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The Vagrant King
Cornish farmer Joseph Moyle’s loyalty to the crown goes well rewarded—his stepson Ralf is appointed page to the future King Charles II. When Ralf takes up his post, Britain is in the midst of its most tumultuous period ever—the war between the Royalists and the Parliamentarians and the dawning of a new era. Ralf’s duties oblige him to follow the heir to the throne through the western countries, where he encounters not only court intrigue and the constant threat of Cromwell’s armies, but also romance. As Charles begins the first of many affairs, Ralf also falls in love. But this first love is a dangerous one. Brighid is an Irish Catholic—and complicit in an attempt to kidnap Charles.
512 pages, Paperback
First published August 1, 2006
About the author
E.V. Thompson
65 books40 followersErnest Victor Thompson was born in London and spent nine years in the Navy before joining Bristol police. He moved to Hong Kong, then Rhodesia and had over 200 stories published before returning to England in 1970 to become a full-time award-winning writer.
He settled in Cornwall, living at Idle Cottage in Sharptor.
He wrote 42 historical novels, mostly set in Cornwall, beginning with 'Chase the Wind' in 1977, a book that was voted the best historical novel of the year, with detectives Churchyard and Hawke two of his main characters.
He was awarded the MBE in the 2012 New Years' Honours list for services to literature and the community in Cornwall. He was also a Bard of the Cornish Gorsedd (Gorsedh Kernow). This is an individual honoured for significant contributions to the Cornish language, culture, or heritage.
He also wrote the Scottish historical epic 'Homeland' in 1991 under the pseudonym James Munro.
He died peacefully, with his wife, Celia, and two sons, Nathan and Luke, by his side, at his home in Launceston, Cornwall, on 19 July 2021, shortly after his 81st birthday.
He settled in Cornwall, living at Idle Cottage in Sharptor.
He wrote 42 historical novels, mostly set in Cornwall, beginning with 'Chase the Wind' in 1977, a book that was voted the best historical novel of the year, with detectives Churchyard and Hawke two of his main characters.
He was awarded the MBE in the 2012 New Years' Honours list for services to literature and the community in Cornwall. He was also a Bard of the Cornish Gorsedd (Gorsedh Kernow). This is an individual honoured for significant contributions to the Cornish language, culture, or heritage.
He also wrote the Scottish historical epic 'Homeland' in 1991 under the pseudonym James Munro.
He died peacefully, with his wife, Celia, and two sons, Nathan and Luke, by his side, at his home in Launceston, Cornwall, on 19 July 2021, shortly after his 81st birthday.
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
February 2, 2026
This author had me in the first half.
1 star for how they wielded their pen and another for a voice so beguiling it was easy to read from chapter to chapter without feeling it. It's the kind of reading experience I wish for my own readers when reading my books.
1 star for how they wielded their pen and another for a voice so beguiling it was easy to read from chapter to chapter without feeling it. It's the kind of reading experience I wish for my own readers when reading my books.
February 7, 2024
Best book I've ever read
This book is ideal for book worms and history buffs. It relates to the events in the of years Cromwell's struggle for the Commonwealth, in a story written in such a way that pictures of the events are easily created by the mind and holds the readers concentrations making it difficult to put aside when needs must. Enjoy and learn in a great environment.
This book is ideal for book worms and history buffs. It relates to the events in the of years Cromwell's struggle for the Commonwealth, in a story written in such a way that pictures of the events are easily created by the mind and holds the readers concentrations making it difficult to put aside when needs must. Enjoy and learn in a great environment.
February 17, 2021
A really interesting read reminding the reader of harder times in past history.
December 3, 2011
Not a newly published book, but for anyone who likes stories of Cavaliers and Roundheads in a bygone time with all its romantic overtones, this story is perfect.
Cornish farmer Joseph Moyle's loyalty to the crown goes well rewarded - his step-son Ralf is appointed page to Prince Charles, son of the martyr king. However when Ralph takes up his post, Britain is in the midst of the Civil Wars between the Royalists and the Parliamentarians.
Ralf’s first love, Brighid is an Irish Catholic seamstress and it turns out she is unwittingly complicit in an attempt to kidnap Prince Charles - a fact that Ralf discovers when he foils the plot. Ralf follows Charles into exile where he is promoted to personal secretary after ten years of loyal service.
Returning at the Battle of Worcester, Ralf is about to escape with other Royalist exiles to the continent, when he discovers his step-father is dead and his beloved family farm, Trecarne has been given to a Puritan, shattering his dreams of a homecoming in the future.
This book is reminiscent of historical sagas which editors say are no longer popular, but as a reader I love them. Ralf Hunkyn is a fictitious character whose story is woven into real events of the 1640’s. Mr Thompson draws a detailed portrait of life in the exiled Court of Charles I and the privations everyone has to endure while maintaining a lifestyle destined to end. Prince Charles’ character is also sympathetically handled in the way he deals with the Covenanters who would use him for their own ends.
Ralf himself is a little too good to be true, but all one can hope for in a dashing cavalier hero, so no complaints there. He shows compassion, loyalty, and he is willing to face prison in the name of the girl he loves. A thoroughly enjoyable, fast paced story with plenty of action and no explicit sex – Lovely.
