Tavistock Library welcomes former soldier turned author for free event this Friday

A former soldier turned historical novelist will visit Tavistock Library this Friday to discuss the English Civil War, his military career and how he brings one of Britain's bloodiest periods to life through fiction.

Charles Cordell will appear at the library on Friday, October 30, for a free National Author’s Day event hosted by Libraries Unlimited.

The talk will explore Cordell's journey from the Army to becoming a published author, as well as the conflict that tore through the West Country during the 17th century.

Cordell is the author of the Divided Kingdom series, which follows the bloody struggle between Royalist and Parliamentarian forces during the English Civil War.

His second novel, The Keys of Hell and Death, moves the action west in 1643, bringing readers into the brutal fighting around Bath, Devizes and Roundway Down before culminating in the battle for Bristol.

The story features a cast of characters from different backgrounds, each with their own reasons for taking up arms, reflecting the impact of the conflict on ordinary people as well as those who fought in it.

His experience as a professional soldier has helped shape his depictions of battle, alongside extensive research into the period.

Speaking about the series, Cordell said: “These stories are not based on a single hero. They do not take sides.

“Their voices, ordinary men and women, face each other in the chaos of Britain in civil war, a war fought in our towns, villages and fields. They are both relatable and sharply relevant today.”

The author will also discuss the relevance of the 17th century to the modern world, with an opportunity for visitors to ask questions and have books signed after the talk.

The free event takes place at Tavistock Library on Friday, October 30.

For further information, visit the Libraries Unlimited website at www.librariesunlimited.org.uk.