In an age of knights and castles

the starring warrior is...well...a "lady."

The very real Lady Mary Hawtrey Bankes inspired a war-weary nation, including even her foes when she dared to oppose the Parliamentary forces in fierce face-to-face combat with her young daughters by her side. Not exactly a then socially acceptable role for "proper" ladies! Who could blame them? The enemy (their neighbors) not only wanted to destroy their castle but to abolish Christmas!

Lady Mary's story is one of tender romance in an era of arranged marriages. It celebrates family at a time of paramount fear and despair. It is a (slightly) fictionalized but mostly true tale of heartbreaking loss and betrayal-but also of fervent love and hope. Not your ordinary historical romance novel.