wives are real but the third wife who is a Red Indian is fictional. No facts about her at all. The tale here is pretty tall but kind of interesting. I enjoyed this part of the story maybe because it's fictional.
The story takes place during the Civil War; Charles 1's reign. Such a difficult time for the commoners. Maybe that's why PG choose to write from a commoner's point of view; to show the struggles they go through when the 'rulers' war against each other.
The story takes place in England and also Virginia, America. I was tranported into the days of Pocahontas and the pioneers....life definitely wasn't a bed of roses then. The life of a pioneer as described by PG was pretty overwhelming.
One character that is most admirable would be Hester Pooks; his second wife. Not sure if she was of such in real life but she is almost like a heroine in this story. A most interesting fact is his daughter; Frances, married Alexander Norman (a family friend) at the age of 17 when he was 55 or so.
John Tradescant the younger....took over his father's role as the royal gardener. His son was also called John who died pretty young.
Charles 1....reigned without Parliament for 10 years and brought about the civil war.....royalty vs parliament.
Oliver Cromwell....the man who turned England into a Republic!!
A good book to read....but need endurance.
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