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The Sheltering Tree
A perfectly-pitched look at the story of the Tolpuddle Martyrs, backed by thorough research which is worn lightly. Excellent for the pre-teen - but it's a book to enjoy whatever age you are...Fiona Taylor has done an excellent job of bringing this story to life for the pre-teen. Her research has been exemplary...will be useful for teachers who might wish to use The Sheltering Tree in class ... Sheltering Tree is a well-written and enjoyable way of introducing the story which played such an important part in the founding of the trade union movement. Sue Magee, Bookbag. I really enjoyed this book and found myself quickly immersed in Elizabeth’s story, such is the author’s slick ability to write in the first person whilst observing life from a young person’s perspective....this book highlights a really significant moment in the evolution of human rights and the right to freedom of speech.... I feel that it could be enjoyed equally by middle grade children/young adults and adults themselves. Susie Fiddes, Reedsy Discovery. TOLPUDDLE DORSET 1834 The untold lives of the families behind the Tolpuddle Martyrs Thirteen year old Elizabeth Standfield’s family have lived happily in Tolpuddle for generations, working as farm labourers on the fields that surround the village. Yet in the early 1830s disaster strikes when the local landowner, Squire Frampton, reduces the labourers wage to six shillings a week. These starvation wages are too little for the families to survive. Some of the village men decide to form a trade union and protest against their low wages. Squire Frampton, fearing revolution and rebellion, has six of the men, who he considers to be the ringleaders, arrested and transported to Australia for seven years. Among these men are Elizabeth’s father and her older brother John. Also sent to Australia is her close friend James Brine - who she secretly hopes to marry one day. The story of the Tolpuddle Martyrs is well known, it is even part of the school curriculum, but until now it has been told by the mens' point of view. The Sheltering Tree follows the lives of Elizabeth and the women who are left in the village with little income, scant food and the risk eviction. Despite the hardship, Elizabeth refuses to give into despair and she uses every reserve of strength and integrity to help protect her family, and to fight for justice in bringing the men back home. A coming of age tale and children's historical drama inspired by the true historical events of the Tolpuddle Martyrs. A page turning adventure with twists and turns. Perfect for fans of To Kill a Mockingbird, Little Women and The Railway Children.
190 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 31, 2020
4 people want to read
About the author
Fiona Taylor
1 book2 followersWhen Fiona was around eleven she read Oliver Twist by Charles Dickens and since then she has been fascinated by social history, which is often described as history of the people. She is especially interested in everyday folk who have stood up for what is right.
After graduating from the London School of Economics she worked for several years in London as an assistant editor for a trade magazine - her claim to fame is that the magazine appeared on Have I got News for You as the guest publication.
Following the birth of her two children Fiona moved to Dorset to live by the sea. It is here that Fiona has been able to develop her love of history and has written numerous articles for the local press, blogs and has contributed to local community projects. Following a weekend at the Tolpuddle Martyrs Festival last summer, Fiona decided to delve into the life of 13 year old Elizabeth Standfield, a daughter of one of the Tolpuddle Martyrs who grew up in the 1830s. The Sheltering Tree is the result of this research and it is the first time Elizabeth's story has been told.
After graduating from the London School of Economics she worked for several years in London as an assistant editor for a trade magazine - her claim to fame is that the magazine appeared on Have I got News for You as the guest publication.
Following the birth of her two children Fiona moved to Dorset to live by the sea. It is here that Fiona has been able to develop her love of history and has written numerous articles for the local press, blogs and has contributed to local community projects. Following a weekend at the Tolpuddle Martyrs Festival last summer, Fiona decided to delve into the life of 13 year old Elizabeth Standfield, a daughter of one of the Tolpuddle Martyrs who grew up in the 1830s. The Sheltering Tree is the result of this research and it is the first time Elizabeth's story has been told.
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
March 17, 2021
I received an ARC of this book from the author, in exchange for an honest review.
This book is the story of the Tolpuddle Martyrs as seen through the eyes of a 13 year old girl called Elizabeth. It is very well written, describing what living conditions, lack of food, social care and expectations that were put on a young teenager of that time.
The Tolpuddle Martyrs are a group of farm labourers who formed a trade union to try and secure better wages and working conditions. This did not go down well with the local landowners and gentry, who were the men’s employers, as they were the ones with power and influence. This included power over the clergy, as presumably the gentry contributed more to the Church coffers than the farm workers.
For a girl on the edge of being a teenager, Elizabeth has to deal with life experiences well beyond her years as she becomes caught up in the arrest, of her brother, father and - the object of her affections - James, amongst many others, jailed pending trial and facing “transportation” (By ship in atrocious conditions for many months) into a life of farm slavery in Australia if found guilty.
