The Secret Christmas

by Anna Abney

December, 1653, England. The Puritan parliament has outlawed the celebration of Christmas and while shops must stay open every day, the theatres have been forced to close their doors.

The Hawthorne family have been allowed to return to their ancestral home, Measham Hall, just in time for Christmas. This is only after Sir Nicholas Hawthorne has reluctantly agreed to take an oath of loyalty to the Commonwealth. When a theatre troupe begging alms turn up on their doorstep, the family’s Catholic traditions of hospitality and charity dictate they must welcome the strangers in, despite the risks involved. These magical and exuberant guests transform Christmas at Measham Hall into a secret celebration, filled with theatrical performances, music and bountiful banquets, much to the delight of the children, William and Alethea.

This festive prequel to The Master of Measham Hall is a delightful tale of a small rebellion and sows the seed for decisions William and Alethea will make in years to come.

Genres: Christmas

144 pages, Hardcover

First published November 7, 2024

About the author

Also writes as Madeline Dewhurst

Reviews

[Abi · Rating 3 out of 5]

Short and charming read!

Finished just in time to make it to 24 books in 2024 🤩

[Sarah Kimberley · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you’re in want of a delightfully christmassy tale, “The Secret Christmas: A Measham Hall Story” is certainly a good tonic. An old timely piece that transports us back to a lost ancestral home in December 1653. Full of perfectly festive notes and mouth watering detail 🕯️

So beautifully written. Measham Hall is an ancient family manor that has fallen into ruin during the rise of a new Puritan parliament. The Catholic Hawthornes, arriving by jolty carriage to their ghostly ransacked estate, offer warm shelter to a troupe of boisterous actors who turn up at their doorstep begging alms. Sir Nicholas Hawthorne, the stiff and somewhat misunderstood Father ( superbly written) has reluctantly sworn an oath of loyalty and thereby is banned from Christmas revels- much to the chagrin of his two young children William and Alethea. It was Oliver Cromwell’s firm belief that England should be cleansed of decadence 🎄

However Measham Hall is soon glowing top to toe after the troupe sprinkle some secret magic all over the grand manor. A short little book but teeming with rebellion and childlike wonder. Who could say no to Christmas? ✨

“Two long tables brought in from the kitchen stood side by side, both heaped with springs of greenery garlanded with cherry-red ribbons. Beeswax candles glowed from the middle of Holly wreaths placed at intervals down the length of each table.”

[Emma Dickson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I couldn't wait to go back to Measham Hall. The Secret Christmas is a prequel, set during Cromwell's reign, threatening anyone who dared to celebrate Christianity and Christmas. However, the Hawthorne family have only just been able to return to their ancestral home after it was taken from them and treated badly. Then a travelling show appears on their doorstep. It would be terribly rude not to let them in....

I loved being back with Alethea and her family, thoroughly enjoyed the nod to things that happened in the future books and the festive spirit and charity that Christmas should be all about.

[Nicola Wyllie · Rating 4 out of 5]

A historical fiction novella, set in 1653 telling the story of a family returning to their home after the father, a royalist, has returned from exile in France in time for Christmas. Except Cromwell has banned any celebrations. They are soon joined by a theatre group begging alms, and their Christmas turns out to be unexpectedly merry.

I really enjoyed this short read, it had a great sense of place and time, with some interesting characters. I love reading about how Christmas has been celebrated in the past.

[Chianna Hinks · Rating 5 out of 5]

A magical, exciting & beautifully written novella giving a glimpse into Christmases in the past, I found it hard to put down…
It’s 1653, Royalist Sir Nicholas Hawthorne has returned to his wife and children after being exiled; they have been granted to return to their ancestral home, Measham Hall in time for Christmas. However, Christmas celebrations have been outlawed by the Puritan Parliament! But when a theatre troupe arrive asking for alms, a magical, secret Christmas Celebration ensues!

[Gail · Rating 2 out of 5]

A very quick Christmas read. Part of the Measham Hall series.
Anna Abney also writes as Maadeline Dewhurst

[Estela · Rating 4 out of 5]

Short and sweet; reading it the week before Christmas got me into the festive mood!