The Rule and the Flame: Irish Period Drama in IV Acts

by Martin Smallridge

Set in the charged world of eighteenth-century Ireland and France, The Rule and the Flame follows the transformation of Honora “Nano” Nagle—a woman of learning, wealth, and wit—who chooses a path shaped by duty, risk, and the quiet fire of conviction. From Parisian salons glittering with silk and philosophy to the damp alleys of Cork where whispers carry more weight than proclamations, her journey forms a portrait of resistance lit from within.

Each act unfolds with the first reveals the fragile brilliance of exile; the second forges a lantern from grief and a schoolroom from silence; the third deepens the conflict between inner vow and outward obedience; the final act offers a legacy carried through generations by the hands of those who build in secrecy and speak in action. The law becomes both obstacle and crucible. Words emerge as tools, faith as burden and blessing.

This work blends historical realism with lyrical dialogue, presenting a vision of Irish perseverance shaped by inner flame and outward restraint. It evokes lives shaped by constraints and shaped again through choice, language, and daring. For readers of dramatic literature, historical inquiry, and poetic stage writing, this play offers a world alive with echoes, presence, and meaning.

151 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 28, 2025