Following the arrests she has to take on an even more practical role within her growing family. The family are shunned by the rest of the community for fear of any accusations of association to the “illegal activity”, and also due to their Methodist leanings, the women left behind struggle to make ends meet and have to rely on charity and donations collected by the London trade unionists, who support the Tolpuddle men.
I loved this book and found myself immersed in Elizabeth’s story, such is the author’s abilty to write as if we are there. This was a pivotal moment in British history, as free speech, and the evolution of human rights. All things that are generally taken for granted today. Because of people like these. We all need to be reminded of those who fought to secure these liberties on our behalf.
Although this is primarily aimed at 8-12 year olds, it is well worth reading at any age. It is a fairly short book that has been well researched and pitched for the target audience and for anyone who wants to learn more of the key moments in freedom of speech and human rights.
I certainly enjoyed reading it and appreciated the rich quality of the author’s research in bringing Tolpuddle to life as she draws you in to life in the early 19th century. I highly recommend it, you won’t be disappointed by this book. Can’t wait to read more by this author.
This book is the story of the Tolpuddle Martyrs as seen through the eyes of a 13 year old girl called Elizabeth. It is very well written, describing what living conditions, lack of food, social care and expectations that were put on a young teenager of that time.
The Tolpuddle Martyrs are a group of farm labourers who formed a trade union to try and secure better wages and working conditions. This did not go down well with the local landowners and gentry, who were the men’s employers, as they were the ones with power and influence. This included power over the clergy, as presumably the gentry contributed more to the Church coffers than the farm workers.
For a girl on the edge of being a teenager, Elizabeth has to deal with life experiences well beyond her years as she becomes caught up in the arrest, of her brother, father and - the object of her affections - James, amongst many others, jailed pending trial and facing “transportation” (By ship in atrocious conditions for many months) into a life of farm slavery in Australia if found guilty.
Following the arrests she has to take on an even more practical role within her growing family. The family are shunned by the rest of the community for fear of any accusations of association to the “illegal activity”, and also due to their Methodist leanings, the women left behind struggle to make ends meet and have to rely on charity and donations collected by the London trade unionists, who support the Tolpuddle men.
I loved this book and found myself immersed in Elizabeth’s story, such is the author’s abilty to write as if we are there. This was a pivotal moment in British history, as free speech, and the evolution of human rights. All things that are generally taken for granted today. Because of people like these. We all need to be reminded of those who fought to secure these liberties on our behalf.
Although this is primarily aimed at 8-12 year olds, it is well worth reading at any age. It is a fairly short book that has been well researched and pitched for the target audience and for anyone who wants to learn more of the key moments in freedom of speech and human rights.
I certainly enjoyed reading it and appreciated the rich quality of the author’s research in bringing Tolpuddle to life as she draws you in to life in the early 19th century. I highly recommend it, you won’t be disappointed by this book. Can’t wait to read more by this author.
August 17, 2020
I reviewed an ARC of this book for Reedsy (see link below).
This book follows the events of the real life legal scandal occurring in the 19th century rural village of Tolpuddle, as imagined by the author through the eyes of 13 year old Elizabeth Standfield.
On the cusp of adulthood, Elizabeth encounters life experiences well beyond her years as she becomes caught up in the midst of the “Tolpuddle Martyrs” arrest, which sees her brother, father and - the object of her affections - James, amongst many others, jailed pending trial and facing “transportation” into a life of farm slavery in Australia if found guilty.
Elizabeth has to take on a significant practical role within her growing family following the arrests. Shunned by the rest of the community for fear of any accusations of association to the clandestine union meetings, and also due to their Methodist leanings, the women left behind struggle to make ends meet and come to rely on charity and donations collected by London trade unionists, who are in support of the Tolpuddle men.
The accused’s charges are their forming of a workers union to try and secure better wages and working conditions. As you can imagine all this was to the indignance of the local worthies and landowners who were the men’s employers and so those with power and influence had a direct influence over the arrests.
I really enjoyed this book and found myself quickly immersed in Elizabeth’s story, such is the author’s slick ability to write in the first person whilst observing life from a young person’s perspective.
We see how Elizabeth’s character quickly matures as the months pass; she finds herself having to comfort her heavily pregnant mother and often confront other adult locals who are less than friendly towards associates of the imprisoned men.
Ever present in the backdrop is the “character” that gives the book its name - The Sheltering Tree - where many significant moments in the book occur. I am a fan of the literary use of a tree or other permanent inanimate object silently witnessing so much history in the making and here, the sheltering tree is truly at the centre of the action in the village.