Cornish farmer Joseph Moyle's loyalty to the crown goes well rewarded - his step-son Ralf is appointed page to Prince Charles, son of the martyr king. However when Ralph takes up his post, Britain is in the midst of the Civil Wars between the Royalists and the Parliamentarians.
Ralf’s first love, Brighid is an Irish Catholic seamstress and it turns out she is unwittingly complicit in an attempt to kidnap Prince Charles - a fact that Ralf discovers when he foils the plot. Ralf follows Charles into exile where he is promoted to personal secretary after ten years of loyal service.
Returning at the Battle of Worcester, Ralf is about to escape with other Royalist exiles to the continent, when he discovers his step-father is dead and his beloved family farm, Trecarne has been given to a Puritan, shattering his dreams of a homecoming in the future.
This book is reminiscent of historical sagas which editors say are no longer popular, but as a reader I love them. Ralf Hunkyn is a fictitious character whose story is woven into real events of the 1640’s. Mr Thompson draws a detailed portrait of life in the exiled Court of Charles I and the privations everyone has to endure while maintaining a lifestyle destined to end. Prince Charles’ character is also sympathetically handled in the way he deals with the Covenanters who would use him for their own ends.
Ralf himself is a little too good to be true, but all one can hope for in a dashing cavalier hero, so no complaints there. He shows compassion, loyalty, and he is willing to face prison in the name of the girl he loves. A thoroughly enjoyable, fast paced story with plenty of action and no explicit sex – Lovely.
March 25, 2015
I read books because they make me happy. This book did manage that, I was super happy that I finally finished it.
I am going to be pretty hard on this book, not just cause it was bad, but because it had so much potential. There was enough plot for a dozen cliche costume dramas. And while all these things happened, really interesting things even, the story itself was always boring.
The main character had zero personality. The prose itself was bland. Scenes that could be great where finished too quickly. Important plot points were quickly glossed over and forgotten except for the occasianal one sentence call back. Nothing bad ever happens to the main character and when tragedy does strike it seems like the main character is an unfeeling robot with zero fucks to give. Well neither did I.
The ending was perhaps even the worst. I feel like the writer got as fed up with the story as I was and just decided to end it with an everything works out kind handwave and the most important thing the book has been leading up to, Charles reclaiming his throne, is treated like a throw away comment. As if it isn't even worth mentioning.
Ugh. This book was just sad and disappoiting.
I am going to be pretty hard on this book, not just cause it was bad, but because it had so much potential. There was enough plot for a dozen cliche costume dramas. And while all these things happened, really interesting things even, the story itself was always boring.
The main character had zero personality. The prose itself was bland. Scenes that could be great where finished too quickly. Important plot points were quickly glossed over and forgotten except for the occasianal one sentence call back. Nothing bad ever happens to the main character and when tragedy does strike it seems like the main character is an unfeeling robot with zero fucks to give. Well neither did I.
The ending was perhaps even the worst. I feel like the writer got as fed up with the story as I was and just decided to end it with an everything works out kind handwave and the most important thing the book has been leading up to, Charles reclaiming his throne, is treated like a throw away comment. As if it isn't even worth mentioning.
Ugh. This book was just sad and disappoiting.
November 21, 2012
My mother has lent me this book to read. You should never judge a book by the cover, but..... I hate the cover of this book! I dislike love stories, but am assured this book is set in during the English Civil War and not a flowery tale of love. Mother says it's a good read, perhaps by the end of it I may forgive the flouncy looking picture on the front of it. We'll wait and see.
A very easy read as the style of writing is very simple. Smetimes, overly simple. However if you're interested in the conflict betweeen the Roundheads and the Royalists it's worth a read. It depicts the conflict and the complicated struggle for power in an easy to read format. The book gives a good portryal of the clammer for power and the complicated conflicts within families and neighbours.
A very easy read as the style of writing is very simple. Smetimes, overly simple. However if you're interested in the conflict betweeen the Roundheads and the Royalists it's worth a read. It depicts the conflict and the complicated struggle for power in an easy to read format. The book gives a good portryal of the clammer for power and the complicated conflicts within families and neighbours.
March 3, 2012
Not the normal type of historical novel I would select to read, either in terms of the period or the author/style and frankly it was a disappointment. It could've been a decent book, and did have some interesting characters and plot elements. I just didn't like the very "matter of fact" writing style - although as soon as I picked up the book and saw the author on jacket cover I did have a feeling it would be so! But I ploughed all the way through! Won't be reading any more of his "novels" though, and imagine he would be better suited to non-fiction biographies etc
October 16, 2011
Great story with King Charles II's struggle to regain his throne as a background. Easy read too.
November 14, 2012
Quite a nice story....
April 19, 2019
Would have been nice to have had a historical note at the end to give more detail about the history and whether any of the minor characters were real historical people.
October 22, 2014
I soon got into this and enjoyed the story. Not my usual kind of book actually. I picked it up in a charity shop.well worth the 99p.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews