Seven Ages Series

The Seven Ages Series:

Like many a scribbler before me I have been fascinated by the story of William Shakespeare. Here was a provincial lad who went to London and became the greatest writer in history. In high school, I was introduced to the plays and to the young adult novel “Cue for Treason” by Geoffrey Treece. Since then I have read a lot about the ‘Shakespeare Authorship Question” by Oxfordians, Baconites and even those who favour Elizabeth herself as the author. However, I am a confirmed, for now, Stratfordian. All of the others seem to be unable to conceive of an imagination that lively and deep without the owner being born into privilege and a university education.

In my reading, I met the state sponsored torturer and, no doubt, pervert, Richard Topcliffe. On reading of his plot to entrap Robert Southwell by using the unfortunate Anne Bellamy in his scheme, I became intrigued with the possibilities. Thus, Nicholas Jones came to be. So did Imaad the Moor, Constanza, young Robert Topcliffe and all the rest of the fictional and historical characters who populate these books. 

As I wrote the first in the series, “Somerby House” I was also taking a creative writing course through Humber College, Toronto. They provided an editor for my work as it was being produced. This gentleman asked about Imaad’s backstory. Where did he come from? How did he end up in England in the 1590’s? Instead of completing “Somerby House”, I wrote “The Duke’s Moor” and “The Moor’s Journey” to relate that backstory. An agent had it for a year or two and did nothing for me, so I published it myself on Amazon. Those two books form Parts 3 and 4 of the Seven Ages Series. Not to worry, though! Each of the books is self-contained and will not spoil the story for you. Parts 1 and 2, “Somerby House” and “Will” are now published, as you can read about them below. An excerpt of each book is provided on their site. Simply click on the titles to go to those already published on Amazon.

Somerby House: Seven Ages Book 1

Speaking to us from the winter of 1624, across nearly 4 centuries, Nicholas Jones tells us of his  hidden childhood among members of the Topcliffe family in Lincolnshire. We meet the main characters of the whole Seven Ages Series as he becomes an adolescent during the dangerous reigns of Elizabeth and James I. The conflict between Catholics and Protestants will eventually endanger Nicholas, Robert Topcliffe and even the succession of the house of Topcliffe.

Will: Seven Ages Book 2

Robert Topcliffe sends Nicholas Jones to King’s Ely and Cambridge to educate him to take his place in society. Later, as a young man studying law at The Inns of Court, Nicholas is dismayed when Robert Topcliffe rips him away from his pleasant, studious life in London. Along with Imaad and his guardian, he travels to Stratford-on-Avon, on a mission to entrap William Shakespeare and the Catholics of Warwickshire. While there he will meet a young woman who will force him to make a dramatic, life-changing choice that will change everyone’s life.

The Duke’s Moor (Book 3)

In his own words, Imaad the Moor tells us how he left an abusive home in the foothills of Andalucia and joined the household of the Duke of Medina-Sidonia. He describes his training, his friends, his mentors and his insecurity at the Duke’s court, where both his background and his race make him an outsider. Finding the love of his life, circumstances conspire to separate the two young lovers. For his own safety Imaad must leave Andalucia and travel to the Low Countries, where Spain is at war with England.

The Moor’s Journey (Book 4)

Imaad accompanies The Duke of Medina-Sidonia who has been put in command of the 1588 Spanish Armada. Although he fears the water and knows nothing of naval warfare, the Duke must agree to King Philip’s orders, leading to a disaster for all of the men of the fleet. Retreating from the rout of the Battle of Gravelines at the hands of the English fleet, the Spaniards are forced to endure a return journey around Scotland and past Ireland where many of the ships are wrecked by bad weather. Imaad must endure great hardship to survive and hopefully return to those he loves in Andalucia.