This book reminds me a lot of The Children’s Book by AS Byatt, not in story but in terms of the tone and era of emerging free thinking British history. I feel that this book highlights a really significant moment in the evolution of human rights and the right to freedom of speech, which is largely taken for granted today. It is good to be reminded of those who fought to secure these liberties on our behalf.
There are some very interesting author notes at the end of the novel, pointing to source material relating to the events, which makes for interesting further background factual reading - a bonus for fans of the historical fiction genre.
This is a fairly short book and I feel that it could be enjoyed equally by middle grade children/young adults and adults themselves. I certainly very much enjoyed reading it and appreciated the rich quality of the author’s research in bringing Tolpuddle to life. Highly recommend.
https://reedsy.com/discovery/book/the...
This book follows the events of the real life legal scandal occurring in the 19th century rural village of Tolpuddle, as imagined by the author through the eyes of 13 year old Elizabeth Standfield.
On the cusp of adulthood, Elizabeth encounters life experiences well beyond her years as she becomes caught up in the midst of the “Tolpuddle Martyrs” arrest, which sees her brother, father and - the object of her affections - James, amongst many others, jailed pending trial and facing “transportation” into a life of farm slavery in Australia if found guilty.
Elizabeth has to take on a significant practical role within her growing family following the arrests. Shunned by the rest of the community for fear of any accusations of association to the clandestine union meetings, and also due to their Methodist leanings, the women left behind struggle to make ends meet and come to rely on charity and donations collected by London trade unionists, who are in support of the Tolpuddle men.
The accused’s charges are their forming of a workers union to try and secure better wages and working conditions. As you can imagine all this was to the indignance of the local worthies and landowners who were the men’s employers and so those with power and influence had a direct influence over the arrests.
I really enjoyed this book and found myself quickly immersed in Elizabeth’s story, such is the author’s slick ability to write in the first person whilst observing life from a young person’s perspective.
We see how Elizabeth’s character quickly matures as the months pass; she finds herself having to comfort her heavily pregnant mother and often confront other adult locals who are less than friendly towards associates of the imprisoned men.
Ever present in the backdrop is the “character” that gives the book its name - The Sheltering Tree - where many significant moments in the book occur. I am a fan of the literary use of a tree or other permanent inanimate object silently witnessing so much history in the making and here, the sheltering tree is truly at the centre of the action in the village.
This book reminds me a lot of The Children’s Book by AS Byatt, not in story but in terms of the tone and era of emerging free thinking British history. I feel that this book highlights a really significant moment in the evolution of human rights and the right to freedom of speech, which is largely taken for granted today. It is good to be reminded of those who fought to secure these liberties on our behalf.
There are some very interesting author notes at the end of the novel, pointing to source material relating to the events, which makes for interesting further background factual reading - a bonus for fans of the historical fiction genre.
This is a fairly short book and I feel that it could be enjoyed equally by middle grade children/young adults and adults themselves. I certainly very much enjoyed reading it and appreciated the rich quality of the author’s research in bringing Tolpuddle to life. Highly recommend.
https://reedsy.com/discovery/book/the...
August 10, 2020
FABULOUS HISTORICAL STORY, WELL WORTH A READ
I was surprised when I finished this book by how well the author had drawn me into the lives of the characters here. I felt a real empathy with the main players, a burning outrage at such a flawed legal system and emotional at the ending. So many emotions in a short book. I was ashamed that I knew nothing of the Tolpuddle Martyrs but have since looked into their history and am so grateful for their bravery. You won’t be disappointed by this book, the story is really gripping and the characters are well expressed. Can’t wait to read more by this author.
I was surprised when I finished this book by how well the author had drawn me into the lives of the characters here. I felt a real empathy with the main players, a burning outrage at such a flawed legal system and emotional at the ending. So many emotions in a short book. I was ashamed that I knew nothing of the Tolpuddle Martyrs but have since looked into their history and am so grateful for their bravery. You won’t be disappointed by this book, the story is really gripping and the characters are well expressed. Can’t wait to read more by this author.
January 30, 2021
Fiona’s made an important moment in social history into a really captivating story for everyone. I felt happily immersed in Elizabeth’s tiny village world and loved the believable characters, the atmospheric setting and period details. It’s a page-turner so I raced through in one sitting. Quite apart from the significance of the historical facts, it’s a story of a young teen who’s trying to figure life out while trying to manage the severe hardships faced by her family, much of which she can’t influence, and find a way through. So relatable for young people of today.
June 2, 2021
Perfect for pre-teens
The ideal young adult novel that mixes history with drama and relatable characters. It has obviously been thoroughly researched but is not dry in any way!
The ideal young adult novel that mixes history with drama and relatable characters. It has obviously been thoroughly researched but is not dry in any way!
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews