St. George and St. Michael

Set against the backdrop of the English Civil War, this historical novel follows the ideological and romantic rift between Richard Heywood and Dorothy Vaughan. Richard, a dedicated Roundhead, aligns himself with the Parliamentarian cause, while Dorothy remains a staunch Royalist at Raglan Castle, serving the Marquis of Worcester. Their relationship serves as the focal point for a broader examination of the theological and political conflicts between Puritanism and the High Church. MacDonald incorporates historical figures like Glamorgan and King Charles I to ground the fictional narrative in seventeenth-century history.

Readers of Victorian literature and historical fiction choose this book to see how faith and loyalty function under the pressure of civil unrest. It appeals to those interested in the transition from medieval structures to modern governance. The reader gains a specific understanding of the internal motivations driving the Cavaliers and the Roundheads, moving beyond simple military accounts. The story provides a detailed look at how individuals maintain personal integrity while their core identities are tested by conflicting spiritual and national allegiances.